Ranking some holster makers

[CrimsonTide]

How would you rank the following 5 holster makers?

Lou Alessi, Gary Brommeland, Matt Del Fatti, Mitch Rosen, Milt Sparks, Mitch Rosen

[Peakbagr]

I'd put Mike Taurisano's Taurus hosters right at the top.

[5Shot]

for me....it is a toss up between Uncle Lou, Del Fatti and Tony....

I am very partial to Louigi though!

[torrejon224]

Out of those
1-Alessi
2-DelFatti
3-Sparks
4-Rosen

Won't even bother with Brommeland due to his business practices.

[JerryM]

I am waiting on holsters from Alessi and Alex Nossar. When I get them my rankings might change, but for now it would be Brommeland at the top by a thin margin, and I could not choose between Sparks and Del Fatti as they are so close it would depend upon the individual holster.

I have seen Mitch Rosen holsters, and would rank him about where Sparks and Del Fatti are. I would prefer either Sparks or Del Fatti to Rosen from those I have personally seen.

Alex Nossar has a following from those who have seen his holsters. When I get his holster I might change my ranking as to the top.

Regards,
Jerry

[Cactus]

Originally Posted by torrejon224

Won't even bother with Brommeland due to his business practices.

Care to elaborate?

[TracerBullet]

This is like asking if you would prefer centerfold A over centerold B. Useless in my opinion.

My favorite holster of all time is a Roys Pancake for a Colt Detective Special. But that is only because it was one of the first, filled my needs, did the job, and still lives on.

Get real, there are so many fine holster makers out there, just pick one dammit. What is this fascination with "Ranking" holster makers? Hell, they are so darned hard to get ahold of to begin with, get the one that is available and fills your needs.

Most of you guys were not around 35 or 40 years ago when there were not very many leather artists around to chose from. Most of the guys out there who do this are frigginn artists, so just buy one. Geez!

[CrimsonTide]

Originally Posted by JohnR

This is like asking if you would prefer centerfold A over centerold B. Useless in my opinion.

My favorite holster of all time is a Roys Pancake for a Colt Detective Special. But that is only because it was one of the first, filled my needs, did the job, and still lives on.

Get real, there are so many fine holster makers out there, just pick one dammit. What is this fascination with "Ranking" holster makers? Hell, they are so darned hard to get ahold of to begin with, get the one that is available and fills your needs.

Most of you guys were not around 35 or 40 years ago when there were not very many leather artists around to chose from. Most of the guys out there who do this are frigginn artists, so just buy one. Geez!

Well, Thanks for your rant. It really added information to my request. I appreciate your taking the time to vent your frustrations.

[downlow411]

I agree, thirty some years ago they made fun of the 38 Super I shot.
The quailty of products available today is fantastic.

Most any of the top makers are better today than ever. So If you like it stick with it. Shop, Shoot, shop.

[1911.it]

Your thread is useless and it doesn't even need pics.

[CrimsonTide]

Originally Posted by 1911.it

Your thread is useless and it doesn't even need pics.

Thanks for responding

[1911 4Me]

I haven't seen Kramer mentioned yet. I'm considering a horse hide speed scabbard and double mag pouch from Kramer. Can anyone speak to the quality, fit and finish?

[JerryM]

I suspect that the OP may be in the market for a holster from one of the top makers, and is wondering how some here would rank those among the best. Holsters from those makers are rather expensive.

There is no best in my observation. The best ones are so nearly equal in workmanship and quality of the finished product that it is really a matter of the design of the holster, and how it strikes the user's fancy, and how it fits one's body shape. Some makers offer more options than others, and that may be a large factor.

I'm not sure why anyone would become irritated because of the question.

We often read of someone who got a new holster, and having never owned an Alessi or Sparks holster declares that holster X is the best he has ever seen, and the maker is second to none.
That is not to say that the second tier makers do not make excellent holsters that will do the job, and often can deliver in much less time and at somewhat less cost. Accordingly, they are valuable additions to the holster makers we have access to.

For example, I wanted a holster for my Son-in-law for a Christmas present. I decided that around Aug/September of last year. It was obvious that my favorite makers could not deliver even close to Christmas. Upon recommendation of a very knowledgeable member, who owns most of the holsters in the nation, I ordered a Fist #12 for the J-frame. I received it in plenty of time, and was very impressed with the holster. It is a perfectly satisfactory product, the workmanship is excellent, and it does the job. The delivery time was short, and the price about half or less of the ones under discussion here.

My experience caused me to realize that there are some who I had not considered, but should have. Fist is one of those.

I hope we can help one another and not become agitated because of repeated questions regarding the same subject. Each of us was a newbie once in regards to holsters and many other subjects.

Regards,
Jerry

[JerryM]

Originally Posted by 1911 4Me

I haven't seen Kramer mentioned yet. I'm considering a horse hide speed scabbard and double mag pouch from Kramer. Can anyone speak to the quality, fit and finish?

I have a Kramer belt scabbard cowhide, and two IWB #3 cowhide. All are decent holsters, but in my view are not up to the standards of the ones mentioned by the OP. Personally, I would put my money on one of the other makers, unless Kramer made a particular holster that was not readily availabe from Sparks, for example.

Evidently the Kramer paddle is one that is the best of the leather paddle holsters from the comments. I have never seen one. Kramer holsters are fairly pricy in my view considering other makers.

Regards,
Jerry

[ROLX51]

del fatti first in my book

[ROLX51]

del fatti first in my book

[BigJim#1-8]

Originally Posted by CrimsonTide

How would you rank the following 5 holster makers?

Lou Alessi, Gary Brommeland, Matt Del Fatti, Mitch Rosen, Milt Sparks, Mitch Rosen

That's the Cream of the Crop.Gets into personal preferance after that.
I don't own any of his holsters (yet) but I believe John Ralston of 5 Shot should be mentioned with these fine makers.

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!

[SRJim]

Originally Posted by Cactus

Care to elaborate?

It's old news, ancient history etc. It may have been bad, but he made a valiant effort to fix things. He's not the first or the last one man shop to get huge back logs and handle it wrong.

You can by his holsters (Service Grade) from Coal Creek Armory in stock and not even have to think about "back when" or deal with him directly.

Look at recent threads about another maker. He's in a similar situation but it appears, the difference is that the recent one elects not to communicate much with customers where Gary apparently did and his hopeful promises just kept getting him deeper and deeper.

Search and you'll find as far as the quality and design, he's got a pretty faithful following as his are slightly unique.

But to the OP, the question is not a fair one. It's like JohnR's example above. It's personal preference and needs. Like a vehicle. I can buy a $50k truck, and a $50k luxury car and they'll both look good, they'll get me where I need to go but one may fit my needs or my fancy more than the other.

[xrmattaz]

To me, Alessi/Sparks/DelFatti and Ralston are in the same league.

I'll stick to that four person team, always.

Nate Gable is my first back-up pick.

[1911 4Me]

Thanks for the feedback JerryM.

[JerryM]

Originally Posted by 1911 4Me

Thanks for the feedback JerryM.

You are very welcome.
Best,
Jerry

[11,43mm]

Originally Posted by 1911 4Me

I haven't seen Kramer mentioned yet. I'm considering a horse hide speed scabbard and double mag pouch from Kramer. Can anyone speak to the quality, fit and finish?

I really like my horse hide belt, belt scabbard, and single mag pouch. They look every bit as well made as the similar Rosen gear I have.
I may be not picky enough, but I absolutely see JohnR's point. I think that as long as you stick to one of the names mentioned here, you should be very satisfied. I base my choice on style and availability, not so much on any arbitrary classification. Somebody asking about the best of the best sounds like they're shopping for bragging rights, not quality. If that's not your case, CrimsonTide, then please realize that you will not get a definitive answer because there is no best. And choice is a good thing.

[ABC3]

I'm political - I like em all.....

[raw10628]

Uncle Mike's

[ABC3]

5Shot;

You have a PM.......