Is the IMA holster worth it?

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 6:24 pm

Digging around in my local surplus store, I'd found they'd sold out of replica flap holsters around Halloween, and don't plan to get in anymore. But they dug around in the catalogs of THEIR suppliers, and came up w/ IMA - International Military Antiques, as a good source.

I see it was mentioned here on COW, but the thread is over two years old
(http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic ... 2ce37d376a)...

So I was wondering if anybody has one of these, and what they thought of it? It's going for approx $30. Here's a link to it on their site:
http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/products_id/627

And here's what it looks like if the link doesn't work for you:
<img src="http://tinypic.com/n6n28">

Obviously, it would need to be darkened. This looks like an accurate Webley holster to me, but you guys would know better. Please educate me if I'm way off.

Thanks - J

skywlkr · Post by **skywlkr** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 7:41 pm

I have one from IMA. Other than being really stiff it okay. The inside leather is a whiteish color much like the back of the WPG bag strap. In fact, it is the same type of leather as the WPG bag strap, so I don't even know if it can be darkened. Hope this helps.

Luke

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 9:52 pm

I've known about IMA for a couple of years. In fact, I got my repro WWII S&W Victory holster from them to fit my Victory into and I am very pleased with it. The leather on the inside is unfinished (as I suppose they would've been back then) but it doesn't really bother me that much. Besides, if you plan to fit a real revolver in it, I'm not sure it'd be a good idea to color the inside for fear of what certain chemicals might do to a real revolver.

You can easily find IMA ads in Shotgun News. They're the wonderfully illustrated pages of repro (and some original) military gear. When I ordered my holster, they were very helpful and friendly folks to deal with. The specialize in authentic reproductions, too, so yes, it IS a Webley holster.

Getting back to the holster, the leather on mine is pretty stiff and thick, but for a military revolver seeing combat, I'd prefer a holster with some backbone. But if you condition it and break it in, it'll loosen up after a while. When I first got mine, the revolver was very snug inside the holster. But now it fits beautifully and the leather is starting to slowly shape itself around the gun.

I plan on getting a Webly holster someday and when I do, it'll probably be from IMA. If the Webley holster is anything like the Victiry holster I got from them, then it's an excellent holster for the money! Heck, you could even afford to buy on just to distress the heck out of it. I don't think you can go wrong with IMA.

bink

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 11:50 pm

Luke & Rick - Thanks, appreciate it. This will definitely be choice #1 for me, then.

I'm thinking I'd hold off on any distressing until I can plop something into it, though, so I can get the shape and scuffs right.

Thanks again - J

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 3:16 am

Weird. Kilgour was posting about this too. Search didn't pick it up...too recent of a thread. Abandoning this one, I'll carry on over there:
http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10405

Minnesota Jones · Post by **Minnesota Jones** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:02 pm

I have one of these. I dyed it black for my ToD costume awhile back. I used to think the ToD was either Black or extremely dark dark DARK Brown. Color wise, it's too light for ToD or LC unless you darken it in some fashion.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 11:53 pm

Got an SPG as well for comparison?

Shawnkara · Post by **Shawnkara** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 6:18 pm

I have an IMA holster. Got it about four years ago. I don't know if they've been using a different leather but mine was REALLY dark brown. I cut a couple inches off the bottom and moved the strap for a Raiders holster. I also sanded off the finish down to the natural tan color with some 120-grit and ran over it with some brown shoe polish. It's a good color now. It's a really nice holster, great quality. I really like the quick release belt strap.