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Lady Beth, you don’t want to bother reading any further. This is about “gun stuff“.
Don’t get me wrong. Lady Beth is not anti-gun. Heck, she has a CCW permit. She would also not hesitate to shoot your ass if you were to come messing around her family &/or home. No, she just isn’t in the middle of a life-long love affair like some of us. Of course, she’s still young and things can change…
There is a Gun & Knife Show here in Mobile, AL today. A Hunter’s Expo, too. With any luck I’ll get over to the Gun Show today. The jury is still out on the expo as I’ve not hunted in years. I miss it though. What I’ll be salivating over at the show will be any new barrels for the T/C Encore, any old Savage Model 99’s, (my Dad’s rifle of choice chambered for the old, but wonderful, 300 Savage. Still got it in the family somewhere. Wish it were here with me.), tricked out Ruger 10-22’s, Ruger Bisley revolvers (needed as a basis for my once-in-a-life custom hunting handgun), and gun leather.
Leather is a wonderful thing. Nothing beats the smell, or the feel, of quality leather. There is just something about a grand bit of thick cow hide wrapping a solid piece of engineering like a firearm. I have a beautiful Tombstone Speed Rig from El Paso Saddlery for my Ruger New Vaquero (RNV), and while it is as fast and as comfortable as a shoulder rig can get, it isn’t an everyday rig. Especially down here. What I need is a quality belt holster. Further, I can’t bring myself to order anything more from El Paso Saddlery after experiencing their negative form of ‘customer service’ first hand and hearing some 150+ other horror stories during my battle to get my rig sent to me. As I recently said on a forum, the holster feels more like a trophy taken in battle than a means of carrying my RNV! So, I’ve been looking around.
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Mernickle Custom Holsters has a model known as the “Field Carry FC2″ that is offered in three variations. You may have it plain, fully carved, or my favorite – with special stingray inlay as shown here. Everything about this holster screams “custom”. It’s quick yet it holds the firearm securely. It can also be worn strong-side, or cross draw. The Bull likes it, and likes it a lot! This is a serious contender for a future belt holster. Mernickle has a vast selection of leather for everybody from the occasional shooter, to law enforcement, to those powder-smoke addicted SASS shooters, and even Quick Draw competitors. Every holster as beautiful and functional as the one before. You should definately make a stop by there.
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Next up is a leather crafter from my “Holy Grail” state of Alaska. Their name says it all – Simply Rugged Holsters. I like that. They are much less concerned with appearance than function. I’ve got no problem at all with that concept. Besides, function itself is a thing of beauty. There are two models that catch my eye on their web site. The Sourdough Pancake (shown here) and the Texas Pancake. Like most of their holsters, both of these models do not require a strap to retain the gun. According to Rob and Jan Leahy, owners of Simply Rugged Holsters, the leather is of sufficient strength and is molded well enough to the gun to perform that “They will surpass the “One G testâ€?? of combat competition. In other words, you can take the holster and tip it upside down and the pistol will stay in place.” Heck, one of their customers dove intothe water and swan down a run-away boat with a 686 belted on his hip. His gun stayed put. That is about as tough a test as you can make. They pass the test. Simply Rugged.
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Last, but certainly not least, is the work of my email friend, Terry over at Our Bandit Leather Crafters in Ravenna, OH. Terry is one of the few making a full line of both half flap and full flap field holsters. They maintained a site on eBay for quite a spell until (gasp!) a bit of a gun was seen inside the holster! Makes me sick. Even eBay is going over to the Liberal Left Moonbats, but I’m rambling. Terry is a true American Craftsman. The quality of his work is second to none. I had the honor of getting my hands on one of his full flap models at a SASS shoot in Pensacola, FL. I knew right then I had to see more. I’m glad I did, too! Terry’s Half Flap model shown here is the Top Pick in The Bull’s Gun Leather Search. Fully lined and ingeniously designed, this holster is the last word in the Battle of Protection/Retention vs. Speed of Draw. Note the design of the retention strap. With a downward movement of the hand the snap is opened just before the hand grasp the grip frame for the draw. Simple and smooth with unbeatable retention even in a fall. One look and I knew this was it. This is the holster I can trust to hold and protect my beloved Ruger New Vaquero. More, I know I can trust this leather to get said RNV into my hand should it be needed in a less-than-fun social moment. Stop by Terry’s web site and do a double take at those prices. I did. Quality and value. Makes The Bull’s Scottish blood get all warm and tingly. Keep stitchin’, Terry! My order for a left handed is coming soon!
Bull, out.
Thanks, Rob Leahy