help finding a specific wallet holster

[agdude]

Howdy,

I'm new to the forum, but have been reading for a few days and really like it. I am looking for a wallet holster for my kel-tec P3AT or Kahr PM9. I saw one some time ago at a gun show. It was a fairly simple design, flip out wallet taht tightly helt the pistol inside. One side had a cut out for the trigger so you could fire while holding the wallet. Seems like it would be useful for a thug demanding your "wallet" . Anyone know who makes these or where I could find one?

Thanks for the help!

 

[hkmp5g17]

Aren't some of these considered AOW'S?

 

[agdude]

hmmm.....

couldn't say, but that's something I'll need to look into. thanks for the thought.

 

[Fly320s]

No, they aren't AOWs. They are handguns that happen to be contained in small, wallet-shaped holsters.

 

[cslinger]

I believe if the holster is designed with the intent of allowing the gun to be fired while still in it, it is considered an AOW and I think many of those types of wallet holsters fall under this.

I am not 100% sure but it is worth looking into should you go this route.

Chris

 

[Car Knocker]

http://www.naaminis.com/faqgeneral.html

Why has the wallet holster been discontinued?

The wallet, in and of itself, is a benign piece of folded leather. The minirevolver is a time-tested, high-quality small firearm but, when you join one with the other, watch out! _ you've just created what ATF defines as 'any other weapon', a rather nefarious classification which includes pen guns, cane guns and other disguised weaponry. While legal to own, AOWs require registration and payment of special taxes similar to those for fully-automatic weapons. Possession of an AOW without meeting these requirements subjects the holder to a felony charge (which further exposes us to the liability of a lawsuit).

The distinction between the WH and the folding holster grip or the belt buckle, as it has been explained to us, is that the WH weapon is operable from its disguised state (no need to remove it from the wallet in order to fire it). Both the HG and BB require that the gun be additionally manipulated (opened, removed) before it is functional, and so suffer no 'special' classification. The WH was a very popular accessory and it's a great disappointment that we're unable to offer it for sale.

 

[F14Tcat]

Wallet holsters & AOW

Yes they are AOW's but there is a company that makes the "holdster" . The Holdster specifically leaves the slide exposed therfore is not an AOW. The manufacture has a letter from the ATF stating same. The website is http://www.artofthehide.com/. I have carried my Kel-Tec P-3AT for 2 yrs now in one and can attest to its quality. Hope this helps.

 

[Fly320s]

Wow. I stand corrected.

Thanks for the info, cslinger, Car Knocker, and F14.

I wonder how much of a stretch it would be to say that a handgun fired from a pocket is a 'disguised handgun.' Crazy laws.

 

[Hypnogator]

Another option is the "Pocket-Slipper" laser that attaches to the trigger guard of the P-32 or P3AT. Makes the gun look like a wallet, but doesn't interfere with its functioning in the slightest, unlike some of the "wallet holsters" which will cause the gun to jam after the first shot.

Bring it out and it'll look like a wallet. By the time he realizes what that red light in is eyes is, there'll be a bullet in his forehead!

 

[agdude]

Hypnogator

Wow, I just checked that out. Never seen one before, but mine will be here on wednesday. Thanks for the info!

 

[Autolycus]

Hypnogator

That thing looks great. I must thank you for the link.

 

[1 old 0311]

I have one for a Beretta 950 BS, if anyone is intrested.

Kevin

 

[mainmech48]

The one I have was made by Galco. The model number on it is "WAL208", but mine was made for a Beretta 21A.

FWIW, a few observations from actual use.

These, I believe, were first designed for the old High Standard derringers. For those they work very nicely, and likely would for other similar weapons without reciprocating parts. My experience with it and my 21A was less than satisfactory in testing, so I never used it for CCW.

The problem was with getting reliable functioning from the weapon when the holster was used as it was putatively designed to be. When grasped firmly enough to retain proper control during firing getting more than perhaps two shots before a malf (almost always F to extract, F to feed or some combination) occured. The additional friction of the leather on the slide was unavoidable, and invariably screwed up the cycling.

While the concept is nifty, and it seems to work just dandy with something where the only external moving part is your trigger finger, I chose not to bet my own Personal Favorite Behind's well-being on one if it was holding anything with a moving slide.

I'm not sure whether even something as relatively "robust" in its cycle energy as a P3AT could function with the 100% surety I personally would want while in one. YMMV, but I'd suggest that you test it and get at least 250 malf-free practice rounds before trusting it for carry.

 

[mp510]

If the gun can be fired while it is in the holster which conceals the gun, it is an AOW, which tranfers on a $5 tax stamp, or can be made on a Form 1. It is a very similar situation to the HK MP-5 Operational Briefcase.

Here is the text from the ATF FEIB-GB:

 

[mainmech48]

It appears to be very fortunate for me that I don't have the Beretta any more, as I still have the holster. Looks as if I'd be some sort of dangerous Federal felon if I still had 'em both. Just out of curiousity, does anyone know when these got put on the Double Secret Probation list?

It would explain why I don't recall having seen one that wasn't in a "Your Choice - $5" bin at a show in quite some time, though.