How long would you wait for a custom holster?
- Thread starter 41Dude
- Start date
GunnyGene
Hawkeye
I'm currently waiting on one. Been about 2 months and month to go. I don't mind.
Baxter6551
Single-Sixer
For my favorite maker I’m willing to wait. (Begins with a K)
Clear back in the mid 80's I waited 9 months for a pair of these J-frame holsters. Horseshoe Leather in England. He made them one at a time in a little cobblestone shop. I was glad I ordered when I did, because due to the big surge of everyone wanting holsters for bottom feeders he quit making revolver holsters. I actually talked on the phone with him a couple of times trying to talk him into making some more revolver holsters for me, but he stood firm. Last I heard he was forced to quit due to failing health. Sounded like a guy I would have loved to sit and watch him doing his craft. Think I paid around $75 each including shipping clear back then.
Sadly it sounds like he is no longer making holsters. I found this dated 2018.
Back in the mid 80s, Horseshoe Leather had a cult following, particularly among federal LEOs. While I was not LEO, I loved their products, and purchased several of Andy's models, which I still have. His holsters were made in England, of horse hide, which is thin but very stiff when done properly. His were custom made right down to the belt width. Superb quality. So I was saddened to see this on his website:
I am truly grateful to each and every one of you who sent me wishes for a speedy recovery. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Bottom line: I've been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (you can look it up on Google) and that, together with badly failing eyesight, plus age (I was eighty-three in August) means that I can no longer work as fast as I used to. Yes, I intend to go down swinging and work for as long as I can, so all I ask is that you help by being a little patient. The fact is that, despite my best intentions, I'm spending more time trying to cope with the condition than I am in positive leather production in my workshop.
Unfortunately, my six to eight week turnaround may no longer apply, but I'll keep it as short as I can. Please therefore send in your orders as usual, but do NOT send any payment. I will ask for this when I start work on your order. Apologies for any inconvenience, but it has been unavoidable.
His name will live forever, along with the likes of Milt Sparks. Best wishes, Andy.
Sadly it sounds like he is no longer making holsters. I found this dated 2018.
Back in the mid 80s, Horseshoe Leather had a cult following, particularly among federal LEOs. While I was not LEO, I loved their products, and purchased several of Andy's models, which I still have. His holsters were made in England, of horse hide, which is thin but very stiff when done properly. His were custom made right down to the belt width. Superb quality. So I was saddened to see this on his website:
I am truly grateful to each and every one of you who sent me wishes for a speedy recovery. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Bottom line: I've been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (you can look it up on Google) and that, together with badly failing eyesight, plus age (I was eighty-three in August) means that I can no longer work as fast as I used to. Yes, I intend to go down swinging and work for as long as I can, so all I ask is that you help by being a little patient. The fact is that, despite my best intentions, I'm spending more time trying to cope with the condition than I am in positive leather production in my workshop.
Unfortunately, my six to eight week turnaround may no longer apply, but I'll keep it as short as I can. Please therefore send in your orders as usual, but do NOT send any payment. I will ask for this when I start work on your order. Apologies for any inconvenience, but it has been unavoidable.
His name will live forever, along with the likes of Milt Sparks. Best wishes, Andy.
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gjgalligan
Blackhawk
Between the 40 weeks and the prices I only bought 1 time there.
That was before the wait was so long and the prices was a bit more down to earth.
I think that was even back when MS was still alive.
That was before the wait was so long and the prices was a bit more down to earth.
I think that was even back when MS was still alive.
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contender
Ruger Guru
I haven't worried about the timeframe on any holster Mike "Doc" Barranti has had to take to do any of my holsters. Waiting on the best quality is worth it to me.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2012
- Messages
- 10,870
I wait 6 years for Randall knives. 40 weeks seems reasonable to get what you really want.
I'm not one for long waits in general anymore. I've run into too many that just kept extending the time line.
I'm the kind of guy we make a deal and you say six months. You will not hear from me for 5-1/2 months. Then it's just a check to make sure timing is good. I'm not going to harass you daily, or pull you from your work, just to chat. If the excuses start I get leery but still wait until 6 months before I make contact again. At that point there better be results, or very near to complete results. Barring medical or big family issues, it becomes put up or shut up at that point.
I'm the kind of guy we make a deal and you say six months. You will not hear from me for 5-1/2 months. Then it's just a check to make sure timing is good. I'm not going to harass you daily, or pull you from your work, just to chat. If the excuses start I get leery but still wait until 6 months before I make contact again. At that point there better be results, or very near to complete results. Barring medical or big family issues, it becomes put up or shut up at that point.
Some of you guys would freak at the lead time for a customized Randall.
pisgah
Buckeye
Those with patience to wait get what they want; impatient folks who need it right now get what they deserve...
Just like anything else worthwhile in life.
Just like anything else worthwhile in life.
Busterswoodshop
Hunter
I sometimes have to explain to my clients.
You can have it one of two ways , right or right now.
You can have it one of two ways , right or right now.
Hertervillian
Saluki
For a new carry gun I’ll get something adequate right away. If I find the new gat deserves something nice I’ve waited 3 months or so.
I had an issue where a holster came about 15 weeks early. It was misdelivered by Fed Regret (fairly common I’ve come to find out). The town transitioned to a numeric system somewhere in the early 20th century. Fed Ex must still be familiar with the pictures and symbols system. Anyway, I finally call EPS they send a photo of my box delivered 10 weeks ago to a house presumably in this village. The response was “sucks to be you”, called FEDEX “ sucks to be you, call EPS” 3week story short I must have signed up and used PayPal, they came through drama free.
So, yes I’ve waited a long time for custom leather work. ATFE taught me patience.
I had an issue where a holster came about 15 weeks early. It was misdelivered by Fed Regret (fairly common I’ve come to find out). The town transitioned to a numeric system somewhere in the early 20th century. Fed Ex must still be familiar with the pictures and symbols system. Anyway, I finally call EPS they send a photo of my box delivered 10 weeks ago to a house presumably in this village. The response was “sucks to be you”, called FEDEX “ sucks to be you, call EPS” 3week story short I must have signed up and used PayPal, they came through drama free.
So, yes I’ve waited a long time for custom leather work. ATFE taught me patience.
I can’t imagine waiting that long. In the southern Oregon area there are several leathersmiths that turn out some good holsters at a fair price. One of them is my next door neighbor. I’m sure that if I was willing to add enough zeros, I could have just about anything I could dream up in a month or so.
Doctor Lock
Bearcat
Depends on the situation. If I get a new gun and I have an existing holster that will work I don't mind waiting for a customer one. If I don't have anything to use just yet I can't/won't wait and I'll find something in stock. And then I'll order a customer one. More to the point of the question though....I have and would wait up to a year. More than that and it's just silly. There are so many good craftsmen making holsters these days.
DGW1949
Hawkeye
I've bought two hand-made, first class holsters in my life. I waited two weeks on one and six weeks for the other........The first was made by a "Mom and Pop" saddle shop in Anahauc Texas, the second was made at the State Prison in Huntsville Texas. Both had features that are all but extinct today, even among the so-called "high end" "custom" makers, but I figure that to be just another sign of the times that we live in these days....Point is, I can't imagine waiting longer for a holster to be made or why I would even want to. Besides, at my age I don't even like buying green bananas..LOL.
DGW
DGW
If it's something I wanted I can be very patient.
contender
Ruger Guru
I can see both sides of this thread.
I've got a lot of holsters for guns that were made by Hunter,, and were bought off the rack. No wait.
Yes,, they work. Yes, they were immediately available. Yes,, they cost a lot less than a custom.
They were what I chose to use long ago.
Then a friend & I found a guy making custom holsters at a gun show,, and his quality was obviously much better than a Hunter. Of course,, his pricing was higher. But it was the first time I'd actually seen a top quality holster, designed to FIT a gun. My buddy bought a couple,, (I couldn't afford them then,) and he's always looking in the used boxes locally for more of them. The guy moved away & from what we found, retired or quit or something.
Then I got into making a few of my own.
Ha!!!!!
My abilities to make something like a custom were NOWHERE near what a good maker could do.
Fast forward to a time when I tried a "Doc" Barranti NW Hunter rig. I found a top quality maker,, and designs that worked perfectly for the application they were needed for.
SInce that time,, I've chosen to allow Doc the time to be the craftsman he is, and to make me whatever I need, without a worry about the time it takes him.
I have also gotten a few other known names,, and they have good products,, but the quality of a Barranti over their stuff is obvious to me. I'm not saying their stuff isn't good,, but there is a difference. The other brands,, I can get faster,, but now that I can afford what I truly want,, well, I'll just wait & get the best.
I've got a lot of holsters for guns that were made by Hunter,, and were bought off the rack. No wait.
Yes,, they work. Yes, they were immediately available. Yes,, they cost a lot less than a custom.
They were what I chose to use long ago.
Then a friend & I found a guy making custom holsters at a gun show,, and his quality was obviously much better than a Hunter. Of course,, his pricing was higher. But it was the first time I'd actually seen a top quality holster, designed to FIT a gun. My buddy bought a couple,, (I couldn't afford them then,) and he's always looking in the used boxes locally for more of them. The guy moved away & from what we found, retired or quit or something.
Then I got into making a few of my own.
Ha!!!!!
My abilities to make something like a custom were NOWHERE near what a good maker could do.
Fast forward to a time when I tried a "Doc" Barranti NW Hunter rig. I found a top quality maker,, and designs that worked perfectly for the application they were needed for.
SInce that time,, I've chosen to allow Doc the time to be the craftsman he is, and to make me whatever I need, without a worry about the time it takes him.
I have also gotten a few other known names,, and they have good products,, but the quality of a Barranti over their stuff is obvious to me. I'm not saying their stuff isn't good,, but there is a difference. The other brands,, I can get faster,, but now that I can afford what I truly want,, well, I'll just wait & get the best.
My custom holsters came from Ken Null in Resaca, Ga. The Best Holsters never seen!!! A lot of his customers were in the government agencies. I wanted a holster, and on the way back from a visit to Atlanta, Ga, I stopped by. My second ex wife was not happy!!!
Ken and his wife sat us down, poured us some homemade apple brandy. The girls got to talking and laughing. Ken and I talked about what I needed in a holster. In 45" we left to go home, the wife was talking about going back to visit again lol In a month I got my perfectly crafted IWB holster for my Charter Arms .38 Spcl snub nose.. In the mail. Some years later, I bought a Ruger SP 101 3" barrel, and called Ken for a holster. I paid over the phone, and in two days it appeared in my mailbox. I called Ken and asked when he had started sudden service. He had had more than one request, so he had made more than one, and just happened to have had one on hand. SURPRISE!!!
gramps
Ken and his wife sat us down, poured us some homemade apple brandy. The girls got to talking and laughing. Ken and I talked about what I needed in a holster. In 45" we left to go home, the wife was talking about going back to visit again lol In a month I got my perfectly crafted IWB holster for my Charter Arms .38 Spcl snub nose.. In the mail. Some years later, I bought a Ruger SP 101 3" barrel, and called Ken for a holster. I paid over the phone, and in two days it appeared in my mailbox. I called Ken and asked when he had started sudden service. He had had more than one request, so he had made more than one, and just happened to have had one on hand. SURPRISE!!!
gramps
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rkrcpa
Single-Sixer
I've been known to order holsters before I even have the gun. I accept the fact that certain makers have a long wait time and I'm okay with that.
I have a couple of Simply Rugged holsters and their current wait is 4-6 weeks, add a couple of weeks for carved.
They have a page of Gear Ready To Go that has some finely done work that can be shipped straightaway. I like their work enough that if I needed a holster made, I'd get them to make it.
I also have a Tucker I had made for me a long time ago but I do not think they do custom work any longer.
They have a page of Gear Ready To Go that has some finely done work that can be shipped straightaway. I like their work enough that if I needed a holster made, I'd get them to make it.
I also have a Tucker I had made for me a long time ago but I do not think they do custom work any longer.
I've bought one truly "custom" holster. I was pleased with the result and didn't mind the time it took. But that holster was so "special" that I rarely used it in any scenario where abuse was possible. So, I asked myself, "Why buy it if I don't want to use it for its intended purpose?" I've never bought another truly one-of-a-kind custom holster.
These days I buy "semi-custom" holsters from makers in my home state - Texas - to keep the money at home. El Paso is good, Kirkpatrick is good, and Tucker is good (although a short-liner - limited styles and selections). My best satisfaction comes from Rudy Lozano's Black Hills Leather. Every holster Rudy has built for me fits perfectly, and the craftsmanship is truly first rate. His wait-times are generally 6 weeks to 2 months. And that's OK by me.
A step down, but still good, are Craft and its affiliate Falco. Built in eastern Europe, their holsters do what I want them to do and hold up well. And they are slightly less spendy than the Texas makers. I particularly like Falco - that company is unique in that Falco also sells holster/shoulder holster rig components which allows me to repair, modify or mix-and-match to make a holster fit my personal situation. Example: I can convert a vertical or horizontal rig to a 45- or 60-degree canted rig using Falco's component parts.
Sholder holster rigs pose a unique problem for me. I own several of them, from some of the above-mentioned semi-custom makers. The recurring problem I have is with the rigs' leather straps/shoulder harnesses. They are simply too stiff for immediate comfort and must be worn many, many times before their printing begins to subside. I'm forced to apply neatsfoot oil or something similar to soften the leather shoulder straps, which risks causing the straps to stretch. But if I need a shoulder holster to "not print," that's about my only option.
I've often wondered whether I'd prefer the holster rig employ "thick army-belt-grade" canvas webbing for the straps.
These days I buy "semi-custom" holsters from makers in my home state - Texas - to keep the money at home. El Paso is good, Kirkpatrick is good, and Tucker is good (although a short-liner - limited styles and selections). My best satisfaction comes from Rudy Lozano's Black Hills Leather. Every holster Rudy has built for me fits perfectly, and the craftsmanship is truly first rate. His wait-times are generally 6 weeks to 2 months. And that's OK by me.
A step down, but still good, are Craft and its affiliate Falco. Built in eastern Europe, their holsters do what I want them to do and hold up well. And they are slightly less spendy than the Texas makers. I particularly like Falco - that company is unique in that Falco also sells holster/shoulder holster rig components which allows me to repair, modify or mix-and-match to make a holster fit my personal situation. Example: I can convert a vertical or horizontal rig to a 45- or 60-degree canted rig using Falco's component parts.
Sholder holster rigs pose a unique problem for me. I own several of them, from some of the above-mentioned semi-custom makers. The recurring problem I have is with the rigs' leather straps/shoulder harnesses. They are simply too stiff for immediate comfort and must be worn many, many times before their printing begins to subside. I'm forced to apply neatsfoot oil or something similar to soften the leather shoulder straps, which risks causing the straps to stretch. But if I need a shoulder holster to "not print," that's about my only option.
I've often wondered whether I'd prefer the holster rig employ "thick army-belt-grade" canvas webbing for the straps.
