Western Star Leather hand makes authentic reproductions of Old West style holsters, cartridge belts, shooting pouches, chinks, chaps and all manner of cowboy gear and gun leather.

MAGAZINE ARTICLES

Combat Handguns Magazine

Out of the Ordinary

A pocket and hip holster, and a mount that can go anywhere!

By Bob Arganbright

We’ll examine a soft synthetic pocket holster made to fit most small handguns, the Nemesis, by DeSantis Gunhide; a mexican double-loop Western style hip holster for the Colt 1911 .45 autopistol from Western Star Leather; and an unusual but ingenious device for mounting a belt holster to almost any object, the Sure Set Holster Mount.


DeSantis Gunhide

For many years people have dropped a small handgun in their pocket for protection.  While this is convenient, the small handgun will move around in the pocket and, according to Murphy’s Law, it will be in the worst possible position when it is needed quickly.  The solution is a pocket holster that positions the small handgun correctly and keeps it in that position while in your pocket. DeSantis Gunhide has a new pocket holster sized to work with the most popular small handguns, revolvers or autopistols, made of thin, lightly padded nylon, which they call the Nemesis.

The Nemisis is a simple ambidextrous open top and open muzzle pouch that fully encloses the triggerguard while the gun butt of my Ruger SP101 is completely exposed for an instant shooting grip.  The edges are neatly bound, while the inside is a smooth black nylon to minimize finish wear on the pocket pistol.  A rounded tab extends from the bottom edge to the rear.  This tab, combined with a pebble grain-like finish on the outside, prevents the Nemesis from moving around in a large pocket while in use.  The nylon construction produces a very lightweight pocket that is impervious to sweat and moisture.  The Nemisis from DeSantis Gunhide is an excellent inexpensive pocket holster that will fit most small handguns.

Western Star Leather

I recently obtained samples of Western style holsters and gunbelts for Cowboy Action Shooting from Western Star Leather.  In addition to the cowboy holster for Single Action revolvers, I tested a beautiful, traditional Mexican double-loop hip holster for the Colt 1911 .45 autopistol.  While not a concealment holster, this is the perfect holster for someone that wants to carry the big .45 openly in the field, as well as for an afternoon at the shooting range.

This holster is constructed of a single thickness of relatively thick, top-grade cowhide.  The wrap-around pouch has the traditional “S” curve open top, a perfectly executed muzzle plug and a traditional safety strap provides security.  The strap has a slot and fastens by pressing the slotted end over a small solid brass stud.  This brass stud is the same as that used to secure the flap on the USGI leather holsters.  The wide, full skirt is secured to the pouch by double integral loops created by cutting two horizontal slots per loop.  The Old West style holster is lightly molded for the Colt 1911 pistol and finished in a reddish oil finish.  Western Star Leather has perfectly executed this Mexican double-loop hip holster for the big Colt .45 autopistol.

Sure Set Holster Mounts

The last item we will examine is not a holster, but a unique adjustable mount to use with your favorite hip holster, the Sure Set Holster Mount.  The manufacturer’s slogan is “Where you want it, when you want it.”  Constructed of sheet metal, the mount will adjust to present nearly any belt holster at any desired angle.  Robert Anderson, CEO of the company, developed this holster mounting system when he wanted to carry a gun in his vehicle and found it difficult to get to if worn on the body.  This gun mount may be placed under a desk, table, counter top, bed or attached to a wall.  It maybe placed strategically to carry a handgun concealed in a car.  A large hunting handgun may be mounted on the firewall or between the seats of a hunting or camping vehicle, or holstered handgun can be mounted conveniently to an ATV.  The sure Set Holster Mount even has a fixture to adapt it for attaching to a bed frame. 

The mount consists of three basic sheet metal pieces plus two metal strips to attach the holster to the mount.  The oval base has five mounting holes to fasten it securely to the wall, counter top or table.  A 6.75-inch long plate attaches securely to the base with a heavy-duty machine bolt, and it is adjustable to any angle extending from the base.  Multiple lock washers lock it in the desired position.  A U-shaped metal bracket attaches to the extension plate in either of two holes to vary the height of the holster from the base.  The bracket will rotate 360 degrees and locks in the desired angle with a lock nut.  Two metal strips, 4 inches by 1.38 inches, are placed through the belt loop and then attach to the U-shaped bracket with two machine screws and lock nuts.  The combination of the extension plate swiveling around the base, and the U-shaped bracket rotating around the end of the extension plate, allows you to adjust the Sure Set Holster Mount to place the holstered handgun exactly as desired.  This is a perfect example of the KISS Principle.  I do not think I can get by with just one.


Western Star Leather
P.O. Box 61137
Boulder City, Nevada 89006
702-293-3397 info@westernstarleather.com

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