Gentlemen

I have been looking for a good gun belt and holster. What would you recommend. I have heard about Milt Sparks, Kramer, DeSantis. Are there anyone that is better?

Belts often are to weak or doesn't look that great. Holsters get floppy and the gun is not thight enough in the holster with risk of loosing it. What to get and not?

The rig is intended for civilian carry/ no uniform rig and preferably in leather. Please and internet link if possible.

Cheers

/ JOHAN

[ 09-29-2002, 22:51: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

Johan;The best I have found is El Paso Saddlery.I have two of their holsters one for a 1911 and one for a S&W 629 both are the 1920 Three Persons model,I couldnt be more pleased. el paso saddlery

I've been using a Bianci Border Patrol high ride rig for 20 some odd years for a Ruger 4 5/8th Blackhawk in 45 Colt. The belt is also Bianci. It's 2.5 inches wide with loops for the cartridges. I have a second Bianci Border Patrol rig for a S&W mod. 25 in 45 Colt 4 inch on a 2.5 inch belt with loops. Then I have a Bianci Cyclone cross draw on the same type belt for a 6 inch 45 Colt S&W.
All of these rigs have served me well over the years.

Top of the heap is probably Alessi. I have seen his work, but cannot afford it! I have holsters from Kramer, DeSantis & Bianchi which are all quite good. Milt Sparks has an excellent reputation. For a budget, Dillon leather is surprisingly good. Invest in decent leather, it will last a long time and carry your handgun well. Regards, Guy

[ 11-30-2002, 02:27: Message edited by: Naconah ]

I was looking for nice holster but didn't find one I liked. Finally found what I was looking for by an outfit in Canada called Mernickle Custom holsters. I'm using this rig for my Mag Na port custom Super Blackhawk.

Best is very subjective...but El Paso Saddelry makes as fine a gun belt and holster as you can buy. Their quality and workmanship is impeccable and materials are the best you can use. You might have to wait 6 weeks as they don't stock anything. But you won't be sorry... When I lived in El Paso I visited the shop for lunch with the owner every Friday. You won't find a better leather shop or better folks to deal with...maybe as good. But it simply doesn't get better than EPS.

I'm surprised that Galco isn't represented in these recommendations. All the above are certainly fine products made by fine craftsmen, and I own various examples of a couple of them. But I am quite impressed with the few pieces I have from Galco. The contour belt is exceptional! The holsters are top of the line as well. Just another opinion. Jim.....

For my money if your looking for a conceled rig go to High Noon or Rafter great people to deal with and great products

I have a few Milt Sparks holsters and absolutely recommend them. Although it is a field holster, the 200AW hase been one of the best holsters I've ever had the pleasure to own.

http://www.miltsparks.com/

We can get into brands, but I think you want to shop for features/details.

In a belt you want stiff. I have a Ted Blocker single thickness leather that is spec for LAPD. Blocker had the contract for LAPD. It's a double tang, nickel/chrome buckle. But mostly, it's stiff. Galco makes double thickness or "laminated" belts. I'd class these as "super stiff" . . . You want a belt that will stay in place, not twist, bunch, bind, or stretch.

Leather is chrome finish, oil finish, or latigo. Chrom finish is the hard/shiny stuff you find in high polish shoes. Oil finish is found in outdoor boots. Latigo is a middle sort of finish, waxed and polished like chrome, but also durable like the oil finish.

I like latigo finish. Oil tends to stretch. Chrome tends to scratch. Latigo is durable, keeps its shape, resists scratches -- or looks "broken in" with scratches.

I have a nice "tactical" belt that is double layered cordura nylon. It's super stiff, has a very heavy, "slide adjust" buckle and can be cinched to fit a precise tension for ME . . . not some close notch on the holes in the belt. It's my favorite at $25. Much nicer working than some $150 contour custom leather stuff I've seen. But it is not as nice looking as a custom leather belt.

Most of the top line holsters are latigo or chrome and "wet molded." Find one that fits your gun. Some mfg's produce "generic" rigs . . . "middle sized semi-auto" . . . You want a gun specific rig, one that is labeled (for instance) "K-Frame S&W, Mod 66, 2" bbl" -- a specific rig will make a distinction between a visible hammer and a concealed one, or a square trigger guard as compared to a round one, bull bbl, "round butt" . . . Some in 1911 probably specify Series 70 or Series 80. *S* *???*

I have a zillion holsters . . . always a sucker for something in the "used" heap or on the "clearance table" . . . I fabricate my own holsters, wet molded for some of my guns. There are "paddle" holsters that slide into the side of the pants, IWB, pancakes, slide holsters, thumb break, top flap, etc. I have some of each, except the paddle style. Personal preference.

Small of the Back (SOB) holsters can be had which point the grip either direction . . . up or down. Some considerable debate about which way to go. Grip pointed up tends to have the muzzle pointed at YOU in the draw. But this position means only having to get the thumb between you and the grip rather than four fingers.

I carry a 1911 "cocked and locked" without a thumb break . . . in a slide style on the belt and in an IWB inside the pants. I have a pancake that has a thumb break for these semi-autos. I feel most secure with the thumb break, but carry in all three styles all the time. I don't worry about shooting myself with them. But I've been carrying a 1911 "C & L" since about 1966.

There are belt holsters that position the grip "high ride" and just under the ribs. These secure the gun close to the body. Others are "low ride" and put the grip near the hip and maybe two inches away from the body. The first is nice for concealed carry, the second is intended for open carry.

Carry axis can vary from nearly vertical to nearly horizontal. It's a style and preference decision -- as is "cross draw" carry. Shoulder rigs offer vertical and horizontal carry.

In OREGON . . . the law says you may carry "open on the belt" and this is NOT considered legally "concealed" from the aspect of requiring a CCW -- even if the gun is covered with a shirt or coat. This seems to include IWB . . . depending on which Sheriff you talk to. BUT, a shoulder rig is considered "concealed" and requires a CCW in OREGON-- even if the rig is in full view. Moreover, a shoulder rig carried in full view may be legal for "open carry" in one town, but NOT legal for carry in another.

Check your local laws about carry style and what is legal with what sort of license.

I think ankle rigs are sleazy and mostly for bootleggers, gigilos, and pimps. Sorry, that's the way I feel. I don't like trying to walk around with a gun on the ankle.

My local shop will let me put a holster on my belt, put MY gun it it and stroll around the shop. I squat and look at the low shelves, bend, twist, raise my knees, and wear the holster for at least 30 minutes before deciding on anything. Sometimes it takes that long to see if it's going to chafe, bind, sag . . . With an IWB rig, make sure the gun "centers" below the belt. If it rides "centered" above, it will hang and stick out when you sit and need constant adjustment.

Make certain you can draw the gun from the holster. I've seen nice rigs that hold the gun precisely where I want it. But I'll be damned if I can draw it without holding the holster with one hand while drawing with the other.

Holsters are like shoes/boots. Needs to fit you, your needs, and your gun. Find a shop that will let you wear it around a bit. Make sure you can return it if it doesn't work out -- in a reasonable time. Find a shop that sells lots of holsters. Find a dealer who can "fit" you and find you a rig that will work for you. I don't like to mail order . . .

hi I`am new here the best holsters for me are from milt Sparks. I have their 200aw for all my hunting guns and their summer spl. for my conceled guns. they are a work of art.

I KEEP WONDERING WHY IN THE YEAR 2002 PEOPLE INSIST ON HAULING THEIR HANDGUNS AROUND IN ANIMAL SKINS. I HAVE A BIACHI RANGER BLACK NYLON HOLSTER AND BELT. I JUST LOVE IT. ANIMALS ARE FOR EATING AND I SUPOSE YOU GOTTA DO SOMETHING WITH THE SKINS BUT IN THIS DAY AND AGE ILL TAKE BALLISTIC NYLON FOR MY HOLSTERS THANX.

THE 2ND AMENDMENT PROTECTS THE WHOLE CONSTITUTION...

A .357 MAG CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND....

JOHAN I have been using a Milt Sparks belt for several years, I have bought 2 spares that I keep in reserve in case the one I use gets stolen, I do not think it will ever wear out. The best, most comfortable holster I have ever used[ field use] is the De Santis 016 crossdraw. I wear it all the time while camping and hunting, including while backpacking. I carry a S&W 4" 44 mag. in it. The best holster for city carry is the Milt Sparks Summer Special.

Mitch Rosen's stuff looks outstanding, though I don't own any of it - at least not yet ;-)

[ 12-13-2002, 05:15: Message edited by: BigIron ]