Where do you buy your holsters at?

For many years I bought Don Hume hoslters. There was a dealer up in Brownsville, TN whom I saw at gunshows frequently. When I switch to carrying a Single Action, I ordered a PS-6SA from Bob Mernickle. Latest is a Tom Threepersons that I had made to my specifications by Graveyard Jack Gunleather in Asamsville, TN.

I like the idea that Craig at Graveyard Jack's will make, within reason, a holster to my specifications.

Bob Wright

Sorry, I didn't read "semi-autos" in your post. In that case I'd go with a full flap similar to the old GI issue for the .45 Auto. Sort of to cover my embarressment.

I buy all my holsters online. I've not found a local gun store that carries quality holsters.

I have a Raven Concealment Systems "Phantom" http://rcsgear.com

Garrett Industries "Silent Thunder" http://www.giholsters.com

High Noon "Slide Guard" (if doing it again, I'd choose the "Topless") http://www.highnoonholsters.com

I also have an El Paso Saddlery "High Slide" I bought through Cheaper Than Dirt. The holster is OK, but I wouldn't buy this one again.

A couple of other good online options are

Brownell's http://www.brownells.com/shooting-accessories/holsters-belt-gear/holsters/index.htm

Top Gun Supply http://www.topgunsupply.com/gun-holsters/

Kydex and leather are good materials for holsters. Nylon typically is not a good material for holsters.

Any junk holsters out there?

Click to expand...

Here is my unsolicited shot at the most common holster found at the local gun or sporting goods store, the Blackhawk SERPA.

First, up front I'll make some broad assumptions about the SERPA users and the holster itself. I'll assume every SERPA user is perfectly trained in the operation of the holster and the lock device will never fail.

With that out of the way, most holster users will either use a holster for concealment or range/training/competition. The SERPA is a poor choice for all of those uses. It doesn't hold the gun close to the body and is a poor concealment holster. With an active retention device it is also a poor choice for range/training/competition use since there is no need for a retention device for this use and if you are competing, you'll be at a disadvantage since your competition will typically not have a lock device on their holster.

There certainly is a group of people that have a need for a retention device on their holsters, such as for open carry or if you are riding an ATV or maybe while boating, but chances are there are still better options.

I always figure at least half the cost of the SERPA is tied up in the R&D and production of that lock device. If you don't need a retention device on your holster, you've basically paid $40 for a $20 holster.

Simply Rugged makes a pretty good holster for a semi. The pancake with 3 holes can be worn strong side or cross draw. Good leather and not too expensive and you can get the harness for the chest rig, if you need that sort of thing. They are made to order and quick turnaround time, about 2 weeks. It is hard to recommend anything specific without any idea what you are using it for...http://www.simplyrugged.com/

The next one will be a Threepersons for a semi-auto that Graveyard Jack will make for me.

IWB- crossbreed Supertuck. OWB- Concealment Solutions Sidewinder for every handgun I own.

Holsters

I looked at holsters and decided I couldn't afford to buy one. I started making my own. So far it has worked for me. I just enjoy making leather items. Just something to think about.

I buy most of mine from Milt Sparks. To me, they are worth the wait. If I need a holster in a hurry, I'll get a Comp-Tac or a Simply Rugged.

I either order my stuff from raven concealment or comp-tac.

Look at Kirkpatrick Leather Co. I just ordered their Texas Strong Side for my Ruger SR45 after reading some excellent reviews on it.

I often make my own, and obviously can't complain about the style or workmanship.

I also make a point to look over old leather in under-the-table or on display at gun shows. They may be a bit dusty and dirty, but after being cleaned up work fine. Generally they come cheap too.

Recently I scored an S.D. Myres (famous old time Texas maker) fully lined, hand carved, Threepersons rig for a S&W J-frame/3" for all of $15.00

I looked at holsters and decided I couldn't afford to buy one. I started making my own. So far it has worked for me. I just enjoy making leather items. Just something to think about.

Click to expand...

I did the same thing. Looking back I could have bought a lot of quality leather elsewhere, but I sure have fun doing it. Craig does great work, Lobo Gunleather is a very affordable option, and I'm also a big fan of these two folks:

http://www.zlogonje.com/blog1.php

http://www.adamsleatherworks.com/

I buy mostly online. I have two Bianchi holsters a carry-lok and a black widow, both are petty good. The carry-lok is better made of the two. Also have a Sidearmor IWB really like it. It has a tall sight channel so you could use it for a pistol with suppressor sights.

optics planet - bianchi carry lock

I buy my holsters custom and online. A very few LGSs and "big-box" sporting goods stores, if they have anything at all besides cheap nylon, carry some "off-the-rack" gear such as Galco and Bianchi. A Bass Pro Shops store I stopped in today had some DeSantis products, which I don't recall seeing in any stores before. This is by no means bad gear, but they have very little of it. If you own a less common gun, like my CZ75D Compact PCR, forget it. Even many custom makers don't have a mold for that one. I have a High Noon - a company I have good experience with - "Public Secret" IWB on order. Because this one is made to order and not a stocking item, it is estimated to take 6 weeks, which is pretty much the nature of the custom holster business.

I'm a lefty.
I have to buy on-line.
LGS usually don't have lefty models in leather.

AFS

I have be happy with www.foxxholsters.com worth a look and I received mine in less then a week no long wait

I carry some wierd handguns so Iusually start with a Michaels basic holster and then do some custom work to it to make it fit my specific weapon.

I really like Concealment Solutions for hybrid holsters.

The first stop is Colonial Shooting Academy.

Thanks for the plug, Bob and Rob. You guys ought to know you're probably only an hour from each other.

Some production leather can be fine, I have a couple typical brands that others have mentioned that I like - with one exception
DeSantis
I got a couple on sale and they stink. Not thick leather. Will collapse when you draw so you can't reholster. Have had some minor coloring come rub off. Very disappointed with their stuff!

Their are local for me but they also ship. Their quality is excellent.

http://dmbullardleather.com/1429714.html

I bought all of my holsters online. My two favorite sources were Fist Inc. and Milt Sparks. Galco's products have also given good service, but their holsters are in a drawer and no longer used.