Searching for 3rd Gen holsters?

[18DAI]

Steve912 yes, left handed.

squidsix, I wish I had your problem. Sadly, in my decrepitude........there is NO LIGHT between me and my 4566 in the Rhodesian......and I'm on the last notch on my gunbelt too. Getting old ain't for sissy's.

And yes, both the Rhodesian and the S.I.S. are lightning fast, while being secure enough to move around without worry. Great products from a fine gentleman.

I'm glad everyone is satisfied with their order! Regards 18DAI

 

[demkofour]

Glad to see you fellows are getting a quality product from a quality gentleman.

I hope he continues to make his fine leather holsters for us for a long time to come. Regards 18DAI

As a result of this thread, I too contacted Gordon about fabricating a holster for me, specifically a LH S.I.S. for a newly acquired CHP 4006TSW. Communication with Gordon has been ongoing, and today I received the holster for T&E.
Honestly, the build quality looks and feels as good as any other makers’ Bruce Nelson style holster, and the 1.5” belt loops fit my Mitch Rosen gun belt like they were specifically molded for it.
The holster was built by Gordon for a 4006 with the riveted accessory rail (he doesn’t have a CHP variation) and there was some concern that the CHP pistol with the integral rail wouldn’t fit. My CHP is very very snug, and admittedly I have only a few draws, but I’m confident the holster and pistol will meld together with some work and time. I have not yet carried the rig in real life, but I plan to shortly. I’m privileged to say that Gordon is awaiting my feedback before he goes forward with sourcing more holsters for the CHP 4006TSW.
Here’s a couple of quick iPhone photos of the holster and pistol...

 

[Ethang]

You guys are going to make me order one aren't you? Bunch of enablers on this site.

 

[BAM-BAM]

You guys are going to make me order one aren't you? Bunch of enablers on this site.

No.. not one............ you need one of each!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have been wearing the Recon 45 in mine for a while. I really like the holster. It is lightning fast and very secure. The pistol clicks into it like kydex.
My only issue is my body haha! I lost a lot of weight this year, and now where I had love handles there is daylight between me and my pistol. Also I have less real estate on the belt, which is what drew me to this holster all along. It takes up very little belt space.
Shown is the Rhodesian holster, with both a 4566 and Recon 45 (4513) and an Aker 1.75” double layer pistol belt. For comparison I am 6 feet, 190 pounds. 33 pants.

Thanks; those are great reference pictures of the Rhodesian........ sure seems to make the 4566 a concealed carry candidate. ...... vs a strictly "duty rig" gun.

 

[18DAI]

I've been concealing a 4566 over 20 years. On and off duty. Way longer than these excellent holsters have existed.

No bigger or heavier than an all steel Combat Commander. And you never hear "1911 guys" pissing and moaning about the weight of those. A good gunbelt was all thats needed.

One of these excellent holsters makes it even easier now. Regards 18DAI

 

[BAM-BAM]

Been a long time since I "carried" a 1911; my last one was a stainless Combat Commander..... I transitioned away from Colts SA 1911s as carry guns back in about 1988/89 when I got a W German Sig 220 in .45 and my first 9mm Beretta 92 Compact. ...... alloy frames and DA/SA.

Only 1911 pattern gun currently in the "accumulation" is a Custom Shop Sig C3 CCO (Officers model frame with a Commander length slide); that I found used but couldn't leave behind when I ran across it at a LGS. A CCO was a custom gun back in the 80s.... back then you had to buy 2 guns to get one!!!!
Felt it would be the perfect combination of 1911s for concealed carry.... today with Wilson mags it's still 7+1 plus an 8rd spare.

That said; everyone should experience if not own a nice 1911 !

Edit to add as this is a holster thread: Back in the mid-80s I'd yet to discover Milt Spark's Summer Special holster.... in fact holster selection at local gun shops was pretty sparse.....and concealed carry by civilians was a whole lot less common. IWB was Bianchi's "Pistol Pocket" if you could find one for your gun at a LGS. When I took the plunge to buy a Summer Special it was for my
"suit gun" a Walther PPK. I learned that a good custom holster was well worth the extra price ..... and wait..... as back then I think it was still just Milt in his shop!

 

[HYPURR]

Holster Up

Gordon finished my holsters and sent this pic. His guns.

SIS > 457
Rhodie > 6906 (square trigger gaurd)

Can't wait to get them on my hip. He made a Mag Pouch for my 6906 too. Will post pics with my guns when received.

Thanks to a professional and gentleman..."Gordon."

 

[18DAI]

Very nice HYPURR! Hmmm........ I hadn't thought about getting one for my 457.

Now I NEED one for it! Regards 18DAI

 

[BAM-BAM]

Ordered a Rhodesian for my Beretta 92 Compact....... going dark brown..... black is too "duty holster" for my taste

 

[BAM-BAM]

Any recent pictures?

The Rhodesian I ordered for my Beretta 92 Compact will also work with my
Custom Allegheny Arms Centurion..... as they both use the same slide/barrel.

Interesting discovery ; I use a Mec-gar 17 rd. mag which has a flat metal baseplate in the Centurion.
In my Compact I use a Mec-gar 15 rd mag with a flat baseplate from the full size 92 factory mag.
While the difference in mag length is about .4 of an inch, w/ 2 extra round; with the baseplates "I use" the the difference in overall height of the guns is only .24 inches.

So looking forward to trying the Centurion for "casual" concealed carry... for stuff like dog walking.
If 18DAI can Conceal carry with a 4566... The Rhodesian should work with both the Compact and the Centurion.

 

[3wire]

I recently contacted Gordon and had him make me an IWB holster for my 6946. I chose his “Summer Special” style holster, with a “shiny” black finish, with a body shield and with a slight cant. The craftsmanship in the holster he provided went beyond what I expected! The holster is very comfortable and I am more than pleased with the model I chose, definitely a quality holster!

The body shield he provided is two ply leather, glued and stitched for extra strength, Gordon explained that one ply leather body shields have a tendency to "fold over" after the gun is drawn...which makes re-holstering difficult. I also mentioned I wanted a “shiny” black model, Gordon said he applied a dozen coats of Fiebings Resolene acrylic to my holster to achieve the desired effect, its definitely “shiny!” The cant on the holster appears to be at about 10 degrees or what I believe Gordon referred to as an FBI cant, which allows the holster to be worn at about the 4 o'clock position for better concealment. I chose the model with a nylon belt clip, but a leather, double loop and snap option was available as well.

It was a pleasure talking with Gordon, who explained the pros and cons of the different style holsters, as he wanted to make sure I was going to be satisfied with what I was requesting. I would definitely recommend contacting Gordon if you are needing a holster for an older Smith & Wesson handgun.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Hmmmm.... my 4040PD needs a holster.

 

[Steve912]

Hmmmm.... my 4040PD needs a holster.

Same dimensions as 3913, yah?

 

[18DAI]

I am glad to see everyone is as pleased with Bang Bang holsters as I am. I just ordered another holster from Gordon for the 457 I have inbound.

I will post pics and a review after I break in both. Order with confidence. Fine product from a fine gentleman. Regards 18DAI

 

[HYPURR]

Holster Up

With thanks to 18 for this post and getting us all onto Gordon.

Gordon is a really nice guy and talented too. Him and I are mere months apart in age. Guess we old...

He made a Rhodesian for my 6906 and SIS + Double Mag Pouch for my 457. These are brand new and not worn at all. Snug and stiff till i get them in use.

The pics:
-1989 6906 TT with the Rhodie / 1997 457 Hill Country Sports TT with the SIS
-Fronts with the Mag Pouch
-Backs with the Mag Pouch
-Fronts
-Backs

This forum and it's members continue to be the #1 resource ever for 3rd gens and anything S&W. Best, Dave

 

[18DAI]

Bump. I see we have at least a couple of new members here looking for 3rd Gen holsters.

Look no further gentlemen. Gordon will make what you need. Excellent product at a more than fair price from a fine fellow! Buy with confidence. Regards 18DAI

 

[Steve912]

Budget Good 3rd Gen IWBs

Using a Bianchi Pro 100 for a CS9 now. It has the
extended belly-side slide flap (which I like, as a
righty) and closed muzzle (which I don't like--it
adds an extra 5/8" or so of length).

I'd like to get a (RH) open muzzle holster that
covers full slide length, and has flap on belly side
to shield slide from belly (and vice versa). 4013,
4513TSW (maybe...if she ain't too fat!) and CS9.

Looked and didn't find any, so made my own.

Read up online and "re-boned" a Bianchi Pro 100
(first pic). Swagged and scribed a cut line, to leave
the leather as it curved over muzzle end of slide,
and ran back-up lock stitches through the existing
needle holes to prevent unraveling of the OEM stitching
...and went to work with a blade (second pic).

Removing the closed 'tongue' made a
noticeable improvement in comfort. All the stitching
has held tight. Good to go!

 

[18DAI]

Gordon made my friend BAM-BAM a very nice Rhodesian for his Beretta. If you want holsters for guns other than the 3rd Gens, shoot Gordon an Email.

Beautiful work! Congrats BAM-BAM!

EDITED TO ADD: The holster in the pics is made for a compact Beretta 92. The blue gun in the pics is a full size 92. Thats why the muzzle protrudes.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Gordon made my friend BAM-BAM a very nice Rhodesian for his Beretta. If you want holsters for guns other than the 3rd Gens, shoot Gordon an Email.

Beautiful work! Congrats BAM-BAM!

Just got pics yesterday.... the holster is for either a 92 Compact or my Wilson Combat Centurion with a rail (4.25 inch slides vs 4.9 on a full size 92/M-9)...... the mold is a full size which is why it sticks out the bottom 1/2". Looking forward to it's arrival in these unsettled times.

This is my 5th or 6th "Bang Bang Leather" Holster.