Philosopher Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Are they so loose enough that you can just drop the revolvers in? So loose that if you turned a cartwheel and then did a handstand your revolvers fall out? Or tight enough that a focused effort is required to remove and/or replace them? Got a some new holsters I'm trying to loosen up a bit and want to know when to be satisfied with the fit. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 All a matter of what YOU like or want. Me, I'm not likely to be turning a cartwheel, so pretty loose works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imis Twohofon,SASS # 46646 Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Its a lot easier to loosen them up than to tighten back.Unless they have some type of adjustability, few do. They will loosen some with time. It will also depend on the level of fit and finish you paid for, less expensive ones tend to go floppy after a year or two of use, on a monthly basis. Imis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgavin Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Somebody mentioned a trick you can do with new leather. Wrap the gun in wax paper, put it all the way into the holster, and leave it for a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 I want to be able to put the gun in the holster, turn it upright, and the holster should slide off and fall on the floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 My pistols fit 'SNUG' in my holsters. I like to be able to run short distances without them bouncing out. BUT, here is why I like them snug. My pistol barrels are only 3". Shorter barrel pistols might more likely to bounce out of loose fitting holsters. In essence, the amount of 'safe' fitting your pistols need to be in your holsters might depend on barrel length. EDIT: I like to put mine in the holster and SLOWLY turn them upside down without falling out..... BUT, if I shake the holster once, it will fall out. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Jones, SASS 2263 Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Unless you're planning on doing a lot of running between shooting position, very snug isn't really necessary. Low sung, Buscadero type, holsters are more likely to have less retention than over the belt types, which generally fit closer to the body are higher up on the waist, and provide a better degree of retention, even if the pouch is loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Bill Burt Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Mine are close to Widders. If I holster a gun then turn the holster upside down the gun will slide VERY slowly. for about an inch, then fall out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 They should be snug. If they drop in and out too easily you'll have a problem. Yes, I've had guns drop out of holsters. We pride ourselves on lots of movement in this part of the country, snug is important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mongo, SASS #61450 Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 As a holster maker, I agree with Widder, Captain Bill, and Assassin. When I started making cowboy leather years ago, I purchased the John Bianchi DVD set on making Western style holsters. I've worked in leather since the 1970's, but I hadn't made "cowboy style" holsters before. Bianchi states in his DVD set that the perfect fit is when you can inverted the holster with an empty gun in it and the revolver will not immediately drop out. A scene from DVDs show him invert the holster and eventually, after a second or two, gravity lets the revolver drop from the holster into his hand. I fit my holsters to this standard, but I have had customers who have asked how to make them a little looser. I tell them how they can do it, but I recommend against it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philosopher Posted February 20, 2020 Author Share Posted February 20, 2020 Excellent information! Thanks to all who've responded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 15 minutes ago, Philosopher said: Excellent information! Thanks to all who've responded. If you spend a thousand bucks to go to a match, and a pistol falls out after the 4th stage, while you were having the best match of your life. It's well worth having snug holsters. One quick turn, stop, hop, skip, sprint, or whatever can pop a pistol out of it's nest. Have a secure nest. For most of the upper echelon shooters, the stage is "controlled chaos", snug holsters don't eliminate the possibility of a pistol popping out, it does increase the odds of it not happening. Ask Longhunter if you ever run into him, Jim will tell you the importance of having snug holsters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripsaw Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 My holsters are snug, but I occasionally apply a bit of KG9 leather cote, the stuff is slicker than snot and uncontrollable as anti-seize. A tiny dab goes a long way to let the revolver leave the holster without lifting the whole rig. Judicious use allows you to adjust degree of snugness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil dogooder Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 I run metal lined holsters. On stand and deliver stages they are loose, on movement they are tightened up and snug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboy Junky Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 My holsters are actually cut for the larger Vaqueros and I shoot the New model that are smaller. I don't know if that's the magic or it just the brand by they go in & out easy but hold really well. Even if you do happen to do a cartwheel...…...lol. The problem I had when I did my roll wasn't the guns coming out it was the hammer trying to poke through my rib cage that was the worst part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 3 hours ago, evil dogooder said: I run metal lined holsters. On stand and deliver stages they are loose, on movement they are tightened up and snug Where do they still shoot stand and deliver stages? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 20 hours ago, TN Mongo, SASS #61450 said: As a holster maker, I agree with Widder, Captain Bill, and Assassin. When I started making cowboy leather years ago, I purchased the John Bianchi DVD set on making Western style holsters. I've worked in leather since the 1970's, but I hadn't made "cowboy style" holsters before. Bianchi states in his DVD set that the perfect fit is when you can inverted the holster with an empty gun in it and the revolver will not immediately drop out. A scene from DVDs show him invert the holster and eventually, after a second or two, gravity lets the revolver drop from the holster into his hand. I fit my holsters to this standard, but I have had customers who have asked how to make them a little looser. I tell them how they can do it, but I recommend against it. +1 When I deliver a holster to a customer, I wet-fit the leather to the particular gun the customer specifies. But the holsters are fairly snug. I include instructions as to how to further fit the leather so the customer can do it to suit themselves. Personally, I like to be able to draw and reholster my guns without the holster riding up or being excessively hard to insert the gun, but NOT so loose that it rattles around. As to gun retention, the gun should stay put during reasonable physical activity. But if you are running hard, climbing a mountain, etc., you should either hold the gun in the holster with your hand, or use a retention device, such as a hammer thong, strap or flap. My hunting holsters are available with a thumbbreak half-flap, which holds the gun securely in the holster, but can be quickly released with a minimum of pressure by the thumb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 2 hours ago, Assassin said: Where do they still shoot stand and deliver stages? We usually put a S&D stage or two in our monthlies. (6 stages) Both to give the "experienced" pokes a break and most folks like em sometimes. I've had some leave because I don't include MORE S&D stages. I like a balance; S&D, 1 move, 2, 3 moves... Props, no props They say variety IS the spice of life... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Bill Burt Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 48 minutes ago, The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 said: We usually put a S&D stage or two in our monthlies. (6 stages) Both to give the "experienced" pokes a break and most folks like em sometimes. I've had some leave because I don't include MORE S&D stages. I like a balance; S&D, 1 move, 2, 3 moves... Props, no props They say variety IS the spice of life... When the Rainmaker is placing the targets so far out that my sights cover them up completely he makes it a bit easier by letting us stand and deliver all our misses from one spot. (couldn't resist, the devil on my left shoulder won out over the angel on my right shoulder) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 Let me know if you are planning on s&d. I'll find something else to do that day. When I set up a match I cater to the majority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Bill Burt Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 2 minutes ago, Assassin said: Let me know if you are planning on s&d. I'll find something else to do that day. When I set up a match I cater to the majority. Come on now, Rainmaker caters to what his shooters want, to the extent anyone can. A stand and deliver every now and then isn't the end of the world. We shoot in the rain every now and then (seems like a lot lately). When that happens being able to stay in one place under cover is a plus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 29 minutes ago, Assassin said: Let me know if you are planning on s&d. I'll find something else to do that day. When I set up a match I cater to the majority. Heck, let me know yer comin and I'll set up a dang track meet! I have bad knees but I'll run with ya. I like movement too; I write S&D because that's what the pokes want (some more than others) If they complained we never moved, I'd give em a marathon; I don't care. If they ain't happy, they ain't showin up and I can't have that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Captain Bill Burt said: When the Rainmaker is placing the targets so far out that my sights cover them up completely he makes it a bit easier by letting us stand and deliver all our misses from one spot. (couldn't resist, the devil on my left shoulder won out over the angel on my right shoulder) You have an angel? lol Cowboy plates at 10 yds for pistol next match... just for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 I can't run anymore. Stroll with haste is more like it. I shoot short barrel guns. Three and a half inches is my norm. I like my holsters a little on the loose side. When I move (stroll) I simply hold the guns in the holsters to the next shooting position. I don't like "tight" at all. Just my take. Each have their won preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Bill Burt Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 1 hour ago, The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 said: You have an angel? lol Cowboy plates at 10 yds for pistol next match... just for you. A very small one that doesn't say much. Thank you for moving them in!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 Movement is subjective. Might be a couple steps for tall people, could more for shorter legged people. All of our local ranges have berms. We have lateral, downrange, more lateral, more downrange, etc. Don't get much rain, no need for hunkering under a roof structure. No one has to run, they can walk briskly. I choose to run, I too have chronic knee pain. Yes, I'm beat up after a day at the range, I earned it. Come out to Wyoming, or northern Colorado and shoot with us. It would look pretty silly to have a 36 foot wide bay that's 150 foot deep with a solitary table setting in the middle and no movement. Keep your holsters snug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 I would love to come (back) out that way. Military had me out west for most of my career and then they sent me east, ugh. We are fortunate to have berms too and one very wide bay we can use sometimes. I'm trying to get some super stages in soon (4 pistols, 2 rifles and many, many shotgun... ) Soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Payne Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 S & D's aren't awful for poor old worn out shooters like myself (72 YO with 2 hip replacements). I look pretty stupid when I try to run, kind of like skating, but not. But, I must admit I wouldn't want to shoot them all that way. As long as everybody laughs behind my back, it's okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Shane Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 TOO tight, they're El Paso's and I couldt even holster the left one and the right was just too tight when I got them last year (Cimarron 7 1/2" 44WCF's in 1890S holsters). After MUCH working with leather shims, at least I can withdraw and re-holster now. At least I know they wont fall out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major BS Walker Regulator Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 Can I be honest about this "I usually lie". I really don't know how my guns fit in the holsters. They come out easily, go back in easily and do not fall out when I run. Now I will have to check out of curiosity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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