AZretired
Member
My vote goes to the El Paso Saddlery Street Combat
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Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
Reccomend a good leather holster
- Thread starter mod57
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66Park
Member
If you like old school designs, I'd take a look at El Paso Saddlery, Bell Charter Oak, and Davis Leather. El Paso has been in business since the 1800s. The Davis line is from the eighties. I believe the Bell Charter Oak holsters are based on the old Chic Gaylord designs. You could also try Bianchi if you want something more mass produced. There has never been a time with more great holster designs. I tend to like the Milt Sparks and Ritchie lines or TT Gunleather. Del Fatti holsters are wonderful, but you'll wait a really long time if he's even taking orders. The stuff I like may not be to your taste if you like older designs. If you are new to carrying, expect to buy a few before you really figure out what works best for you.
Smith-Nut
Member
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Living in a part of the world where one just can't walk into a gunstore and buy a holster have "forced" me to learn how to make my own holster. This of course also makes design very "open". How ever this one, for my 4" S&W M19 is very "normal".
PS Excatly what weapon are we talking about?
PS Excatly what weapon are we talking about?
Attachments
Happen to have some pics of one filled and on a belt?
Maze 686
US Veteran
For concealed carry OWB I like Mernickle Holsters for K and L framed guns.
For IWB I like my Black Hills holster, my 4 inch 686 disappears under a polo shirt.
I've tried others, but they always printed or the cant made the draw hard on the wrist.
For IWB I like my Black Hills holster, my 4 inch 686 disappears under a polo shirt.
I've tried others, but they always printed or the cant made the draw hard on the wrist.
ACP230
Member
Erik at Sideguard might have something you'd like.
He is in the Vendors area of the forum.
He is in the Vendors area of the forum.
Tucker Gun Leather, Houston, TX - OWB & IWB, great tool work! A stealth Kydex, best I have seen and used. Tucker Gun Leather | Premium Leather Gun Holsters
OMG, there are so many good holsters available today and although I've not tried them all, I have tried quite a few. The ones I currently have and also have been mentioned are the EPS #77 & #88, Simply Rugged Sour Dough, Mernickle, JW Orourke pancake (dunno if currently available). These are all for either J, K, L, N & X frames and are good affordable holsters.
hotrod150
Member
............
The center holster is an unlined Bianchi OWB that looks good and fits my j frame Smiths and Colt DS.........
Looks like a #5B or 5BH. I have a couple of Bianchi #5's, one with strap and one without. One of my favorite belt holsters. I don'tcare for the BH as they ride a little higher than I like, although they are a bit better for concealment.
Vintage Bianchis are my favorite mass-produced holsters. There's quite a few of them on ebay, and they often turn up in the "old holster bin" at the LGS or gun show.
hotrod150
Member
Here's a scan of the #77 & #88 holsters from EPS's catalog #93 from 1993.
Attachments
When I get bored, I search for holsters on ebay under headings like: Eubanks, Heiser, Hunter, Lawrence, Mexican, Flap, 1917, Antique, Old Leather, 6", Revolver, or whatever else comes to mind. I've come across some real beauties in cost ranges from dirt-cheap to ridiculously over-priced.
You have to decide if the holster should satisfy the following needs: Utility, Fashion, Fantasy (That's a tough one to admit to), or comfort. There are a lot to chose from.
You have to decide if the holster should satisfy the following needs: Utility, Fashion, Fantasy (That's a tough one to admit to), or comfort. There are a lot to chose from.
sac-gunslinger
Member
If you can wait for a little while start hanging out on eBay and searching for Bianchi 5B or 5BL (lined version). These carry the gun at a perfect height on your belt. The 5BH/5BHL version carries it about and inch higher, not quite as comfortable. You can occasionally find these new, still in their original bags. This holster series was discontinued in the mid-70's.
A close second is the (again older) Safariland #29, also available lined. Watch eBay. I just "won" one for my M66 2 1/2" that is very nice.
If you are using eBay be aware that many sellers know nothing about the products they are presenting and often get the brand name wrong. I have often seen "5B" listed as "58" so you have to know what you are looking for. (This is not a criticism of the sellers, it is difficult to know all the details of every item out there).
A close second is the (again older) Safariland #29, also available lined. Watch eBay. I just "won" one for my M66 2 1/2" that is very nice.
If you are using eBay be aware that many sellers know nothing about the products they are presenting and often get the brand name wrong. I have often seen "5B" listed as "58" so you have to know what you are looking for. (This is not a criticism of the sellers, it is difficult to know all the details of every item out there).
SgtLumpy
Member
When I'm curious about different holster styles I just go into that huge box in my closet and pull out a dozen or two. And try to remember what it was that made me think "This one is THE ONE".
Sgt Lumpy
Sgt Lumpy
SoonerBorn
Member
+1 for Lobo Gun Leather. I really like this horsehide IWB holster for my FS M&P40.
hotrod150
Member
A month or two ago I found a black basketweave Bianchi #5 without strap in like new condition in a big pile of holsters at a gun show, and bought it for $10. More recently bought a brown #5 with safety strap off ebay-- it was in good condition but definitely used, that one cost me $28.
I've always liked the looks of the Bianchi #209 shoulder holster but have never owned one-- yesterday I bought one off ebay for $41 delivered. More than I planned on spending but still a good deal if it's in a good a shape as it appeared to be from the photos. There was another one that went off the day before, it was described as having "a strong body odor smell"
which kept the price down to about $31.Rpg
Member
I'm sure there are lots of good holsters out there.
I wouldn't buy one with a clip device for the belt.
I wouldn't buy one with plastic (whatever the manufacturer calls it - kydex or xxxic or anything else) anywhere except the Baggie it comes in.
I've used Milt Sparks or Del Fatti since 1979. I've played with a couple others, but have never liked any well enough to come close to changing my opinion.
Get the belt from the holster maker: the belt is an essential component: belt and holster work together.
Don't cheap out on either!
These aren't off the rack items: be prepared to spend $300 - $400 on them and to wait a while to get your order completed
I wouldn't buy one with a clip device for the belt.
I wouldn't buy one with plastic (whatever the manufacturer calls it - kydex or xxxic or anything else) anywhere except the Baggie it comes in.
I've used Milt Sparks or Del Fatti since 1979. I've played with a couple others, but have never liked any well enough to come close to changing my opinion.
Get the belt from the holster maker: the belt is an essential component: belt and holster work together.
Don't cheap out on either!
These aren't off the rack items: be prepared to spend $300 - $400 on them and to wait a while to get your order completed
dlcra
US Veteran
$300 to $400 !?!
Boy, I am a newbie!
I have only three holsters which, all together, cost less than $100. All three have something about them I do not like but
I am wondering, is a $300 to $400 holster "worth it"? Who makes them?
The most expensive leather holster I have seen online is around $135.
Boy, I am a newbie!
I have only three holsters which, all together, cost less than $100. All three have something about them I do not like but
I am wondering, is a $300 to $400 holster "worth it"? Who makes them?
The most expensive leather holster I have seen online is around $135.
hotrod150
Member
Not a belt holster but my EDC holster is an IWB from Ace Case. It only cost about $20 but so far (after close to a year & a half) it's been 100% acceptable. Confortable and carries the gun securely, just where I want it. Pretty flimsy (which is part of why it's so comfortable) so won't last forever, but cheap enough that I can just buy anoher when this one wears out. I've tried stiffer more expensive IWB holsters but this one beats them all as afar as I'm concerned. It's a good example of how sometimes you get more than you paid for. Other good examples are the used Bianchi holsters I mentioned in an earlier post. I have nothing against any of the newer smaller holster makers, and I've seen some darn fine holsters made by them, but some of these earlier models by Bianchi Safariland etc are still great holsters and can be found at fire sale prices. I haven't had the need or urge to buy a 3 or 4 hundred dollar holster yet, and doubt I ever will.... but more power to those who do.
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