One of a kind from Mernickle

[Abilene]

Wanted to share this here as y'all can appreciate this.  Cliff at Mernickle Leather has been very generous to annual matches, often donating rigs and paying junior's entries.  Well, for the 15th Annual Green Mountain Regulators "Regulators Revenge" match near Marble Falls, Texas, which this year was also the SASS Southwestern Territorial Black Powder Championship, he said he wanted to do something different.  He made and donated this one-off set of holsters, which was paired with a brace of stainless Pietta '58's donated by Alessandro Pietta, as one of the main prizes.  It was a 52 card raffle, and I won! I will post more about the guns in the SCORRS forum. 

Since the retaining "X" is actually part of the skirt, these holsters are essentially a Mexican Loop with a fancy loop. They don't look like all-out competition holsters, but do still have some of those features like the somewhat lowered front and somewhat lower hang on the belt.  The pouch flares out just a bit at the top - I will probably bend that out a little more and keep tennis balls in them.  I also need to do a little wet molding.  The Remingtons are fairly loose in them for quick access.  My SAA's fit but are a little snug due to the ejector housing, and my '51 conversions a little more snug than that.  I think opening it up a little for the ejectors shouldn't bother the '58 fit.

My instructions were to contact Mernickle and give them my belt size so they can make it to fit, which I did today.  I might have a nickname for a gun or two, but have certainly never named any of my leather before.  But this one-off rig shall henceforth be known as...(see photo in next post). 

[Abilene]

more

[Abilene]

Oh yeah, I came in 4th of 5 in Elder Statesman Frontier Cartridge.  I'd rather be lucky than good. 

After I get the belt I'll do a youtube video.

[Coffinmaker]

  REALLY REALLY BIG "LIKE" to Abilene!!

Abilene!!  You're gonna need a pair of 45 ACP Cylinders for 'em.  Then shoot either 45 ACP cases or C45S cases.  Way TOO MUCH FUN!!  SHAZAM!!

[DeaconKC]

Holy cats! Those are gorgeous!

[I hate you...Deacon wanders off whimpering...]

[Abilene]

REALLY REALLY BIG "LIKE" to Abilene!!

Abilene!!  You're gonna need a pair of 45 ACP Cylinders for 'em.  Then shoot either 45 ACP cases or C45S cases.  Way TOO MUCH FUN!!  SHAZAM!!

!

Nope!  I've got plenty of .45 Schofield, and that's ALL I need!  ...and this paddleball game.  And this remote control...and

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Congrats, Abilene. Nice rig.

[Coffinmaker]

  OK OK OK Spoil Sport 

So make em Stainless 45 Colt (Coffinmaker also wanders off whimpering)

[Abilene]

No wet molding needed.  Left SAA's in them for a day, and the fit is perfect!  My main problem is going to be muscle memory (or maybe between the ears memory?).  I've got a couple other double-strongside rigs, but for the last few years have been shooting a crossdraw rig most of the time.  I guess I need a mantra - left hand, left hip, left hand, left hip...   

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Yeah, it can be a challenge getting used to a new system. It does get easier, though, as you develop new muscle memory. I haven't tried a crossdraw rig yet. I might fumble that at first if I do.

My cousin went to double right hand crossdraw holsters. He really liked that. He just stood sideways at the shooting line and had at it. No twisting or monkeying around that way.