Tom Threepersons vs something else

For a day at the Range, a walk in the woods, or for the Sunday BBQ, a Tom Three Persons Holster has the "cool factor" going for it. They do look nice and always have that nostalgic look. For everyday REAL concealment of a S/D handgun, there are much better choices. A speed scabbard molded to your specific gun will retain the weapon a whole lot better and NOT have to rely on straps and snaps to do it. The scabbard type holsters are available by just about every holster maker and are usually available in custom or pre made off the shelf varieties. I never likes a holster that allowed an exposed trigger, and relied on a snap as its sole method of retention. Just my .02 cents.........

Chief38
 
Well it looks like I have some thinking to do, While concealment is not the big issue it is one of the smaller things I am considering. My main concern is deployment speed from a classic design. I know I could get the speed from one of the new plastic fantastic skeleton holsters but those things have no soul. There are some nice mass made holster too, but there is just something about a holster where a master has actually put a little blood sweat and tears into the leather. The revolver the holster will be for is being built as a straight combat piece, so I want to gear everything towards a combat role, not that I am planning for zombies, it's just more of a personal exercise.

link to the gun in question
 
Damn! That'll be a fine combat piece, for sure. If you like the Threepersons cant and shape, but want a bit more concealment and a really nice piece of work - try this from El Paso Saddlery:

Double Agent
74.jpg
 
Smith357 said:
Well it looks like I have some thinking to do, While concealment is not the big issue it is one of the smaller things I am considering. My main concern is deployment speed from a classic design. I know I could get the speed from one of the new plastic fantastic skeleton holsters but those things have no soul. There are some nice mass made holster too, but there is just something about a holster where a master has actually put a little blood sweat and tears into the leather. The revolver the holster will be for is being built as a straight combat piece, so I want to gear everything towards a combat role, not that I am planning for zombies, it's just more of a personal exercise.

link to the gun in question
Click to expand...

Guy;
The revolver looks terrific, well done. Looking at your revolver, I couldn't help but wonder though, why you'd want a classic Threepersons holster for such a "modern" style revolver. Anyway, I just thought I'd compliment you on a successful project gun. I think it looks ideal for a combat revolver, as you have configured it. Personally, I would be looking for a holster more contemporary with the age of the revolver. My old pal, Mike Taurisano of Tauris Holsters crafts a rig I think it's called "The Rancher" that is similar to the Threepersons design. It's worth a look. It's a little more contemperaneous and subtle looking. I don't believe he carves, but he does tooling. Hope this helps.

Cheers;
Lefty
 
For OWB concealment you might want to look at the Simply Rugged Sourdough pancake. It holds the butt in tight against the body, it is secure without additional straps, and completely covers the trigger guard.

For showing off you can't beat a Tom Threepersons design, especially if it is carved or otherwise patterned. I just received an EPS Threepersons for a 4" N-Frame, and even with it being fish scaled it only ran $114 (which includes shipping). Yes, it takes them 6-8 weeks, but one will last forever.
 
I have had a couple of the El Paso Tom Threepersons holsters before and had really good luck with them. You can't go wrong for the money but the wait takes a little while.
 
keith44spl said:
Concealment is in the eye of the beholder I guess ;)

Some of us could hide a Texas grapefruit if need be...

I personally find the Threeperson rig in it's original configgeration to flop around a bit too much for my taste, but that's just me talkin' here.

Been usin' this style for a decade or two now, for all frames large or small.

IMG_0020AA.jpg


Su Amigo,

Dave
Click to expand...

That style holster is called a "Brill" holster after the designer who was a leather smith in Austin years ago. I prefer it over the Threepersons model for looks and they seem a little more solid.
 
I have been rummaging through every ten dollar holster box I can find to test out different holster styles. So far I have two, an almost Threepersons style with a strap and a shoulder rig, I'm still looking for a used pancake. I don't much care for the shoulder rig, good thing I did not spend real money on one of those. The semi-T3P has a retention strap that is a pain. The belt loop is sized for a 2" plus belt and the whole holster pulls up when pulling the gun, also the extra space lets the holster itself rides a bit on the low side. I really like the comfort factor and can wear it all day. My Carhart or un-tucked flannel shirt cover it up pretty well, except when I reach for my wallet.

I remember many moons ago I had a Galco Paddle Holster for my 1911 that I loved, it was easy on, easy off, and fit me very well. It seems Galco does not make a Paddle for full sized revolvers, I would love to try one of those out.
 
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I like the Brill style too.

PecosKframe-1.jpg
 
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Here's a couple of mine: A commander and a Python, both by EPS. Work "OK" with a jacket but not with a shirt or fleece.

053.jpg


038.jpg


Concealed carry: I use a IWB in a kidney position. Saturday, I was carrying a SW-19 under a flannel shirt.

Oh, I also have an Origibnal Roy's Pancake for the Python. Works MUCH better and was a $20 Bargain Bin Special.
 
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This is one of my favorite rigs...I built it to be a pattern "fit-n-try" holster, it worked out ok.
I've worn it on and off for ten or fifteen years now.

The Threepersons style, as now made by a lot of folks, I just don't find it as stable on my hip as this holster is.
No draggin' or bangin' my grips on gate posts or truck doors and the like.

Cleaned 'er up good and she's on loan to a feller down in Austin.

Fits a 3 1/2" N frame
IMG_0054.jpg



Su Amigo,
Dave
 
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A bit of trivia for you, Iggy. A.W. Brill's daughter was riding in the car with JFK when he was shot in Dallas.

Yup, I heard she was the Gov's wife.
 
keith44spl said:
This is one of my favorite rigs...I built it to be a pattern "fit-n-try" holster, it worked out ok.
I've worn it on and off for ten or fifteen years now.

The Threepersons style, as now made by a lot of folks, I just don't find it as stable on my hip as this holster is.
No draggin' or bangin' my grips on gate posts or truck doors and the like.

Cleaned 'er up good and she's on loan to a feller down in Austin.

Fits a 3 1/2" N frame
IMG_0054.jpg



Su Amigo,
Dave
Click to expand...


That's some nice work right there. :)
 
Another vote here for the Brill style, especially for concealed carry. Iggy and I spent some time messing around with the Threepersons design before settling on the Brill (as built by Keith44SPL). We both found that the Threepersons tended to pull away from the body due to the weight of the gun. The heavier the gun, the more it pulled away. It also tended to flop back and forth because there just isn't much leather on the belt compared to the Brill. The Brill uses a much wider belt loop, thus more stability, and it is flatter and less likely to pull away with a large revolver. I haven't tried the Threepersons with a small revolver, and it may be fine for such a gun, but the Brill was much flatter and more stable with the short-barreled N frames. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
As Wyo stated as to the width of the belt tunnels relationship to stability...

IMG_0065.jpg



This is the reason I designed the improved version.
I wanted a rig that rode closer for concealment, yet was comfortable for all day and into the nite wear.
Be it a horseback, in the pickup or police cruiser.
I guess all that really resembles the original Brill is the classic lines and the garter that adorns it's mid-section. ;)

Also, the new and improved Iggy 'Pant Loop Slot' pat pendin' :D
IMG_0290.jpg



Su Amigo,
Dave
 
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