[Marko Kloos]

Anyone who carries guns for a while usually ends up with the dreaded box-o'-holsters.

On the downside, they were expensive to pile up, and a lot of them just plain don't work as well as you had hoped.

On the upside, you get a lot of experience with different brands and types of holsters.

Sooner or later, you find that you gravitate towards a certain brand...their holsters just seem to work better for you than anything else.

What's your favorite holster brand?

For me, Galco seems to work out the best. Their stuff is universally well made, and their designs are well-thought out (or good copies of other well thought-out designs.)

Disclaimer: the poll tags are just for fun. I own, or have owned, holsters from each of the manufacturers on the list, and they're all well worth the money.

Except that Plavitz Custom.

[P95Carry]

Actually Marko - I consider there are many, tho we all have our faves (and the box full too! LOL). And of course, what suits one guy won't always suit the next. Galco for sure has a great rep, but I recently got a Dillon OWB belt slide for my new SIG and am well pleased with that.

I also bought a rig from Jim Burke (Paris TX) at Dallas gun show, June 2003 before he sadly died ... it was a small J frame belt slide that just suited my SP-101 too - I liked it so much I had a very nice copy made. I won't say by whom because it seems anything I say about other holsters is taken as a criticism of his own work! :rolleyes:

There are also it seems a good number of new holster makers coming along ... many of which I think have great potential. It is a buyer's market because so much choice.

I know too Milt Sparks seems to often be well spoken of - we are lucky to have such a wide choice.

[azrael]

HEYYYYYYYYY!!!! how come my name isnt on there?? :neener:

j/k

Chris,
I saw the rig you are talking about...Top notch work...to bad "you know who" is a tad bit touchy about it...Ya still need to send me a tracing of the Burke design...Gotta rip it off ya know? :what:

my favorites??...i have several and they are in no order

RJ Hedley
Ron Graham
Eric Larsen
Gary Broomeland
Lou Alessi
Andy Arrantoonian
K&D Custom
MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!



unpleasant dreams! :evil:

[P95Carry]

Dave .... PM me your email addy - tho I know I should have it somewhere .... just means digging. I can send you a scale scanned sketch of that rig ... plus other pics.... once got together. Gotta find em first! :rolleyes:

[Black Snowman]

http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/

I don't mind waiting for custom leather that's affordable :)

[dev_null]

For autos, Milt Sparks:
http://www.miltsparks.com/images/Photos/VM-2_large.jpg


For C'boy guns, Bob Mernickle:
http://www.mernickleholsters.com/ca/caimgs/ca6.jpg

and Rick Bachman (Old West Reproductions):
http://www.oldwestreproductions.com/_System/_DeluxeStore/_ProductImages/6012112003355092-6610913585851.jpg

- 0 -

[armoredman]

Ditto on HBE!

[nhhillbilly]

For semi-Auto I have found the Milt Sparks Versa Max II the most confortable holster. I have two drawers of holsters and the Versa Max II is the one I use everyday.

[taliv]

Milt Sparks - I don't mind waiting four months for quality.

it was like, 9 months this past summer when i attempted to order a summer special.

I got a wilson combat leather and I actually like it better than the milt sparks because it has a stiffer metal band holding the mouth open, and it is moulded to accomodate the safety on a 1911. and the

oh, and of course, it is black, which is evil. and evil is well, good. you know?

on the downside, wilson only makes right-handed holsters, and I'm a lefty, so i wear the sparks about 80% of the time

but they are both quite nice

[rick_reno]

Milt Sparks makes the holsters I use.

[Bulldozer]

Well, I'm probably one of those guys that has more $$$ in quality gunleather than in guns. I only carry two: either a Commander Series 70 or a 3" Model 66, and own three.

Overt the past decade I've cycled through dozens of guns and even more leather.

I've got casual and dress rigs in black, natural, and brown for both weapons. Rigs are made by Spakrs, Alessi, Del Fatti, and I even keep some Hume on hand for casual jeans and mucky woods stuff.

[Otisimo]

Count me in for Brommeland.

[HighVelocity]

Donner Gunleather

[DMF]

Blade-Tech. I've got an IWB, OWB and OWB with a thumb break. Great holsters, that stand up to a lot of abuse.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Good topic Marko my friend, as I will list my top three in order of preference:

a) Bianchi
b) Safariland
c) Don Hume

as I prefer real leather holsters. I realize that these holsters made
of real leather are expensive, but I feel that you get what you pay for!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Old Dog]

Well, I'm a NorthWest dude now, so I'm kinda loyal to Kramer for everyday wear ... the horsehide stuff is just so dang durable and his holsters fit my guns while lasting for years ... Galcos will seem darn flimsy to you after using a Kramer.

For purty holsters, though, I'm in the Alessi (best shoulder rig)/Sparks (best IWB, the VM-II)/Brommeland (just plain great quality) camps, too.

Yes, I spend as much on holsters as I do on guns.

[GaryP]

:D
These 3 are the best of the best as far as I am concerned :D

1. Horseshoe Leather by Andy Arratoonian in England
2. Haugen Handgun Leather by Jerry Lee Evans in Bismark, North Dakota
3. Black Hills Leather by Rudy Lozano in Laredo, Texas


Others that I have found to be very good:

Bianchi
Kramer

Non Leather:
Blade-Tech (Kydex & Concealex)

My thoughts based on personal experience! ;)


:evil:

[Ala Dan]

Nobody mentioned K.C. Custom Leather in Birmingham, AL? :rolleyes: :uhoh:

Heck, I have a new belt slide for my 1911A1 thats as good as those
from Bianchi, Safariland, or Don Hume. And it only cost me $45.

Best Wishes,

[N.M. Edmands]

AKJ Cocealco; IWBS most comfotable,concealable holster I've ever owned. :D

[onerifle]

Love my Comp-tac C-T.A.C. for my G23. :D

[9mmepiphany]

i've only used two makers for my duty gear: hoyt for my wheelguns and safariland for my autos

but like the rest of you, i have a forture tied up in a drawer full of holster by every maker in your poll. i was surprised you didn't include some oldies like horseshoe leather and ken null. i've also seen some nice pieces from del fratti and kramer.

but i do lean toward a certain maker for comfort and workmanship...and that is alessi. having said that, i have to admitt that my most often worn holster is the fobus paddle

[denfoote]

Leather: DeSantis.
Plastic: Predator (http://www.predator-holsters.com/).
He's a local Kydex holster maker.

[Dr.Rob]

Color me weird but I still like Galco...

but as far as a small maker, Trailrider products makes great functional Cowboy and hunting leather.

[krang]

Kevin Manley-KDHolsters
Steve and Della-Rafter Gunleather
Galco

Everyone on the above poll list but my favorites are the products I use everyday. :)

[jc2]

El Paso Saddlery

[farscott]

I like Kramer and Milt Sparks. BTW, Sparks wait time was about eight weeks in December. I ordered a VM-2 for my wife's S&W M65LS in October, and I had it before Christmas.

[tlhelmer]

You left off HighNoon Holsters!

[PCRCCW]

Well....this is a great thread.

Gary Brommeland
Lou Alessi
Mark Garrity
Josh Bullman
Matt Delfatti
......................
Can I vote for me? If not, my wife will :evil:

Shoot well.........

[TheDutchman]

Tucker Gun Leather
http://store.yahoo.com/rlcompanyusa/tugu.html
Good stuff

[enfield]

So far I like Kramer the best, but I haven't tried all of the others yet (just a sizable chunk of them).

[SLCDave]

Am I the only one that likes FIST holsters?

[Puppy]

I am surprised no-one has mentioned Ross Leather.

[SAG0282]

I'm sold on BladeTech. For my plastic guns no less. :)

[Bullet Bob]

El Paso Saddlery, plain and fancy:

http://fototime.com/30FFF1857366033/standard.jpg

http://fototime.com/EB5900CDDEB1D54/standard.jpg

[dairycreek]

I have ordered and received two holsters from Eric for my CZ pistols. They are simply elegant, quality pieces. Can't praise his work highly enough. ;)

[MacPelto]

Am I the only one that likes FIST holsters?


Nope, +1 for FIST.

Mac

[usp_fan]

I've got 2 custom holsters now. 1 from san pedro saddlery and 1 from HBE leatherworks.

Since they do different things for different guns, I can't say one is better than the other. Both are very well made and make me happy when I see them.

Here (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=121579) is my review of the HBE COM 3 I recieved for christmas.

--usp_fan

[mtnbkr]

Production, off the shelf leather: Galco or Don Hume

Handmade: RafterS. I liked the holster they made for my GP100 enough to buy a holster and matching belt for my Kahr K9. The best part? The combo wasn't any more expensive than production leather, even after upgrading to Sharkskin.

I'd be happy with Galco or DH, but most of the time, the belt loops are too large. I wear a 1.5" belt and they like 1.75" loops that are extra wide as well. Once I lose a little more weight, I want to try a Milt Sparks Watch Six or Comp-Tac CTAC for my K9.

BTW, how comfortable is kydex for IWB?

Chris

[kimbernut]

Sam Andrews- Andrews Custom Leather-Alachua, Fl.

Kevin Manley- K&D Holsters- Plant City,Fl.

[Doug Add]

I have used and would buy again:

Kirkpatrick Leather Company (http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/m_concealment.htm)

Rafter S Gunleather (http://www.raftersgunleather.com/holster.htm)

But so far I actually have bought again from these two:

Tucker Gunleather (http://store.yahoo.com/rlcompanyusa/tugu.html)

I have a Texas Heritage for both the SIG P228 and the Ruger SP101. Tucker is my favorite IWB holster maker.

High Noon Holsters (http://highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/product_line.html)

I had a Sky High for the Browning Hi Power, and currently have a Slide Guard for the SIG P228. High Noon is my favorite OWB holster maker.

[71Commander]

I've had just about all of them. Now when I get a new gun and need a holster it's a decision between Alessi, Fist or HBE. Maybe a Wild Bill's. Their paddle holster is the nicest paddle I have ever worn. I can sleep in it and not be disturbed.

[TheEgg]

Concealment leather -- for steel guns, Milt Sparks.

Concealment plastic -- for plastic guns, Comp-tac

For western fun -- El Paso.

[JeepDriver]

I have Blade Tech's for all my guns and have been very happy with them.

I use Balde Tech holsters for IPCS production division as well as every day carry. In fact they are the only type of holster I own

[Jay Kominek]

High Noon Holsters!

[Brasso]

El Passo Saddlery.

[Smoke]

Third vote for Tucker Gunleather.

[shooter58]

Yes! I was wondering if anyone would ever mention El Paso Saddlery. I personally think they make some of the finest holsters on the market.
I also like: Lou Alessi
Bianchi
Don Hume
Milt Sparks

[McCall911]

In general I like Galco, but certainly not all of Galco's prices. I have a dandy Galco shoulder holster, I think now discontinued, which fits my CZ-75. Originally it was intended for the Tanfoglio CZ knockoff, the TZ-75, and others of the same ilk.

[Treylis]

I have hundreds of bucks of Milt Sparks gear and it's worth every penny.

[denfoote]

Actually, most of my holsters were found in the "used" bin at by local gunshop!!

I found a just broken in Kramer belt scabbard for my full size 1911 and a DeSantis #2 for my commander clone!! Both were had for $5 ea.!!

A "no name" IWB for $1 fit my PPK/S to a tee.

A soft leather Galco IWB does my J-frame right. That was had for $10.

Whenever a gun came in as a trade or was purchased, used, the holster was stripped off and tossed into that bin!! I got in the habit of gravitating over to it as soon as I entered the shop! My watchfullness paid off!! ;)

[walking arsenal]

My plastic weaponry I.E. Springfield XD, GLock etc. go into fobus holsters.
plastic guns get plastic holsters.

My old iron 1911 gets leather, as well as my .38 special.

my beretta M21a gets uncle mikes or a plain pocket.

[BlkHawk73]

Bought my first Mitch Rosen piece 7 or 8 years ago and haven't bought anything but his stuff for leather gear since. Simply THE best I've seen.

[Highland Ranger]

fist

[Camp Cook]

I have to say that Bob Mernickle would be my favorite holster maker because both of my Cowboy rigs are made by him. Other than that I like Uncle Mike's Kydex holsters for thier price.

[Maddock]

Like others I have a bunch of holsters and related accessories, but the ones I carry on the street are Kramer pocket holsters and Sparks for belt guns. I also have G William Davis, and Lawrence leather that I think of very highly. Anybody remember them?

[Fed168]

Wild Bill's for leather, Safariland for duty.

[Obiwan]

Cen-Dex

Frank is good people.

[jlwatts3]

Tucker Gunleather.

Their "Texas Heritage" is my new favorite CCW holster. Plus customer service is top notch.

[Lone Star]

Galco and El Paso Saddlery.

LOne Star

[Richard.Howe]

I voted Milt Sparks as favorite holster company. I have a few and like them a lot.

Of course, my favorite holster is my El Paso Saddlery "1930 Austin" for my S&W 686.

[Sodbuster]

Alessi guy here. But I'm not waiting five months for another one.

[Kamicosmos]

I voted Don Hume in the poll. I just picked up a nice Agent 9 belt slide for my SP101.

I also have an IWB holster for the SP by High Noon that I am greatly impressed with.

And, I have a pancake holster for my CZ97B by HBE that is very nice as well.

[deputy tom]

Oddly enough ,my favorite holster is an original Pancake by Roy's.Must be 35 yrs old.tom. :)

[Ridgerunner665]

I voted for Milt Sparks...I have a Versa Max II and I use it occasionally in winter but SmartCarry is my favorite because it conceals when others wont. I carry a full size pistol (Beretta 96 Vertec) and I'm not a very big guy at 6 ft. tall and 165lbs. so the VM II prints if I only have an untucked shirt to cover it.

[Bluecard]

Matt Delfatti make the BEST leather gear I have ever owned. The only set back is it takes almost a year to get one of his works of art! :banghead:

[El Tejon]

Milt Sparks. Those hairy-chested Westerners know what they are doing. :)

The production time could be cut if they would hire some more guys, but I think everyone in Idaho is working for them already. :D

[Fred Fuller]

Another vote for a local who does good work at good prices- Bill Bowden.

http://www.wildbillsconcealment.com/

lpl/nc

[LiquidTension]

Favorite holster maker? I don't know, but FIST is at the dead bottom of the list. I'd rather have a grip clip than a FIST. My #19 broke the second day I had it, no fault of my own...they use crappy screws. Not to mention that whatever chemicals they use on the holster ate holes in the frame and slide of my Kimber. Even after rebluing it, the thing looks like the surface of the moon. It didn't rust...just ate through the bluing and started eating the metal. Naturally, they denied that it was their fault even though my other holster never did anything to the gun and there was nothing abrasive inside the holster. I'll NEVER buy anything from them EVER again. My next will either be a Milt Sparks or an HBE Specialty (that guy is on the board here somewhere).

[Greek]

Alessi is da man!

Also some Bianchi.

[stevelyn]

OWB: Galco
IWB: DeSantis
Cowboy or utility holsters for huntin' or dinkin' around in the woods: Triple K.

[C. H. Luke]

"Cen-Dex

Frank is good people."

Frank builds great Kydex. Functional and very fast!


"Alessi - you're not a gun snob until you're also a holster snob."

Doubt any snobs buy Lou Alessi's gear! His leather is hard-use wear all-day professional gear built to last and at a fair price.

Sparks is the same, both are small outfits taking the time to do it right.

"...the best way to make a Glock even thicker in the waistband."

You've pegged this one perfectly! Had a sidewinder when they first came out-complete trash made by someone who isn't even a gun person. The darling of the GlorkSquak.com no-nothings.
Mine made a great door-stop at the local Indoor Range! :barf:

[SONICMASD]

i like high noon holsters! im getting their closing argument model for my 24/7.

www.highnoonholsters.com

[Skunkabilly]

I LIKED Milt Sparks the best but Blade-Tech works better for me.

Thinking about switching to Comp-Tac.

[Black Snowman]

Dispite a 3 month backlog I just put in an order for 3 more from HBE plus a belt. Like they say, you can have good quality, low cost, and fast production, as long as you only pick 2 of the three. ;)

[HKGuns]

Fist.......just as good as Milt Spark's without the wait. Sorry about your bad experience up there....But from what I read, just about anything takes the finish off a Kimber.

[Brass Balls]

I voted for Milt Sparks (Kanaley) since that's the maker of my daily carry holster a VM2, however I also really like several holsters I own from Alessi: a Fieldmaster, Ankle holster, Talon Plus and a Ruf-Out pocket holster. Sidearmor makes a great OWB in their Modular too.

That's my problem with most polls like this; only choosing one. :cool:

[CaptSkip]

El Paso Saddlery. :D

[Vern Humphrey]

I make my own.

[Ben Shepherd]

Camp Cook-AGREED. If you want to pack the 'ol hogleg in style, Mernickle is tough to beat.

Sodbuster: If you ever need an ankle rig reconsider waiting on an Allessi. I've NEVER found an equal for his, and believe me I spent a PILE of money trying to.

As for concealment leather- PCRCCW(HBEleatherworks) lives close enough that we catch lunch off and on. I AM SOOOO SPOILED!! :p :evil:

[Mugsy90/10]

Matt Del Fatti

http://www.delfatti.com/

[Ex-MA Hole]

K&D Leather- Talk to Kevin. Real good guy.

[chevrofreak]

Threat Solutions

[BriGuy1]

Rosen ARG for my 1911. I can conceal a full-size 1911 4 seasons wearing normal clothes.

[Marshall]

I don't really have a favorite but I really like Gould & Goodrich for the quality and expense.


Gould & Goodrich (http://www.gouldusa.com/)

[Checkman]

I waited three months for my Milt Sparks. It's a good holster, but I usually go with Galco. As a lefty I find that they usually have left handed holsters in stock and they work. And yes I have noticed that in the past five years I have accumulated many different style of holsters for my various handguns. I was not warned about this. :scrutiny:

[Devonai]

Mitch Rosen. Gotta support the locals.

[C. H. Luke]

Sidearmor - the best way to make a Glock even thicker in the waistband.

Too true! Wrap a brick with the World's hickest Kydex sheet and press it in a Waffle Iron.....


Alessi - you're not a gun snob until you're also a holster snob.

:scrutiny: Lou's gear has never been about glitz or gimmicks. He had a Cult following long before the internet materialized and never advertised much at all. Every one of his holsters passes thru his hands at one time or another during mfg. His stuff is true "Old World" craftmanship done right or not done at all.

Certainly there must be "Snobs" who "buy" his holsters now that he has wide name recognition and the reputation but it's the guys that wear there pistols for 16 hours a day and on occasion have to roll around on the ground in a fight that he's concerned about providing the best leather available for.

[faustulus]

I've got to go with Josh Bulman. Best stuff I've seen and I before I discovered him I was buying Mitch Rosen.
http://www.bulmangunleather.com/holsters.html

[Pointman]

For my 1911's the Safariland 5181 paddle & spare mags in a Galco 268.

[Sven]

http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/

[SapperLeader]

Tucker gun leather is one of my favorites, I love the answer, the texas heritag is nice, and I want to get one of his all matching rigs real bad.

Our very own azrael does some awesome pocket holsters, I own a few of these.
Ive had good luck with high noon, own two of thiers for my p32.
A real sleeper is PCS or pocket concealment sytems. I ordered mine from Lightning arms, and it is by far the ebst pocket holster for j-frrames that I have ever tried.

So many good holster workers, so many guns to get leather for, so little money to do it :)

[Correia]

I've gone through a lot of holsters, including Blade-tech, Sparks, and Rosen.

Currently if I need another leather holster, I got to Eric Larsen at HBE Leatherworks. His prices are good, and his quality is just as nice as my Sparks or Rosen.

For kydex, I'm a G-Code man. Scott Evans holsters are awesome.

[hightech]

DeSantis Leather Works for quality, price and service. :)

[AZ Heat]

I'm a big fan of Predator Holsters for my Glocks and 1911s. But I do use various leather holsters for my wheel guns.

http://www.predator-holsters.com/

[Krag]

Gould & Goodrich. They're located in North Carolina, in the Confederate States of America. Eeeeehhhhhaaaaa! :cool:

[Burt Blade]

Andrews Custom Leather.
http://www.andrewsleather.com/

Top notch stuff, and he makes rather ncie modern stuff too.

[Seraph]

Torn between Alessi and Brommeland. Alessi made my OWB holster (CQC/S), and Brommeland made my IWB holster (Max-Con V). Both are just beautifully constructed.

[Diamondback]

El Paso Saddlery

-Regards

[Black Majik]

Milt Sparks takes my vote. :)

[kbheiner7]

I'm anxiously awaiting a Brommeland Max Con V.

[Atticus]

The ones I've owned that I'd buy again are Sparks, Galco, Bianchi, HBE.

[akviper]

I've carried guns for over 30 years and settled on Gordon Davis and Kramer for off duty. I have several totes full of holsters that I bought and didn't like. I also use Safailand for uniform use.

[medmo]

I like plenty of holster manufacturers but I had to vote "other" because there is no button for Kramer Leather which is my favorite.

[Todesengel]

H.B.E. Leatherworks (http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/) all the way!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v405/1911-A1/UltraandProCDP-web.jpg

[bradvanhorn]

Of all the holsters I've tried thus far, Milt Sparks holsters are my favorite overall.

The brands I've tried (and that I can remember - I'm sure I've forgotten a few) include:

Milt Sparks
HBE
Lou Alessi
Mitch Rosen
Kramer
DeSantis
Galco
Blade-Tech
Cen-Dex
FIN Designs
Safariland
Blackhawk
London Bridge Trading Co.
Bianchi
Uncle Mikes
Rhyno

[GeorgeH]

Ron Graham all the way. I own more than 50 holsters, pouches, and belts. His exotic leather work is unreal.

[Ky Larry]

Aker Leather. First class quality and customer service. Can't believe no one mentioned them. :confused:

[blackhawk44]

Tough ordering my favorites, S. D. Myres and Roy Baker Original Pancakes. Next place goes to El Paso Saddlery.

[bulbboy]

Reviving this thread! My favorites are Milt Sparks VM2 and I really like the Galco Glove Ankle Holster and the High Noon "Hidden Ally". I have two holsters on order from K & D Holsters. Kevin over there is unbelievable to deal with!! He is custom making one for me and has been putting up with me bugging him about it! Please check this guy out!! www.kdholsters.com

[raghorn]

Ted Blocker

[BHPshooter]

HBE Leatherworks, all the way! Eric is an artisan. :)

Wes

[Wags]

Kramer.

[Double Maduro]

I can't believe that Raghorn is the first person to mention Ted Blocker.

http://www.tedblocker.com/

In my opinion these are some of the finest holsters out there and the product is only surpassed by the quality of the people there.

I carry my Ruger P90 in a DA3 http://www.tedblocker.com/DA3.html and my 1911 in a DA2 http://www.tedblocker.com/DA2.html

I cannot imagine another holster that lets me conceal the Ruger P90 any more comfortably.

DM

[Zundfolge]

Yet another writein vote for HBE Leatherworks (http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/)!

Remember, he's one of US (http://www.thehighroad.org)!

[modifiedbrowning]

I like Blade Tech and Graham Holsters (http://www.grahamholsters.com)