Lobo Gunleather J Frame Holster and Cartridge Carrier
Jan 14, 2017 21:15:57 GMT -5
via mobile
awp101, paulg, and 1 more like this
Post by Wasp on Jan 14, 2017 21:15:57 GMT -5
Recently I got a 442 thanks to a friend of mine, when another friend heard the news they knew a gun wasn't much good without some nice leather to go with it so with their help I ordered a new holster from Lobo Gunleather. After looking through their selection of holsters I decided I wanted two, and OWB and an IWB with clip. I also wanted a cartridge carrier so one of the holsters would have to wait.
I have become accustomed to IWB for most of my carry so I found they had a model that was IWB with an offset clip. The offset clip allows for the slimmest profile possible. The clip is steel and powder coated black to hold onto my 1.5" belt. That clip isn't letting go either. Before ordering I put my gun in my waistband a few dozen times to check what cant would work best. Within the first few draws from 4 o'clock I realized the trigger guard hit my knuckle if it was canted any more than 90* (vertical--I usually use 10-15* cant for semis in the same position), this would be perfect since this holster has the clip sewn at 90*.
The leather is black Horsehide and it smells fantastic, not quite as good as soft leather but you can smell it. It is single layer thickness and has no reinforcement. It doesn't need reinforcement since it is treated and also being made of horsehide it holds its shape IWB. I can tell you that the retention is great, I was a little worried since the cylinder comes right to the edge of the mouth and there is no retention strap, you have to give it a tug to get it out, but not so much that you worry about loosing your grip or the clip letting go.
Of course I'm tired of carrying my speed strips in my pocket so I needed a cartridge carrier on my belt, so I ordered one of those too. Lobo makes one for five up to eight rounds and it can accommodate a speed strip or in pairs (2 rounds separated by stitching). This carrier is made out of the same horsehide and loops around the belt with the flap for quick on off, believe me is not going anywhere when you open it to load from but comes right off when you pull it from the bottom. I really like the design and it takes up very little room on the belt anywhere you decide to put it and it's really low profile.
Although I intended to order the one for six rounds with the speed strip, I don't think I was clear in my email because I received the one with pairs of cartridges for a total of six rounds. At first I was a little disappointed because I wanted the one for a speed strip, but after some thought I realized I'm not a huge fan of the speed strip beyond convenience because they are really cumbersome when trying to load. I tried loading over and over using the speedstrip and in pairs from the carrier and although I didn't time it I perceive the load was almost identical time wise. The only downfall I can think of is fumbling the loose rounds under pressure, but if you're not careful you can knock a round loose with a speedstrip as well if your going fast.
I am really happy with my purchase, it's attractive and feels well made and I'm sure it will last a long time. Lobo Gunleather has very reasonable prices, almost too good for leather. He was busy when I called but his wife and I spoke a few times and she was very nice. We discussed that it is family owned business and they take a lot of pride in their work. Dispite the "stack of orders" my holster still arrived in five weeks just as they said it would. I thought it was also neat that one of their young daughters is interested in leatherwork as well and is obviously inspired by her fathers bending and has started taking the scraps to make her own projects, so one day the kids may very well be stitching your leather holsters themselves.
If you want a nice leather holster for your J frame or one of your other handguns give Lobo Gunleather a look, call them up if you have any custom requests or questions and I know they will do what they can to make you a happy customer too. Thank you Lobo!
....now I just have to save up for the OWB rig.
Chris
I have become accustomed to IWB for most of my carry so I found they had a model that was IWB with an offset clip. The offset clip allows for the slimmest profile possible. The clip is steel and powder coated black to hold onto my 1.5" belt. That clip isn't letting go either. Before ordering I put my gun in my waistband a few dozen times to check what cant would work best. Within the first few draws from 4 o'clock I realized the trigger guard hit my knuckle if it was canted any more than 90* (vertical--I usually use 10-15* cant for semis in the same position), this would be perfect since this holster has the clip sewn at 90*.
The leather is black Horsehide and it smells fantastic, not quite as good as soft leather but you can smell it. It is single layer thickness and has no reinforcement. It doesn't need reinforcement since it is treated and also being made of horsehide it holds its shape IWB. I can tell you that the retention is great, I was a little worried since the cylinder comes right to the edge of the mouth and there is no retention strap, you have to give it a tug to get it out, but not so much that you worry about loosing your grip or the clip letting go.
Of course I'm tired of carrying my speed strips in my pocket so I needed a cartridge carrier on my belt, so I ordered one of those too. Lobo makes one for five up to eight rounds and it can accommodate a speed strip or in pairs (2 rounds separated by stitching). This carrier is made out of the same horsehide and loops around the belt with the flap for quick on off, believe me is not going anywhere when you open it to load from but comes right off when you pull it from the bottom. I really like the design and it takes up very little room on the belt anywhere you decide to put it and it's really low profile.
Although I intended to order the one for six rounds with the speed strip, I don't think I was clear in my email because I received the one with pairs of cartridges for a total of six rounds. At first I was a little disappointed because I wanted the one for a speed strip, but after some thought I realized I'm not a huge fan of the speed strip beyond convenience because they are really cumbersome when trying to load. I tried loading over and over using the speedstrip and in pairs from the carrier and although I didn't time it I perceive the load was almost identical time wise. The only downfall I can think of is fumbling the loose rounds under pressure, but if you're not careful you can knock a round loose with a speedstrip as well if your going fast.
I am really happy with my purchase, it's attractive and feels well made and I'm sure it will last a long time. Lobo Gunleather has very reasonable prices, almost too good for leather. He was busy when I called but his wife and I spoke a few times and she was very nice. We discussed that it is family owned business and they take a lot of pride in their work. Dispite the "stack of orders" my holster still arrived in five weeks just as they said it would. I thought it was also neat that one of their young daughters is interested in leatherwork as well and is obviously inspired by her fathers bending and has started taking the scraps to make her own projects, so one day the kids may very well be stitching your leather holsters themselves.
If you want a nice leather holster for your J frame or one of your other handguns give Lobo Gunleather a look, call them up if you have any custom requests or questions and I know they will do what they can to make you a happy customer too. Thank you Lobo!
....now I just have to save up for the OWB rig.
Chris
