Our Top Picks For A Great Western Holster

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Best Fast Draw:Leather Gun Holster for .38 Caliber and .357 Caliber Revolvers
Best Thigh:44/45 Caliber Brown Leather Gun Holster
Best Brass:Brown Genuine Leather Double Western GUNS4US Holster Hand
Best Ruger:Galco SAO Single Action Outdoorsman Holster for Ruger Single
Best Ambidextrous Design:Federal Bandolier Style Unscoped 5 1/2″ – 6 1/2″ Holster

Reviews of the Best Western Holsters from Our Research


Leather Gun Holster for .38 Caliber and .357 Caliber Revolvers (Right-Handed) Smooth Brown

This holster is crafted from a single piece of leather. The heavy-duty snaps will allow for easy on and off but are secure when snapped together. This holster is right-handed and features a dual belt loop design to fit most 1 1/2-inch leather belts or pants belts up to 2 3/4 inches wide.

Two slots at the holster mouth help protect the gun from sharp objects in your pocket or purse. It has a two-way tension adjustment for quick and easy draw.

This two snap western holster fits most medium to large frame revolvers, such as Colt Police or Python size guns.

It has a wide cutout for a fast, easy draw, covered by a tough Wester. It also fits the Ruger Bear Cat and any of the single-action replicas like Uberti (Colt 1873), Cimarron (1851 Navy), and EMF(Trailside). However, it will not fit the Remington 1858, nor any smaller frame revolvers.

It is a new well-constructed smooth leather-covered holster that is fully lined with suede cloth and has a snap closure. It will protect and give your revolver a long-lasting new home.

Pros

  • The leather is durable.
  • Easy to put on and off when necessary.
  • The holster completely covers the gun without interfering with its function.
  • It will fit many medium to large frame revolvers.
  • If the gun has a sharp trigger guard that could poke
  • Tight fit around the gun.
  • Snaps tight when closed.
  • Affordable holster.

Cons

  • The holster will eventually wear out and require repair.
  • The draw is a little stiff.

44/45 Caliber Brown Leather Gun Holster

This holster is crafted from a single piece of leather. The heavy-duty snaps will allow for easy on and off but are secure when snapped together. This holster is right-handed.

It is a handcrafted wester-styled holster and is designed for the single-action revolver. It has two-way tension adjustment for a quick and easy draw; it fits Colt replicas such as 1851 Navy, 1861 Navy, Army, Police. It will also fit Cimarron (1860 Army). Many original Colt SAA’s were ordered with squared trigger guards, and this holster will fit that gun.

It is a fast draw holster that comes with a gun belt with the ability to hold 12-24 rounds of ammunition. It is ideal for fast drawing shooting competitions but not suitable for long-time carry.

It fits firearms with 4 to 6 barrels. barrel) with 5 ¾” barrels, but those with longer barrels will stick out of the bottom of the holster. It fits most medium to large frame revolvers, including Ruger BearCat.

Pros

  • The leather is durable.
  • Easy to put on and off when necessary.
  • Tight fit around the gun.
  • Snaps tight when closed.
  • It is styled for all seasons.
  • It fits right-handed people.

Cons

  • Some guns may not fit properly in the holster.

Brown Genuine Leather Double Western GUNS4US Holster Hand

This holster is crafted from brass. The heavy-duty snaps will allow for easy on and off but are secure when snapped together.

It is a right-handed design that allows for quick draw action and features two-way tension adjustment for a quick and easy draw, covered by a tough Western.

This holster will effectively protect your weapon against dirt and scratches. The small size makes this gun holster lightweight while still offering the best protection for your handgun. This craftsmanship ensures that your firearm will last a long time. This western-style holster comes with a wide cutout that makes it easy to draw your revolver.

It has a tight fit around the gun, and there are no rough edges that might damage your firearm. Its metal snaps allow for easy on and off but are secure when snapped together. It is a handcrafted holster and will last you years of use.

Pros

  • It is durable.
  • Ideal for long barrel guns.
  • Easy to put on and off when necessary.
  • The holster offers easy draw action.

Cons

  • Not a comfortable concealed carry.
  • The Gun will be loose after some time of use.

Galco SAO Single Action Outdoorsman Holster for Ruger Single

Galco’s Single Action Outdoorsman Holster is usually made for the Ruger SAA. Galco offers holsters for various handguns, and this particular model will fit both single-action revolvers and double actions; it does not have a hammer block but will work just fine with exposed hammers. The holster has a couple of extra cartridge loops. This design is for those that want to have quick access to one gun.

If you do not wear this holster on your hips, you will need to use a gun belt for it. This model is hand-molded and made from premium saddle leather which allows the user to carry the weapon comfortably all day long without any sort of chafing or rubbing up against your body. It’s also easy to clean since you can just wipe it down with a damp cloth.

This model is also good for those that have to do some walking while carrying their weapon. If you plan on doing this, make sure not to walk in the same spot all day where your gun will be rubbing against your body and wear protection if you are going to be using it for long periods of time.

This model is good for those that have to do some walking while carrying their weapon.

This holster will fit the following models: Ruger Single Six 22, 22/45, Bear Cat, MKIII, Blackhawk, and Vaquero. The holster is made of high-quality leather with a thumb break retention strap for safety and quick release. It is available in tan or black finish.

Pros

  • EDC holster.
  • The leather is durable.
  • It fits the gun perfectly.
  • It provides quick draw action.
  • Lightweight for long-term use.
  • Thumb break retention strap for safety and quick release.

Cons

  • It is bulky.
  • The leather could wear off with time.
  • It will crack after some time of use.

Federal Bandolier Style Unscoped 5 1/2″ – 6 1/2″ Holster

This holster is made from nylon. The model 5 1/2″ to 6 1/2″ inch will securely fit most scoped rifles with a buttstock.

It is handmade and has a snap closure that provides secure protection for your firearm. It is available in black color and features a leather flap with snaps.

It will fit the following scoped rifles: Marlin 336C, 357 mags., 357/38-40 cal., 22mag, 30-30cal., 32cal., 44Mag. 44-40cal., Winchester model 94 and 30/30 Win. This model is also available in a longer scoped rifle version: 10 1/2″ to 12 1/2″.

It secures the gun without being uncomfortable when put on or taken off, just like any other holster of its kind. It has a fast draw action and rotates 360 degrees for ambidextrous use. It has an adjustable thumb break with a snap closure to ensure that only the owner can take out the gun.

The Federal Bandolier offers a variety of holster models, which is ideal if you have more than one hunting rifle. This holster is very versatile and can be used in any season. The holsters are made from sturdy, high-quality leather, making them quite durable and easy to use for people of all ages.

The design allows for accurate and secure weapon retention, and the open muzzle end will allow you to put a cleaning rod through it without removing your firearm.

Pros

  • It is comfortable for long-term use.
  • It makes it easy to carry a weapon when walking.
  • It can be worn on your waist or across your back.
  • It provides quick draw action.
  • It rotates 360 degrees.
  • Adjustable thumb break for safety and quick release.

Cons

  • High price compared to other models.
  • Nylon is not durable
  • Lightweight for long-term usage.
  • It consists mainly of leather which can wear off after a time of use.

Buyer’s Guide for Western Holsters

Western Holsters are types of holsters used in the United States to carry handguns Western-style, that is, with the gun belt through the holster. However, any reference to “western” usually describes a style of holsters designed for quick release and re-holstering; these are most frequently seen in use with lever-action rifles and double-action revolvers.

They are primarily used in association with Cowboy Action Shooting but can be used for any cowboy-style gun-slinging or re-enactment event.

In this article, we compiled a list of the top 5 best Western holsters for fat guys on the market today.

Varieties of Western Holsters

Western holsters come in two main varieties: gunfighter style and old west one-piece flap.

Gunfighter holsters are not as common as flap holsters, but they do exist. Gunfighter-style western holsters would have been worn by lawmen and others who needed fast access to their revolvers. The holster holds the gun “high.”

These were also popular with trail riders for keeping dust out of the action of lever-action rifles. They are also known as “California holsters,” a term that could have come from their popularity in or near California.

Gunfighter-style western holsters are probably the most common brand of western holsters seen today and can be found in many popular handguns. However, they would not have been worn by cowboys in the 19th century, as they were perfected by gunfighter Jeff Cooper, who introduced this style around 1950 and sold it to the public.

Flap holsters, on the other hand, are very popular. They can be recognized by their flap cover, which protects the handgun from dust but allows it to be drawn much easier than a covered holster.

The front view of these holsters is similar to that of a gunfighter’s western-style holster, with one belt loop on either side and no rear cant or rake (angled cut). However, the back of these holsters has a cutout, which allows the gun to be pulled from this “flap,” so it is not necessary to remove the holster.

Many times these holsters will also have an internal tension device such as a sewn-in tightener or springs to keep the gun held firmly against the body.

What to Consider When Choosing Western Holsters?

The style of holsters you choose will depend on how they are used. If for handgun shooting, one-piece flaps that provide quick and easy access to the gun may be the best choice.

On the other hand, if using historically accurate replicas of black powder rifles or single-action revolvers in Cowboy Action Shooting (or CAS), a gunfighter-style western holster may be the best for keeping gunpowder residue and lead shavings out of the action.

Modern holsters are made from a variety of materials, including leather, nylon, or Kydex. Each type has its own advantages, which should be kept in mind when choosing a particular holster.

Leather is popular as a holster material because of its comfort and durability.

The soft leather molds to the shape of the handgun, which can help prevent slippage during use. Leather is also very durable; it keeps its shape well and will not wear out as a nylon or Kydex holster may.

Drawbacks include that it will eventually become damaged with use and require repair.

Final Thoughts

Western holsters are great for keeping your gun close and right at hand but still safe from prying eyes with its retention strap. You have many different western holsters to choose from depending on how you want to carry your weapon.

When looking for this type of holster, make sure you know the exact measurements of your gun and choose the right one. The western holsters reviewed here are all great models to use if you plan on carrying around a Western belt with a gun holster attached to it.