"Windsucker's" New Clothes

[JWS3]

Just picked up this IWB Galco Summer Comfort and magazine carrier for my S&W PC Shorty Forty. 'Been wearing it for the past week and am extremely happy with it. Yeah, I know it's a direct rip-off of Nelson's design and Sparks' execution of the Summer Special but it does what it is supposed to do and it does it rather well...not too mention that it's less expensive and no long wait time. At the same time I purchased this holster, I also bought another one for my Government Model. The only negative thing I have to say about it is that the leather is on the soft side.

I'll have another report on how the Government Model feels in its new holster in a few weeks, after I've had the chance to carry it for a while.

 

[chief38]

Yes it's a Bruce Nelson design. I own 6 of Nelson's custom holsters that I bought many years ago, and enjoyed speaking with Bruce many many times before he passed. The leather he used is still incredibly stiff 'till this day, and his holster's have held up beautifully over the last 30 years as have his belts and accessories. He ONLY used top grade leathers. How he got them so stiff I'll never know; - maybe Viagra

I used to go nuts waiting 6 to 8 months for Bruce to send me a new order, but it was ALWAYS worth the wait. To the best of my knowledge I have one of a kind custom holsters for my M60 and M65. Bruce was a true Gentleman and Craftsman!

These days I use Kramer's Horsehide leather holsters and belts for my CCW guns. I have found him to be about the best around now.

Chief38

 

[JWS3]

chief38 - Years ago, when I was still on active duty and didn't have a CCW, I would drool over the gun magazines photos (specifically American Handgunner) of Nelson's, Sparks and Kramer's holsters. How I wanted one!

Back then, I could have afforded at least one but, I couldn't justify the expense, not to mention being tempted to carry concealed without a license. Now that I'm retired and the CCW laws have changed drastically, it's hard to budget in a Kramer or Sparks. I still slobber over my computer while viewing the photos on their web sites, though. *LOL*

You are fortunate indeed to have amassed so many high-quality holsters from a legend in the field. They are truly individual works of art.

 

[chief38]

JWS3

Yes, quality holsters (like anything else of quality) are expensive, but I wasted tons of money on typical Gun Store brand holsters before finding the real advantage of a high quality custom made one. Had I realized this in the beginning, I would have saved enough to but more guns .

I carried and still carry every day - sometimes for up to 15 or 16 hours at a time and I need to have a reliable and comfortable holster, and like most items that are of high quality, the holsters I've purchased from Bruce Nelson in the late 80's are still in perfect order. In fact they have held up better over 25 years than most of the GS brand holster have after only a few months.

The two holster makers that have more than passed the test of time with me are B. Nelson and Kramer. Not saying there are not other good makers, but these are the two I have settled on.

Milt Sparks still makes some of Nelson's designs, and Mitch Rosen has a great track record also.

It's funny how holsters have progressed over the last 30 years or so. When I first started carrying, most of the holsters out there were just "pouches" with a strap or snap for retention. Now days the better ones are form fitted and hand boned which retains the gun without the use of straps, snaps, latches etc. and still allows for a fast and smooth draw. Bruce Nelson is the one I credit for introducing me to this concept. At first I was very leery of carrying a loaded gun without snaps or straps, but after buying my first Nelson holster I was sold on the concept!

Regards,
Chief38