My latest handgun is a Commander length Springfield Garrison. I would like a nice holster for it. Like most handgun guys of have the "box of shame" (holsters that didn't cut it). I (and the controller of funds) would like to buy just one nice holster for this one. It needs to be quite nice, but not BBQ Rig level. The guy that made my last "nice" rig retired and now there is no one local, discounting the Kydex guys. Who has had a really nice holster made and who did it? Busted B is looking good any others?
Leather Holster Maker Recommendations?
- Thread starter KenM
- Start date
Milt Sparks is one of BEST, Galco, Acker, Safariland, Bianchi, and many other good Leather GunLeather makers.
- Thread starter
- #3
I would love to own a Milt Sparks holster... current wait time is 40! weeks. I don't know about Acker I'll have a look, Thanks.
Sparks, as mentioned above, is excellent but like you said, their wait times are approaching insane at 40 weeks. If you want a Summer special, Brownells usually has them for immediate shipping.
Check out Privateer Leather. At least a couple of us here have one or more holster from Privateer and really like them. Wait times are about 13-14 weeks but he usually has some “in stock” holsters you can purchase.
El Paso saddlery is another holster maker that I’d highly recommend. Wait times ar about 14 weeks.
Check out Privateer Leather. At least a couple of us here have one or more holster from Privateer and really like them. Wait times are about 13-14 weeks but he usually has some “in stock” holsters you can purchase.
El Paso saddlery is another holster maker that I’d highly recommend. Wait times ar about 14 weeks.
"Paging @Acmemfg. " A search of his posts will result in several nice holsters. Most of your custom leather makers will have at least a several week, if not months, wait time. Give us some more details of your requirements and perhaps we can make more specific rec's. IWB or OWB? Cant, high ride or low ride? How will you be dressing, concealment requirements, etc. Whatever you choose, you will need a quality gun belt for comfortable carry regardless of the quality of your holster.
Holsters...lots to choose from. Some great, some good, some not so good.
Holsters from makers like Sam Andrews, R. Grizzle, Milt Sparks are superb in fit and finish. I mean these are great rigs.
Plan on waiting until the next coming of the Messiah for a Sparks or Andrews holster. About 3-4 months for Grizzle. (As an aside...Sam is in the process of moving his shop. Plan on waiting a tad? longer.)
Palmetto Leather in SC is somewhat of a new kid on the block but they're punching above their weight for sure.
Ritchie Leather in Buffalo, NY makes (what I believe is) the best quick release holster out there. Not by a huge margin but at the end of the day, their CQ QR holster gets best of show.
Kirkpatrick Leather out of Texas. Quality gear. A bit less spendy and also has a decent inventory of 1911 holsters in stock ready to ship.
Ditto Mitch Rosen Express gear. Reasonable cost. Often has what you want ready for quick shipping. Very friendly staff I might add
Of the lot, I'd give the nod to Sam Andrews as top of the heap. Mostly because he is one of those guys who can built you pretty much whatever you ask for and his work is simply flawless.
Milt Sparks stuff is legendary. Wait for same is also legendary.
Not sure how extensive his custom catalog is...specifically like a thumb break or shoulder rig. However. Sparks' 55BN and PMK holsters are the stuff dreams are made of.
Actually, you ain't gonna go wrong with any of these guys. There are many others most probably just as good, but without whom I have no first hand ("hands on") experience.
Some pictures always help (not all are for a 1911 but you get the idea).
Palmetto Leather Works..HK P2000
Ritchie Leather CQ-QR..Springfield SA35
Andrews Custom Leather..Browning Hi-Power
Mitch Rosen Leather..Colt Delta Elite
Andrews Custom Leather Saddle Holster..Kimber Ultra Carry II
Milt Sparks 55 BN..Kimber Custom II
Kirkpatrick Leather..HK P30
R. Grizzle Workin' Man..CZ75C
And finally...Andrews Custom Leather Saddle Holster with a Ruger SR1911 Commander. Belt by Zach's Gunbelt (but I'd go with an Andrews belt when this one wears out, which it sadly will soon).
Holsters from makers like Sam Andrews, R. Grizzle, Milt Sparks are superb in fit and finish. I mean these are great rigs.
Plan on waiting until the next coming of the Messiah for a Sparks or Andrews holster. About 3-4 months for Grizzle. (As an aside...Sam is in the process of moving his shop. Plan on waiting a tad? longer.)
Palmetto Leather in SC is somewhat of a new kid on the block but they're punching above their weight for sure.
Ritchie Leather in Buffalo, NY makes (what I believe is) the best quick release holster out there. Not by a huge margin but at the end of the day, their CQ QR holster gets best of show.
Kirkpatrick Leather out of Texas. Quality gear. A bit less spendy and also has a decent inventory of 1911 holsters in stock ready to ship.
Ditto Mitch Rosen Express gear. Reasonable cost. Often has what you want ready for quick shipping. Very friendly staff I might add
Of the lot, I'd give the nod to Sam Andrews as top of the heap. Mostly because he is one of those guys who can built you pretty much whatever you ask for and his work is simply flawless.
Milt Sparks stuff is legendary. Wait for same is also legendary.
Not sure how extensive his custom catalog is...specifically like a thumb break or shoulder rig. However. Sparks' 55BN and PMK holsters are the stuff dreams are made of.
Actually, you ain't gonna go wrong with any of these guys. There are many others most probably just as good, but without whom I have no first hand ("hands on") experience.
Some pictures always help (not all are for a 1911 but you get the idea).
Palmetto Leather Works..HK P2000
Ritchie Leather CQ-QR..Springfield SA35
Andrews Custom Leather..Browning Hi-Power
Mitch Rosen Leather..Colt Delta Elite
Andrews Custom Leather Saddle Holster..Kimber Ultra Carry II
Milt Sparks 55 BN..Kimber Custom II
Kirkpatrick Leather..HK P30
R. Grizzle Workin' Man..CZ75C
And finally...Andrews Custom Leather Saddle Holster with a Ruger SR1911 Commander. Belt by Zach's Gunbelt (but I'd go with an Andrews belt when this one wears out, which it sadly will soon).
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Kinda sorta in order most often worn.
Andrews (usually has quite a few already made).
Privateer Leather. (Often has something on hand)
Grizzle.
Kramer.
High Noon.
Rosen.
Sparks (OWB).
Ones that have disappoint me and are Box of Shame residents:
Busted B (post divorce)/Bullard (the other side)
Simply Rugged
Sparks (Summer Special II)
Andrews (usually has quite a few already made).
Privateer Leather. (Often has something on hand)
Grizzle.
Kramer.
High Noon.
Rosen.
Sparks (OWB).
Ones that have disappoint me and are Box of Shame residents:
Busted B (post divorce)/Bullard (the other side)
Simply Rugged
Sparks (Summer Special II)
Available at Privateer right now. Almost BBQ quality.
Ask if it will handle a 4¼" barrel before buying.
+1 on Privateer. Excellent craftsmanship.
Bit “showy”, not unlike a BBQ rig, but one of the better made holsters available.
- Thread starter
- #12
Thank you for taking the time to put this together, I really appreciate it. Lots to think about.Holsters...lots to choose from. Some great, some good, some not so good.
Holsters from makers like Sam Andrews, R. Grizzle, Milt Sparks are superb in fit and finish. I mean these are great rigs.
Plan on waiting until the next coming of the Messiah for a Sparks or Andrews holster. About 3-4 months for Grizzle. (As an aside...Sam is in the process of moving his shop. Plan on waiting a tad? longer.)
Palmetto Leather in SC is somewhat of a new kid on the block but they're punching above their weight for sure.
Ritchie Leather in Buffalo, NY makes (what I believe is) the best quick release holster out there. Not by a huge margin but at the end of the day, their CQ QR holster gets best of show.
Kirkpatrick Leather out of Texas. Quality gear. A bit less spendy and also has a decent inventory of 1911 holsters in stock ready to ship.
Ditto Mitch Rosen Express gear. Reasonable cost. Often has what you want ready for quick shipping. Very friendly staff I might add
Of the lot, I'd give the nod to Sam Andrews as top of the heap. Mostly because he is one of those guys who can built you pretty much whatever you ask for and his work is simply flawless.
Milt Sparks stuff is legendary. Wait for same is also legendary.
Not sure how extensive his custom catalog is...specifically like a thumb break or shoulder rig. However. Sparks' 55BN and PMK holsters are the stuff dreams are made of.
Actually, you ain't gonna go wrong with any of these guys. There are many others most probably just as good, but without whom I have no first hand ("hands on") experience.
Some pictures always help (not all are for a 1911 but you get the idea).
View attachment 1826357
Palmetto Leather Works..HK P2000
View attachment 1826363
Ritchie Leather CQ-QR..Springfield SA35
View attachment 1826365
Andrews Custom Leather..Browning Hi-Power
View attachment 1826349
Mitch Rosen Leather..Colt Delta Elite
View attachment 1826350
Andrews Custom Leather Saddle Holster..Kimber Ultra Carry II
View attachment 1826351
Milt Sparks 55 BN..Kimber Custom II
View attachment 1826353
Kirkpatrick Leather..HK P30View attachment 1826373
R. Grizzle Workin' Man..CZ75CView attachment 1826375
And finally...Andrews Custom Leather Saddle Holster with a Ruger SR1911 Commander. Belt by Zach's Gunbelt (but I'd go with an Andrews belt when this one wears out, which it sadly will soon).
- Thread starter
- #13
Would you be willing to elaborate on What turned you off on Busted B? I like the looks of his Texas Bodyguard (high ride canted pancake). He'll do it with a little tooling and lead times are listed at 12 weeks.
My Springfield Range Officer is a Commander sized pistol also. I have a 1791 holster with matching mag carrier and belt for OWB and a DeSantis IWB.
While I’m sure neither are the quality of the fancier holsters posted above, but for the money they seem to be of a good enough quality for EDC. More of a working holster for a working 1911.
My Springfield Range Officer isn’t as nice as your Garrison either, so these two holsters fit it well. But I did buy them both off the store shelf with absolutely no wait and they seem to be of durable and lasting kinda quality for a lot less money.
Once I get a shiny Colt, I might wouldn’t mind spending some gold coin and finding the patience to wait months and months on one of the nice holsters above.
I have a Texas Bodyguard and the leather is simply thinner and less detailed boned than what I like.
Versus my Grizzle:
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I've not pulled the trigger on this company yet, however these are first on my list for a leather option. I'm highly intrigued by the design and composition, allowing for some customization. The one thing that attracts me most is the variable retention that can be obtained.
See what you think: check out the vids.
1791gunleather.com
See what you think: check out the vids.
Home | 1791 Gunleather e-Shop Holsters, Gunbelts, Rifle Sling, Magazine
Take as much pride in your 1791Gunleather holsters or sling as you do your Second Amendment rights. Made from 100% Certified American Native Steerhide.
1791gunleather.com
My Walther PPS in two different 1791 holsters.I've not pulled the trigger on this company yet, however these are first on my list for a leather option. I'm highly intrigued by the design and composition, allowing for some customization. The one thing that attracts me most is the variable retention that can be obtained.
See what you think: check out the vids.
Home | 1791 Gunleather e-Shop Holsters, Gunbelts, Rifle Sling, Magazine
Take as much pride in your 1791Gunleather holsters or sling as you do your Second Amendment rights. Made from 100% Certified American Native Steerhide.
- Thread starter
- #18
It looks quite nice to me. I don't know why I didn't think of them, I bought a friend one of their "EDC" Leatherman, flashlight and whatever carriers for Christmas and it surprised me how well made it was.View attachment 1826726
View attachment 1826728
View attachment 1826737
View attachment 1826744
My Springfield Range Officer is a Commander sized pistol also. I have a 1791 holster with matching mag carrier and belt for OWB and a DeSantis IWB.
While I’m sure neither are the quality of the fancier holsters posted above, but for the money they seem to be of a good enough quality for EDC. More of a working holster for a working 1911.
My Springfield Range Officer isn’t as nice as your Garrison either, so these two holsters fit it well. But I did buy them both off the store shelf with absolutely no wait and they seem to be of durable and lasting kinda quality for a lot less money.
Once I get a shiny Colt, I might wouldn’t mind spending some gold coin and finding the patience to wait months and months on one of the nice holsters above.
It surprised me also, of how thick the leather was and how stiff the molding was and while the boning of the leather might not be in the upper tier ranges of very expensive holster makers, it still surprised me that the boning was still quite decent for the value I paid. I'm pretty sure I got the holster, mag carrier and very usable thick belt with great brass gunfighter's buckle, probably for much less than anyone of those named brand holsters above. There is nothing flimsy or low quality about 1791. Still not top tier like the others here, but their quality definitely exceeds their price point imo.
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