Over the last 50 years, I have always been on the lookout for fine and serviceable holsters for my sidearms. In general, I prefer an OWB, RH, High-Ride, Leather holster with an FBI cant. I prefer holsters that cover the trigger guard and hammer of the firearm, and while my preference is an open back holster, a quickly released safety strap has been used over the years as well.
Leather is my preferred holster material although I have tried a few plastic (synthetic or Kydex) holsters. While they do retain the sidearm if adjusted correctly, I find them generally bulky and noisy. They also tend to ride farther out than a good snug leather holster. The Kydex holsters make nice range holsters when the sidearm is in and out while shooting and makes it easily transportable and secure whilst on a shooting range. Getting a seat belt around this lower riding and wider holster is a chore as well so its sole use is on the range by me.
I have tried Bianchi, Tripple K, Galco, Falco, Desantis, Bear, Safariland, and 4 custom makers. I have used open top, safety strap, thumb break strap, friction retainers and belt slide (minimalist) holsters. While my second-choice leather holster is a belt slide with taunt restriction, these take a higher degree of training for their use and proper firearm carry. A belt slide is NOT for a novice shooter or one who has delusions of grandeur.
My all-time favorite holster is the inexpensive, lower shelf, leather, Minuteman Holster. These were typically in a Ziplock style plastic sheath hanging well below the much more expensive High-Shelf holsters costing 3x the money for a Minuteman. If I had to make a qualitative reference, Minuteman was the Tripple K of the day decades ago.
The leather of the Minuteman holster is softer and more supple than say a Desantis or other high-end leather holster. The Minuteman holster molds to the gun like it was vacuum packed to it. The holster melts into your body and doesn t jab you like some harder leather holsters do. Drawing and holstering is absolutely quiet regardless of the draw speed. The large lips at the hammer open like a lotus flower to guide your firearm back into the holster and prevent those Secret Service holstering fumbles we are all now so keenly aware of.
My Minuteman holster for my S&W 4" revolvers has help up exceptionally well over the last 30 years. With its annual shine up with shoe polish and a brush, it has remained soft, pliable, and absolutely quiet to wear with no leather creaking to give me away. It rides high and puts the gun butt right into my mid back. The revolver does not print with this holster. It rides high, tight and quiet. My revolver is not coming out of it unless I draw it out.
Today I went online to see if the Minuteman brand is still getting made and sold. I found the holster on the Lightening Arms Sports web site and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them. Apparently, the holster is still made, on an as-ordered basis, by Yolanda Wright, the daughter (?) of the previous craftsman. She makes them in Puyallup, WA apparently.
Does anyone else have or use one of the Minuteman holsters?
With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.
