New holster pics - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

RyanH · 06-16-2006, 01:06 PM

I thought it would be more appropriate to put this thread here. If a mod wants to delete the thread in the picture section that's fine.

My new holster just came today and I have to say that the early review is more than positive! It's incredibly comfortable so far and may even give my Crossbreed a run for its money.

It was handmade by a gentleman named Mark Brandli @ Cow Bayou Leather in Delton, MI..

I thought I'd wear it for a couple of days and then come back here and write up a full review. In the meantime, I posted some pics.

Thanks Mark! You did a helluva job.

-Ryan

First pic.

Hopefully shows the cant.

The backside. One of my criteria for a holster is that it prevents the gun from touching my skin.

happygunner · 06-16-2006, 02:23 PM

Thats a really nice group of pictures of the new holster.

saw · 06-16-2006, 03:06 PM

Nice holster, are you a lefty?

RyanH · 06-16-2006, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saw

Nice holster, are you a lefty?

Yes sir.

RyanH · 06-21-2006, 07:46 AM

I've had a few days to wear it around the house and I must say that I couldn't be more pleased with it.

I had it made for my XD-40 subcompact on which I have TFO sights installed. The sights have not hindered the way the pistol fits as far as I can tell. The bottom is open so my XD9 service also fit nicely.

In the past I've worn watches with leather bands. After several months of being pressed up against my wrist, they start to stink. My biggest fear with wearing a leather holster is that it will start to do the same. I guess time will tell.

The quality of construction is remarkably high. The leather is thick and of excellent quality. Mark uses a piece of soft leather to attach the snap to the holster. This adds to the aesthetics of the holster and also gives it more durability. The stitching is also top notch. The holster just has the feel of being really durable and well constructed. Mark obviously puts a significant amount of care into his work.

The holster is really comfortable to wear in different situations. When I sit down or get in my Jeep, it doesn't interfere at all. I'm a lefty so I am wearing the holster at the 8:00 position. The holster has a cant so reaching back for my pistol is easy and feels natural. The pistol fits snug but not so tight that I have to fight with it to remove it. It holds its shape and reholstering is also not a problem.

The weakest link is my belt... which sucks. Once I get a decent belt, I'll be in great shape.

My only real complaint at this point, and it's a minor one, is that I would have liked to have seen Mark use two snaps to keep the holster on the belt versus just one. It just seems that two snaps would keep the holster in place better and at the angle that it was meant to be carried. Again, a decent belt may make this a none-issue.

A couple more pics:

It virtually disappears when I'm wearing it.

It's comfortable and fits well. If only I had a decent belt....

-Ryan

06-16-2006, 01:06 PM	#1
RyanH XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 263	New holster pics I thought it would be more appropriate to put this thread here. If a mod wants to delete the thread in the picture section that's fine. My new holster just came today and I have to say that the early review is more than positive! It's incredibly comfortable so far and may even give my Crossbreed a run for its money. It was handmade by a gentleman named Mark Brandli @ Cow Bayou Leather in Delton, MI.. I thought I'd wear it for a couple of days and then come back here and write up a full review. In the meantime, I posted some pics. Thanks Mark! You did a helluva job. -Ryan First pic. Hopefully shows the cant. The backside. One of my criteria for a holster is that it prevents the gun from touching my skin.

06-16-2006, 02:23 PM	#2
happygunner XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston Tx Posts: 1,151	Very nice Thats a really nice group of pictures of the new holster.

06-16-2006, 03:06 PM	#3
saw XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 114	Nice holster, are you a lefty? __________________ SAW The Show Me State The better you are the better you will be, with more practice.

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06-21-2006, 07:46 AM	#5
RyanH XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 263	I've had a few days to wear it around the house and I must say that I couldn't be more pleased with it. I had it made for my XD-40 subcompact on which I have TFO sights installed. The sights have not hindered the way the pistol fits as far as I can tell. The bottom is open so my XD9 service also fit nicely. In the past I've worn watches with leather bands. After several months of being pressed up against my wrist, they start to stink. My biggest fear with wearing a leather holster is that it will start to do the same. I guess time will tell. The quality of construction is remarkably high. The leather is thick and of excellent quality. Mark uses a piece of soft leather to attach the snap to the holster. This adds to the aesthetics of the holster and also gives it more durability. The stitching is also top notch. The holster just has the feel of being really durable and well constructed. Mark obviously puts a significant amount of care into his work. The holster is really comfortable to wear in different situations. When I sit down or get in my Jeep, it doesn't interfere at all. I'm a lefty so I am wearing the holster at the 8:00 position. The holster has a cant so reaching back for my pistol is easy and feels natural. The pistol fits snug but not so tight that I have to fight with it to remove it. It holds its shape and reholstering is also not a problem. The weakest link is my belt... which sucks. Once I get a decent belt, I'll be in great shape. My only real complaint at this point, and it's a minor one, is that I would have liked to have seen Mark use two snaps to keep the holster on the belt versus just one. It just seems that two snaps would keep the holster in place better and at the angle that it was meant to be carried. Again, a decent belt may make this a none-issue. A couple more pics: It virtually disappears when I'm wearing it. It's comfortable and fits well. If only I had a decent belt.... -Ryan