Skin Pickin'
Choosing The Right Holster Takes As
Much Thought As Choosing The Gun
The fine art of holster craft is not lost on Jerry Evans of Haugen Handgun Leather.
His No. 5 Equalizer is just as functional as it is beautiful.
Just when the first-time gun buyer thinks he’s covered all the bases, he discovers his work has only begun. Don’t you feel sorry for him sometimes? He’s spent countless hours at the gun shop handling every type of handgun on the market, probably spent a wallet full of shekels renting guns to fire at the indoor range to get a “feel” for how they shoot, finally made up his mind and bought the perfect defensive handgun for concealed-carry needs. He’s done a good job so he’s happy, but sadly his toil has only begun. He needs some quality hide for the new holster gun. No problem, he’ll simply go online and see what’s available, maybe order a few catalogs and spend some time in the old easy chair next to the fireplace and study what’s available.
Sounds like a rather simple plan doesn’t it? Unfortunately this simple plan is chockfull of problems guaranteed to induce massive headaches, high blood pressure, and the occasional nosebleed. I know because I’ve fallen into this bottomless void more times than I care to admit. Selecting the perfect defensive handgun is going to seem like a cakewalk compared to choosing the right holster. Why? Once you’ve punched in the “holster” search on the internet, or discovered the postman has left a gunnysack full of holster catalogs on your front porch, you’ll quickly find out just how many “perfect” concealed carry scabbards there are on the market. Selecting the one that’s perfect for your carry needs is indeed a tough chore, especially for the first timer, and to tell the truth, even the experienced pistolero gets a little discombobulated at times.
With more states issuing concealed carry handgun permits it only stands to reason more law-abiding citizens are going to exercise their right to “go heeled,” and who can blame them? It’s a rough and dangerous world out there.
Although selecting the right concealed carry holster can be frustrating, if you’ll keep a few things in mind while you’re perusing the catalogs, making the right choice will be much easier. A properly designed concealed- carry holster should make your handgun invisible. That’s why it’s called “concealed” in the first place, right? Generally speaking, a well thought out pattern utilizes far less leather than ordinary field scabbards — just enough to retain your pistol or revolver, but not enough to “print” through your clothes. Less is not always best, but enough used in the right places is near perfect.
Hand boning and quality stitching are standard features on the
Side Effect by High Noon Holsters.
Wild Bill’s Concealment Holsters offers one of the best paddle holsters
on the market. This Fusion Paddle is comfortable
Aside from actually concealing your handgun, all carry holsters should exhibit a few simple, yet necessary qualities. Once you’ve decided your choice meets these demands, then the fun part begins. A properly constructed defensive scabbard should cover the entire trigger, for obvious safety reasons. The top welt should be stout enough not to bend, flop, or close after you’ve drawn the firearm. Having to re-holster with two hands is a pain in the neck. The holster should be able to ride comfortably on your belt for long periods of time without causing fatigue. Make sure the holster doesn’t move during the drawing stroke (a properly fitting
belt alleviates this to a certain extent.) And finally, the holster should allow a full grip of the firearm, not including the trigger of course. We only reach for the trigger when we’re ready to fire, remember? Clearly, the perfect holster design is subject to the vagaries of personal opinion, but any holster conceived with these attributes will not only serve you well, they’ll also protect you.
Now, let’s have some fun. I’ve selected several of my favorite concealed carry scabbards I use on a regular basis. They may not be the perfect choices for you; I’m not “expert” enough, or bold enough to make that claim, but they’ve served me reliably and well, some for many years, and I’ll bet a shiny silver dollar you’ll like one or two of these designs also.
The secret to the Fusion Paddles success is the well-designed paddle.
Purty ain’t it? El Paso’s Spyder Shoulder System is also one of the
most comfortable rigs on the market today.
Once in a while it does a body good to treat themselves to something a little bit out of the ordinary, something special, and when I feel this itch coming on the only way to scratch it is to pick up the phone and call Jerry Evans, of Haugen Handgun Leather. Jerry has been crafting quality holsters longer than most of GUNS readers have been alive, which is one of the many reasons I address him as “Sir” when I’m speaking with him (Daddy always taught me to respect my elders).
Simply put, Jerry makes some of the finest concealed carry scabbards ever designed. He knows exactly what qualities it takes to craft a first class carry rig and he builds this quality into each and every holster. I was on the phone with Jerry a few weeks ago and asked him to build a special carry scabbard for my favorite Browning Hi-Power, preferably his No. 5 Equalizer. The No. 5 Equalizer is one of Jerry’s first holster designs and has remained a perennial darling of the IDPA crowd, not to mention thousands of regular Joes like myself.
This advanced version of the legendary Askins Pistolero holster is designed with a reinforced open top, cut as low as possible for a buttery smooth fast draw and sports a molded sight track. A reinforced shield separates the handgun from your body and a tension setting screw allows you to fine-tune the fit. The holster rides high, close to your body, and is incredibly comfortable even when worn for long periods of time. The No. 5 Equalizer is designed for most popular autoloaders, yours included. Haugen Handgun Leather is always a sound choice for the discriminating carry aficionado, so give yourself a treat, something special and unique designed to last a lifetime.You’ve earned the best.
Most everyone who shoots I.D.P.A. or anyone who demands a top-quality concealed-carry holster is familiar with the handcrafted
scabbards designed by Bill Bowden, of Wild Bill’s Concealment Holsters. Wild Bill’s newest addition, the Fusion Paddle, is without doubt the most comfortable paddle holster I’ve ever had the pleasure of owning. The Fusion Paddle addresses the need for a carry scabbard that both conceals well and is quickly and easily installed, or removed. Aside from the superb quality of the holster itself, the heart of the rig beats in the uniquely designed paddle. Unlike most paddles that are overlarge and uncomfortable, the Fusion Paddle utilizes a molded kydex paddle designed specifically for comfort, while its locking mechanism is wide enough to prevent the holster from pivoting.
Hunter’s Pro Hide holsters are a top choice for those desiring both quality and affordability.
This particular Hunter holster is one of Barnes’ favorites.
The primary function of any concealed carry holster is to safely support and “conceal” your handgun. Many paddle type rigs allow
the butt of the handgun, which is the most difficult part to hide, to slightly flare away from the body producing that slight tell-tell “print” we try to avoid. The Fusion Paddle is designed to pull the handgun into your body by constructing one of the attachment points at the trigger guard, effectively eliminating this plaguing malady. Wild Bill Bowden has the rare talent of mixing old and new holster technology to produce some of the finest concealed carry rigs in existence and the Fusion Paddle is clearly a stroke of genius.
Nothing warms my heart quite like a truly high quality holster, and while El Paso Saddlery Co. has a catalog full of top shelf scabbards for concealed carry, two models stand out as particular favorites of mine. The first is their latest shoulder rig,
referred to as the “Spyder Shoulder System.” The triple “S” features an eightpoint pivoting harness for the utmost in long wearing comfort, tension-screw adjustment for fine tuning your draw, and easy-on-your-gun lining comes standard. It’s fast becoming the standard by which all other shoulder holsters are judged. Although I regularly use several scabbards for my favorite holster gun, El Paso’s “Snap Off Elite” is clearly my preferred choice. Snap-off designs have become enormously popular lately, allowing the user to remove the holster quickly without the necessity of undoing their belt. El Paso Saddlery has gone a step further offering racy good looks, tension-screw adjustments, a fully lined interior, and obvious quality crafted to last a lifetime, maybe two.
Galco’s Yaqui Slide represents simplicity at its best.
The most recent concealed carry holster to take up residence at the Barnes homestead is one crafted by High Noon Holsters — the “Side Effect.” I was most impressed with the attention to detail represented in this superbly comfortable holster. It features an open-muzzle design, stitched in sight track, slight forward cant, tension-screw adjustment, reinforced thumb break with a covered snap to protect your gun’s finish, a single hidden belt slot, and the holster body is molded to fit your handgun securely. These are the Side Effects standard features. What I like best about this superbly designed carry holster is the one feature not mentioned, but the one I desire most — rugged durability. Not only is this holster good looking enough to use with your “barbecue gun,” it’s built to withstand extreme abuse and heavy use. I highly recommend it.
For those times when I desire a minimalist approach for my concealed carry handgun, I inevitably turn to Galco’s Yaqui Slide. No
other holster design gives you so much by using so little, and in truth there’s not much to say about this classic design that hasn’t already been said many times, other than Galco’s version of the Yaqui Slide is clearly the best version ever produced by anyone, anywhere.
Nothing beats a Milt Sparks holster for classic styling and good looks, and the superbly crafted No. 55BN is all that and then some. The combination belt loop and slot system work in perfect harmony to comfortably snug the handgun into the body to prevent “printing,” sight rails are provided to protect the front sight from damage, and a reinforced top band promotes long lasting rigidity and stability.
El Paso Saddlery’s newest addition to their concealed carry lineup is this “Snap Off Elite.”
Some call the Milt Sparks 55BN the Rolls Royce of handgun leather.
What I like most about the No. 55BN is its obvious quality. Some savvy pistoleros refer to it as the Rolls Royce of handgun holsters and I’m inclined to agree with them. It’s not often you discover a concealed carry scabbard built tough enough for extreme conditions that treats your favorite handgun like a baby, but that’s exactly what Milt Sparks’ No. 55BN does, which is why I regularly use one and the reason I have no problem recommending it to you.
Take a guess what you can buy for less than $50 retail, and get standard features like an open top for the person who desires
quick handgun accessibility, a trigger guard tension screw, precise hand boning for maximum retention and a reinforced opening for fast one hand holstering, crafted entirely from top quality leather. It almost sounds too good to be true but that’s exactly what you’ll get if you choose a Hunter Company Pro Hide series holster. Hunter Company has always manufactured high quality, affordable scabbards and their Pro Hide holsters compare with the most expensive leather in the industry, proving a well-made holster doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. They’re built tough enough to withstand years of abuse, they’re attractive and plainly put, they work and I like them.
Selecting the perfect concealed carry holster is without doubt a highly personal endeavor and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your safety and those around you are at stake. My choices may not be the best for you but they have served me well and if you’ll take a close look you may discover they’ll work equally as well for you.
For more info, contact:
Hunter Co.,
(303)427-4626
www.huntercompany.com
High Noon Holsters
(727) 786-7528
www.highnoonholsters.com
Haugen Handgun Leather
(701) 255-0723,
www.haugenhandgunleather.com;
El Paso Saddlery Co.
(915) 544-2233
www.epsaddlery.com
Wild Bill’s Concealment Holsters
(919)779-9582,
www.wildbillsconcealment.com
Galco
(602) 258-8295
www.usgalco.com
Milt Sparks
(208) 377-5577
www.miltsparks.com
