Tapping Your Wealth Of CCW Leather.

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

cslinger

Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2002
Messages
5,462
Location
Nashville, TN
Tapping Your Wealth Of CCW Leather Knowledge.

I am getting ready to purchase some carry leather for my SIG 239 and Walther P99.

So give me some advice. What works best for people. I am about 5'10" 220ish. I prefer outside the waistband if concealable enough but don't have a big problem with IWB.

Now I don't want to spend a fortune but I want a good quality belt and holster. I don't need it to be Shark skinned, ostrich feathered, dinosaur hide or anything like that, although I do like aligator but don't want to pay the premium for it.

So give me some advice. I am a right hander if that matters and will carry around the 4 o'clock strongside.

As long as we are on the subject does the brand of pocket holster really matter? I mean I am going to pick up a J frame pocket holster as well and figured I'd just go with an Uncle Mike's.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Chris
 
Last edited:
I use the Galco Concealable, been using one since they came out. You can get them in the exotic leathers if you want. I also use an Uncle Mikes pocket holster for my j-frame.
 
I've been buying gun leather for over 30 years. I'm sort of a holster junkie.

But for the last 2 years I've become the self-appointed lead cheerleader for Ron Graham. He is in the process of building a new web site, but his current site is:

http://www.grahamscustomgunleather.bigstep.com/

I currently own 22 holsters made by him. He produces world class gun leather at Uncle Mike prices. He spends nothing on ads, but relies on word-of-mouth recommendations. Give his web site a browse.
 
I like the kydex holsters from Fist. They are sturdy enough and light weight. In particular, I like the ultra-thin kydex.
For belts, I find the ones from Price Western Leather to be good - half the price of a Galco belt and very sturdy.
 
What IROCK said is correct Milt Sparks is great. I cary my P229 in the "Executive Companion" and love it.
I can also highly recommend High Noon Holsters. I have the "DownUnder" model and feel very comfortable with it. Check out HighNoonHolsters.com
I find that the "Executive Companion" works well for the 4 o'clock position because of the leather wing on it. Ilike the "DownUnder" for carry at 1 o'clock or 3o'clock (directly on the hip). Good luck
 
A lot of good manufacturers out there.

If I want a holster tailored to my desires I go to www.fist-inc.com
They will spend a great deal of time with you on the phone playing 20 questions trying to get you the exact fit and features you desire.
For off the rack belts and holsters Don Hume makes products of good quality at very reasonable prices. www.donhume.com
Their customer service is top notch.
Take Care
 
I am not going to suggest a maker (altough I REALLY like Milt Sparks, no I am not related) but I am going to say the type of holsters I like. I prefer a Bruce Nelson (Milt Sparks) or a Vertical Scabbard (Krammer) style holster. I have found on me a FBI cant is better than straight drop. Nothing against belt slides but I really do not like them. Something about the front sight flapping in the wing worries me. My advice cruise some of the firearms boards and try to pick up holster from people that are wanting to get rid of them because they don't work for them or they got rid of the gun. You can pick them up cheap and try them out.
 
IWB: Milt Sparks Executive's Companion; superb quality, fit and comfort with the option of interchangeable belt loop sizes.

OWB: I have a Kramer Vertical Scabbard on the way. I hope it works well. I am currently using a FIST leather belt holster and it
is also a high-quality and well-fitted design.

I'm a fan of steel guns and leather rigs to hold them, what can I say!

Mr. F
 
http://www.raftersgunleather.com/

Quality materials and construction at a far price. Best price on exotics I know of.

some of the old favs;

no particular order!)

http://www.mitchrosen.com/product_l...y_holsters.html

http://www.bulmangunleather.com/holsters.html

Best holsters made this side of the pond but pricey;

http://www.gokart.net/shop-utopia/k...olsters/pocket/

http://www.c-rusty.com/pages/Holsters.html

http://www.desantisholster.com/Web Pages/catalog.htm

http://www.smartcarry.com

http://lonestar.texas.net/~tc-kline/holsters.htm

http://www.action-direct.com/holsters.htm

http://www.acecase.com/holsters.htm

http://hedleyholsters.com/howto.html

http://www.colt380.com/page19.htm

http://www.pocketholsters.com/About...y_holsters.html

http://www.grahamscustomgunleather.bigstep.com

http://have.net/holsters/

http://www.waldonholsters.com/

http://www.jagwear.com/

http://www.ktog.org/jfr3way.htm

http://www.delfatti.com/webdoc1.html

http://www.andrewsleather.com

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/holster_reviews.htm

http://www.newyorkironworks.com/uncovhol.html

http://www.michelebryant.net/pagerpal/pp.htm

https://www.securewebpages.com/sydweedon/holsters.asp

http://www.wrbss.com/donhume_holsters.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/ga/Holsters/products.html

http://www.glockstore.com/pgroup_list.php?categoryid=8

http://www.holster-connection.com/h...locker_idx.html

http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Pro...oduct_line.html

http://home.earthlink.net/~spwenger/spwhlstr.html

http://www.wildbillsconcealment.com/premium00.html
 
I'm pretty new to the whole holster thing as well, as i've ony had my carry permit for a year or so. I used to think that I could avoid the "magical box of holsters" everyone accumulates in search of the "right type" for them. How stupid I was. I currently have 3 holsters, all of which are for a P239. I haven't found any holster that fits me perfectly, but I am quickly beginning to understand what I like to wear and where. Here are a couple of things I've learned/noticed over the past year:

BTW, I am a short skinny guy (5'5", 130lbs), so YMMV. I have:

*a Milt Sparks Watch Six
*a Comp-Tac speed paddle (straight drop)
*a Mark Garrity Enforcer OWB (pancake)


After my first round of holster buying, I've found out that I like IWB holsters a lot better than OWB except for when it comes to sitting down in a car. The Watch Six is my favorite as it conceals well and is very stable. The Garrity is of impeccable quality, but I just cant' get used to wearing it. It feels like it's too wide a platform. I bought the Comp-tac for training purposes as it quickly goes on and off and holds securely. It starts to get annoying after about 3-4 hours, though. What I will do differently during my next round is pay more attention to holster width and rake angle. I'm looking into a Kramer IWB #2 for my Smith 3913 and a Sidearmor IWB with 5 degree cant for my Glock 19.

My advice to you is to buy from a reputable custom maker with good bang for the buck (Sparks, Alessi, etc...), and try finding a good fitting holster for one gun at a time.
 
This is the rig I am packing almost every day now. It's funny but I really love the way this holster/belt feels. It is shown here with my G22 Glock. When I recently switched over to the G36 it fit the same holster perfectly. All I had to do was to get a new mag pouch as the mags are different dimensions.

Kramer vertical belt scabbard in black horsehide
Uncle Mike's Mirage gun belt

workingglock.JPG


Here is a link to several pages of pictures of holsters I still carry from time to time. They include Kramers, BladeTech, Galco, and Murph's.

http://www.yerfrockethellhound.com/holsters.html?1019070781840
 
I don't use "leather"... I like Kydex by a long shot. Kydex isn't, by virtue of it's very nature and chemistry, going to eat the slide on my pistol if I leave it sheathed...

I use the shirt tucker from www.comp-tac.com for most of my IWB applications. Even if it's a pistol I'm not going to carry in a "tuckable" fashion, the offset hook on the TCH is much more comfortable when seated than any other IWB I've used.

As for belts, take a look at Aker leather. I'm using a Bianchi #5 belt right now, and it's worked well for medium weight guns, but the Aker belts have a plastic stiffener in the middle. You can send your belt to Comp Tac, and Gregg will size your carry loop to fit that belt... Can't beat that!
 
Over the years I have bought from most of the holster makers and the only ones I buy now are from Milt Sparks and Kramer. I would give a slight edge to Milt Sparks if forced to pick the best, but they are both excellent. Here is a photo of a Kramer pocket holster for my 642 and a Kramer #2 IWB for my 239.

Good luck, Mike
 

Attachments

  • kramer.jpg
    kramer.jpg
    45.2 KB · Views: 103
Can only speak of that which I know...

(And no one else has mentioned it yet--)

For the 239: Don Hume JIT slide. Great quality leather. Less than 25 bucks.

What's not to like?:cool:
 
What ever you do, do NOT skimp on the belt! I would go with Rosen or Milt Sparks gear. I've had great results with both. I also have a Hume holster, but the quality of the leather/fit/finish is not up there with the Rosen or Sparks gear.
 
I couldnt find a good rig for my fav carry...so I made one. Dependent on your gun there are alot of first class holsters out there..and I agree, a great belt makes it or breaks it.
Riddle ..nice list and nice setup....like it alot.
I switch between a strong side only pancake and IWB..depending on what the day entails.
On a sadder note...I trashed about 25-30 holsters, mostly nicer ones! Doing research for the ones I make....OUCH!
Keep trying things and youll find something you like...
You never know where youll run into something. I found a new Hellweg Tactical Speed rig at pawn shop in the "hoster bucket" for cheap!!:D Ive heard very little about them and I fell in love with it....too bad its left handed!

Shoot well
 
Sam Andrews.

Sam is not as high as most people think, call him and ask his price for one of his holsters. The quality is amazing and affordable. My suggestion is the McDaniel II, just a perfect holster. Look at his sight and give him a call.

http://www.andrewsleather.com/

happy hunting,
rgc
 
So give me some advice...

I've found that most leather for the P228/P229 works for the P239 as well. Use a Galco OWB or paddle most of the time. Have a nice Falco double-shoulder rig if you're inclined to that sort of carry.

You're welcome to try one of my Galco's or the Falco. Oleg can give you my number...
 
FWIW, I am quite impressed by Maverick Gun Leather.

http://www2.itexas.net/~mgl/

VERY well made, comfortable and not unreasonable for custom work.

Have two for my .45 Kimber Eclipse one ITWB and one out.

Met him at the Houston gun show.

Regards,

7.62mm
 
I have a Rafter S belt and like it but it's way thick and I have problems putting my Sparks holster on.

Rafter S exotics are sweet, for the discerning range pimp.

If I had to do it all over again though I'd get a full Sparks rig--belt, double mag pouch and IWB--probably an SS2 or VM2.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Y
  • Locked
Glock 36 for CCW any one else?
Replies
3
Views
468
clarence2005w
C
T
  • Locked
1911 IWB holsters?
Replies
4
Views
344
TurboJeff
T
A
  • Locked
Help me pick a holster for my Kahr K-9.
Replies
3
Views
369
PCRCCW
P
S
  • Locked
Leather Holster
Replies
11
Views
833
LHB1
L
A
  • Locked
Clipdraw plus Kahr equels happy.
Replies
4
Views
893
Zach S
Z
Back
Top