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Relatively new shooter (one season), I'm getting ready to order some real holsters. One of the well-known holster makers generously sent me a couple of sets to try out, I'm afraid I'm not knowledgeable enough yet to know exactly what I'm looking for, how they should feel, etc. These vary in drop and toe angle and feel like they should ride differently on the hip (I took some photos and can include them if it would help). I could really use some advice thinking through what I need to know about holster design features before I talk with him on the phone again. Thanks in advance! Rusty

April 8th, brick veneer being applied to exterior

I really, really appreciate all the comments so far, even the ones about crotch holsters. I'm going to try timing my draw and reholstering with each. I don't have these until the start of the season and will need to return them shortly, but I do have enough time to play with them for several days and to get out in the backyard and actually shoot some steel from each. I think the main concern with the second set would be the mobility factor when not shooting, the belt loops on these are suede-lined to keep them from shifting on the belt, and they really do stay put. And I'm not sure I'd want to take the belt on and off between stages and hang them on the cart. Also the white belt is simply a sizing belt he uses to determine the actual belt size, so to Ventura Slim's comment there won't be a long tail on the belt to deal with. The holsters I used last year were simply some inexpensive Hunter 1100 holsters that fit the revolvers, and a cheap belt that at least got me going. I did have some issues with reholstering cleanly and obviously wasted time there. any other thoughts, I'd love to hear them. The person who sent these has been great to work with so far and will also be very helpful when we talk again about designing the rig and making adjustments based on trying these.

J-Bar and Major Walker made very good points, Rusty Parker. Aside from what something looks like to someone else it is you that has to decide. Depending on how long you have these loaners it would be great if you could try them at a match in actual use. Use one set for a couple of stages and then switch them out for couple more...or do what J-Bar recommended. And Major Walker is right, who ever loaned you those holsters is a class act. Not many people have that level of customer service. If a vendor did that for me I would buy from that vendor, provided they priced their good to match the quality as well as the service. You said you had one season of shooting so you know what you used for that season and if you are looking for something else at least you have that experience to go from. Since you didn't say what holsters you used before I am guessing that these are different from your originals. If so, you have 3 different sets or styles to compare. I have tried a few different configurations over the years and sometimes what others like or what works for them does not work for me. You just have to try them out and see what you like and what works for you. Not to add to your troubles in making a selection, Ripsaw mentioned a crossdraw. You also might want to consider that as well. I like them, some people don't, but always keep "The 170" and gun safety in mind no matter what you try. Regards, Pat Riot

I started SASS shooting with a set like the first picture... After a few years.. Found the disadvantages with the first picture set. I now have the second picture set.. Bettererer.... Ya might make sure the area of the belt in front is wide enough to supporters the holsters.. My first set I could not move the holsters to the front as much as I would have liked them because the tapering of the belt around buckle area.. Rance Thinkin ya done good by askin'.

Do a timer test. If you do not have a timer with a par time feature, borrow one and see which set is faster for you. I would suggest draw one revolver, cycle it once, reholster and draw second revolver and cycle it once. I think you need to cycle each gun at least once (one cock and hammer fall) to make sure you have a functional grip. Repeat as much as necessary to find out your best time for getting off two "shots" with each rig. Then come back a day later and do it again. There will be a learning curve each day. It may take you several days of experiments to draw conclusions. There are several possible outcomes of the experiment: You will either find out that one rig is faster for you, or not. You may find out you don't like the way either one works for you and then you will have a better idea of what you need based on experience rather than guessing or someone else's opinion. If there is no difference between the two rigs and you like the way they feel then pick the one that has the most eye appeal for you.

Personally I like the first set but that is how I like my holsters. The second set may be fine as well if you wear them as Straight Arrow Hombre suggested but however you wear them just know that you may be banging into your grips no matter which way you set them. It's all in what you like. I would put each pair on and just walk around with them going about what you normally do (at home, of course). Walk around, sit down on a stool, bend over, move about a bit. DO motions that you may do at a match. Pretend to pick up brass. Pick up your long guns and move about with them as if you going to and from a loading / unloading table. See if either pair feels awkward...well, awkward in the sense that one feels less awkward than the other. The first time I wore my guns I felt odd but that sense of oddness goes away with familiarity.

Mr. Parker: Is there a reputable leather works within driving distance of where you live? The reason I ask, is that I am a new shooter also, although I have not yet attended and shot at a match. My concern with either mail order or trying holsters on myself, such as you are doing, is that I would not have that one on one with the experienced leather works person. I therefore, looked for someone near me and found Classic Leather Works in Altoona, Florida and with my wife, met with the owner, Half-Breed Don. What a pleasure it was to talk CAS with a veteran shooter, and learn all the valuable information that could not have been obtained through any other means, other than face to face. He showed me various styles of holsters, we talked about what category I would be shooting in, what guns I would be using, etc. I was able to try on various styles of gun belts/holsters, learn of their specific characteristics, and more importantly, have the design and construction of the rig explained and visually shown to me. With examples of lesser quality rigs on hand, Don was able to show me the drastic differences between lower quality materials and the materials he uses. The same went for the shotgun belt. My rig fits like I was born with it on. And the quality is beyond what I expected. Don has guaranteed that this rig is built to last and it is reflected in the finished product. I no longer have to worry about saying " If I could do it all over again, I would choose to meet with a leather works person face to face". Best to you in your endeavor for a great fitting, great looking rig.

Assuming you are not shooting B-Western, where you'd need a buscadero rig (low slung, double strong side) rig, then I'd suggest you get a conventional set up like Mernickle's High Performance rig and have him make you a third holster for cross draw. That way, you'll have matching gear for either double strong side or cross draw shooting. The extra holster is about $150 IIRC. I bought a B-Western rig before I really knew what I was doing, and used it for a year. Switched to the HP rig last year. Mernickle stuff is top grade, and Bob's a hoot to talk to on the phone. With the Mernickle HP rig, you can move the holsters around to suit, so you have flexibility in positioning them.