Newbie questions

[Hyoslvr67]

Ok...when it comes to holsters, I'm a serious greenhorn.  I've been eyeballin stuff here and there, but really don't know a hill o' beans when it comes to em. 
So what's the real difference in the one's I see on some sites for well over $200...and the one's on Ebay around $79? 
I'm being serious here...every dollar counts when you've got 5 kids!!
Any suggestions?  I appreciate every bit of input!

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Hyoslvr67

    Welcome to our forum and Cas City, the answer to your question isn't in concrete, the old saying you get what you pay for still means a lot, but you can get lucky and find some used gun leather at a very reasonable price if you're patient, if you're new at this and can't spend a lot , Cabella's sells some reasonable rigs, but most of your custom gun leather will cost you more depending on the adornments and quality you want in your rig, several of our members are makers, and sell their products, I would suggest you go to several SASS or NCOWS shoots and see what they're wearing, and at the same time you can see what you like, also check our Classified section .

                                  Regards

                                tEN wOLVES 

[Dalton Masterson]

Good advice from 10W.
If you post what you are looking for, some pards might have something to fit the bill or be willing to make you something in your price range.
Are you outfitting just yourself, or all 7 of ya? You might be able to do some creative sharing to get you started.

To answer the price question, some of them are using American made leather, which is a little bit pricier, but seems to be better leather.
Then it could be a simple matter of demand. Some makers have a name that is familiar in the gunworld, while most of us dont. The unknowns cant charge as much as the big names or they wont sell anything.
Then there are those of us that are just learning the trade. We make things to get better, and end up selling some to pay for them. There may be little mistakes in carving, little bit rougher edges, splotchy dye, etc. The end product may be a perfectly durable and useable piece, but the maker may not feel it is worth top price.
Hard to tell really with so many variables.
DM

[Cliff Fendley]

There are so many varibles and without knowing what pieces your comparing it's hard to answer. If your comparing all handmade stuff it could just be the price structure between makers. Some have a name but most of us don't and could be why some ask more for their work. Could be the maker doesn't feel that particular piece is worthy of the higher price. I know I offer some things myself for less. For example sometimes I'll make a couple holsters out of import or a cheaper grade leather when testing a new pattern and offer those for a little less. They are still perfectly fine and usable pieces just not what I would call collector grade.

When comparing production stuff to what I would call handmade by a single maker you many times are comparing one of a kind pieces which can be made to your liking if ordered to something a thousand other people have one just like. Most time production pieces don't have many things that make it authentic for the 19th century. Stuff like authentic designs, stitched with linen thread, toe plugs on models where they should be present, quality of fastners, USA tanned leather, etc, etc. Much of this depends on what matters to you but keep in mind those things add value to the product both initially and for resale.

I would suggest you ask the maker if possible and have them explain their techniques and see what matters to you. You may be surprised that you can buy a custom for almost the price you'll pay at Cabelas for the better quality stuff. Another thing is custom will hold it's value better and can be traded if you change your persona or just want something different where as there isn't much value in a piece where a thousand others are floating around just like it because it's previous owners have stepped into custom rigs.

If you can, borrow and share some stuff to get yourself going and allow time to look around a see exactly what you want.

When looking at customs I can't urge you enough to talk to the maker whos work your looking at, most of them have knowledge to the styles of the period and let them help you tailor something to fit your want's and needs.

[GunClick Rick]

It all comes down to priority too,should have bought the leather first But then again a long cold winter when money is tight leather is not automatically  your first thought

Welcome to the best leather forum on the net! 5KIDS!!!!!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Welcome to the forum, H67. The pards here have given you sound advice. The best deals on rigs are often ones someone is selling either to get out of the game or to upgrade. OR, you can do like so many and get hooked on making your own. That way costs a bit more initiallty but in the long run, it's a wash. However, then you have the fun and pride of making something no one else has. Looking forward to your posts.

[Hyoslvr67]

I seem drawn to the Buscadero style the most...and before I get hammered on, I know it's probably not the best for quickdraw, or competition...I just like the looks.  One seller on Ebay has them for $72, plus $11.75 shipping.  Now, I'm a firm believer in the old addage, "Ya get what ya pay for...ya moron!", but I just can't see shelling out as much for a holster as I am for the dang gun to put in it!! 
   If somebody could check it out, and tell me what you think...whether it's bovine fecal matter, or just a good deal.  Let me know!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190486192701&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Dalton Masterson]

The biggest downfall I see with it is that is for only 1 holster. If your shooting SASS events, you will need 2. If your doing quickdraw, you should be alright with 1.
It could be a south of the border built rig, and it may work fine. I didnt see them state what the leather weight was, so it could be a little light, or it could be just right. I think the biggest problem with the imported rigs is that the leather tanning processes could be suspect, ie. urine tanned....

I actually have an old buscadero that was made in Mexico that is very nice. I would wear it if it fit me, but alas, I am bigger than the stick person it was built for.

I guess it would be a buyer beware with this rig. Ask the seller lots of questions, and go with your gut feeling.

But myself, I would pass and save for a better rig. Triple K is not that badly built, and you can get them from Cabelas for pretty cheap.
DM

[Slowhand Bob]

WOW, this has a lot of variables and many have already been touched on.  Lets deal with the true cheeeep stuff first AND I will call some names that I have experience with.  Hunter leather made some really cheap stuff many many years ago and I saw more than a few nice and even expensive guns ruined by poor design features such as mis-placed snaps and other metal fixings inside the holsters.  I have heard that some of their newer cowboy related gear has improved but its to little, to late for me!  Triple K has a reputation for being over oiled and limp/soft and is probably the brand that has been brought to me more than any other needing help.  "Can you make it stop ruining my clothes?" or "Can you make it stay open after the gun is drawn?",  being the most common problems and my stock answer is now NO.  The biggest thing I have seen with the sub hundred dollar Mexican leather is that it is always very dry leather, of poor pattern design and I have actually repaired a couple of these in the past.  Usually the first place to go on these is the billet/chape or the holster slot, where it frequently tears out at the bottom with regular use.  This is due to a combination of factors, dry or poorly tanned leather, slot poorly fitted (oversized) and not made stout enough.  Since I am not doing commercial work I will no longer repair peoples poor shopping decisions.  Rant mode turned off.  

[RickB]

I seem drawn to the Buscadero style the most.

Just to clarify a point. If you are shooting with SASS I think a Buscadero style is permissible. That is I don't know their bylaws or anything but I think they do allow this style of rig.
If you are looking to shoot with NCOWS I know they don't allow Buscadero style rigs as they are not period correct. They are pure Hollywood design and style.

Not sure if that makes any difference to you but I thought it was worth pointing out for the discussion.

[GunClick Rick]

Heck Maddy  on True Grit put hers in an old flour sack all depends on what your gonna do i guess Save up and buy from the best leather forum on the net from someone right here,helps thier economy and you'll be glad in the long run anybody here could make anything ya want.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

A couple of thoughts, since I just went through this ...

First, when one buys from a leathermaker, he is paying for the dues, and tools that the leatherworker has bought, all the mistakes that won't be make on you holster because the leatherworker has already made them ...


I thought I would save a bit by making my own, and getting exacly what I wanted and could not find .... Well, I got the second half of it ...

BUT:
$150 in leather
$300 (plus) in tools
$35 For a buckle,
$20 for conchos

And that is just offf the top of my head ... IF I could have found what I wanted (and believe me, I did look!), I could have easily bought it for the start up cost ... and now I need to do another holster ... so another $150 down the drain (for more leather)

The second thing is that my father was a maintenance commander back when the were required to keep up their A&P licencse ... and he always hammered in that one should buy the best tools that he could ... wether leather or box end wrenches cause buying it a second time always meant spending for something twice ....

Just my $0.02 ...

[Slowhand Bob]

Hyo, one idea is to ask around for quality used leather and another might be to ask makers if they have anything that they can cut a deal on due to returns or seconds.  Not long ago I saw a nice set for sale on a guys table, was actually initialed and the maker was asking for less than the half still owed on the rig from the original order.   Put your max price out front and try to negotiate BUT understand that this will not work with the big name brand outfits.  A hobbyist with a day job may go down to actual manufacturing/shipping cost but not so for the individual trying to make a living at this.

One last thought, price the cost of a decent quality (not even top quality) double shoulder and compare this to the Ebay Mexican rig.  It will eat up just about all of the dbl shoulders to build one complete Buscadero rig, especially if lined!  Between Mexico and you are at least two middle men getting cuts out of that Ebay outfit, where are they finding that amount of saving?  Something is getting sacrificed.  With this said, check your local flea market for some sort of leather product supplier and they will usually have these same rigs that you can see and handle.  I have also seen them in a couple of pawn shops, if you have one that is big into guns and leather.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Leather/Tooling-Shoulders-Bends-Bellies/9052-01.aspx  This is about as good as Mexican leather gets and most of these guys consider this to be sub quality for premium work!

[Hyoslvr67]

Wow...there's a lot of great information here...more than I ever considered.  As bad as I want a holster to go with my piece, I'd rather not pay for something twice.  I'm gonna hold out until I can afford something nice, that'll last and be servicable for a long time.
I appreciate everyone's input...you've really taught me a lot in a short amount of time!

[TexasToby]

another thing i have not seen mentioned is the kind, size and barrel length of your revolvers. all this is to be considered when buying a holster. i made mine and plan to make some to sell if i can get well enough and stay out of the hospital. well, best of luck on your buying something that you like and and can be satisifed with. Bout the only advice I feel qualified to give would go to some shoots and look at what other shooters have and ask alot of questions. believe me they will be glad to show their stuff and answer questions. good luck and happy shooting. I would be sure and get the same caliber pistols and rifle. either 45 long colt or 38/357. Texas Toby

[JD Alan]

Lots of great answers from some knowledgeable people. Let me give you one generalized answer to your original question of what's the difference: Material and workmanship, plus another factor; building for CAS as opposed to just a leather bucket to hold your guns.

I can't tell you how many CAS guys have asked me to fix or modify their cheap holsters, especially the ones made from Latigo. And I haven't been doing this all that long. The #1 complaint I hear is the inability to reholster revolvers on the clock. The mouth of the holster won't stay open enough to get the revolver back in the bucket.

Just my 1 1/2 cents