Several years ago, I tried a very nice leather holster by El Paso Leather, and it looks great and functions well. It's called the "Avenger."
El Paso Leather is not in Texas... it's in South Africa! Yes, strange as it sounds, it's true - so don't confuse them with El Paso Saddlery of El Paso, Texas. And as of May, 2007, this is not the name being stamped on the holsters, though they are still being made in the same place. Nowadays they are marked with a Nevada Gun Leather name and logo.
What I expected versus what I got :
The picture on the site shows a good-looking, nicely stitched leather holster, form-fitted (molded) to fit the gun it was intended for. I received exactly that. The stitching is attractive and strong. This holster is apparently wet-molded around a model of the gun it's intended for, and the fit is very nice. This is important in this particular holster, as it has no strap to secure the gun into the holster.
The holster I ordered was for a Colt 1911-style 45 auto... I expected full side coverage of the muzzle of the gun, though the Avenger is an open-bottom style holster. The gun I intended to use in the holster is a Colt Commander, which is 3/4" shorter overall than the 1911.
When the Commander is properly seated in the holster, it leaves only about 5/8" of material at the bottom of the holster. This suggests that a 1911 would stick out the bottom of the holster 1/8". I neglected to check this when I had a Colt Gold Cup at my disposal, but if it's an issue, you may be better off with one of their closed-bottom holsters such as the "Shado" model. For a Commander, the fit is excellent.
One of their claims is that the Avenger "hugs the body thanks to the rear stabilizing slot..." It does indeed, which makes for a fairly unobtrusive holster that won't snag things as you walk by, and doesn't advertise itself to others if worn concealed under a coat. I have worn this holster for hours at a time at the range and at camp, and it's comfortable enough that, if you're at all used to wearing a gun on your hip, you might forget it's there - until you need it.
The text on the site for the Avenger stated, in part: "Full grip clearance, covered trigger guard and specially molded sight channeling are standard features." I found the grip clearance and covered trigger guard quite satisfactory, but I have to wonder about the "specially molded sight channeling."
The holster was made using a model of the Colt 1911, as I said above. Many Colts have low-profile sights, and their holster-making model is no exception. You can see the impression which the front sight of the model left in the leather inside the holster.
If your gun has low-profile sights (the gun I used for testing has low fixed sights), the holster fits very nicely. I tried a friend's Colt Series 80 Gold Cup, which has a fairly low front sight and an adjustable rear sight, and it was easily inserted and removed from the holster. His rear sight is inletted into the slide; the only part that protrudes above the slide is the rearmost portion with the blade.
I tried another gun, a Colt 1911 Government model with Millet target sights (very tall front sight and a rear that dovetails into the slide), and the gun would not go into the holster. I'm not sure what "specially molded sight channeling" means, but it apparently doesn't mean that it's channeled for high target sights. With most guns that will be toted in a holster, this won't be a problem. High sights are not often used on carry guns.
The overall "fit and function" of this holster is very good. This holster has no strap to secure the gun, but I have had no problems with retention. Whether working in the field, sitting, walking, standing, etc, I have not had any trouble with the gun staying in the holster - but it's still easy to draw the gun.
Nevada Gun Leather has many sizes and styles of holsters available, so whether you're wanting to tote your hawg-leg on a hunt or wear your personal-defense gun concealed, you'll probably find what you need. They also have many other leather products available, including western rigs and pistol cases, shotgun accessories, and more.
You can shop for this holster and more at the Nevada Gun Leather Web site.
See also my review of the El Paso Leather Pistol Caddy .
-Russ Chastain
