Holster options for Browning 1911-22

I bought a few months ago, now, a Browning 1911-22. This 85% size copy of the 1911 is a pretty cool little pistol, sort of a kit gun version of the 1911. For a holster I've been using the Bianchi foldaway which I picked up at work. It is adequate, I suppose, but not ideal for any use. Yes, Browning sells a nylon holster for this gun. Not so sure that's what I would think of as an improvement. There is also the 1917 style marketed by Browning. That would be neat to have as an accessory but not so sure it is a great field holster. I'm sure Rob or Mike could make up a neat little piece of work for it. What do you think would work best? I always liked those neat little holsters Heiser made for the Colt Woodsman.

BTW, Browning has got spare magazines into the marketplace for these. I've gotten two (the gun ships with only one magazine) and have more incoming.

Holster from Wrangler Leather, Cody, Wyoming

Many moons ago, it seems longer due to the anticipation, in November 2009, I "ordered" a holster for my Uberti forged-frame 1858 5½" barreled revolver from Wrangler Leather.  Between then and now, Buck/Dave has had a rough time of it.  Now, it seems, he's starting to catch up on his work and it was a big surprise when I came home from work today to find the holster in the mail. 

The whole thing oozed "professional" and quality.  From the packing in a canvas bag stamped with the maker's mark inside a protective sealed plastic bag inside the perfect size shipping box with the right size foam ball to maintain holster shape and the carefully printed shipping label to the quality of the holster itself this is one class act.

The holster is quality through and through.  Leather used is without blemish.  The dye is even without spotting or fading or darkening.  The stitching is even, and correct.  The tooling is without error.  The holster fits the gun perfectly and it hangs correctly.  I had looked long and hard for a quality holster for this revolver and I got it.  I couldn't be more pleased.

If you find that you want such a holster (or other leather goods), write:

Wrangler Leather

1108 14th Street
Cody, Wyoming 82414-3743

Mernickle Holster for FA-97

A few months ago I managed to acquire a Freedom Arms 97 in .44 Special. I really liked the gun and thought it needed an appropriately fancy holster to match its fine construction. A lot of thought went into this. Even after deciding on the Mernickle P6SA it took me a while to commit to the carving. In the end it just didn't seem right to put this very fine revolver in just some plain old piece of leather.

Ordered in March, Mernickle apparently received the order on March 22nd. It arrived here on May 14th while I was at the NRA Annual Meeting. I'd been worrying the week before it arrived that I hadn't actually ordered it. I had decided to call Mernickle to ascertain if I had ordered it after coming back from the NRA meeting but, of course, it was waiting on me!

I have had a chance to wear it a bit, I already have one for my USFA single-action, and it is very comfortable and stays in place. The guns almost snap into place just as with a kydex holster but of course, there's none of that polymer in the holster. To my eyes the brown in the holster is a near match to the stocks on the revolver. I like that, too.

Leatherwork

A way back in 1963 or 1964 my dad got interested in leather work. I think he was particularly interested in the tooling of leather and made many belts, purses and such. I still have a couple of his pieces. The hobby relaxed him and I think the artistic outlet was secondary to the mental R&R he got.

Some 30 years later he traded his leather tooling tools (and there was quite an accumulation) to my friend Mike for the 10" Ruger MKII .22 LR pistol. I don't know what Mike did with those tools but I have the pistol. I treasure it as it is one thing that was used and enjoyed by both my father and very good friend, Mike.

Dad got most of his supplies and tools from Tandy Leather Company. Hermann Oak is one of the best. Also try, Brettun's for small/odd lots, Siegels if buying sides, and Montana.

Leather working can be very satisfying and the associated smells will stay with you for life!

The Original Comes Home

by Rob Leahy

Holsters: I purchased a Roy's Original Hidden Thunder holster for my 4" 1955 Target and 29-2 in 1982. This was the first holster that I owned that allowed me to conceal an N frame in AZ easily and comfortably.

Several years later, I was temporarily without a 4" N frame and loaned my Roy Baker holster to a good friend, Elliott.

He mistakenly believed that it was a permanent loan and a few months later, he sold it to one of his brother in laws. I had in the meantime discovered another 29-24" and wanted my excellent concealment and field holster back. Elliot was somewhat taken aback, felt terrible, and soon discovered that his scoundrel of a BIL refused to let loose of his new found FAVORITE holster.

In the intervening years, Mr. Baker passed on to his great reward and being pre web days, there was no other pancake rigs available to me. Having no recourse, I designed and built my own. Knowing I didn't have the skill to fashion a thumbreak and not really liking them, I covered the hammer to project my side. Having read enough Cooper and Bianchi by then and having used several other types of holsters, I decided that a covered trigger guard was a superior idea. This was around 1991, I have built several other designs, but always end up “coming home” to this simple pancake. I have been blessed ,encouraged by several members of this board, actually the old Campfire, I started building holsters full time in 2004 and it has really taken off.

THANK YOU FOLKS!

Recently, Elliott contacted me about new holsters for himself and his BIL. I quickly sent him my own personal 3” N frame rig and flatly refused to reward his BIL with one of my holsters.

Shame on me: Today I opened the mail and a padded envelope contained my old original Hidden Thunder holster!

I am wearing it now. It still allows me to conceal a large frame revolver comfortably and easily. Roy Baker really knew what he was doing.



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I'd like to thank Rob for allowing me to republish this story here. I like it. It is illustrative of how the world seems to work. A little patience can sometimes be quite rewarding.

Butt Cuffs

Butt Cuffs are a common interest among levergun shooters. I recently received one from Rob Leahy of Simply Rugged. I think I'm going to put it on my 336T. A review will follow.