Holster musings..............

[Bob Wright]

As most of y'all know, I carry a Ruger Blackhawk as my personal sidearm. A full sized Blackhawk in .45 Colt, the gun is somewhat heavy and holster selection must be given careful consideration. I have tried several designs as well as having custom rigs made to my specs.

I had a Brill design made up by Doc Barranti. Beautiful holster and of course, Doc's usual great quality:



In use, I found the holster too long, especiall when I was seated in church or while driving. Also it had too much forward cant. This cant made it dkifficult for me to reach the hammedr spur as I tried to draw.

I got the bright idea that a modified Brill might be just the thing I was lookinf fo.

I contacted Alex Tukiendorf, of American Classic Gun Leather, to make a holster to my specifications. My suggestion for a modified Brill was to picture a Brill but open toed, neutral cant, and cut the back skirt to just below the cuff.

Here is the finished product:



Alex came through with one exception, he made the back skirt full length of the holster. I told him about this and he agreed to cut it as I ordered. But after carring it for awhile, I decided to leave it as is. This sort of reinforced the holster so it does not pitch the gun butt away from the body. And it makes the rig seem lighter. Also I had to trim the belt loop to allow the holster to be carried farther around to the 4:00 o'clock position

Compared to a Brill design:




Your comments?

Bob Wright
:

 

[BearBiologist]

Nice!!! I have always favored the Threepersons (Lawrence 120) for single actions (and 1911s), followed by the Brill, which are a touch fanvier.

 

[Kevin]

Amazing how much shorter it is. And it looks like the gun sits just as far into the holster as the longer one.

Can you post a picture of the back so I can see the full skirt you're talking about?

I like the darker color better. But do you have a matching belt?

 

[Bob Wright]

It so happens I do have a backside photo. The darker area at the top is where I trimmed the width of the belt loop back to allow the holster to sit farther back:



As to matcning belt, not yet.

Bob Wright

 

[DGW1949]

Just looking at how far off of the holster the trigger guard is, I'd say a welted seem is in order....or, if it already has one, then it needs a thicker one.

Just my 02...no offense meant to anyone involved.

DGW

 

[Kevin]

Just looking at how far off of the holster the trigger guard is, I'd say a welted seem is in order....or, if it already has one, then it needs a thicker one.

Just my 02...no offense meant to anyone involved.

DGW

Well it isn’t my holster, but why would a welted seam be offensive?

On the other hand, Bob, you have the most excellent taste in holsters.

I have a few, but just off the rack production holsters. Nothing custom like these at all. Very nice indeed.

 

[Bob Wright]

Nice!!! I have always favored the Threepersons (Lawrence 120) for single actions (and 1911s), followed by the Brill, which are a touch fanvier.

Here is another holster I made back in the 1900s which I tried to copy the Lawrence #120 design:



It is fine when worn on a cartridge belt and when I'm not driving nor seated in church. And, after having my holster fill with rainwater for lack of drainage, I preferred the open toe.

Here is a later holster from the last century:




Then. too, the open toe makes a shorter holster, more comportablex when seated.

Bob Wright

 

[jimbo1096]

Now you've got me wishing for a couple fancy holsters too. Those are very nice and I like your modified brill with open toe.