PULL THRU SNAP UPDATE

[crazyphil]

Hello, my name is crazyphil and I am a holster addict.
When I come across a holster that I haven't seen before, I study
it, search for it, and if I find it, I usually buy it. My current
obsession is with the pull thru snap.

Paris Theodore, who did business as Seventrees, probably made
the first IWB with a pull thru snap. He called it a VAM. Short for
Vampire. I bought Ken Null's VAM driver's holster with the pull
thru snap, and liked it a lot. In fact, it kinda got me addicted
to the pull thru snap. Shown below left with my S&W 642-1.

I found Lou Alessi's name associated with the pull thru snap quite
often, so I found a vintage belt slide holster, with the pull thru
snap, by Lou Alessi. Shown 2nd from left with my S&W Model
10-6 with 4" barrel.

I also noticed that Desantis was mentioned quite often with the
pull thru snap. So, I was cruising on the bay about a week ago
and came across a vintage IWB by Desantis that is quite
reminiscent of the Seventrees UNS, except Seventree's UNS was
only available with pull thru snap by special order.

I noticed a small etching on the back that said DS2. I thought
(hoped actually) that it meant Detective Special with 2" barrel.
I have a Colt Agent that I thought would work with it.

It arrived today and I quickly discovered that it does not fit my
Agent. Now, I have come to think the DS simply means Desantis
and the 2 is probably a size code. In this case, it fits a J Frame
with 2" barrel. Front of the holster is shown 3rd from left with
my vintage Charter Undercover.

The back is shown 4th from left with the vintage Charter Undercover.

The holster is shown 5th from left, on my Chic Gaylord gunbelt,
again with the vintage Charter Undercover.

I'm afraid I am a hopeless holster junkie, but I hope this ends
my obsession with the pull thru snap.

 

[rednichols]

It's easy, Phil. If the holster is molded for a six shot small frame revolver, as yours is, it is indeed for the Colt and not for the Smith . A Charter Arms small frame is not so different from a Colt small frame; try again with your Agent. Likely DeSantis and Co made the holster on the tight side. "Does not fit" is not related to whether, or not, the snap will close; that can be an error in manufacture (I've seen literally thousands of 'em). "Does not fit" means the pistol can't be fully seated to align ideally.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Hang in there!l
Help is on the way!
We are raising money to get you the needed counseling!

 

[crazyphil]

Yes Red, it could very well have been made for Colt's DS, Cobra & Agent.
It looks new, although old. I looked inside and I see no evidence of a gun
ever being put in it. Very stiff and tight. It wasn't easy getting the Charter
Undercover in well enough to snap the straps, but I made it, and didn't
have any luck with the Agent.

 

[Pig Hunter]

CP, if you look at the molding you can see a cylinder flute in the center. That would indicate a 6 shot cylinder.

 

[crazyphil]

With thanks and appreciation for the good advice from Red and Pig Hunter,
I believed it was made for the Detective Special with 2" barrel, so I thought
it should fit my Colt's Agent.

I know some of you will shudder and maybe break out with apoplexy,
but here is how I fixed it.

First I got it softened up a bit with warm water. Then I wrapped my Agent
in Saran Wrap and stuck it in the holster. It was a struggle to get the snap
over the hammer, but I finally managed. Then I set it aside to dry over
night at room temperature.

In the morning, this morning, I pulled the Agent out, took the Saran Wrap
off, and stuck the Agent back in the holster. Miracle of miracles. Now the
pull-thru snap snapped without a struggle. I practiced about fifty draws
just to be sure it would work every time. It did!

Here it is with the Agent.

 

[Llance]

No amount of counseling will make you well now. You've gone over the edge Phil and are now a hopeless case. I suggest you find a good home for about one half of your collection of holsters (I know a logical location) and then maybe we can begin treating your addiction.