Uncle Mikes holsters

wileybelch · August 7, 2015, 02:00 AM

I have recently acquired several Uncle Mikes Sidekick holsters from online auctions in sizes 1,5, and 15. Each of them disintegrated the plastic/rubber belt loop when first put on a belt. Has anybody had similar experience? Does anybody else make a good nylon style holster with a belt loop that doesn't fail?? That's the last Uncle Mikes I'll buy...

hartcreek · August 7, 2015, 02:34 AM

You must be doing something wrong. While I like the old style with the metal clip better I use an Uncle Mikes daily but then I buy new ones. Who knows what someone did to one before they listed it on Ebay.

CajunBass · August 7, 2015, 04:59 AM

Personally I like Uncle Mikes holsters. I've never had the problem with them you describe, and I had the ones I've got for years.

dannyb · August 7, 2015, 07:16 AM

I use Uncle Mike's pocket holsters. Never had a problem. Mine have lasted for years.

osbornk · August 7, 2015, 08:08 AM

I have several and have never had a problem with them. I've always bought fresh ones from my LGS.

Doyle · August 7, 2015, 08:18 AM

When you say disintegrated, are you saying the rubber itself broke up or did it come unstitched from the rest of the holster?

DaleA · August 7, 2015, 02:01 PM

Jussssst about ready to start taking applications for my new group 'Handgun Holster Haters' (still have to write up our mission statement, design a logo and pick a mascot).

Uncle Mike's holsters can be as frustrating as any others but I've always found the materials to be of good quality and haven't had anything like you are describing happen with them. (And yeah, I'll admit there's more than one Uncle Mike's holster in my holster box.)

Pictures?

l.cutler · August 7, 2015, 03:34 PM

Same here, I have several Uncle Mike's sidekick holsters, some for years and never an issue.

wileybelch · August 7, 2015, 11:18 PM

For DOYLE...
Yes, the rubber actually disintegrated, i.e., broke off into several pieces. The stitching held fast. This is possibly a case where a warranty against manufacturing defects may be a useful sales tool. This happened on multiple holsters! Since there are no manufacturers dates, codes, or other identification symbols on UM products, if I were a conspiracy fanatic I could envision a Chinese knock-off getting into this market. Note: these holsters of mine did not come in an Uncle Mikes package, all were loose with no traceable info. American manufacturers take note!!!

CajunBass · August 8, 2015, 04:02 AM

Do they have an "Uncle Mikes" tag sewn into them? Usually on the back side. There are a lot of people out there making cheap nylon holsters. I see them at gun shows and on E-bay all the time.

armedleo · August 8, 2015, 05:36 AM

I tried an Uncle Mike's shoulder holster and found it to be quiet flimsy and of cheap quality. I'll never buy another. But I also learned, once again, in life you get what you pay for. If you carry a quality firearm that means you've likely spent over $400 on it. Stick with good gear. Don't ride in a Rolls Royce with Toyota tires.

seeker_two · August 8, 2015, 10:18 AM

I like the UM/BLACKHAWK! pocket holsters....as pocket organizers for non-firearm items. The rest of their stuff is junk. You can get better gear from Galco, Bianchi, and Desantis for slightly more cash.

T. O'Heir · August 8, 2015, 01:01 PM

Rubber does that. Worse and faster if oil gets on it. So will high priced leather. The loops aren't rubber though. Stretchy nylon.
Those must be incredibly old to be on an auction site too. And you must have paid next to nothing. Uncle Mike's stuff is cheap BNIB.
The UM shoulder holster I've had for 35 years or so is fine. So is the Sidekick. In any case, ballistic nylon sews easily. Sew on new loops.

August 7, 2015, 02:00 AM	#1
wileybelch Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Posts: 115	Uncle Mikes holsters I have recently acquired several Uncle Mikes Sidekick holsters from online auctions in sizes 1,5, and 15. Each of them disintegrated the plastic/rubber belt loop when first put on a belt. Has anybody had similar experience? Does anybody else make a good nylon style holster with a belt loop that doesn't fail?? That's the last Uncle Mikes I'll buy...

August 7, 2015, 04:59 AM	#3
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	Personally I like Uncle Mikes holsters. I've never had the problem with them you describe, and I had the ones I've got for years. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

August 7, 2015, 07:16 AM	#4
dannyb Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2008 Location: SE PA Posts: 336	I use Uncle Mike's pocket holsters. Never had a problem. Mine have lasted for years. __________________ Moron Lave (send a Congressman through the car wash)

August 8, 2015, 04:02 AM	#10
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	Do they have an "Uncle Mikes" tag sewn into them? Usually on the back side. There are a lot of people out there making cheap nylon holsters. I see them at gun shows and on E-bay all the time. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

August 8, 2015, 01:01 PM	#13
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Rubber does that. Worse and faster if oil gets on it. So will high priced leather. The loops aren't rubber though. Stretchy nylon. Those must be incredibly old to be on an auction site too. And you must have paid next to nothing. Uncle Mike's stuff is cheap BNIB. The UM shoulder holster I've had for 35 years or so is fine. So is the Sidekick. In any case, ballistic nylon sews easily. Sew on new loops. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 7, 2015, 02:34 AM	#2
hartcreek Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Location: Washington Posts: 1,549	You must be doing something wrong. While I like the old style with the metal clip better I use an Uncle Mikes daily but then I buy new ones. Who knows what someone did to one before they listed it on Ebay.

August 7, 2015, 08:08 AM	#5
osbornk Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2012 Location: Mountains of Appalachia Posts: 1,598	I have several and have never had a problem with them. I've always bought fresh ones from my LGS.

August 7, 2015, 08:18 AM	#6
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	When you say disintegrated, are you saying the rubber itself broke up or did it come unstitched from the rest of the holster?

August 7, 2015, 02:01 PM	#7
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,312	Jussssst about ready to start taking applications for my new group 'Handgun Holster Haters' (still have to write up our mission statement, design a logo and pick a mascot). Uncle Mike's holsters can be as frustrating as any others but I've always found the materials to be of good quality and haven't had anything like you are describing happen with them. (And yeah, I'll admit there's more than one Uncle Mike's holster in my holster box.) Pictures?

August 7, 2015, 03:34 PM	#8
l.cutler Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2005 Posts: 275	Same here, I have several Uncle Mike's sidekick holsters, some for years and never an issue.

August 7, 2015, 11:18 PM	#9
wileybelch Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Posts: 115	For DOYLE... Yes, the rubber actually disintegrated, i.e., broke off into several pieces. The stitching held fast. This is possibly a case where a warranty against manufacturing defects may be a useful sales tool. This happened on multiple holsters! Since there are no manufacturers dates, codes, or other identification symbols on UM products, if I were a conspiracy fanatic I could envision a Chinese knock-off getting into this market. Note: these holsters of mine did not come in an Uncle Mikes package, all were loose with no traceable info. American manufacturers take note!!!

August 8, 2015, 05:36 AM	#11
armedleo Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2015 Posts: 265	I tried an Uncle Mike's shoulder holster and found it to be quiet flimsy and of cheap quality. I'll never buy another. But I also learned, once again, in life you get what you pay for. If you carry a quality firearm that means you've likely spent over $400 on it. Stick with good gear. Don't ride in a Rolls Royce with Toyota tires.

August 8, 2015, 10:18 AM	#12
seeker_two Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2002 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Lone Star State (TX) Posts: 2,169	I like the UM/BLACKHAWK! pocket holsters....as pocket organizers for non-firearm items. The rest of their stuff is junk. You can get better gear from Galco, Bianchi, and Desantis for slightly more cash.