Minor rant. Where are the revolver holsters in leather hiding?

S

Sir William

New member
I have a need for leather holsters. I want a Level II retention OWB snub-nose holster. I have a couple of antiques that are a great design from Ted Bourbon Leather. It seems the company is no longer in business. I totally distrust Kydex. I dislike nylon as it absorbs sweat and I think that causes rust. Leather is it. I am interested in floral carving, thumb snap, Level II retentin/anti-snatch protection, a screw for adjusting retention and heavy weight. It could even be hide out and smooth side in. Horse or cow hide. Where have the leather holsters gone to hide? Anyone checked out the Safariland catalogue of plastic?
 
I have seen their work. They offer decent products but, I am looking for something with bling. I want sometthing fancy. Like a 50s B movie cowboy rig. I am thinking a floral carved holster, belt and a quad speedloader pouch for CCW. I want one for my 2" S&W M10 and one for my 2" Colt Lawman MKIII. I would like to have a number of holsters made or purchase catalogued items. The choices are limited. My 6" S&W N frames would look great in swivel holsters. Tex Shoemaker doesn't even make them anymore. DeSantis didn't show any either. We all purchase expensive revolvers and settle for generic Kydex or nylon. I think a fine weapon deserves a fine leather holster. Safariland used to make some fantastic leather rigs. Everything seems to be fake leather, plastic, nylon or anything but from a 4 legged animal.
 
El Paso's floral carving

is amazing, especially with the dyed background.

check out oldwestereproductions.com as well for authentic recreations of old leather.
 
The rough-out idea is from John Waynes Duke rig. I am dedicated to leather. I dare say that quality leather holsters are fast joining dinosaurs in extinction.
 
Reason rough outs are popular is the look for starters.. and you get the lined holster effect, without the price.

And.. you just gotta know where to look, there are quite a few.
 
I think I'm giving up on plastic and Kydex

Last weekend, I went hog hunting. Saw a decent hog (100 lbs, +/-) coming up a hill toward me at under 25 yards. My buddy challenged me to pistol him. He took my rifle as I moved into position and eased my .45 Colt Mountain Gun out of the Kydex holster. CLACK! Before I could clear the cedar tree in front, lil' hoggie was rapidly moving back into the rifle realm. Heckuvit was, I'd left a nice El Paso Saddlery leather holster in camp. :rolleyes:

I have to smile at Penman's reply, though - - While I was spooking this hog with my Kydex holster, my son was elsewhere on the same ranch, wearing a short barrel Ruger .44 in a Thad Rybka rough out holster I'd given him. Oh, well - -

Best,
Johnny
 
LOL Similar story. I had a predator cat scoping out some calves. I had my 1911 in a Fobus paddle. I couldn't draw. The 1911 was stuck IN the holster! I had to run back to the ATV and grab the Mossberg with Brennekes. I didn't have enough cat left to stuff. COWS used to make some great leather. They seem to have left the marketplace though. They had a nice pancake line.
 
I have a need for leather holsters. I want a Level II retention OWB snub-nose holster. I have a couple of antiques that are a great design from Ted Bourbon Leather.
Click to expand...

How long a barrel? I bought a Ted Bourbon (I'm pretty sure -- it's at home, I'm not at the moment. I couldn't find anything on this maker either.) holster off ebay. The seller thought it was for a 4" k frame, but trying to seat mine it looks like it's really for a 3" (a gun I'd love to have but don't). So if that's something you'd want, I can let this go cheap.
 
leenfield, I like the Ted Bourbon leather. Check and PM at your convenience. I have three holsters from Bourbon. He was the only company that made concealment rigs for British 38 Enfields. High quality leather too. Didn't El Paso purchase the old Heiser design patterns?
 
Tandy Leather will be glad to sell you a kit to do one for your self. If you have a store locally, they will even teach you how to do it for free usually.
 
key word: level 2 retention

I'm a revolver person, altho I do have some auto's. I've run the gammit of holsters; bell carter oaks has many revolver holsters; milt sparks I've tried, good leather, but doubt they make level 2; don hume, is excellent, and I do believe he makes level 2; el paso? I have a snubby left hand of his I'll give you; recently I've been looking for leather for a smith mdl 24 with a 3" barrel, and it looks like mernickle or bell charter gets the nod; the holster indusrty is like the 45 auto, ya just got to take a chance. I've taken chances, and have won and lost, and I've got a drawer full of holsters to prove it.
 
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