Inexpensive Davis duty holster that fits both round/square trigger guard 5906/5904

[Nakanokalronin]

I recently bought some parts from Numrich for my 5904 and decided to try out the inexpensive Davis holster they had for $11.85. Now having the square trigger guard made me think it might be a waste of money, but to my surprise it fits perfectly.

It's not a concealment holster, but it's a very well made duty holster for those that may want to open carry or use it for hiking or whatever. It's used, but a little leather dressing and cleaning off the hardware brought it back. I just thought some people might be interested, especially those with square trigger guards.

Link to holster: Holster, Davis Leather Co., Black Leather Gun Parts | 957980 | Numrich Gun Parts

Pics of the 5904 and holster.

 

[t-bird]

Thanks for the info and pics.

 

[Dave Nash]

I recently bought some parts from Numrich for my 5904 and decided to try out the inexpensive Davis holster they had for $11.85. Now having the square trigger guard made me think it might be a waste of money, but to my surprise it fits perfectly.

It's not a concealment holster, but it's a very well made duty holster for those that may want to open carry or use it for hiking or whatever. It's used, but a little leather dressing and cleaning off the hardware brought it back. I just thought some people might be interested, especially those with square trigger guards.

Link to holster: Holster, Davis Leather Co., Black Leather Gun Parts | 957980 | Numrich Gun Parts

Pics of the 5904 and holster.

"Nakanokalronin":

I don't know you and I want you to know upfront that what I have to say here is not an attack against you. Nor am I being nit-picking about your choice of words. But I (just an average member here) would ask that you edit the title of this thread to better reflect the quality of the Davis Holsters that you so thankfully have listed here as being available (as of this writing) from Numrich (Gun Parts Corp).

For anybody who knows holsters or can see with their own eyes when reviewing your extremely well illustrated thread, these seemingly older Davis designs are obviously built like a rock. Granted, today, when many people tend to favor holsters that are as plasticized as their handguns (and that all but require a password to allow you to remove the firearms they carry), the model you picture so well might seem like a "dinosaur in the atomic age". BUT I can tell you that for more than several years at the start of 3rd Gen Era at Smith & Wesson, this Davis Holster was not only the "standard" model for the instructors at the famed law-enforcement-oriented S&W Academy but was also handed out to students who wished to use those then-new pistols in their classes there.

These duty-oriented containers weren't as stylish as the more well-known and mass-produced Bianchi holsters of the day. And they weren't as "detailed" in terms of their basketweaving as some of the custom and limited production people back then (think El Paso Saddlery in that era). BUT they were amazingly rugged and well crafted. In the late 80's and early 90's, you could not wear them out. And if the "used" ones that Numrich is selling (and that you have so kindly linked to here) are anything like those from that period in time (and from your great images, it would appear that they are), the average user even on a shooting site like this one, if they bought one for what a lot of people spend on lunch in only a couple of days, would have something that more than likely, will last as long as the gun itself.

Those Smith instructors taught and shot (but more importantly drew and reholstered) their 2nd and 3rd Generation firearms throughout the day, everyday. And their students who chose to "borrow" guns and these holsters, drew and reholstered those pistols in a week-long class more often than many people do in a month (or even a year) and then the same holster was handed to somebody else the next week (for the same treatment) and the next week, and the next week, ad infinitum.

And still, these boringly "normal" holsters never wore out.

I have NO connection to Numrich (Gun Parts Corp) and sadly, Gordon Davis (not Bill Davis, who many people mistakenly attach to this company) is dead. I don't know Dave Cox who (I am sure is a good guy and who) runs what the company is these days but I do know that he currently and more-than-likely, justifiably, gets over a $150 for a Basketweave version of this same design ("Nakanokalronin": From the maker's mark in your photo, yours is a Gordon Davis-produced model).

So I would think that unless the rest of those that the seller has are just badly chewed up or somehow affected by mold, moisture, sunlight, or contaminants, this could be among the best twelve (12) bucks your readers here might ever spend.

Therefore (and in an effort to get your words out to an even broader group of potential viewers, I ask you to change "Cheap" to "Inexpensive" or better yet, "Sale Priced" (maybe even "Amazingly Sale Priced") to more accurately describe what you have here and, on a more emotional note, to not unintentionally slight or disparage the great work of the now-gone Mr. Davis, who is sadly one of the lesser known but still important figures in the history of holster manufacturing.

I thank you a lot for your time, regardless of what you decide or choose to do.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I used the word "cheap" because the thread title wouldn't allow me to use any more letters when I originally typed out the title. I shortened and deleted a few other words until the title fit. I changed it to "inexpensive", but I know it's a quality holster having bought many other used duty holsters over the years for other firearms which is why I put "it's a very well made duty holster".

Cheap really just means "low price", but I know many gun forum members always put "cheap" with "low quality". It's not my fault someone can't tell what I mean by my description and pictures. I basically mean it's easy to see it's a high quality holster.

ETA: Looking at the current Davis site, it seems the holster similar to this one can drop lower on the belt and be canted. This one can't do either, but it's a quality holster never the less and I wouldn't doubt they continue to make them the same.

 

[mc563]

Thank you. I was looking for a range holster for my 5906. Just got one ordered.

 

[nyeti]

Just to echo........Gordon Davis was one of the premier leather makers of our time. Some of my "most cherished things" are one off holsters the Gordon made for me. He was also one of the founders of SASS.

Under $12 is a flat giveaway for those holsters. I worked at a high end police equipment store in San Diego in the mid 80's. Those Davis duty holsters were our top of the line premier holster. That could be ordered with various cants and shank length. Great stuff.

 

[Dave Nash]

I used the word "cheap" because the thread title wouldn't allow me to use any more letters when I originally typed out the title. I shortened and deleted a few other words until the title fit. I changed it to "inexpensive", but I know it's a quality holster having bought many other used duty holsters over the years for other firearms which is why I put "it's a very well made duty holster".

Cheap really just means "low price", but I know many gun forum members always put "cheap" with "low quality". It's not my fault someone can't tell what I mean by my description and pictures. I basically mean it's easy to see it's a high quality holster.

ETA: Looking at the current Davis site, it seems the holster similar to this one can drop lower on the belt and be canted. This one can't do either, but it's a quality holster never the less and I wouldn't doubt they continue to make them the same.

"Nakanokalronin":

I only brought this to your attention because your great photos and the comment you make ("it's a very well made duty holster") were on the inside of your first Post and regardless as to whether or not you (or I) really believe (as you say here) that "Cheap really just means 'low price' ", I am afraid that I fully agree with your other comment in your second Post that "many gun forum members always put 'cheap' with 'low quality' ".

For in my many years of marketing-related activities, a lot of people (both inside and outside of the gun business) simply equate that word as much (if not more so) with "low quality" as they do with "low price", no matter how carefully it might be used. And as originally appearing in your Title, I believed that its presence there would make a lot of people skip right past your Post and miss out on the really great deal that you took the time to let everyone here know something about.

For as much as people like "nyeti" (immediately above this entry) have long used and appreciated the work of Gordon Davis, and as well as you illustrated his work in your Post that originated this thread, many folks today have no idea who he was or what his company still is. Even in his day, for as well known as Mr. Davis was "Out West" and in certain circles nationally, his name was not a household word, and as I stated the first time around (in my original Post above) he and his shop were often confused with Bill Davis the revolver builder.

So I was just concerned that even in a Forum filled with such knowledgeable enthusiasts as this one, way too many people might see the word "cheap" associated with a maker they don't know and not realize that some really great holsters were now amazingly "low priced" but merely assume that just "cheap holsters", which simply happened to fit both triggerguards, were being offered for sale; perhaps causing those readers to blow right by your great photos and the link to the seller without ever opening things up.

This is a great deal (as recognized by "mc563" above) and you should be saluted for passing it along to the readership on this Site. And hopefully now with this change, it will reach even more of that clan.

Thank you for taking the time to create this Thread and then improve it.

 

[tom 45]

just ordered one...
We'll see what comes in!

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[tom 45]

nice find...
15 minutes with a magic marker and some baseball glove conditioner and I'm good to go!

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Nakanokalronin]

nice find...
15 minutes with a magic marker and some baseball glove conditioner and I'm good to go!

Thanks,
Tom

Looks good! I ordered another one myself and it's even nicer than the first.