Triple K "Wild K" Holster

PJ Hardtack · August 17, 2011, 04:39:49 PM

Somewhere on the net, I read a disparaging review of the Triple K "Wild K" 1911 holster. He was not happy with the fact that it was single thickness saddle skirting, unlined and the single loop sewn onto the back flap in two places.

I recently ordered a "1930 Austin" holster from El Paso Saddlery and when I was told not to hold my breath waiting for delivery, I ordered a "Wild K' which was shipped immediately. I'm not unhappy with it.
It's nicely border stamped, I like the colour and finish and I was able to wet mould it to fit my Remington R1 just fine. I gussied up the loop with a gold & silver concho (the one with a gold barbed wire wreath around a gold star) and tacked the holster to the back flap with a Chicago screw to prevent movement during the draw.
I'm also considering a tie down thong just for hellery. Who knows, it might prove useful as I wear the gun belt low.

I also attempted to make it take a set to push the gun away from the belt loop for a better draw grip, but that will take a little more work. My opinion - if you're willing to work around it's limitations, it's worth the money as an entry level holster.

Changes I would make in the design - offer it lined (that would price it along with higher end holsters) and make the gun butt ride higher over the belt. That is something I may also do to this holster after some use.

Border Ruffian · August 18, 2011, 01:50:45 PM

Good to know! Thanks for the review.

PJ Hardtack · August 18, 2011, 08:49:08 PM

Thanks, 'Border Ruffian'. I tried to be objective.

I can make a safe draw from the holster due to my small paw, by pushing down on the top of the belt loop with my thumb as I get my fingers around the grip. I requires a bit of a shuffle as I thumb off the safety coming into the aim, but it's workable.

From the pics, I suspect that I might have the same problem with the '1930 Austin' design unless they incorporated a bend to facilitate a draw. The revolver version puts the grip higher (above the belt) than with the auto model.

I can easily build a bent metal plate into the 'Wild K' and cover it with leather. I'll make that decision when the '1930 Austin' arrives. Right now the 'Wild K' sits well on trouser gun belt and is unnoticeable under a light jacket. None of my Davis or Sparks 'practical' holsters do that as well.

Springfield Slim · August 19, 2011, 12:42:27 PM

The triple K seems a bit expensive at 96.00. I make a holster that rides a bit higher for an easier grab, and it's 70.00. Made from top quality 12 oz veg tanned leather that can be easily wet moulded.

PJ Hardtack · August 19, 2011, 09:25:28 PM

Springfield Slim

Now you tell me .... ;>) Nice work! You're right, the 'Wild K' is priced a little high for what you get.

I was shooting both my Colt Series '70 Gold Cup and my new Rem 1911 R1 today. The Colt from an old IPSC Davis holster and the R1 from the 'Wild K'. I actually shot better at 25 yds single draw & fire with the Rem than with the Gold Cup! I think because of the heavier trigger pull; I had to focus so hard on the front sight and discipline myself for a good let off. Then I was doing the same at a 12"x10" steel plate at 50 yds, taking as long as it took in the aim to get the shot.

A guy with two new, beautiful STI .40s showed up with the current IPSC holster (nice piece of space age plastic), etc. He proceeded to set up at 12 yds and shot some drills. He wants to get things IPSC happening locally and tried to recruit me. I'm an IPSC Black Badge Instructor burn out and I told him yes, if we actually shot to prove skill and not blast at close range targets doing the IPSC 'creepy-crawly' with bent knees at multiple close targets better engaged with a shotgun or a grenade.

We'll see what happens .....

PJ Hardtack · August 22, 2011, 09:54:08 PM

Today I modified the 'Wild K' holster so that the gun grip now rides above the belt. It was easily done by dampening the leather and relocating the single loop. I didn't bother to resew it in place, using Chicago screws instead.

Now I've got something useful while waiting for my El Paso 1930 'Austin' to arrive.

Slowhand Bob · October 30, 2011, 08:19:40 AM

This link leads to the prototypes for Will Ghormelys newest pattern project for a 1911 Wild Bunch series of holsters. http://www.willghormley-maker.com/SpringSale.html

Looks like a good variety of styles to satisfy most shooters who are also into the do-it-yourself scene. My favorite is the Pancho but I also like the faux military style, it gets extra points for imagination! I normally line all of my holsters and have even considered adding a metal skeleton to my favourite competition style but it just seems a bit overboard for what I see offered by the few WB matches I have attended. Are the current top shooters actually trying to shave seconds on the draw and has re-holstering (flared holster mouth) been OKed at many matches. We have one that I know of which allows shooters to reholster their gun with the slide locked back (and this becomes an issue with extremely cut down competition holsters)?

PJ Hardtack · October 31, 2011, 11:09:34 AM

I'm disappointed with my El Paso 'Austin 1930', not because of the quality, but because it positions the gun grip too low for a shooting grip on the draw, and I have a small hand.
Unlike the 'Wild K' I modified, there is nothing I can do about it. Beats me why makers offer holsters with this as a problem, although it was common in the era.

I'm eventually going to buy a WB holster with covered trigger guard and ejection port, butt above the gun belt for full grip on the draw. Like my old leather Davis and Sparks IPSC holsters.