Kydex, Boltaron and other polymer holster materials may be all the rage now, but there are still many who prefer the feel of carrying a handgun tucked behind the hip in a traditional leather holster. There’s a time and place for everything, and leather holsters aren’t going away any time soon. In addition to its rich smell and the way it weathers, there’s no denying leather’s visual impact, either. It’s like comparing a modern “smart watch” next to a classic mechanical timepiece. Or maybe it’s just a bold reminder of more elegant weapons and more civilized ages.
Galco Masterbilt Stow-N-Go Elite (MSRP: $139)
The Galco Gunleather Masterbilt Stow-N-Go Elite is Galco’s dressed up version of its classic Stow-N-Go IWB concealment holster, which also happens to be one of the Arizona company’s best selling products. The Masterbilt lineup consists of Galco’s most premium offerings, and the Stow-N-Go Elite is crafted with the company’s finest materials and built by experienced holster makers. This holster is hand molded and designed around an easily accessible open top for quick draws. Its interior is leather lined for a smooth experienced and depending on the model of the pistol, the Masterbilt Stow-N-Go Elite can accommodate mounted optics.
5-Shot Leather SME (MSRP: $210)
Although 5-Shot Leather’s SME holster is technically an inside-the-waistband holster, the SME is unique in that it’s actually optimized for AIWB (appendix-inside-the-waistband) carry. Handcrafted leather holsters manufactured at this level that serve AIWB carriers are far and few between. Besides the SME playing well to its niche, 5-Shot Leather cycled through dozens of prototypes and real-life feedback and belt time from industry experts before deciding on its final form. 5-Shot Leather is so passionate about the SME’s development that it offers different versions for striker-fired, traditional double action and single-action pistols.
1791 Gunleather Optic-Ready and Light Bearing Fair Chase (MSRP: $64.99)
1791 Gunleather Fair Chase holsters are manufactured from premium whitetail deer buck hides and provide consumers with a leather holster option that can also accommodate a full-size pistol with both a tactical light mounted to its dust cover and a reflex sight sitting on its slide. The 1791 Gunleather Fair Chase includes a full length backer on the wearer’s body side for added comfort and to protect the firearm from perspiration. Internally, the Fair Chase holster uses a soft inner lining material. To connect to a standard width gun belt, the Fair Chase relies on a reinforced steel monoclip.
Milt Sparks Summer Special II (MSRP: $190)
Milt Sparks is one of the most-famous boutique leather holster makers in the United States, and one of the company's best selling leather concealment holsters is the Milt Sparks Summer Special II. The Summer Special II traces its roots back to Bruce Nelson’s original Summer Special, a minimalist IWB concealment holster with a narrow “footprint” that took up less space and provided the wearer with more flexibility on holster positioning around their waistband. Its efficient use of space means that Summer Special wearers are not limited to carrying solely behind the hip at four o’clock. The Summer Special II includes additional features like a reinforced mouth and a sewn-in sight channel. Depending on make and model, these handmade holsters can also accommodate slide-mounted optics.
DeSantis Gunhide Mad Max (MSRP: $154.99)
The DeSantis Gunhide Mad Max is a classically styled IWB leather holster available in black or tan stitched from premium saddle leather. The Mad Max orients the handgun with a subtle forward cant, a position that benefits drawing the gun from the traditional IWB four o’clock behind the hip position. In spite of its classic design and layout, it does include some subtle modular features by way of its belt loops. By default, the Mad Max holster includes 1.75-inch leather loops that snap in, but the end-user can also swap those out for polymer tuckable J hooks or C clips to augment their concealment requirements.
