View Full Version : Decent CC Leather OWB Holster?
Is there a decent quality, but not really expensive leather holster company out there making a leather OWB holster for concealment?
I did a search (honest) but my search-fu is weak, as I didn't come up with a lot.
I currently CCW my Walther PPS M2 in a simple Kydex IWB. It is my first time CCWing a pistol, and the first holster I bought for it. It has a clip, and is fairly secure.
Problem is, since it is IWB, I don't feel really comfortable using it (standing, sitting, driving the truck, eating out in a restaurant, shopping, etc.) since my belt (Ares Aegis 1 1/2") snugs it so tight. Also, while the clip is fine, I worry a little about it unhooking it self at an awkward moment.
I typically carry here in FL in cargo shorts and loose floppy dri-fit T shirts. The inside of the holster contacts skin, and the gun is covered by my shirt. But as say, the whole IWB thing feels pretty weird.
My parameters are:
- OWB design
- Solid, relatively secure friction retention (gun will not fall out upside down)
- A wider, more secure base along the belt than I have now, threaded through belt loops (yes, I know I am giving up the clip)
- I think I would prefer leather, but would be open to a synthetic, if cost was an issue
- No sausage sacks, no Serpas, no Uncle Mike's
- I'd like to spend in the region of $50-$75
Oh, and I'm a lefty, as well.
Thoughts?
Ideally, looking for holster makers who are likely to make a holster for a Walther PPS, as well as to get some guidance in what to look for in selecting a leather holster.
Thanks!
Rich
Chuck Whitlock
07-13-2016, 09:20 PM
http://kramerleather.com/productDetail.cfm?productID=11&categoryID=24
Rich,
I had one of these, for a Glock 26/27, that I'd gotten used. The gun "clicked" into it as securely as a Kydex rig, and it wore like iron. The only reason I no longer own it is that I no longer own or use that gun. Note that it is about twice what you are wanting to spend.
Might check with the leathersmiths on here. JM makes some OWB rigs in Kydex that will fit your other parameters, as I'm sure others will as well.
The two classic leather OWB designs are the Bruce Nelson #1 Professional (Bianchi Askins Avenger, Milt Sparks 55BN, etc.) or the Roy Baker Pancake. The key concealment point to both is the trailing belt loop. It pulls the grip of the gun to your side. Just about every holster maker produces one or both of these designs.
Mitch Rosen's Express line is fairly inexpensive http://mitchrosen.com/products/express-line/
Simply Rugged (they have one of the better gun list charts of the leather makers) makes a lot of pancake holsters, look at the Cuda http://www.simplyrugged.com
Lobo Gun Leather is fairly inexpensive http://www.lobogunleathers.com
Nephrology
07-13-2016, 10:45 PM
an OWB holster is important to have, but consider a more flexible belt, too. IWB for a gun of that size is probably the way to go and is vastly more concealable. I'm looking at getting a Liger belt sooner than later to replace my aging Beltman leather belt, which is the bees knees for AIWB carry of any gun.
greyghost
07-13-2016, 11:20 PM
I can recommend the Mitch Rosen 5JR without hesitation.
I have some issues with my spine and on occasion it gets very unhappy and IWB is a no-go.
When this happens I carry a G19 in the 5JR and I can easily keep it concealed with a size larger than normal t-shirt.
I've had mine for a while and it is still a very secure fit, when it first arrived the fit was very tight and loosened up after a couple days.
Edit, there was a good thread about OWB holsters a while ago: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?19670-Concealable-OWB-holster
Aker Flatsider, the Galco FLETCH, or the El Paso Saddlery Dual Duty, Cross Hair or Strongside Select.
All have the same flat back construction as the 5JR.
http://www.epsaddlery.com/c-20-strongside.aspx
http://akerleather.com/off-duty-holsters/flatsider-xr-series-holsters/168A/flatsider-xr13.html
Patrick Taylor
07-14-2016, 12:38 AM
Galco has a version of the 55BN mentioned and I think it is called their "Avenger". If you need it right now they usually have them in stock.
Great!
Thanks all. Not sure how I missed that thread.
Much obliged.
If you're not set on leather I really like Raven's Phantom with pancake wings.
If you're not set on leather I really like Raven's Phantom with pancake wings.
Thanks.
No, not really set on leather. Did a quick Google search and found a couple older but pretty positive reviews for the RCS holster. I'll definitely look into that.
JM makes some OWB rigs in Kydex that will fit your other parameters, as I'm sure others will as well.
Thanks, Chuck. I am checking with Tony also.
Just to throw in a another +1 for Galco for an affordable, quality, readily available option that I've used quite a lot.
I also just like leather and if there is any possibility of it touch skin I vastly prefer it to Kydex.
an OWB holster is important to have, but consider a more flexible belt, too. IWB for a gun of that size is probably the way to go and is vastly more concealable. I'm looking at getting a Liger belt sooner than later to replace my aging Beltman leather belt, which is the bees knees for AIWB carry of any gun.
N, I maybe missed this comment earlier. Flexible belt? As in, more flexible would not put as much pressure IWB as the Ares Aegis belt?
Hmm.
Actually I'm also looking now at a leather IWB option. I played around with a RH kydex IWB holster worn OWB on the left side, and there was more printing than I'd like. So now I'm looking at leather IWB options, with two loops on a wide mounting, a flat back, decent friction retention, a relatively high ride, and minimal cant (<10 deg).
For a Walther PPS M2.
For a lefty. :cool:
N, I maybe missed this comment earlier. Flexible belt? As in, more flexible would not put as much pressure IWB as the Ares Aegis belt?
Hmm.
Actually I'm also looking now at a leather IWB option. I played around with a RH kydex IWB holster worn OWB on the left side, and there was more printing than I'd like. So now I'm looking at leather IWB options, with two loops on a wide mounting, a flat back, decent friction retention, a relatively high ride, and minimal cant (<10 deg).
For a Walther PPS M2.
For a lefty. :cool:
Leather IWB = Milt Sparks.
Leather IWB = Milt Sparks.
Gotcha. VM-2 looks like what I've described.
Should be good to go?
$125. Cough. Buy once, cry once, I guess.
Since I know you wear your iwb a little farther back I'm predicting you'll dig the heck out of a VM2. I have an Andrews version for the P30, and I can tell you it hides that gun /really/ well.
Gotcha. VM-2 looks like what I've described.
Should be good to go?
$125. Cough. Buy once, cry once, I guess.
I like the VM2 and the Executive Companion. Yes, buy once, cry once. This is some ing you will wear all day, everyday like a pair of shoes.
There are some other companies making knock offs of the VM 2 - the TT gun leather version isn't bad either.
OnionsAndDragons
07-18-2016, 02:28 AM
Milt Sparks is good stuff. Many moons of carrying a govt model 1911 in a VM quite comfortably.
I have a FIST leather holster for my PPS m1 that I'm very happy with.
My Executive Companion has 14 years on it and still looks and functions perfectly. Far more comfy to me than any kydex.
Also consider Kramer since we're into the money now.
LSP552
07-23-2016, 11:57 AM
Leather:
IWB - Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 & Summer Special 2
JRC - IWB-SS
OWB - Mitch Rosen 5JR
Doesn't get any better than these, IMO. I've been using the Sparks IWB and Rosen OWB stuff for decades. My JRC stuff is a only a couple of years old but I'm very pleased with both design and execution.
I'm a big believer on spending the money up front for quality leather. However, Rosen's Express line is a bit cheaper and still fully functional and worth a look at if you are looking to save some coin.
Good suggestions. Thanks.
Mitch Rosen's Express line is fairly inexpensive http://mitchrosen.com/products/express-line/
However, Rosen's Express line is a bit cheaper and still fully functional and worth a look at if you are looking to save some coin.
Just wanted to swing back to this in case anyone is looking. I ended up trading the Walther in on a HK P30SK. I also bought a Mitch Rosen Express "Upper Limit" OWB for it for $75.
Very pleased with it; been carrying all week in a variety of situations.
13476
I'm glad we could help.
I noticed your holster in the HK P30SK thread ( https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?14813-HK-P30SK/page22 ) and was thinking that sure looks like a Mitch Rosen Upper Limit, but while you inventoried all the mags in the picture you didn't name the holster.
I had forgot about this thread, and recommending Mitch Rosen to you. It looks like a good choice.
I'm glad we could help.
I noticed your holster in the HK P30SK thread ( https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?14813-HK-P30SK/page22 ) and was thinking that sure looks like a Mitch Rosen Upper Limit, but while you inventoried all the mags in the picture you didn't name the holster.
I had forgot about this thread, and recommending Mitch Rosen to you. It looks like a good choice.
Thanks again.
I've been using a 1 1/4" leather dress belt this week as a trial to see how a regular leather belt works, and because the Ares Aegis belt is a PITA. I find no problem with leather, the belt is easy to set at the same hole every time, obviously. But of course I have some undesirable play in the loops. I'm about to order a proper 1 1/2" Saddleback Leather Tow belt as a birthday present to go with the Mitch Rosen holster.
I am pretty sure this is my 'Goldilocks' gun, holster and belt combo for me.
Cool Breeze
01-28-2017, 01:29 PM
For those of you that like and use the mitch Rosen 5JR, what position are you carrying it in? I'm assuming not at 3 o'clock but more behind the hip? 4 to 5 o'clock?
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Can't go wrong with Rosen. That's a great looking combo. Why not just order a Rosen belt to match? Just curious?
Why not just order a Rosen belt to match? Just curious?
I was going to ask the same.
^^^ I looked at the MR belts, for sure. I dunno, just personal preference I guess.
There wasn't a 'Cuban Brown' option I could see on the MR site. I liked the personal experience of forum members with the Saddleback Tow Belt, and Amazon shipping/in stock kinda swung me over. Price was similar, the Tow Belt was $109 shipped. I'm sure the MR belt is a good one, though.
At any rate, I continue to wear the MR Upper Limit daily. It fits me really well just at the point of my left hip. I can drive the truck no problem, sit at a restaurant, walk, work outside etc.
Slipping it on is actually fairly easy. I thread left to right, so the tail comes around my left, through the rear loop, next to last belt loop, then forward loop, then last belt loop and buckles. Since it is on a buckle, I get a consistent tightness that is east to undo.
Not to be indelicate, but I had to use the restroom with it at the grocery store and had no issues. (I guess this is something us newbies think about but isn't discussed a lot). Anyway, no issues.
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^^^ I looked at the MR belts, for sure. I dunno, just personal preference I guess.
There wasn't a 'Cuban Brown' option I could see on the MR site.
It is the first item at the top of the page. http://mitchrosen.com/products/express-line/
It is the first item at the top of the page. http://mitchrosen.com/products/express-line/
Ok.
Well, like I said, personal preference and all that. Seems kinda weird that their regular line (which I guess I was looking at) doesn't mention CB (unless I missed that too lol).
Anyway, I'm sure the Saddleback leather belt will work out for me. I've heard good things about Saddleback leather.
Ok.
Well, like I said, personal preference and all that. Seems kinda weird that their regular line (which I guess I was looking at) doesn't mention CB (unless I missed that too lol).
Anyway, I'm sure the Saddleback leather belt will work out for me. I've heard good things about Saddleback leather.
Ok, ya got me. :)
So I put in a request to xcel the Saddleback Tow Belt order. If they let me do that, I'll likely go to the MR Express belt in CB. Hey, $34 in savings is $34 in savings, even if I pay shipping to MR. :cool:
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Arbninftry
01-29-2017, 02:17 PM
JRC makes great holsters. They are also a member here at P-F.
I don't think you'll be disappointed in the MR belts. ;)
I don't think you'll be disappointed in the MR belts. ;)
Saddleback approved the order cancel. Good folks.
I'll be ordering a MR Express line belt in CB shortly.
Thanks guys, appreciate y'all having my back.
Saddleback approved the order cancel. Good folks.
I'll be ordering a MR Express line belt in CB shortly.
Thanks guys, appreciate y'all having my back.
I place my order for a Cuban Brown MR Express line belt, 37" size (I called to confirm how they measure, compared to actual measurement of a belt I use now which was a "34 inch" supposedly - wierd).
And it was $70, plus $12 shipping, meaning I just saved $27 (or almost two boxes of FMJ ammo.) :)
I place my order for a Cuban Brown MR Express line belt, 37" size (I called to confirm how they measure, compared to actual measurement of a belt I use now which was a "34 inch" supposedly - wierd).
And it was $70, plus $12 shipping, meaning I just saved $27 (or almost two boxes of FMJ ammo.) :):)
You're welcome, again.
My Mitch Rosen Express Gunleather Belt arrived today.
The 37" size is pretty much exactly what I needed for my 34" pant size. It measures to the same belt hole as my Costco 34" leather belt.
Fit to the MRE holster is great (duh) and the holster feels much much more secure since the 1 1/2" belt fills the 1 1/2" loops.
Buckle is a no-nonsense brass color. The Cuban Brown leather is nicely finished (and this is the 'express' line. )
For $70, this seems like a good belt and look forward to using it every day.
Thanks again guys for steering me to Mitch Rosen for the belt.
Not quite a BBQ rig, but close, for me. :cool:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170207/597620eb303327c44d9a190922615f8b.jpg
LSP552
02-07-2017, 09:11 PM
My Mitch Rosen Express Gunleather Belt arrived today.
Thanks again guys for steering me to Mitch Rosen for the belt.
Not quite a BBQ rig, but close, for me. :cool:
Glad you like it! I have that same belt, along with enough other MR stuff to make a cow. The express line is an outstanding product at a great price.
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