Which Holster?

RichardSK · Post by **RichardSK** » Tue May 22, 2007 12:53 am

If you were to own one S&W holster, which would it be?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue May 22, 2007 10:10 am

Whichever one fit my gun.

I'm partial to the Raiders holster for a S&W, though. Or are you referring to which repro?

RichardSK · Post by **RichardSK** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:03 am

I should have been more specific. Who's holster should I buy? Todd's? Noel Howard's?

djd · Post by **djd** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:16 am

I like the old Webley holsters... Plently of nice old WW1 and WW2 ones on ebay. They look a lot more 'real' than the replicas (stating the bleeding obvious I know!).

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:19 am

Don't forget Lee Keppler's. I've seen all three holsters and have liked each of them. Keep in mind that Todd also has a "budget" version of the Raiders holster, which I have and like a lot. But if you plan on carrying a real firearm, I'd go with a deluxe model. I know Keppler's and Todd deluxe holsters are designed to carry a real firearm, but I'm not sure about Noel's.

My "buget" holster from Todd is very well built, in my opinion. It'll work great for a repro gun or as an empty holster prop. Truth be told, it's easily sturdy enough to hold a real gun (I've put my real S&W Victory in it once or twice to test this) but it's not properly lined, meaning you could scrape your gun metal on the button hardware if not careful. If you aim to keep a true firearm in your holster, I'd recommend Todd's deluxe holster, or Lee Keppler's.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:20 am

djd wrote:I like the old Webley holsters... Plently of nice old WW1 and WW2 ones on ebay. They look a lot more 'real' than the replicas (stating the bleeding obvious I know!).

I like the Webleys, too, but he specifically asked about the Smith and Wesson. Oh, and you can nicely "age" the repros, too.

djd · Post by **djd** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:23 am

I know but you can fit a S&W in a Webley holster...

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:40 am

I'd rather fit a Webley in a Webley and a S&W in a S&W... besides, I thought the flap angles were a bit different between the two? Anyhow, if you're trying to fit a shortened S&W in a longer Webley holster, it just seems a bit silly, doesn't it?

djd · Post by **djd** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:52 am

I never let 'silly' stop me

Hasn't Indy got a S&W and a Webley holster in Temple? (not that you see the two together). As far as I can see the S&W should fit the Webley holster ok other than having some spare space for a longer barrel. It can't slip any further into the hoster so this empty space isn't a problem. I guess I just like the idea of having a nice antique holster that may have had a few adventures of its own

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue May 22, 2007 12:33 pm

Oh, I like the idea of an antique holster, too, but if I were going to carry a real gun in it, I'd make sure the holster matched the gun, barrel and all. I figure if you spend all that money on a true firearm, why would you skimp out on proper holster protection for it? It's like opting for twine instead of a real seatbelt after you've paid for a Lexus.

But if you're after the holster just for prop and costume purposes and don't plan to use it for a true firearm, then it really doesn't matter so much, huh?

And speaking of silly, you haven't looked at my avitar, have you?

RC Halliburton · Post by **RC Halliburton** » Tue May 22, 2007 1:34 pm

So Bink, you are implying that the Webley holster, that saw action in two world wars, and countless postings across the globe is "Twine"?

How dare you!?

I would rather say that the Webley is a fine, vintage leather seatbelt in the Lexus.

)

'Sides, does S&W make a screen accurate holster of their own?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue May 22, 2007 2:07 pm

RC Halliburton wrote:So Bink, you are implying that the Webley holster, that saw action in two world wars, and countless postings across the globe is "Twine"?

No, I'm refering to getting a prop holster for a real gun. If you have a real S&W or Webley, you'd want to house it in a genuine holster (vintage or otherwise) that suits the gun. Example, Todd told me himself that the "budget" version of his Raiders holster works fine for a replica gun, but wouldn't recommend using it as a working holster for a true S&W since that particular holster is unlined, meaning there's no real protection from the backside of the metal button that pushes through the leather. This could scrape up the real gun. Why would you want to risk damage to your expensive firearm due to a holster not designed for a real gun? That's what I meant. His deluxe holster, if I recall correctly, can be used for true firearms. I know the Keppler can.

If I had a real Webley pistol, then I'd have no problem with housing it in a vintage Webley holster. In fact, they'd be a perfect pair. I keep my S&W Victory in a repro Victory holster meant to carry the real thing.

Clearer?

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue May 22, 2007 6:09 pm

If I were buying a holster for a real S&W I'd buy a Western Stage Props. The last several examples Ive seen were made by Alfonso's of Hollywood. Those holsters are the real deal, not props.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue May 22, 2007 6:41 pm

Same with the Keppler, since he spends much of his time working gun shows.

RichardSK · Post by **RichardSK** » Thu May 24, 2007 2:47 am

You guys amaze me. I ask a simple question and you go off on some stupid tangent that has nothing to do with my question. Why don't you two get a room and spend your quality time together in private.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu May 24, 2007 9:48 am

RichardSK wrote:You guys amaze me. I ask a simple question and you go off on some stupid tangent that has nothing to do with my question. Why don't you two get a room and spend your quality time together in private.

Excuse me?! What's up with THAT response? I think the discussion still touches on your question. There's no need to get pissy about it.

Maybe I should ask you this: What are you going to use your holster for? If you just want a cheap Halloween costume prop, I'd go on eBay and find the guy that sells plastic Indy gunbelt sets for 20 bucks and be done with it. If you're after a SERIOUS holster, then what are you going to use it for? Are going to carry a real gun in it, or a plastic filler gun, or nothing? If you plan to use a REAL gun, be it a true S&W or Webley, then our above comments make PERFECT sense for this thread. Go for a real vintage holster that suits the specific style gun and barrel length you want to use, or the equivalent in a newer holster made to carry a REAL firearm. If you don't care, than any of the other options are good. Keep in mind we were sharing our opinions so you could make up your OWN mind.

Since you NEVER reponded to how you planned to use your holster and under what conditions, then how are we supposed to know what you're really trying to ask? And how are we to know how clueless you are regarding OTHER holster choices? I could simply tell you to use the search feature and do your homework by reading the previous threads regarding this, but I guess that's what we get for initially trying to help you out and educate you a bit. Maybe next time you could learn to be more specific in your questions. It's not hard to do. Get over it. This is a HOBBY. Don't forget to step back from your computer and actually live life from time to time.

RC Halliburton · Post by **RC Halliburton** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:55 pm

Which two guys were getting a room?

Bink: Crystal, Man.

)

DickSK: Lighten up, Francis.

Bink's right. You weren't very clear, and you did ask the board's "opinion". From the amount of hats you posses in the posting area, you should be aware of the possibility of thread jacking, and tangentitis.

All part of the show, you know.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:47 pm

Yeah, but I don't think this was thread jacking so much as it was expanding upon the idea of which holster may be best suited for your needs. If you want threadjacking, I can GIVE you threadjacking!

I think we were presenting other options outside of Todd's and Noel's holsters and why these other options may be suitable choices. In fact, I said in one of my first few posts that I had seen Todd's, Noel's, and Keppler's offerings and thought all were great holsters. Yet expanding on that, I asked how the holster was going to be used, since further points might need to be considered and other options might come into play.

RichardSK, since you used no smileys or language to indicate you might be joking with your last comment, it came across as very rude and insulting to those of us genuinely trying to help you.

And Halliburton, I know a lovely place the other side of town with cheap rates if you'd like to discuss holsters further.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Thu May 24, 2007 8:21 pm

RichardSK wrote:You guys amaze me. I ask a simple question and you go off on some stupid tangent that has nothing to do with my question. Why don't you two get a room and spend your quality time together in private.

Dude...?????

Bogie1943 · Post by **Bogie1943** » Thu May 24, 2007 8:41 pm

Lol wow...anyway...to answer your question as best I can. I own a Keppler Raiders holster and odds are I will have that for the rest of my life. I would have to see another holster in person before I bought something other than another Keppler. His are made of top quality leather, top quality, and made tough as nails. There it is. Todd's I have not handled in person and Noel's is very over priced.

hunter1 · Post by **hunter1** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:24 pm

djd wrote:I know but you can fit a S&W in a Webley holster...

my new service works fine in a webley holster..i got mine from i.m.a.

thePawn · Post by **thePawn** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:09 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote:
RichardSK wrote:You guys amaze me. I ask a simple question and you go off on some stupid tangent that has nothing to do with my question. Why don't you two get a room and spend your quality time together in private.

What's up with the attitude?

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:03 am

I'd go with Noel Howard's.
Or if you don't mind paying a little more, get an antique one off of ebay.

AND don't be a jerk

, these forums are for people to discuss (and freely I might add) their hobby. Then there's people who think that they make up the rules around here. Nobody likes rudeness, man. Besides, by the time you posted your remark, you could read a bunch of great answers and tips.

Respect your admins (or meter maids).

RichardSK · Post by **RichardSK** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:39 am

All right already guys, I apologize for my inappropriate remark. It was late, I had too much bourbon in me and I was frustrated by how the responses had strayed from a simple question. Besides, that was three months ago.
All I wanted to know was - Keppler, NH or Todd and why.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:28 pm

Don't sweat it. I believe all the original responses were aimed at figuring out what capacity you had planned to use the holster so that we could more effectively answer your question. It's difficult to give a simple answer to a question that can appear so vague.

Especially since there have been so many "which should I buy" questions, answers often are left to "buy product A because I like it and not product B because I hate it." Period. In order to offer more constructive suggestions, it is sometime necessary to flesh out the question more and expand upon the topic so we can get to the heart of the inquiry. The initial posts delt with that pretty well, I thought. That said, have you made a decision on which holster you plan to buy, and if so, what affected your choice?

RichardSK · Post by **RichardSK** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:57 pm

Screen accuracy and price. It seems Keppler's will do without paying NH prices.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:08 pm

Gotcha. Then the Keppler is a fine choice. Not only will you get the screen accuracy, you'll have a fully functional, real-world holster should you ever choose to carry a real firearm in it. (Lee Keppler is also a gun dealer by trade.) The Keppler is on my want list for that very reason.