No matter what forum I go to there's people inquiring about holsters. They ask what's best, what should they get, etc, etc... With so mnay forum members they get lots of different responses. What I don't understand is why people that are willing to spend hundeds, sometimes close to a thousand dollars, on a handgun are so concerned about saving a few bucks and buying a $50 holster. :banghead: Maybe I'm missing something. To me it's like owning a Ferrari and parking it in a ramshakled barn. A quality gun deserves a equally quality holtser. Now were the gun a Ruger (very good but plain) or something along that price range, fine a regualr old galco will suffice but c'mon if you spend $800+ on a handgun, don't worry about having to find and use a $50 holster. :banghead:
Why be so cheap?
- Thread starter BlkHawk73
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Lou22
Member
Sometimes an inexpensive holster does the trick. I've got a Kahr PM9 that I paid about $600 for new. Upon recommendations from bulletin boards like this one I ordered a Mika pocket holster for about $19, including shipping. It's made of a synthetic material, and I couldn't be happier with it. About 16 months later it shows no sign of wear and works great. It doesn't look like much but nobody sees it.
Lou
Lou
possum
Member
I agree with blkhwk73, i look at everything to do with my guns in the same sense. what is your life worth? If you spend the money on the gun itself, don't be scared to spend a little more on the holster, mag carriers, and ammo as well. you might have to spend a little extra for it but, it'll still be working when you need it most. now i also believe there are awesome values out there in all aspects and there are some very nice products for a very good price. I try to get the happy medium affordable but will serve me well!
orionengnr
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I can't speak for anyone but me.
But my Quest For The Perfect CCW Handgun has led me down several different roads (perhaps, "up several different creeks" would be a more apt analogy...
)
That said, if I had bought a Milt Sparks VersaMaxII (at about $100 and 16 weeks per) for every handgun I have bought and sold in the last three years...well, I could single-handedly supply the used holster market for a while.
Of course, I'd also be stuck with all of them, because if it doesn't fit a 5" 1911 or a BHP, nobody else wants it....
Short answer is, the Quest For The Perfect CCW Handgun continues. When it ends, The Quest For The Perfect Holster begins. Ought to take, ah, I figure...about $100 and 16 weeks
But my Quest For The Perfect CCW Handgun has led me down several different roads (perhaps, "up several different creeks" would be a more apt analogy...
)That said, if I had bought a Milt Sparks VersaMaxII (at about $100 and 16 weeks per) for every handgun I have bought and sold in the last three years...well, I could single-handedly supply the used holster market for a while.
Of course, I'd also be stuck with all of them, because if it doesn't fit a 5" 1911 or a BHP, nobody else wants it....
Short answer is, the Quest For The Perfect CCW Handgun continues. When it ends, The Quest For The Perfect Holster begins. Ought to take, ah, I figure...about $100 and 16 weeks
hexidismal
Member
While I agree with the sentiment that your life is worth any price.. I'm not sure that it applies to holsters a great deal. I switch off carrying rigs between a Don Hume H710: First Agent ( $25 ) and when I need some deeper cover a Desantis:Tuck This ( $33 ). Both work just fine.. The hume is comfortable, and it rides very high and close. The Desantis is.. not as comfortable, but it allows much better concealibility by being a deep seated "shirt tuckable" IWB and has a built in mag pouch. So question back to you is.. why do I need something more expensive when these work just fine ?
Bullet Bob
Member
Hey, don't look at me, I've been known to chuck some money at holster makers:
possum
Member
nice leather holsters i must say.
ezypikns
Member
I purchased a Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 for my PM9
...but by the time it was delivered (20 weeks later) I had purchased a Crossbreed holster for less than half the price, and it's much more comfortable than the Sparks. Don't get me wrong, Milt Sparks makes outstanding gunleather, but the less expensive holster just suits me better. More money doesn't automatcally mean more quality.
...but by the time it was delivered (20 weeks later) I had purchased a Crossbreed holster for less than half the price, and it's much more comfortable than the Sparks. Don't get me wrong, Milt Sparks makes outstanding gunleather, but the less expensive holster just suits me better. More money doesn't automatcally mean more quality.
I was at a class a few years ago and we had two guys show up with the nylon holsters often recommended here. Both holsters failed to make it thru the week. Both guys had problems trying to draw smoothly, both ended up with the snaps pulling loose and one had the belt loop come loose. The only leather holster that failed was a 18 dollar "hunter" holster that had a 3 way snap one fitting, but it was so old the stitching had rotted out and on the second morning he drew fast and ended up with his gun pointed at the target, but it was still wearing its holster.
If you do not practice with your holster, you may find that saving that 20 bucks may cost you your life when you need your firearm.
If you do not practice with your holster, you may find that saving that 20 bucks may cost you your life when you need your firearm.
MachIVshooter
Member
While I tend to agree that you generally get what you pay for, I have persoanlly never found the need to spend incredible amounts of money on holsters. Most of mine are Bianchi, some DeSantis, and some Galco. Avarage price is probably $60, and they all work fine. My daily carry holster is a tan DeSantis hi-mount OWB for a Glock 19 (the only strapless unit that fit my Witness Compact 10mm well post-recurved trigger gaurd). IIRC, it was about $45.
I could see your point if we were talking about $9.95 Uncle Mikes universal uber-velcro units, but $50-$100 will generally get you a very nice holster from a reputable manufacturer.
But if you want to drop $800 on a holster, you go right ahead.
I could see your point if we were talking about $9.95 Uncle Mikes universal uber-velcro units, but $50-$100 will generally get you a very nice holster from a reputable manufacturer.
But if you want to drop $800 on a holster, you go right ahead.
My hell box is full enough that I don't need to start filling it with $100+ holsters. The trouble with buying holsters is that you will often not know if it works for you till it is on your belt for several days. I can't afford to buy holsters that won't work for me, I'm on a budget. Besides, there are many quality rigs available in the $50-$80 range. Anything that isn't expressly custom built should be in this range as far as I'm concerned. If I'm paying $100+ it better be handstitched and perfectly moulded, and not cut out on a machine press.
Jkwas
Member
Well for one thing, they don't always work out. Especially IWB's.
I have a pile of them for several guns. Some of the cheap ones work better than the more expensive ones. If I could spend $100 and know for sure it would work, I would do it.
I have a pile of them for several guns. Some of the cheap ones work better than the more expensive ones. If I could spend $100 and know for sure it would work, I would do it.
Ben Shepherd
Member
Guess I'm lucky.
I live close to a guy that does custom leather for his living. So I can have anything done the exact way I want it.
Top-shelf work, top-shelf prices. BUT: I get what I pay for.
I understand those that don't want to lay money out "because it might not work". But once you get a cheap one to work, you should be able to get a nice one close enough in fit/cant/dimension that the risk is minimal.
Speeking from experience:
When your gun hits pavement unexpectedly, things get interesting, FAST!!
I live close to a guy that does custom leather for his living. So I can have anything done the exact way I want it.
Top-shelf work, top-shelf prices. BUT: I get what I pay for.
I understand those that don't want to lay money out "because it might not work". But once you get a cheap one to work, you should be able to get a nice one close enough in fit/cant/dimension that the risk is minimal.
Speeking from experience:
When your gun hits pavement unexpectedly, things get interesting, FAST!!
What I don't understand are guys who buy $1,000 pistols and $200 worth of leather holster and never uses it as it was meant to be used beause they are afraid of getting a scratch on the pistol or rub mark on the holster.
At a recent IDPA match at my club we had a new guy come out with his Baer pistol and Milt Sparks holster/mag pouch/belt. Everything looked great.. like new. At one of the stages we had to go prone and shoot under a car at three targets about 15-18 yards away. This guy didn't shoot that stage and took a DNF because he didn't want to scratch his holster
I've seen guys bring out beautiful Pythons to the range and not shoot it for the fear of getting it dirty.
At a recent IDPA match at my club we had a new guy come out with his Baer pistol and Milt Sparks holster/mag pouch/belt. Everything looked great.. like new. At one of the stages we had to go prone and shoot under a car at three targets about 15-18 yards away. This guy didn't shoot that stage and took a DNF because he didn't want to scratch his holster
I've seen guys bring out beautiful Pythons to the range and not shoot it for the fear of getting it dirty.
Bullet Bob
Member
So what? It's their stuff, what do you care what they do with it?
Edited, because it sounded a little harsh after I thought about it, decided to expound a bit. I hear this sort of thing all the time, from both sides: Why do people buy those cheap scopes? Why do people buy expensive scopes? On and on, and then we have to run down the folks - I bet that scope never sees rain; I saw that guy with that cheap scope trying to . . . etc. I know people with waaay more expensive stuff than me that can outshoot me any day of the week, and I know people with used model 10's that can also do so. Some of the former make less than I do, and some of the latter have more money.
The important thing is that they love to shoot, and do so safely. What they do with their stuff, and what stuff they want to buy, is really no concern of mine.
45shooter's location is "USA" - maybe we can shoot together some time. That's what it's all about, to me at least.
Edited, because it sounded a little harsh after I thought about it, decided to expound a bit. I hear this sort of thing all the time, from both sides: Why do people buy those cheap scopes? Why do people buy expensive scopes? On and on, and then we have to run down the folks - I bet that scope never sees rain; I saw that guy with that cheap scope trying to . . . etc. I know people with waaay more expensive stuff than me that can outshoot me any day of the week, and I know people with used model 10's that can also do so. Some of the former make less than I do, and some of the latter have more money.
The important thing is that they love to shoot, and do so safely. What they do with their stuff, and what stuff they want to buy, is really no concern of mine.
45shooter's location is "USA" - maybe we can shoot together some time. That's what it's all about, to me at least.
Essex County
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S.D. Meyers to Bianchi, El Paso to Safariland....
For a lot of holster requirements You don't have to spend a small fortune. Open carry? even an Uncle Mikes will work. If You're looking for a specialized concealed carry maybe Sparks or Mitch Rosen would be some top choices. When I need something for an oddball handgun I go to ElPaso.. Ebay can be your best friend. You CAN spend big bucks, but often You don;t have to.... Essex
For a lot of holster requirements You don't have to spend a small fortune. Open carry? even an Uncle Mikes will work. If You're looking for a specialized concealed carry maybe Sparks or Mitch Rosen would be some top choices. When I need something for an oddball handgun I go to ElPaso.. Ebay can be your best friend. You CAN spend big bucks, but often You don;t have to.... Essex
vanilla_gorilla
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Let the folks be cheap. I'm already having to wait 5 months for my Sparks holsters. Keep convincing people to get high quality holsters and we'll be waiting for years.
I handled a few expensive holsters that did not seem to be a good fit.
Considering that most holsters one has to order online, paying big bucks for something that may not fit is hardly a good choice.
If a $50 holster does not fit, I can put it aside or alter it myself. I would not feel so great though modifying a $150 holster.
miko
Considering that most holsters one has to order online, paying big bucks for something that may not fit is hardly a good choice.
If a $50 holster does not fit, I can put it aside or alter it myself. I would not feel so great though modifying a $150 holster.
miko
I agree
that it is foolish to buy a $600+ handgun only to have it tumble to the ground out of your $20 holster. That said, there are also plenty of bargains to be had in leather. I have a belt slide, an IWB and a high ride all by the same maker, Desantis I believe, and I don't think I paid more than $40 for any of them, new. HOW DO YOU GUYS FEEL ABOUT THE GUYS WHO BUY A $600 RIFLE AND PUT THE CHEAPEST SCOPE THEY CAN FIND ON IT? That is the one that has always confused me.
that it is foolish to buy a $600+ handgun only to have it tumble to the ground out of your $20 holster. That said, there are also plenty of bargains to be had in leather. I have a belt slide, an IWB and a high ride all by the same maker, Desantis I believe, and I don't think I paid more than $40 for any of them, new. HOW DO YOU GUYS FEEL ABOUT THE GUYS WHO BUY A $600 RIFLE AND PUT THE CHEAPEST SCOPE THEY CAN FIND ON IT? That is the one that has always confused me.
MCgunner
Member
I've yet to find an IWB that works any better for big guns than Milt Sparks' 50 dollar summer special at any price. So, why should I pay more, just to be a holster snob? Of course, I own those trashy Rugers. I don't reckon I could possibly defend myself with one, they're so cheap.
I have an IWB I made with my handy dandy Tandy leather making kit for my J frames. It works GREAT! It retains the gun, is reholsterable, and is very comfy!
I don't reckon I could possibly defend myself with one, they're so cheap.I have an IWB I made with my handy dandy Tandy leather making kit for my J frames. It works GREAT! It retains the gun, is reholsterable, and is very comfy!
CAnnoneer
Member
Leather holsters look nicer but I fear acid from the leather can damage the gun finish.
Bullet Bob
Member
Only if you store the gun in the leather, and no one does that, do they?
Speaking of hitting the ground to fire at targets under a car - some of these games just kill me. Now, practice is good, no matter what type it is. But I have seen the elephant, so to speak, and I'm not hitting the ground either, unless it's in a jungle with bullets flying everywhere. I don't know anything about sand, so I can't talk about that.
But in most encounters I expect I could have as a civilian, I'm not leaving my feet voluntarily. Just my opnion, yours could be different, and just as valid.
Speaking of hitting the ground to fire at targets under a car - some of these games just kill me. Now, practice is good, no matter what type it is. But I have seen the elephant, so to speak, and I'm not hitting the ground either, unless it's in a jungle with bullets flying everywhere. I don't know anything about sand, so I can't talk about that.
But in most encounters I expect I could have as a civilian, I'm not leaving my feet voluntarily. Just my opnion, yours could be different, and just as valid.
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