Mernickle Holster

[dave hall]

I been thinking of getting one of these for a year or so for my New Model Vaquero.Does anyone own one of these.
http://www.mernickleholsters.com/ps/ps6sar8.html

[Bearbait in NM]

Dave,

Let me guess, you got your copy of the recent Dillon cataloge   I see these in the catalog every month and always stare for a few minutes.  Especially at the cover, this month.

While I do not have nor can I adress this holster in particular, I have one the Frontier Sixgunner holsters made by "SD Myers" from the mess he created on that board for my FA 83, and it does have the lower cut in the front to allow the barrel to clear a bit faster.  I almost think it a must on a single action holster that will ride "high", and I like the feature a lot.  Certainly not needed in cross draw, but strong side it is very nice.  The Mernikle cut is far deeper than mine, and looks like it would function well.

I also await to hear what others have to say.

Craig

[44 Man]

Yes, I have owned one of those and did not like it.  When I ordered it, they were only available as a strong side or crossdraw.  When I received it, it was the 'new style' and cut with three slots to accomidate both.  I feel the extra slot cut for the crossdraw compromised the stability of the holster and it would not pull the gun in at the top, even with an excellent belt.  I even went so far as to glue and stitch an extra layer of leather on the back side and it still did not solve the problem.  I think if it were made as an either/or holster and made of thicker leather, it could be a good design.  If I were to try another, I would order it that way if Mernickle would do that.  However I also believe that the gun should sit slightly lower, with the cylinder lined up more with the belt.  It would not conceal as well, but would be more stable.  As with other 'hi ride' holsters, much also depends on your build.  I find that these holsters work well if you are skinny, but not very well for the rest of us.  If I were to try to conceal a single action, I would get an inside the waist holster.  Of course that requires buying pants a size larger and a new belt as well.  As it is, the Mernickle design is intriguing but it does not work as expected.  44 Man

[oldandslow]

"The Mernickle design is intriguing but it does not work as expected". I kind of wondered about that. I have never actually seen one, just pictures. The extra slot so it can do this or that makes it look kind of odd and my experience with other gadgets leads me to believe that dual purpose tools (I suppose a holster could be considered a tool) usually don't work as well as purpose built tools. I always thought the gun would ride too high too. Not that I would buy one. I make my own holsters.

I have always wondered about the inside the belt holster but never have tried one. They look like they would be uncomfortable and I have enough trouble keeping my pants up anyway.

[sp21]

I have a cross draw and a shoulder holster by mernickle, both very nice pcs. seems to me with the one shown, the handle would be in your arm pit before the barrel clears

[44 Man]

The draw is a little high but there is a deep slot cut in the front of the holster to help with this.  I used mine with a 4 3/4" Colt and the draw took some getting used to, but was OK.  I say 'used', but I only took it out and tried to use it once.  The butt just hung out away from my body too much to be concealable (which is the whole point of this holster, isn't it.)  And that was with an AKER agent belt.  That's the belt that has a plastic stiffener in it so it absolutely will not sag or twist.  The aker belt will not let a holster tip out at the top, so the fault was with the holster, not because of a 'too soft' belt.  If I were a leather man, I would take a shot a lowering it a little and making it more stable.  Of course then you have a 'Threepersons' type holster, don't you.  If you want to try something similar, get one of the 'pancake' style holsters from El Paso Saddlery.  They are made from much heavier leather and should work like you would expect.  44 Man

[dave hall]

Thank 44Man,Is this the one your talking about.http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-72-20-77-tortilla-holster.aspx

[jimster]

I like pancake style holsters because they spread the weight out a bit, single actions are heavy.
Simplyrugged makes a good pancake holster, although it might cover more of the revolver compared to others, it does help protect them some, and you could also get inside out snaps for IWB with the same holster.  I carry a single action with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in a sourdough holster at times, and have used it as IWB as well in some cases.  Not the ideal carry gun in hot weather, but if the weather permits...

http://www.simplyrugged.com/index.html

[obxmike]

I have a Mernickle rig (PS4) for my S&W snubby. Great quality. Love it.

"Gunblast" had a review of that holster you're wondering about herewhile back. It's definitely designed for barrels @ 4" (any longer and you'd punch yourself in the face drawing it!  ) and if you're in and out of a vehicle a lot wearing your SA sidearm it keeps it pretty much out of the way.
'Course, if you're a little on the tubby side like me, results could vary.

I'm willing to bet Bob would make you one w/out the extra slot if you requested it....

[Camp Cook]

Bob Mernickle makes awesome holsters and will modify/custom build any holster that he makes to fit any gun that you have.

All of my leather holsters are from Mernickle I have even had him cutom make some for me.

If you're not happy with something just send it back and he will make it right Bob's customer service is second to none...

[shaner]

i had one also and wasnt tickled with it ,  just  for the cost  it wasnt what i expected,  as other have stated  same reasons

[Travis Morgan]

Too expensive and too ugly.

[mattmillerrx]

Good info as I was in the market for that same holster.  The simplyrugged rig with the iwb looks interesting.  Anyone else have experience with them.  I also like the pancake rig.

Thanks for the info, I will avoid the mernickle concealed holster now.
MGM