Morning thoughts: Popular Leather & Wait Times ....

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I recently entertained myself about purchasing a standard "Milt Sparks" Pocket Holster ... and so I was checking out the price, and wait time. As most of you might know, Milt Sparks Holsters is a top notch and popular leather crafter located in the PNW ... Furthermore, their website stated that there is a 35 to 39 week waiting period. I was a bit a disappointed, but then again I am not really surprised by it. I think it's safe say that Milt Sparks Holsters have reached cult status. And so I ditched the idea a potential purchase. As a result, I might entertain another brand.

Hands down "Pocket Carry" is my daily go to and favorite. I own several brands of holsters.

1. Mika
2. Uncle Mike's
3. Kramer Leather

The Mika Pocket Holster is the most reliable and functional holster I have ... which is my absolute favorite of all time.

The Uncle Mike's Holster is the lightest, and prints the least.

As for the Kramer(s) they work, but are much more pleasing to the eye. There is a learning curve for the Kramer, when it comes to drawing!

Coincidentally, Kramer Holsters now have an "estimated" wait time of 14-16 weeks. Prices have gone up as well. They are listed at $125.00 per holster. Ugh!

Perhaps, I am just gripping away here, or maybe it's the house brand coffee I am drinking this morning.

Does anyone have good or perhaps bad experiences with top notch leather makers?

 

[mckenney99]

I think you have weeks and months confused.

 

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@ mckenney99

Thank you. : )

 

[madmikeb]

I pretty much use Kramer Horsehide Belt Scabbard's exclusively. Last one I ordered in February and I think it was July before I received it. They are always worth the wait though.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Check out Don Hume; currently 25% off sale and I got a 721 holster in <2 weeks .

 

[RobertJ.]

Last time I ordered a Simply Rugged holster it arrived two weeks before the estimated date of delivery.

But I have no experience with Milt Sparks.

 

[s&wchad]

I've tried a number of pocket holsters. I carried in a Kramer for decades, but switched to a Milt Sparks a few years ago. It doesn't fit well in all pockets, so the Kramer still gets used.

Most of these were purchased at gun shows over the years for pennies on the dollar. You might watch the auction sites. Nice used ones occasionally show up for about half MSRP.

 

[Malysh]

I ordered a Kramer IWB #3 on April 28th. It is still not done.
I've been using Kramer holsters (and Sparks) since 1993-1994 so I'm not going to call and complain to them, but I'm disappointed at the current extreme wait times.

To be fair to the customers, Greg should change the advertised wait times from 14-16 weeks to a more realistic estimate.

Oh, well

 

[BAM-BAM]

Check out Don Hume; currently 25% off sale and I got a 721 holster in <2 weeks .

Ordered a 726 for Sig 229/245 on Saturday..... just got a email that it shipped

 

[ramprat]

I just ordered a 1920 "Cross Draw" holster for my S&W Model 19 snub from El Paso Saddlery. They advise to expect 14-16 weeks for completion and delivery. I've purchased from them twice before and their time estimation is pretty spot on. I ordered this holster as a birthday present to myself. My birthday is in early March.
Gary

 

[fiasconva]

Have you looked at Lobogunleather's wait time? They do excellent work.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I ordered a Kramer IWB #3 on April 28th. It is still not done.
I've been using Kramer holsters (and Sparks) since 1993-1994 so I'm not going to call and complain to them, but I'm disappointed at the current extreme wait times.

To be fair to the customers, Greg should change the advertised wait times from 14-16 weeks to a more realistic estimate.

Oh, well

Yikes.... I ordered in June so that does not bode well for me I called once just to see that I was not forgotten and the sweet lady on the phone was so apologetic. I feel they are worth the wait but it is a bit frustrating to see a lead time that does not match reality.

I second the post about Lobo. I ordered my Lobo after the Kramer and it came last week. Lobo customer service is awesome and I was kept in the loop every step of the way.

 

[Malysh]

I finally received my Kramer IWB #3 for my P365 today. As usual, a beautifully made holster. It was 6 months 2 weeks until delivered.

I also ordered a belt scabbard for my 2.5" Python on Oct. 8th. Judging from this one, I won't have the Python holster until April 2024

 

[Malysh]

And yes, Kim, Greg's wife, who runs the office and takes the calls, has always been very nice.
I've been buying holsters from Kramer (and Sparks) since 1993/1994.

 

[joespapa]

I’ve been lost since my go-to Bell Charter Oak (Lefty Lewis) has been gone .


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[BabaBlueJay]

And yes, Kim, Greg's wife, who runs the office and takes the calls, has always been very nice.
I've been buying holsters from Kramer (and Sparks) since 1993/1994.

Yeah she is super nice, and I plan to order more through them because they seem to be great people who are just overburdened. My brother wants a sheepskin holster like the one I ordered for his revolver and I might surprise him with one.

 

[Onomea]

I ordered a Kramer belt scabbard for my 4" Colt Three Fifty-Seven in March. They explained at the time that they did not have a mold for a "Pre-Python," but would use a Python mold, and that the fit would be good.

The holster arrived in September and was very loose. I called Kramer — as noted above, very nice lady on the other end —and arranged for a return. I received a new holster a week or so later. The new holster, while still not the famous Kramer tight, was tight enough for my purposes — I'm 71 and avoid sprinting, wrestling matches, and rolling around on the ground — so I kept it.

A few weeks ago in the classifieds here I bought a Kramer belt scabbard for a 4" Model 10. Received it a week later. Excellent condition. A good deal cheaper than new. I have four 4" K-frames, target sighted and fixed, and it is a good, tight fit for all of them.

As everyone notes, Kramers are excellent quality, very well made and very durable. If you can find one for sale used, it can be a great deal. (And a whole lot quicker delivery!)

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Maybe you should check out Wright Leather Works. Very nice holsters, wait time today 4-6 weeks. My last holster was received about a week early.

 

[Data]

I ordered a Kramer IWB #3 on April 28th. It is still not done.
I've been using Kramer holsters (and Sparks) since 1993-1994 so I'm not going to call and complain to them, but I'm disappointed at the current extreme wait times.

To be fair to the customers, Greg should change the advertised wait times from 14-16 weeks to a more realistic estimate.

Oh, well

The quote time is 14-16 weeks as it currently states on their website. I would guess that it's now about a 6 month waiting time give or take a month. I never mail ordered my Kramer Holsters. I was fortunate enough to have come across them at Gun Shows years ago from time to time. On average, I Paid around 80.00 ea. which seemed a lot at time, but now it's just a drop in the bucket.

 

[Baxter6551]

My last Kramer pocket holster for model 36 came out of a used bin for $7
I am a Kramer fan. Great all day comfortable carry holsters.