Is Uncle Mike's really that bad?

[mgdavis]

It seems like there are quite a few people out there that don't care for Unlce Mike's holsters very much. They may not be a Bianchi, Galco, or one of the other high-end holsters, but are they worth buying if you don't have a couple hundred dollars to fork over for a top of the line rig?

[Tamara]

You are referring, I suppose, to the "sausage sack" nylon belt holsters? I'm not a big fan of those. I do use an Uncle Mike's pocket holster, and their IWB's have the advantages of being thin and cheap (and the disadvantages of not allowing one-handed reholstering and relying on the tension of your belt to provide weapon retention.) Their shoulder rigs (if you are a fan of such devices) are a bit bulky and awkward for CCW, and not the most comfortable for all-day wear over just a thin shirt. They're much better as field holsters...

When one can get decent new leather from DeSantis or High Noon for $30-$50 if one shops around (and can even occasionally score pre-owned Mitch Rosen and Milt Sparks stuff cheap on ebay) there's almost no reason to cause a $400+ pistol to suffer the indignities of a $19.99 holster that'll rub the finish off and provide no retention...

[Ninj500]

My cheapo Uncle Mike's OWB Paddle Kydex Holster survived an ASAA Chuck Taylor course and performed as well as holsters three or four times more expensive.

The holster I ordered to use at the class didn't come in so I had no choice. So, it will work in a pinch although I do agree there are better alternatives out there.

[Tamara]

Their Kydex stuff is about as good (and priced about the same as) most other large-manufacturer kydex. Personally, I like the modularity of the G-Code stuff, but that's just me...

[Don Gwinn]

I wouldn't say they're terrible, it's just that there are better choices out there that will not cost a fortune. $200 for a holster and belt is not, realistically speaking, the next step up from Uncle Mike's.

I'm not a holster expert because I rarely have cause to use one, but I have an Uncle Mike generic "large pistol" OWB nylon holster as well as some better ones--and although the UM works and I did wear it on one trip to Missouri, there's no doubt that all my other holsters are better options.

[mgdavis]

$200 for a holster and belt is not, realistically speaking, the next step up from Uncle Mike's.

Alright, it was pretty early when I wrote that. Lets call it a $30-40 disparity.

If I might add another component to my first question, what other decent, inexpensive holsters are out there? My carry pistol is a Beretta 9000s, and I already own, and dislike, the holster made for it by Beretta. There doesn't seem to be many holsters out there for it. I'd be willing to spend maybe $100 on a decent rig at this point.

[ohen cepel]

Uncle Mike's is getting better all the time and from the Tac Gear line of stuff I saw at a recent convention they are getting GREAT!

The older line of holster's I agree wasn't great. However, at a convention recently they had a line of VERY serious gear. Plus it's all made in the USA which is a plus for me.

The guy I spoke with had "been there" and knew what he was talking about.

I have changed my mind about them and am waiting for the stuff to hit the market.

[scottys1]

It depends on the intended use of the holster.
For daily use such as CCW, get the best holster you can afford.
For range use, such as a place to put your gun (empty) while loading mags, setting targets, etc., an inexpensive holster will work fine.
I used an Uncle Mike's paddle holster for about a year when I started shooting USPSA matches. It was the gear I had on hand that fit the gun I already had. It worked just fine which is more than I can say about some of the high dollar race holsters occasionally dropping a high dollar race gun on the ground. :eek: I still use it now and then when I get a wild hair and decide to shoot my ported, iron sighted EAA Witness in open class. :p

[V-fib]

They are not bad holsters. I have a paddle holster that is fully adjustable which I use almost every day when I’m here at home. I also have one of the shoulder holsters, which IMHO is very good quality.
My main CCW holster however is the smartcarry.
:cool:

[Mike in VA]

They're OK for what they are - inexpensive holsters for occasional carry. I like the ambidextrous models that also hold an extra magazine. I use them instead of a gun rug to keep my pistols from getting knocked/knicked up in the nightstand, desk or glovebox.

[Archer1440]

Uncle Mike's Kydex holsters are reasonably good value for the price, but not at all what I would consider to be "heavy duty" gear.
You got good advice from Tamara- better used Sparks or Rosen (or Alessi) than anything new (at the moment) from Uncle Mike's.

They may not be a Bianchi, Galco, or one of the other high-end holsters

Those two you mentioned are hardly "high end holsters". The more you carry and the more you shoot, the more you'll know what I mean. Nothing Galco or Bianchi makes in terms of holsters compares to a standard offering from Sparks or Alessi. This isn't some custom leather snob issue- the prices of Galco items are actually higher than nearly all Alessi gear and much of that made by Sparks.

This is purely a quality issue- the kind of thing you understand a little better after carrying a 1911 in your pants day in and day out for years and realize you have been comfortable the whole time because your gear is that good.

(The kind of thing you REALLY notice if, for some odd reason, you find yourself with Galco or Bianchi after using Sparks or Alessi.)

[lasports]

One short comment--

You get what you pay for.

[JerryM]

I like paddle holsters, and have several. They are very convenient to take on and off.
I have paddle holsters from Comp Tac, Uncle Mikes, Galco (leather) and Fobus.

The Comp Tac is head and shoulders above the rest, and can be obtained in about a week.
http://www.comp-tac.com/
The regular paddle goes for 49 bucks.

Of the others, I do not like the UM or the Galco. Both place the gun too high, and do not hold it tight enough against the body. The butt tends to rotate away from the body.
As for the Fobus, I like it, and have used them for several years without complaint, except that some do not fit the gun well.

On balance, if you want a kydex, I think the Comp Tac is the best choice. I also have kydex IWB holsters by Blade-Tech. They are good holsters, but I like the Comp-tac better so far.

If you want leather, then get one from the top makers, such as Sparks, Del Fatti, Alessi, Brommeland, and a few others. Yes, they will cost from $70.00 to $125 depending on what you want, but they are worth it. If you get a second class holster, you will not be satisfied very long, and will end up spending more money.

Don't skimp on a belt, and the ones from Rafter S are maybe the best for the money around. I do not have one, but have on on order. I have some from El Paso Saddlery and Wild Bill's. Both are excellent.

The kydex holsters are very fast, as they are cut lower in the front, and most clear the holster by the time the muzzle is even with the top of your belt.

So far my favorite IWB is the Sparks EX. The extra leather allows it to form to my body instead of digging in at the muzzle.

Jerry

[mgdavis]

Thanks for all the replys. Pardon my ignorance, I really haven't shopped around all that much. I appreciate the advice though.

[WESHOOT2]

And I am not a holster snob, but I have been 'acquiring' holsters since 1976.

My now-choice is (normally) a Milt Sparks, because every one of us ends up with a "box of junk holsters", ay?

That said, I, too, draw my iron-sighted comped Witness from a Galco Yaqui Slide (have three, one of them left-handed, that WILL hold my entire array of different autos), a Galco Royal Guard IWB for my 1911, and a J-Clip IWB for my Witnesses.
My Sparks include 1AT's for my 1911 and my Witnesses, and an HSR for ALL my Redhawks.

My point?
One can spend less, but will NEVER be as satisfied as spending more on this particular item.
Why?
Because the whole point of all the stuff is to l a u n c h a b u l l e t. The gun and associated gear is simply part of the total launch platform, and hanging a hunk of weight on your side isn't quite comfortable. AND you gotta pull it out quick-n-correct to launch your chosen projectile in an accurate fashion.

So spend more for your 'social holster because that part of wearing a gun is not a game.


Your results may vary; moo.

[Dead-Nuts-Zero]

I hunt with an U. M's holster because it is light and Quiet. The more I wear it, the softer and more quiet it gets. It does fray a few threads in the brush, but it would be years before it got to the point of not doing it's job. I carry a stainless steel revolver S/A Ruger and I am very happy with my eight dollar purchase.

Now, I do have other needs and I, like many others are loosing gun shops to the anti's and need a place to buy a good holster. I read many brand names in this post that I have never heard of.

So..............Tell me where I can go (website) to find a Large Selection of assorted holsters. Is there any place that has several brands displayed and perhaps a list of reviews or ratings? I am in the 50-80 dollar market not the top of the line expensive "good lookers". Praticle and good quality is my demands right now.

Thank for any suggestions.............

[JerryM]

Not sure if these would qualify as having a large selection, but they do have a good selection, and seem to have a good reputation.

http://www.rfholsters.com/rfholsters/default.asp?

http://www.lightningarms.com/

http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com/

Jerry

[mpi]

some years ago i was a housing pd sgt, and i had an uncle mikes d ring velcro belt fail as i was in foot pursuit through a very steep wooded area [at night], i not only lost the actor, but also my bladetech mag/light carrier [with both pieces of gear] but also my badge. i called them and had a really bad experience with the le rep. he implied that i was dishonest and that i was trying to rip them off for a belt! i not only dumped all my uncle mikes gear, but i also related this to the committee that was choosing a new equipment vendor for our impact squads, and they removed uncle mikes from our list.
pat

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

I love Uncle Mike's holsters.. here's why:

Any time I get a new handgun, the first thing I do is go out and find an inexpensive Uncle Mike's holster to put it in. Many times, I'll eventually get a better, fitted holster... but they're great belt holsters and don't cost a bundle (which is nice after plunking down cash for the firearm.) For CCW, you'll probably want to shell out more cash for a GREAT product, but I like being able to spend $15 on a holster to take home with my new handgun instead of going without one until I can save $XXX.

[don't shoot it's me]

Uncle Mike's will do until you call Uncle Matt....

http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/album//00000364/delfattis0001.JPG

[DT Guy]

Ah, Mr. DelFatti's work is awesome, isn't it?

You need some of his cordova colored stuff though-like leather jewelry!


Larry

[don't shoot it's me]

But I don't have any brown shoes... :)