OK so I had Gun Nut (RKBA Holsters at
http://rkbaholsters.com/) build for me the Colt Detective Special - High Ride OWB Holster (Horse Hide) pictured above and received a week and a day ago. Ordered March 28 so custom holster delivered in under a month.
The first thing I noted was just how stiff the holster seemed out of the box, the second thing I noticed was the exceptionally heavy and precise stitching. This holster just screamed substantial and solid.
I have never owned a horse hide holster before, but I am already sold on it's properties for quality holster building. Fitting the Detective Special into the holster for the first few times was also gratifying. The "boning" or molding of the holster was performed very well and I could anticipate immediately that I would experience a secure yet "easy enough" to present from the holster draw.
It felt initially that the holster was stiff and rigid enough that it might put unnecessary wear on the finish of the recently purchased 36 year old Colt revolver. This proved to be a superfluous concern as the holster with a solid weekend of work loosened a bit and the precision of the "boning" became apparent. This bad boy grips enough for a solid sense of security, spits the iron out on demand with a bit of discovery and practice, and makes contact wear where necessary and desirable and not a bit more. This is going to be a love match.
The somewhat unusual design with a full coverage profile with the grip only exposed is working as I hoped to break up "printing" even with attire appropriate for the Louisiana heat. I mostly worked with a tucked in T shirt and an unbuttoned "Hawaian" short sleeve and felt perfectly concealed carrying at 4 o'clock and crossdraw at 10 or 11.
I asked specifically for "sweat guard" treatment (as I said, it's Louisiana Bubba), and I do not yet know whether this contributed to the initial stiffness and don't yet know what to do about "wet forming" with a platic bag or possible leather treatments to grant the piece some suppleness.
I feel that asking Gun Nut to provide some guidance on these issues will complete a lifelong success in need for a CCW DS holster. I feel good enough about this holster that I am going to order immediately the Colt 1911 5" - OWB/IWB Convertible with Belt Loops and Pull the Dot Snaps(Horse Hide) for my Kimber with complete confidence.
I think these holsters are a rare bargain.