[makarov]

I just ordered a CZ-85 Combat today. It will be used for range work and possibly a little IDPA. I would like to get suggestions for a good quality holster. Must be leather - must fit CZ-75 or 85 and must be easy on the finish. I ordered blue. I know the satin nickel is more durable, but I just like the way the blue looks.

Holster does not need to have thumbreaks, in fact it will probably only get used for IDPA if I get into it. So, it must be IDPA legal. So far am considering:

Desantis Speed Scabbard
High Noon
Horshoe Leather

Any other good brands to consider. Would like to keep it under $100. Quality then price, but cheaper is obviously better.

- Makarov

[tonerguy]

In addition to the fine makers you mentioned, check out Lou Alessi, Milt Sparks, Gary Brommeland, Mark Waldon, Bulman Gunleather, Rusty Sherrick, Fist and Tucker Gunleather. That's only a small sample of what's available. All have holsters that are IDPA approved.

The key ingredients for IDPA is that the holster be placed at or behind the strong side hip and completely cover the trigger guard. You can use a belt holster or inside the pants holster. To actually be approved the maker has to have submitted the holster to IDPA for approval and it has to be on the approval list.

No thumbbreak is necessary. A well-designed open top holster will securely hold the gun and yet provide an easy draw. Most leather holsters start out a little tight and then break in nicely.

One thing to look for is a design which affords a full firing grip while in the holster. Most designs should provide that. An FBI cant of 10-15 degrees is extremely practical. Some prefer a vertical holster but most can't wear one behind the point of the hip and draw smoothly. An FBI cant (muzzle aft/butt forward) will also conceal more easily without printing.

No matter what kind of holster you get, lots of practice drawing from a holster will wear the bluing over time. So will a poorly fit holster used for daily carry as it will allow the gun to move inside the holster during daily activies.

Have fun looking at all the holster possibilities. :)

[Croyance]

Price Western Leather (http://www.pwlusa.com) has some good leather products at a good price. I use one of their gun belts every day.

[Jack19]

Milt Sparks.

Milt Sparks (http://www.miltsparks.com)

You will absolutely not be sorry.

[treeprof]

Like many others, I've accumulated a lot of holsters from a host of makers. Milt Sparks, Mitch Rosen and Kramer are the best I've purchased. Will pass on another High Noon.

tonerguy has good advice.

[MoNsTeR]

Beware, most holsters built for the 75 will not fit the 85, due to the ambidextrous slide release lever.

I've compiled a list of holster makers that list the 85 specifically, I'll post it when I get home.

[SoDFW Jason]

I like Don Hume for leather but Tonerguy has just about convinced me I needed a Tucker. Check out both. Tucker is on my "to get" list. Rob, this would be your chance to make me a deal
;)

[braindead0]

Fist inc. (http://www.fist-inc.com)

[Master Blaster]

Desantis makes a good holster if you can't wait,

for the same or a little more money ($20) Milt Sparks makes a fantastic holster, but you will wait three months for it.

I'm not sure if he makes one for the CZ, check his site.

[rgc]

Trust me, they're great. :D

http://www.andrewsleather.com/ or call Sam Andrews at (386) 462-0576

[Charles S]

All of the above holster manufacturers are of excellent quality.

My suggestion is not leaving any of the others out. I have just had great experience with Milt Sparks, Kramer Leather, and Fist Holsters.

Good luck.


Charles

[MoNsTeR]

Here's my list of makers that offer holsters for the 85. Each either lists the 85 on their site, or I've heard first-hand from the maker or a customer.
http://www.blade-tech.com/
http://www.brigadegunleather.com/
http://www.bulmangunleather.com/
http://www.cen-dex.com/
http://www.fist-inc.com/
http://fobusholster.net/
http://www.klnullholsters.com/
http://www.kramerleather.com/
http://www.pwlusa.com/
http://www.raftersgunleather.com/
http://home.earthlink.net/~mikebenedict/talontactical.htm
http://www.wildbillsconcealment.com/

I have the Fobus, it's junk: it takes two hands to get the gun in or out. (FWIW I have another one for the 1911 which works great.)

Whichever one you get I'd love to hear about it.

[Skunkabilly]

I thought I replied :confused: but I guess it never came through.

Safariland 560 (aka Wilson Adjuster) should fit both. I think the Safariland is pleather (don't quote me on that) but the Adjuster is kydex and sharky with suede lining.

[makarov]

Thanks so much for all the excellent suggestions. MoNster- Great list of links for me to check too!

My dealer already had the gun in today. Excellent service. I paid a little more than if I had ordered it from Whittakers or JG Sales, but I like my local shop. Ended up being $480 plus tax. He can't really help the tax part.

Anyway - gun was NICE. I got to open the box from the factory sealed container. Gun was oily and in a plastic bag. Shipped with two mags, two snap caps and a mag loader and a cable lock. This is only the second gun I have ever bought brand new. Can't wait to get it to the range.

Thanks for the tip on the ambi-slide release. I hadn't thought about that. Probably makes the gun slightly wider...

[faustulus]

Nothing new to add but I will throw my $.02 behind Josh Bulman and Mitch Rosen

http://www.bulmangunleather.com/ (http://)
http://www.mitchrosen.com/ (http://)

[Sven]

Contact 'tonerguy' here on The High Road (Rob) and ask him if Tucker can make you a holster for the CZ... here's my Valtro in Tucker Leather:


http://www.imageseek.com/valtro/sven/_tucker_valtro_set.jpg

Tucker Gun Leather (http://www.tuckergunleather.com)

Tonerguy was too modest to toot his own horn, so I'll do it for him - this stuff is beautiful and rugged. The gun belts are now daily wear for me... wish I could carry daily, but I live in CA.

[dan_s]

Holsters are like beer in that everyone has their favorite, and like women in that everyone tries several before they decide to spend their life with one.

You will in all probability end up with a drawer full untill you find the perfect one for you.

If you decide to spend a llittle more for a top quality holster, you won't go wrong with Milt Sparks, Mitch Rosen or Kramer. I have a Kramer and it's not the first holster I bought, just the last..

[tonerguy]

dan_s is right.

Everyone has their favorite.

I'm glad there are many to choose from. Presently, no one who makes a good product is hurting for business because quality brings more repeat business than a low price. Remember the old saying, "One 'Aw sh*t!' wipes out ten 'Attaboy's' ."

No one wants a drawer full of leather "door stops."

[Lone_Gunman]

After spending hundreds on leather holsters, from off the shelf models to custom made, I have come to realize that plastic/polymer/kydex holsters are better in every conceivable way, except appearance.

No more leather for me, please. (not at the moment, anyway).

[WESHOOT2]

Except the give-away 'snick' when yer drawin'...........

[MoNsTeR]

Just for the record Lone_Gunman, who's your favorite for kydex gear?

[gryphon]

I also suggest checking out Milt Sparks. They have some really nice stuff.

[Lone_Gunman]

Monster...

For a cheap but pretty good holster, try Fobus. I dont think its "kydex", but just plain old cheap black plastic. Their paddle holsters work well, and I think are about $15-20.

Next step up is Uncle Mikes Kydex. Very nice. Better feeling than Fobus, but dont really work any better. I think they are still under about $25.

High end is Blade-tech. They are kind of pricey, I think I may have paid $50 for one custom made for a HK P7. They look a little better than Uncle Mikes, and a lot better than Fobus, but don't really work any better than the other two. But you can get a blade tech made for semi-obscure guns like the P7.

[SW9mm]

i have 2 milt sparks holsters and am very pleased with both