Dragon Leatherworks Review

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from Dragon Leatherworks saying that Brigid from Home on the Range had suggested I'd be willing to do a review on a holster for a 1911.  Since I just happen to have a 1911 and, like most shooters, I'm always looking for the perfect holster I jumped at the chance.

Within a week, I received the holster.  One of my favorite holsters is the Galco Side Snap Scabbard, because it's nice to be able to just snap a holster on over a belt instead of having to get undressed to put on or take off my holster.  When I opened the package and saw the holster that Dragon had sent me, I was excited to see that it also had snaps. (Which I didn't think to take a picture of, of course.)

I was intrigued by the cut-out, but before I had a chance to ask about it, I got an email from Dragon explaining the evolution of this holster.

I had a request to modify an existing design called the DL Classic that I sell, so as to fit the following:

1) The pistol had to have a medium -low ride height
2) The pistol had to have as close to zero cant angle as possible
3) There had to be a deep combat cut so as to allow as close to a full grip as possible for drawing the weapon
4) Had to hold tight to the body, but not angled in at the top so as to avoid having the gun dig into the ribs

There really wasn't any way to modify the original design, so I used it as a basis for how the holster should *look*, then went to work getting the function to follow form. The end result is what you received last week. The holster was a complete re-thinking of an existing design.

I would say that he met his goals with this modification of his original holster.  In order to test it out, I came up with a game plan by which I will test all holsters.  I'm not allowed to carry at work, so I decided I'd carry it on a "usual" day off and again at the range.

My "usual" day off consists of driving to my parents' place, taking Estes out for a ride, doing some horse chores, and doing laundry.  Fairly typical stuff.

For my range day, I decided I'd do essentially FitShot lite.  The beauty of FitShot is that it requires a lot of movement and requires that the holster keep the gun secure.

For my "usual" day, I strapped on the holster and loaded into the car.  My parents' place is 73 miles from our apartment and I usually don't wear my gun in the car because it's uncomfortable as hell, but I wanted to treat the holster like I did when I was able to carry all the time, so I hopped in the car with it.  I carry just behind my right hip, at 4 o'clock.  It took just one adjustment as I buckled up to settle the holster and gun in.  And then I forgot it was there.  It was hands-down the most comfortable holster I've driven in to date.

Once I got to my parents' place, I went about my usual daily activities.  For the most part, the holster was comfortable, but I did feel some pressure along the top of my SI joints.  I didn't know if it was because of the belt I chose to wear that day, or the holster, so I decided to change belts for the range day. 

I figured that if anything was going to test the holster during my "usual" day, it would be riding.  I grabbed Estes and mounted up.  The holster was comfortable and secure during my short ride.

Later that day, we went for a much longer ride, in which I did not wear the holster because we rode into the National Park, where carrying is forbidden.  However, I would have been perfectly comfortable wearing the holster for the five and a half hours we were out - I'm certain of it.

So far, so good.  I finished day one happy with the holster and was looking forward to getting to take it out to the range.

My plan for the range day was, as I said, FitShot lite.  I had not done any practicing with the holster.  I strapped it on, slipped my gun in it, and that's it.  The FitShot workout I had in mind was:

• 4 squats (supposed to be goblet squats with weight, but I forgot my weights)
• 4 tuck jumps
• 4 release push-ups

It's not a huge workout, but it does involve a fair bit of movement and I'll use it with every holster review I do.

I changed my belt to the web training belt I usually wear out to the range.  Doing so alleviated the pressure across my SI joints that I noticed on my first day of wearing the holster.

When I got to the range, I handed the video camera off to Tara and told her to video tape me as I went through the FitShot.



Unfortunately, the snaps that I was so excited about gave way after my first tuck jump.  I wasn't sure that I it had actually happened until the second snap gave way after my second tuck jump.  At that point I stopped the test.

I so, so wanted to love this holster, but the snaps coming undone were pretty much a deal breaker.  The workmanship on the holster itself is top-notch.  It carries comfortably.  Even after the snaps came undone, my gun was secure in the holster.  But the holster wasn't securely attached to my belt anymore.

Luckily, I think this is an easy fix for Dragon Leatherworks.  Replace the current snaps with sturdier snaps and this holster again moves to the top of my "favorites" list.  I don't mind having to work at unsnapping snaps; it means that they won't come undone at an inopportune moment.  If I can't get a snap undone, it's not the end of the world - I just thread my belt through it like I would a belt holster.

Pros:

• well made, good quality leather
• comfortable to wear when driving
• holds the gun securely
• easy to draw from

Cons:

• snaps came undone

Overall, this is a good holster and the fix is easy.  If you're in the market for a leather holster, this is one from Dragon Leatherworks is a good option.

Question for you: What do you look for in a holster?  Do you have an immediate deal breaker?