[Gary in Pennsylvania]

OK - So I was searching for a good OWB thumb strap holster for my 3" SP101.

Then I quickly realized that I couldn't be so specific because there are very few holster makers (Big or small) that cater to the 3" SP101.

The weird think is that I find 3" SP owners are extremely loyal and proud litle fraternity. We really LOVE our 3"ers.

Why is it that there are dozens and dozens of 2" SP holsters out there....but nobody wants to cater to the 3"ers???

It is tough to find one that fits my needs.


It's not all lost though. I'm looking real hard right here:
http://www.kramerleather.com/productDetail.cfm?productID=11&categoryID=24&make=RUGER&model=SP101%203%2D1%2F16

It doesn't have a thumb strap....but it looks like pretty solid retention there!

[Sato Ord]

As I have already mentioned in other threads, Kydex is cheap and easy to order over the internet. It doesn't take a brain surgeon or a master craftsman to make a nice custom holster. If you can cut with either an exacto, or a heavy pair of scissors, and can hammer a standard sewing rivet, and don't think you will give yourself third degree burns with a paint stripper heat gun you have all the skills needed to make a nice, custom, carry holster.

I guess my local gunsmith is right: I need to start making custom holsters; there's money to be made out there.

[Oro]

Won't an SP-101 work in the same leather as a S&W K-frame? I have a Don Hume that is made to work with 2.5" to 3" - it's actually a bit long on my 2.5" 19. It is an OWB high-ride, with a thumb strap. Hangs an inch or a little more below the belt.

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Hey kamerer...If that can be verified....that'd be a BIIIIG help!


Anyone?

[Redhawk 44]

The K frame Smith is too large. A Colt Detective Speial holster or Police Positive holster will work perfectly.

I bought a Speed Scabbard and an IWB holster from DeSantis when I was working plainclothes. They worked great

[Sunray]

"...It doesn't take a brain surgeon or a master craftsman to make a nice custom holster..." Exactly. Tandy's has lots of how-to books, the leather and tools, etc. for making your own holsters.
"...there's money to be made out there..." Not as much as you'd think. Maybe with Kydex, but not with plain leather holsters. Mag pouches, of my own design(that's not rocket science either), do sell though. Got $15Cdn each for .45 mag pouches that cost me about $5, including the Chicago screws, to make, long ago. Including the time to make 'em. Plain, undyed, leather holsters didn't sell.

[Sato Ord]

Sunray, the guys down here are telling me that there are a lot of folks looking for practical Kydex carry holsters. There's a lot of Kydex being factory made, but a lot of people don't want the one-size-fits-none, off the rack stuff.

It's just something I'm thinking about, but I'd rather hear back from my publisher and not have put another iron in the fire. I'm getting to the point in my life where I just want to travel and write, not be chained to a work bench.

[Virginian]

What bums me out is the price of leather. You'd think cattle were dangerous game for crying out loud. And it isn't like they use the whole critter for something.

[Oro]

Sorry I misled you about the Don Hume, my mistake. I thought the K and GP 100 were compatible. The k is really kinda small as revolvers go.

Virginian, it ain't the cost of leather. it's the cost of labor. No matter your business, software or leathermaking, labor is 40 to 60% of your costs, even before marketing, rent, taxes, management, etc.

With inflation like it is, costs of oil driving up everything from postage to electricity to food stuffs (transport is a big in that), it's oil.

See, if technology can make your business cheaper - automating, computerizing, adding CNC machines, you can cut your costs to stay competitive. But if you are a business that fundamentally has to have a human element - health care, education, custom leathermaking, etc., you just can't cut out that person, and your costs, comparatively, just skyrocket. It's just econ 101.

[Lucas_Y]

http://www.donhume.com/Products/

A few choices there for sp101's, 2 with thumbstraps

More specifically:
http://www.donhume.com/Products/ProductsPage.cfm?ProductID=37
http://www.donhume.com/Products/ProductsPage.cfm?ProductID=42

[BlkHawk73]

It pays to go to one of the better holster makers, often called the custom" guys. I use Mitch Rosen pretty much exclusively. I have one of his "Workman" models for my SP101 and it's fantastic. Excellant retention without a strap yet still allows a smooth effortless draw. Good chance such a maker could add a srap to most any design. have you called and discussed your want with any of them?

[john1911]

http://www.simplyrugged.com/leather_goods/index.html

[Master Blaster]

http://www.desantisholster.com

I have their thumb break scabbardwith the strap, its a really nice holster, and compares to some of the custom guys holsters. He makes a 2.25 inch sp101 holster, and for $20 extra I'm pretty sure will make one in a 3" barrel for you.

Also buy one of his belts they are saddle leather lined with seude, and are really nice , and very reasonable when compared to say Mitch Rosen, or Sparks.

Kramer will make one for you with horsehide and sharkskin and a matching belt for $400 or so , Desantis will do it for $150 but no sharkskin trim.

[Ala Dan]

Look no further than:

Kirkpatrick Leather of Laredo, Texas~! ;)

as they will make one to suit your needs; with 'bout a 10-14 day delivery time. :cool: :D

[Redhawk1]

I have order 2 holster's from Simply Rugged in the first week of January, I still have not seen them. In my opinion, way to long of a wait. I was told 4 to 6 weeks max. Hope they are worth it.

[mbr]

I purchased a Simply rugged pancake for my 3-incher, and it arrived in about two weeks. Seems the SP's are one of his stock items and he often has them on hand. I really like the holster, fits well, very tough, etc. Its not the prettiest holster I've ever seen, but is functionally attractive. I will be ordering more.

[Glockman17366]

If you go to the Don Hume site, you'll see this holster:
http://www.donhume.com/Products/ProductsPage.cfm?ProductID=42

According to their gun selector, they make this for the 3.06" SP101

I ordered one of these a while back...since I'm left handed, it takes a while for manufacture. I also ordered one of Hume's IWB clip-on holsters for the same gun...nice holster. I've worn this several times in the last month.

[revolverman357]

It's not a thumb strap holster, but I use the AKJ Concealco IWB for my SP101, 3". It carries great and do not even know it is there.

[DWARREN123]

Galco makes one for the 3" J-Frame that will fit. OWB with thumb break, tan in color.

[Virginian]

When the person stitching and cutting the leather (or synthetic in the case of certain swoosh emblem shoes) is making cents per day, and the materials are not that expensive, and they were charging big bucks waaaay before the current oil and/or inflation BS, that's called profit margin, not just Econ 101.

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

I like this too:

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPT3.asp?ProductID=3287&CatalogID=385

But no SP101

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Orrrrr.....

Though it may sound crazy.....


Any quality SOB holster flipped right side up and used in Appendix Carry. But I'd definitely want a thumbstrap.


http://www.usgalco.com/Catalog/large/SOBINSET.jpg
http://www.usgalco.com/Catalog/large/SOB2.jpg

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPT3.asp?ProductID=1068&CatalogID=4

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Or this FLETCH.... It's PERFECT?
The strap would have to be modded for spurless (that's what I have).
3" is OK cuz this holster is open ended.

http://ruger.com/wcsstore/RugerCatalog/images/Products/84121-L.gif



http://ruger.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10051&categoryId=13672&productId=11719&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=13668&lastCatId=null

[The Lone Haranguer]

Is the holster going to be for concealed carry? Take the thumbstrap - which needs a hammer to fasten over anyway - requirement out of play and your choices increase vastly. Almost any open muzzle design will work then, even if it is not made specifically for the longer barrel. Some makers curl the edges of the opening underneath and this might have to be trimmed off.

[The Bushmaster]

Gary...I am a Kramer customer. If you go with the Kramer rig you'll not go wrong. Retention on your gun will be very good without the thumb break.