[Vartarg]

Just bought a NIB blue Model 19, and am looking for some holster advice. It's largely for field/hunting use, and I'm leaning towards the El Paso Saddlery #2 Thumbreak.

http://www.epsaddlery.com/images/Product/medium/69.jpg

Any other suggestions based on your knowledge/experience?

Many thanks......

[cyclopsshooter]

Whatchya need a holster for when you should be shoooting it ;)

[JackCrow]

Congrats on a great gun! I have a 6" and a 2.5" and been keeping my eye open for a 4" in good condition.

I carry mine in holsters by Lobo Leather and have been very happy with the service and quality. He makes a Tom Threeperson's style if that is what suits you fancy and others that would be good for field use.

Cheers!

http://www.lobogunleather.com/1_home

[Dr.Rob]

Bianchi makes one very much like that I bought for a GP-100. It rides up high so you can wear it hiking or driving. Very solid hosler.

For big revolvers I prefer a cross draw, but those high rides are a close 2nd.

[gamestalker]

+1 on the Bianchi. I use one for my 66's and they don't slap against your leg or get in the way when leaning over or what ever task comes up while hunting or camping.

[BCRider]

I'd suggest an open end holster over the closed end like that of the brown one in your picture. Two reasons. One is that it allows any debris or grit to fall through the holster. Second is that it won't rub the end of the barrel as harshly so the blueing won't wear away as fast.

Whichever you get keep the inside of the holster clean by brushing it out regularly to dislodge any dust or grit that may fall in and become embedded in the leather. Such grit is the enemy of the blueing on the guns that live in those holsters. And a NIB 19 definetly deserves the best to try to limit any such "erosion" so it looks it's best for that many more years to come.

Congrats on finding the one gun that I would love to own. But thanks to our laws up this way I'm not able to own 4 inch or shorter barrels.... I've gotten to shoot these "prohibited" 19 that belong to folks with grandfathered status and they are truly wonderful guns to shoot. The balance is perfect and the barrel "looks" right.

[rehorne]

Just from my experince, find someone who has the El Paso saddlery holster in stock if that's the one you want. Do not order it from El Paso directly. You WILL be in for a loooong wait. Big Ed does quality work but is so far behind from all the cowboy action shooters orders you will wait forever.

[rcmodel]

I have both a Bianchi 4", and a Galco 6", (or is it the other way around?) just like the El Paso on the right in your photo.
They both have closed ends.

Anyway, both are a very good holsters for the money, and are readily available.


I agree an open end holster has it's advantages in letting dirt fall on through, etc.
But I do not like them for hunting, as I often set on the ground in a blind when calling coyotes or turkey hunting.

In that case, the open end holster allows your open holster & gun muzzle to stick in the mud.
Which is a very bad thing!

rc

[Eaglestroker]

I'll second Lobo, he will also do field holsters with a flap if that tickles your fancy.

[whalerman]

There's a holster company named Simply Rugged that's worth looking into. Give it a shot. So to speak.

[il_10]

I've always liked the old-style stock s&w holsters. Here's a copy on ebay for a little bit of nothing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HUNTER-Gun-Holster-S-W-38-357-K-Frame-15-19-48-66-4-/120748206304?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1d2768e0



edit: I almost forgot to mention, most of my new leather has been Tagua. They're out of (I think) Argentina. The quality is superb for not much dime at all.

[Rexster]

Simply Rugged makes wonderful custom holsters! Rob Leahy is an humble, honorable craftsman. His wait time is reasonable.

I am partial to the Milt Sparks 200AW and PMK, but their wait time is six months. If I did not already have my Sparks holsters, I would order from Simply Rugged.

El Paso Saddlery makes good leather products, but they are backlogged badly. I have a Threepersons holster that I got from EPS back in the day when they seemed to have kept some of their popular models for the more common handguns in stocks, as mine arrived in a few days. That was before cowboy action shooting took off, of course.

[OldCavSoldier]

Most of my leather is Bianchi. They make a good product and stand by it.