River Junction Lightning Spring Holster: Quality?

[Niederlander]

Hello!
    Does anyone know what kind of quality I could expect from a River Junction Lightning Spring Holster?  How does it compare with Old West Reproductions or El Paso Saddlery?  Thanks!

[Deadeye Don]

I have personal experience with the River Junction version.  In the form they sell it you can not use it.  Suggestions have been made to them to fix the problems, but as far as I can see this has not been done.  I ordered one  for right hand cross draw and after having to send it back 2 times as they kept sending me one for left hand cross draw, I found the rig to be incomplete as they designed it.   Fortunately,   a pard (who is very good with leather by the way)  on my posse  was able to take the River Junction rig and fix it like it should have been made in the first place.   I would NOT buy it from River Junction unless you plan on having it redone.   Here are a couple of pictures  of my redone version.    Regards.  Deadeye.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t283/Psychman/Lightningholster2.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t283/Psychman/Lightningholster1.jpg

[River Junction]

Deadeye Don and Nielander
Yes, Don, is right the way we have rigged the Sheriffs Lightening Rig can be quite confusing. It was copied directly from an antique original made by Al Furstnow in my collection. In fact I have several antique holster that are rig in exactly the same way. The idea was to make these less visible when you are wearing a coat. The straps were designed to be worn across the back and out of sight from the front. We made these with longer straps and it could not be figured out by some folks, although we have sold hundreds of these with no problem. In fact I have worn one on many occasions myself. We are always trying to make thing historical correct and have found reference of these shoulder holsters with the strap in front and will be happy to rig yours that way if you like. In fact have just recently started to re-rig our Texas Shoulder holster to make it easier to put on and less confusing. The 3 1/2 inch version is on sale at this time at the bargain price of $35.00. You can take a look at the link below to see this portly gentleman wearing one. I would say it will serve you well and save some money to boot.
Jim Boeke at River Junction Trade Co.
http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/leather/holsterssholder.html

[Deadeye Don]

River Junction, 
The way you have that pictured holster configured is the way Irish Dave fixed my lightning that I bought from you.  The way you are selling the lightnings now simply wont work.  I really dont think it was because we "couldnt figure it out".  If you have a picture of how to wear the lightning holster as you now offer it, I would love to see it.  Regards.  Deadeye.

[Grizzle Bear]

I have one of Jim's rigs, works fine.  You just have to put it on like you would a vest.  It's easier to put on WITHOUT the firearm in it!  I did have to splice in some extra leather for the strap that goes over the shoulder, but then I am an extra large person.



Grizzle Bear

[Irish Dave]

Disregarding the strap issue for the moment, I have seen and handled River Junction's clip-type "skeleton" rigs and found them to be of good quality -- especially for their relatively modest cost ($79.95). Additionally, I have used the spring clips that RJTC uses on these (and also sells separately) for my own custom-made rigs and have been very satisfied with them.

Just my $.02

[Deadeye Don]

I am not positive but I think he was saying the pictured holster is on sale for $35 and not the lightning.  I agree the pictured holster would be a steal at $35 for sure.

[Irish Dave]

You're right, Don. My mistake.
Thanks for the correction. I'll adjust my above post.

[River Junction]

Deadeye
See the link below. Sheriffs Lightning Rig and the Texas Shoulder holster are both worn in exactly the same way, as shown by the link. I do not have a picture of the Sheriff Lightning Rig on someone but, I assure you they are the same. We will however rig these with the strap acrossed the chest if that is what the user wants, both ways are historicly correct and both carry well. I am sorry you had a problem with this. We will try to do better in the future to help folks with this. We have this picture in the shipping department and it is supposed to be sent with each order.
Thanks
Jim Boeke at  River Junction

   http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/leather/holsterFitting.jpg

[Deadeye Don]

Thank you for the picture.  I know that is how you intended the rig to be worn,  but from a practical standpont the holster and gun dont have enough support without a strap going around the front.  It flops around like a dead fish.   Irish Dave modified the rig you sell to have that strap around the back and the front and angled so it is much more stable. The strap in the front is easily concealed in a vest.  Regards.  Deadeye.

PS  Thank you for taking the time to respond.

[River Junction]

Deadeye
There is no question that the strap across the front is very secure and certainly a good way to carry. I have offered the X back version for a long time and did so because it was historically correct as found by the many originals I have collected. Went you describe it "simply won't work", I do have to disagree. Historically it must have worked and has work for others more recently. Saying it flops around is certainly true and that is why you like the a crossed the chest strap. Under a coat which is how these were worn historical it would have less tendency to flop "like a dead fish" as you choose to describe it. In any case if someone out there want the strap a crossed the chest I am certainly willing to proved. We often think that open carried guns were very common. In the cities they were not.  Concealment was very common and the strap a crossed the chest would be a give away. I have thought of offering a vest with button holes in it to hide the strap. Maybe in the future.
Jim at River Junction

[Tjackstephens]

Jim Boeke,
Good to see you on the wire. a while since I have. Also been a long time since I've seen you. You use to come to our cowboy show at Booneville, IN. My cousin Greg put them on. Always enjoyed talking to you.
I would like to make a staement on River Junction's behalf. Through the years I've been involved with CAS (1994-2008) everything I've purchased from River Junction has been top notch. They have been very helpful too. Jim keep up the good work and thank you for offering good products. TJ  Hirams' Ranger #22 NCOWS #2312  SASS #12303 Member NRA JCR 

[Niederlander]

Mr. Boeke,
     Thanks so much for the reply!  I've been using your merchandise for probably twenty years, and I've been very impressed all that time.  Keep up the good work!