Snap on belt holsters

[BSA1]

I am looking for holster(s) for carrying a SIG P239. I find the traditional belt loops to be a pain having to thread a belt first through the holster slot, then through the pant loops, then back through the front slot on the holster, then another pant loop, well you get the point.

This time I think I would like to try a OWB holster with tabs that snap around the belt. Easy on, easy off.

Comments about how well the leather tabs hold up, comfort, etc. and which makers are good or to avoid.

Another style I like is paddle holster. Remember I said holsters.

Suggestion for makers?

 

[Dr.Rob]

Hunter model 1100 style holsters last forever. You will wear out the snaps before you wear out the leather. I have some made in the 60's still in use. The new ones have more of a sealed finish that should be more weather and stain resistant.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Not a fan.....

I'm not a fan of the buckles, Velcro, snaps, clips, blips, etc.
I can understand the "easy on, easy off" factor. I'm issue is that snaps & buckles will wear out or break, mainly when you really need it.

I had my nearly 16 year old Unkle Mikes Mirage mag holder break apart(loop snap off).

If your heart is set on snap styles, Id look at these top brands; Greg Kramer, Galco, Mitch Rosen, Wright Leather Works, Alessi, Milt Sparks, Don Hume, Ted Blocker, El Paso Saddlery.
Contact the shop first. Some firms may be slow or back ordered due to high demand. Know exactly what you want.

Rusty

 

[BullfrogKen]

I bought a couple from Milt Sparks well over a decade ago. I found no decrease in stability or any issues with any of the parts wearing out over time. The snaps are just as hard to get on/off as the day I bought them.

I can't same the same about other shops. Buy you can buy a Milt Sparks holster with confidence. Even a used one.

 

[BSA1]

Milt Sparks doesn't list a OWB snap-on but they do still offer their excellent EX Companon IWB.

Galco offers their Paddle Lite for the P239 at a very affordable $40.00.

I have not checked out Hunter yet.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Oh, you didn't specify an OWB holster.

 

[JTQ]

Milt Sparks doesn't list a OWB snap-on but they do still offer their excellent EX Companon IWB.

The Axiom is Sparks snap on holster. http://www.miltsparks.com

The Alessi CQC-S (also can be found at Brownell's) http://www.alessigunholsters.com

The very similar Ritchie CQ-QR (also available at Top Gun Supply) http://www.ritchieholsters.com

Rosen Premier (available in their Express line and Full Detail) (also available at Brownell's and Dillon Precision) http://www.mitchrosen.com

Lobo Gun Leather http://www.lobogunleather.com

If you'd prefer kydex, Aholster has one http://www.lefthandholster.com

There are many more…

 

[zerobarrier]

I like the BlackHawk CQC Mod-U-Lok Platform http://www.blackhawk.com/product/SERPA-Mod-U-Lok-Platform-wScrews,1394,82.htm It attaches to all their SERPA holsters, I use it for my PX4

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

High Noon Snapper: http://highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/Snapper/snapper.html

 

[BSA1]

Thanks so far. Any of you have experience with them?


Gasp! Gasp! They sure are proud of themselves. I'm going to think about this. I ain't paying $150.00 for something I'm not sure of.

Lobo prices are much better. Any comments about their quality?

 

[JTQ]

No I don't.

I think I could get my belt past a couple of loops and a pancake off, or on, faster than snapping on a holster. That's what I do for IWB holsters with snaps, I thread the belt through the loops rather than snap it on. I'm a righty, so it's only a couple of loops I'm dealing with, but if I were a lefty, I think I may make the effort to use a snap on.

LoboGunLeather has a couple of posts here on THR, but I think I've seen him comment elsewhere that the weak link on holsters would be snaps. While a pancake may last practically forever, the snaps will eventually wear out with use. You may want to send him a PM and ask him about the design.

 

[JTQ]

Gasp! Gasp! They sure are proud of themselves. I'm going to think about this. I ain't paying $150.00 for something I'm not sure of.

More technology and parts.

However, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. The Alessi looped version, the CQC, is in the same ball park, price wise, as the snap on CQC-S. On the other hand, the Rosen Premier Express is in the $90 range and I believe Lobo's snap on version is less expensive, as are their pancake versions.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

This is how I like to look at it: that $150 holster is less than 25% of the cost of that gun.

 

[BSA1]

$150.00 is too big of a apple especially if I have not tried it out first.
Plus used holsters lose their value faster than cars. Of course that gives a good reason to go to gunshows and surf the Internet

 

[JTQ]

$150.00 is too big of a apple especially if I have not tried it out first.
Plus used holsters lose their value faster than cars. Of course that gives a good reason to go to gunshows and surf the Internet

Not if you have to wait six months for a new one. You can always find used Milt Sparks holsters on the secondary market for as much, and often times more, than direct from Sparks. People are willing to pay a premium to have it now. OK, you probably can't wear it for a couple of years and try and get more than new prices, but if you have very little wear on it, you should be able to get most of your original price out of it if you decide to sell.

 

[JTQ]

I had overlooked this in your original post.

Another style I like is paddle holster.

$150.00 is too big of a apple especially if I have not tried it out first.

Don't look at the better paddle holsters, then.

Kramer MSP http://www.kramerleather.com/products.cfm?categoryID=25

High Noon Speedy Spanky http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/_Speedy_Spanky/_speedy_spanky.html

Paddle holsters have more parts and technology than the snap on models. Cost is usually higher.

 

[zerobarrier]

Mernickle leather makes some real nice holsters, I have 3 of them and am very happy with them. They have a paddle holster with a mag pouch in the front, here is the link: http://www.mernickleholsters.com/ps/ps1.html. They are very nice people and customer service is the best. You can also call or email him and tell him just what you are looking for and he will let you know if he can do it for you. They are doing a custom job for me now for my 1911, can't wait to get it

 

[Water-Man]

Take a look at Gould & Goodrich.

 

[BSA1]

JTQ,

I just want to buy two red apples not a golden one.

If you equate higher price with higher quality you may very well be right. I have a Sparks Executive Companion IWB that I like very much and most likely will buy another one for the P239. At $100.00 it is priced at the top end of what I am willing to pay.

Those paddle holsters you are recommending sure look nice but Galco has the M5X Matrix and Paddlelite in the $35.00 price range so for me I rather spend $150.00 for two holsters that will cover most of my needs rather than on one holster (like I said I love the Sparks EX IWB).

There are a lot of holster makers some of which are trying to get their business off the ground and make very nice holsters for under $100.00. The problem of course is I am buying it sight unseen so that is why user recommendations are important. I'm sure there are other gun owners that have tight budgets also.

Thanks all for the tips. I'll give Hunter and Gould & Goodrich at look and do some surfing for better deals on JQT's recommendations.

 

[JTQ]

I'm not suggesting you buy an expensive holster, I'm just putting them into perspective. Within their line up, at High Noon and Kramer two quality makers, the paddle holster is the more expensive model, due to the added complexity and parts involved in the holster.

The same is generally true of snap on/snap off holsters. They generally cost more due to their complexity.

Everybody has to decide what they need. I'm a righty, and as I mentioned earlier, threading a holster on my belt is not much of an issue for me. I'm not willing to spend the extra bucks for the easy on/easy off feature since I don't need it. If I were a lefty, I probably would consider it.

Both the Rosen Premier and, if you like kydex, the Aholster, are what I would consider reasonably priced.

 

[BSA1]

When it is all said and done I may very well settle for my favorite tried and true holster designs; the Specks Executive Companion and the Nelson 55 straight drop OWB as I already have a toy box full of cast off holsters that I'll probably never use again.

 

[[email protected]]

I have a Galco MX7 that has the belt snaps. Its not my every day carry rig, but at 30 bucks the price was right to give it a try.

 

[BSA1]

Well the decision may have been made for me (at least part of it). Being a cheapskate, er frugal, I discovered that Brownells is running Mitch Rosen Premier Snap-on Holster for $ 24.00 off. That is almost a 30% discount.

Plus Brownells allows returns.

 

[JTQ]

Sounds like a good choice. I hope you enjoy it.

 

[BSA1]

It's a start anyway. Once I get it I can examine it's quality and fit to decide if snap-on is really what I want. Like I said when it all said and done I may wind up with my two tired and true designs...Sparks EX IWB and the Nelson 55 straight draw.