Leather holster ideas for new Sig 229

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AZ PAUL

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I am looking for some recommendations on leather holsters for my Sig 229 with rail.

I want OWB and would prefer to have a retention strap on it. I would wear it on a 1.5 inch beltman belt.

Thanks all!
 
...and would prefer to have a retention strap on it.
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A retention strap? Wadda you, crazy? Don't you know 'Net wisdom says it will slow you down when you're in that gunfight at the OK Corral at high noon? :rolleyes:

I also prefer a retention strap (despite "'Net experts") - it took a while, but I got a High Noon Holsters Sky High - got it in black, with lining.

I also got one of their double mag carriers, but sent it back and went with the DeSantis. The High Noon Double Mag Carrier had overlapping leather, and you could see where they skived the leather where it overlapped (apparently they knew it had to be to keep the mag pockets the same size?).
I could not get the same tension on both mags - if one was tight, the other was so loose I'd be afraid it would fall out - if I adjusted the loose one for the correct tension, the other was so darn tight it took a LOT of effort to get the mag out.
The DeSantis Double Mag Carrier was cheaper, faster, more of a "shrink wrap" appearance (instead of gentle curves of folded leather), and the color matched - both the DeSantis and my Sky High holster have a slightly duller finish - not gloss black. Where the leather meets, DeSantis did not overlap - as a result, I can get the same tension on both mags.

You might also check out DeSantis holsters for the P229R - I have a few of their Thumb Break Scabbards for other guns.

Don't know if he makes anything for your P229R, but I recently got a custom holster from R. Grizzle Leather. He seems to be one of the few custom makers with a relatively quick turnaround time (I think it took 8 weeks), and he makes some purty stuff!
You'll have to ask him about retention straps? When I ordered my Country Boy holster, I thought he said no retention strap - later, I though he said he could add a retention strap?
Anywho - I figured I'd try an open holster, but did get the reinforced mouth leather added.

BTW - I got a Charcoal Elephant Country Boy for my Ruger SR1911CMD - that Charcoal Elephant makes for a nice looking rig, and he says the elephant is some of the toughest hide he sells.

Just cruising thru his customer pictures, and I see the first pix I've ever seen at his site of a holster with a retention strap, so apparently he does make them for some models!
 
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I don't know the OP's holster experience level, but since you threw a little "tease" on the table with…
A retention strap? Waddya you, crazy? Don't you know 'Net wisdom says it will slow you down when you're in that gunfight at the OK Corral at high noon?
Click to expand...
and then followed up with…
...I recently got a custom holster from R. Grizzle Leather...When I ordered my Country Boy holster, I thought he said no retention strap...I figured I'd try an open holster...
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Does your pistol fall out of that open top holster? When new did it provide "weggie" level of retention?

High Noon's take on thumb breaks

http://www.highnoonholsters.com/_Questions/_questions.html#48
 
Does your pistol fall out of that open top holster?
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Is a retention strap slower? Probably, but exactly how much slower?
Does a retention strap offer more protection? I'd say so.

If you're in a gunfight at high noon, you'll probably want to forego the retention strap.
If you're fighting / grappling for your gun with a BG, or rolling on the ground / running, you'll probably appreciate a retention strap.
Everything is a compromise - one just has to decide where one wishes to compromise.

I see High Noon states they no longer make them for a 1911 - he's looking for a P229R.

I also don't buy all High Noon's explanations about why a retention strap "won't work" on a 1911.
 
basicblur said:
I also don't buy all High Noon's explanations about why a retention strap "won't work" on a 1911.
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Nor do I. I like retention straps, quite frankly, and more than once I've seen a patrolman running with an open top holster, with one arm pumping and the other one holding his sidearm in the holster. I don't chase felons, myself, but enjoy the peace of mind my retention strap affords when I climb in an out of my backhoe, farm tractor, or even climb the silo. And I've never missed hitting a woodchuck because of a slow draw. :)
 
The significant point High Noon makes is they get in the way, and make practicing a pain as you draw and reholster.

If you're fighting / grappling for your gun with a BG, or rolling on the ground / running, you'll probably appreciate a retention strap.
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Certainly if you are a law enforcement officer, or you open carry, or are looking for a holster while boating or ATV riding, a retention device is certainly a good idea. Otherwise, there is little advantage.

I have the High Noon Slide Guard, which is basically the same holster as your Sky High, but without the thumb break. You could put that holster on an Olympic gymnast and let them do a floor exercise competition and the gun is not going to fall out. I suspect your open top Grizzle holster provides a similar level of retention.

I only bring these points up since many people new to holsters, or who only have experience with the cheap, floppy stuff found in most gun stores, seem to have the impression their guns are held in the holster merely by gravity and that a thumb break is necessary to keep the gun from falling out. That is not true.
 
The usual suspects.....

Here are a few "greatest hits" for holsters.
For leather I like the Wright Leather Works Predator. It's well made, has a body shield & a front strip for assisting in fast re-holstering. :D
Here are a few other brands to review, as noted, contact the shop for available holsters or wait times first. Many top firms are delayed due to back orders;

Safariland, Don Hume, Mitch Rosen, Andrews Leather, Galco, Ted Blocker, Kirkpatrick Leather, R Grizzle, Milt Sparks, Greg Kramer Leather, High Noon Holsters, Alessi, Mernickle, Bianchi-intl, Blackhawk.com , Tex Shoemaker.

Some custom holster makers use horse which many armed professionals like. It holds up well & is long lasting.

Rusty
 
All the LE holsters I have seen do not have retention strap but the gun is very secure because the gun will not pull straight out. You have to grip the gun and twist counter clockwise to get it to release. LE using holsters with no retention are just asking for trouble.
 
...more than once I've seen a patrolman running with an open top holster, with one arm pumping and the other one holding his sidearm in the holster.
Click to expand...
Chances are good he's keeping the holster from flopping around rather than trying to keep his gun in the holster. Most LE do use some kind of retention device. On the other hand, their holsters don't ride close to the body as concealment holsters do, and the LE holster will have a tendency to flop around.
 
Thanks for all of the good information.

My main reason for wanting a retention strap was for motorcycle riding and atv riding. However, after putting some thought into it, I may stick to carrying my Glock during times like that instead of carrying my Sig P229.

If anybody has different recommendations for quality open top holsters, im open to looking at those as well.

Thanks all!
 
While I have argued for the retention abilities of open top holsters, motorcycle riding may be one of the activities where a thumb break holster may be an advantage.
 
Well if you're going to use a holster for such pedestrian work as riding ATVs, you might consider Bagmaster?

Yeah, it's one of those type of holsters leather snobs love to rag on, and you'll definitely need a retention strap (they have one of the better ones I've tried), but darn if I don't use mine quite a bit.

I prefer their Bonded Belt Holster with Mag Pouch.

Now you're going to be lectured on how the spare magazine is not in the "proper" position for carrying. I look at it as more of a case of the spare magazine you have on you is better than the magazine in a proper pouch you left at home (because it was too much trouble to "suit up").

I'd think the Bagmaster would make a good "farm holster" - cheaper than leather, secure (with the retention strap), and if you get it filthy, you can always toss it in the wash.

Quite a few times I'll just grab my Bagmaster and slide it on my belt (I prefer the belt loop style) on the way out the door.

I have a P229R 357 SIG that I often carry in colder weather under an overcoat - it sure is convenient to just grab the Bagmaster and slide it on.
 
Thanks for all of the responses. I have looked at all of them and then some.

Does anyone have experience with the Lobo Gun Leather enhanced pancake model? How long should one expect for it to last with near daily use?
 
We have a few guys on the forum with Lobo holsters (I'm not one of them), and nearly all that I can think of have had positive experiences with them.

I'd think you'd get many years of use out of a Lobo Enhanced Pancake.
 
Since it doesn't sound like concealment is a issue when m/c & ATV riding I suggest you look at a half or full flap holster. It will of only be more secure it will also protect your Roscoe from dirt and tree limbs when riding through brush and woods.
 
I have decided not to carry this gun while out on the back roads. I think I have decided to go with the open top. I may decide later on to get an additional one but for now will stick with open top.
 
G Code......

I like the G Code holsters. They are modular & you can get styles with half/full "body shields" ;) .
The imprints are cool(more for looks than function). I like the "tactical fuzz" holsters but I don't need it for a carry/duty holster.

The prices are okay too. $35-45.00 USD. :D

FWIW; some Glocks & M&Ps can fit the new Safariland AS7 series. The company has a special polymer design that won't scuff or mar the firearm surface. It can be used in bad weather or rough conditions too. The holsters run about $25.00-45.00 depending on style/model.
 
Ray @ Lobo will take care of you, at a good price too. The enhanced pancake is a great design that lessens the amount of material your belt goes through at the loop, which allows the gun to suck up a little tighter to the body. The trade off is that leading edge that's now at the front loop tends to snag on things if your clumsy like me. I prefer the regular pancake and it's cheaper, I sell a lot of my take on the enhanced. Both are great options.
 
There is nothing wrong with a holster with a retention strap. I made an old school lined holster with a retention strap for my P229 and love it.
p229_strap_zps36723288.png
 
I have ordered two new holsters. This first holster that I am most excited about is the Enhanced Pancake holster from Lobo Leather. The second holster I ordered is the new Alien Gear IWB holster.

I ordered them both 2 weeks ago. I have another 1-2 weeks for the Alien Gear holster and the Lobo holster is another 4-5 weeks out. The wait is killing me, especially since I am stuck using a Blackhawk Serpa holster.
 
For hiking and fishing and I assume it will also apply to motor cycle riding, I use a flap holster with additional positive retention. The additional positive retention takes care of making sure you don't lose your gun. The flap protects the gun in case you come down or something. I have slipped on rocks before and I know the flap holster protects the gun. You also need to make sure your mag release is protected. The last thing you want is losing your magazine while riding and only realizing it when you need to use the gun. Also, magazines could be expensive.
 
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Bianchi UM92II, M12.....

If you want a well made, modular semi auto pistol holster, Id look at the Bianchi Intl models, the M12 or M92II. This is the open public version of the military M9 holster(Beretta 92FS).
You can switch it from right to left, wear it as a chest or tanker rig, carry it with a flap or thumb-break strap, use a leg/SAS type add-on, or use a MOLLE clip to wear it on vests/LCEs.

It comes in camo, black, OD.
I bought a UM84R, the nylon revolver version of the M12/M92II. I used it often with & without the flap on security details. I liked it but one - is the metal clips can dig into your side if you run or twist around. :mad:
The holster's belt loops (molded polymer) can fit a belt up to 1.75" wide without the metal clips.
 
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