BRAND new--Need holster advice

[Teancum]

I'm as new as they come--this is my first post. i would have posted in the Leather forum, but the description leads me to believe it is for those who make their own holsters.

I just received my New Vaquero yesterday and need a holster. Because I need so many things to get started (I don't even have a pair of boots), I don't have much to spend on a holster and belt. I want to spend between $150 & $200. What do you recommend? The choices are overload. How necessary is a lined holster? I was ready to get something from San Pedro Saddlery, but their site is down, and they don't answer the phone. What "factory" sets are good, or which custom shop do you recommend? Please help!

[Camille Eonich]

First what is your goal in shooting?  You say that you got A new vaquero?  Are you shooting NCOWS or SASS or maybe western 3 gun?  NCOWS is going to require more authenticity than SASS will.  Even if you are shooting SASS are you going for something that looks more authentic or are you looking for something that will give you as much help competition wise as you can get?

[Teancum]

Camille,

I'll probably lean toward SASS, and a bit more authentic, although a little more performance-oriented holster wouldn't hurt either. In a nutshell, I'm not completely decided. I guess 'middle-of-the-road', if there is such a thing. I'm in it more for the fun that winning competitions.

[St. George]

Figuring out what you want to do is going to guide your purchase.

There are a myriad of holster makers - and a few excellent ones - but my advice is to buy 'quality', since a 'make-do' rig will need replacing quickly.

Try:

www.wrtc@wrtcleather.com - for 'Wild Rose Trading Company'

www.epsaddlery.com - for 'El Paso Saddlery'

www.willghormley@mchsi.com - for Will Ghormley

Next time you head to a shoot - look and ask the different shooters who made their rigs.

The nice thing about 'quality' leather is that once you've seen it - you'll always recognize it.

As to the rest of your outfit - take a look at the 'NCOWS Forum' and the 'Historical Society Forum', here at CAS City.

Both have threads that go into detail on putting an outfit together without breaking the bank.

For reasonably priced boots and hats and everything else - try Terry or Del at 'The Fort', in Lincoln - TerryLane@FortOutfitter.com

There are a number of vendors - not surprisingly, since many sell the same goods - but I know the quality and service of these folks.

Good Luck.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Gold Canyon Kid]

Get holsters with following attributes:

Enough leather to stay very stiff where the gun goes in and out.  This takes either several layers of leather or a built in stiffner such as steel or plastic.  Get a holster that does not cover the trigger guard unless you plan your off hand holster to be a cross draw.  The fastest way to draw your off side holster is with the thumb and index finger and the index finger will need to access the front of the trigger guard.  Get a holster designed for your pistols not a generic single action pistol.  Get a holster designed for the length barrels you will shoot.  Get a holster that keeps the gun in it but allows the gun to be withdrawn without tight spots as it comes out.  Get a holster where the top flares out to make the job of getting the gun into the holster is easiest.  Get matching holsters so they draw the same.  Lots of other recommendations but you get the idea. Do not under any circumstances give someone 100% of the value and order from someone that will take 6 months, a year, or more to deliver your holsters.  You can buy top quality leather from folks such as Kirkpatrick and get the holsters custom made for you and your leather in 2 or 3 weeks maximum. Don't forget to get a good shotgun belt also.

[Camille Eonich]

Gold Canyon Kid pretty much summed it up.  Holsters are one of the most important items that you will buy for competition and for appearances too. 


Nolan Sackett at Wild Rose does some of the most incredible leather work that you have ever seen but you will want to know exactly what you want when you get ready to purchase from him and it's not going to be anywhere near the price that you have in mind.


I would recommend Kirkpatricks, you can buy from the Marshal here, or Mernickle.  The Long Hunter is a nice rig from Kirkpatricks and the Lead Dispencer is going to be a good one too.  Check out the Holy Terror, the Red Cent Palmer or the Evil Roy from Mernickle.


Oh and you're gonna need to pistols for SASS.  Welcome to CAS City and to Cowboy Action Shooting.   

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy Teancum,

Cammie is right, you will need two revolvers for SASS.  NCOWS has a two gun category called Working Cowboy where you need 1 revolver and 1 lever action pistol caliber rifle.  SASS has wider coverage.  Lots a great folks in both groups!  ncows.org will give you the basics and the NCOWS board has folks that will answer any questions that you might have.  You will have loads of fun which ever way you go!!

[Curley Cole]

Actually since you are starting out I suggest you spend less now, cuz you are going to problaly going to decide on something different down the road. I got in the begining El Paso Saddlery rigs and still have them. I also got some rigs from Oklahoma Saddlery..They are soft and inexpensive. When I decided what I wanted I got my custom rigs from Paul at RedDog Leather. All my early rigs I now use for new comers to shoot frim at matches..

and look at what others have too, but get what you can afford now. The idea is to get started. You can add to it as you go along..

curley

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I agree with Curley Cole. You might want to think about getting an inexpensive rig to begin with, and then later moving up to something better once you have a better idea of what you want to do and how you want to shoot.

Cabellas sells some inexpensive rigs out of their catalog. No, they are not big dollar lined rigs, but they are serviceable if you want to save some cash while you are saving for that second pistol. If you replace them later, you can do just like Curley and lend them out to newcomers.

[Teancum]

Thanks to all for your comments. I'm aware that I need two pistols, a lever and a shotgun for SASS. It's a bit discouraging, but I guess it is what it is.

I'm leaning toward what Curley and Driftwood suggest about just getting in to the hobby now. It's like when I got into 1911's: Don't get custom up-front because after a while you will know better exactly what you want. What is the next step up from, say, Oklahoma leather? El Paso says their delivery time is 6-8 weeks. Too long. i sure with San Pedro was still in business.

[Wymore Wrangler]

Unless there has been a major change in Will Ghormley's health than I am not aware of, I don't think he is currently making leather products because of injuries to his hands.  The Fort Old West Shop carries COWS leather, it's pretty good stuff for the beginner until they decide what they want in custom leather.  And they have pretty good prices on it also...

[Driftwood Johnson]

Cabellas usually has everything in the catalog in stock and will probably ship the same day. It ain't top of the line stuff, but it will get you started.

[Teancum]

Well,

I dropped the trigger on this today--3" belt & Mexican double loop:

http://www.goldengatewesternwear.com/Holsters.html

[Forty Rod]

You might check out some of the classified sites here and on the other CAS wires.  I've seen some nice used stuff going for much less that new.