Your email address will not be published. As for being in the same place everytime it has a block that keeps it from rotating backward. Send me an email using our contact page, and Ill take a swing. I just have to find a good sample, first. While every call does not involve the useof a firearm, the responding officer brings at least one into the mix. Just wanted to drop a line and express my appreciation for the quality products you produce and excellent customer service. (206)678-6640/P.O. Very fun and informative reading. I packed them for 7 years. Loved the article. The heart of the holster was a polycarbonate spine that began at the bottom edge of the holster and worked along the rear edge of the holster to the trigger guard area. Holsters usually are rated at one of four different levels, with level four using multiple retention methods combined with friction. It was$200! Gould & Goodrich Leather Pager Holder Model 614. I bought my own clamshell around 1970 or so and used it every day on patrol. . Some officers perfected a method where the gun was placed against the outer shell and held in place by the thumb, as the fingers pushed the clamshell together against the side of the leg, but this could be difficult to execute when the other hand was busy controlling a suspect, and impossible to do on the move. 3.2 out of 5 star rating (21 reviews) . Carried it for years as my father before me and only retired it when we went to semi autos in 1990s. I retired it in 86 when we switched to the Sig P220. Vintage Tex Shoemaker NJSP Discontinued NJ State Police Holster For HK P7M8 LFT. I did this by dropping my finger behind the trigger until I felt the notch the trigger guard hung on and then closed the holster with the same hand. Bart thats an AMAZING page to add to the story of the clamshell! Stay tuned! FOR ORDER STATUS & QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL (956) 744-3219 9:00 AM TO 6:00 PM USA CENTRAL TIME, Estimated Delivery Time: 6 weeks. Write it down for your family and keep it with the equipment so that it outlasts you. $30.62. One of the conditions of switching to auto pistols about 1986 as I recall was to give up the clam shell holster. The swivel is an outdated, very dangerous holster. One Lt. told me I couldnt carry like this but our manual still allowed us a Smith & Wesson, Colt, or Ruger Revolver. Yup, hadnt been updated in years! I finally settled on a Hoyt reverse cant for my K frame. Mike Wood is a bonafide revolver nut, a handgun, shotgun, and patrol rifle-certified law enforcement firearms instructor, and the author of Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis, the definitive study of the infamous, 1970 California Highway Patrol shootout in Newhall, California. Enjoyed the history. Im glad I got to see these holsters being used. I cut my teeth on the front break Safariland but knew nothing about the clamshell other than the name. Good comments guys, but are we all writting about Ted Blockers swivel holster? Any RevolverGuy who grew up like I did, watching a steady diet of the 1970s police drama Adam-12, will certainly remember those Blue Knights, Malloy and Reed, each drawing a Combat Masterpiece revolver from a clamshell holster that sprung open like magic every time our heroes needed to draw down on some counterculture scumbag. Our Price: $23.95 Now: $20.99. I have my fathers, Stockton PD 1941-73, full belt rig with Jewett Clamshell w/38 Police Special. I bought a high rise clam shell and then switched to the low slung swivell which put my Sig level with my hand. It sold well in the United States, but it was the selection of the BOSS as the standard issue holster for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and all the provincial and territorial police departments in Canada, which kept Rogers in the holster business. Gould & Goodrich Leather Universal Radio Strap Model 654. When I came on board in L.A. we were issued a Shoemaker breakfront that I quickly replaced with the 2700 and then the Judge. Level 1 - Only relies on friction. Pachmayer rebuilt it for me. Specializing in hard to find vintage gun holsters, ammo accessories, gun belts and gear with worldwide shipping. This didnt happen very fast. In comparison, the Bianchi Model 27 was produced using tooling and methods that allowed for mass production. With practice, the 070 is as fast as any other security holster. . The WRS Level 3 offers a natural draw that is not hampered by needlessly complex security devices. Lexipol. I love the "quality workmanship!". Instead of wrapping the leather pocket over the top of the trigger guard, the Judge left this area open. I'm not much of a gun enthusiast, but I also wonder why anyone would want a swivel holster. $20.89. Thanks for visiting and sharing. Thanks for the article now I know the whole story on a holster that served me well. Im so glad you have the story to go with the gear. The Model 27 holster (U.S. Patent number 3,630,420, awarded 28 Dec 1971) was essentially an update of the Berns-Martin design, which used a new, L-shaped spring design that ran down the front of the holster and held it completely closed, instead of the cylinder-clamping U-spring of the older design, which left gaps in the front. Bianchi didnt give up though, and the company was successful in meeting the demands of large agencies like the California Highway Patrol (1970) and the Los Angeles Police Department (1972), whichmade the Model 27 holster standard issuefor their officers. Keith, Elmer. Hey Mike, if you ever get a chance I think a great review for fighting gunleather would be the old Safariland model 275. The Jewett family married into the Stanroy family, and a collaboration resulted in Stanroy-marked clamshells that competed with Safety Speed. 1978. Durable, heavy-duty construction in a lightweight configuration. The holster is rugged as hell. My son is a police officer in California and he is a good man as are all of the officers who he has the pleasure of working with. This could happen when the holsters release mechanism was worn from use, or out of spec because the holster bodys alignment had shifted over time. MSRP ranges $189 to $245. Dont discount a clamshell holster because you were not able to operate it. As low as $102.99. They feature swivel belt loops and are designed for XTS Series Radios. A nice touch! Glad youre enjoying it! He also wrote the "Tactical Analysis" column at Police1.com for 8 years. The current crop of synthetic holsters are superior tools. Fortunately, Bill Rogers hadnt got the word. Vintage Police Don Hume RH Leather Swivel Holster with 12 Cartridge Loops $15.00 0 bids $10.50 shipping 2d 18h or Best Offer VINTAGE BLACK LEATHER SHERIFF POLICE B-15-34 HOLSTER $50.00 0 bids $10.95 shipping 4d 7h or Best Offer VINTAGE JAY PEE LEATHER BELT AND HOLSTER SIZE 42 6" HOLSTER $49.95 $8.31 shipping or Best Offer Thats kind of you to say, and Im glad you enjoyed it! Vintage Leather POLICE BELT Jay Pee. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. AWESOME JOB! Copyright 1996-2021, Officer Media Group, Endeavor Business Media - Public Safety Interactive. When I told him I was left handed, he balked and said hed have to custom make it and itd be expensive. Tim Dees, now writing as a plain old forum member, his superpowers lost to an encounter with gold kryptonite. The Model 27 and Safety Speed designs were closed because the base of the closure spring was seated at the bottom of the leading edge. The 57 4 could be a holster model number and another reference to four-inch. I suppose it could also be a reference to Model 57 4-inch, which is another N-frame revolver, like The .357 Magnum. The holster would have to date to the 1960s (1964 or later) for the Model 57 reference to be correct, but since the Model 57 and The .357 Magnum (Model 27) could probably fit the same holster, maybe thats what it is. The release was smooth. $134.00. Wow, thank you! Im working on an article that I think youll enjoy. Vintage Police Swivel 38 Cal Revolver Leather Holster $53.81 Buy It Now or Best Offer See Details Vintage BRIDLE Leather Jay-Pee SAM BROWNE Belt Size 36 !! I do have a swivel holster from Nelson Leather company, but it is a different type than the ones I have seen on the L.A. guys. Richard, welcome aboard! The SW602 swivel duty holster is leather lined with built-in sight tracks and an adjustable barrel-tension device. Our current lead-time for new orders is 4-9 weeks for most items. You provide great detail and photos. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. The mags had a dual spring system for constant feed rate so they never lost tension as the mags emptied. With the notable exception of the AE Nelson Leather Company, nobody is making breakfront police duty holsters anymore. Actually too great early on for me, with one of those accidental discharges after drawing.I was conducting a requested (dumb ass on my part) demonstration, how quick it was, and popped a round off.I did turn away from personnel for safety you know.of course.duh.you know, do not point at anything youre not willing to destroy!.Well I was willing to destroy the chest freezer in our helicopter detail office, and almost did so! Copyright 2023 Ask for Model 890-LAPD. While Ive never been a fan of the holsters that had an opening on the entire front section of the holster, the design did lead to some development of hybrid breakfront/top draw rigs. I never had to draw my gun prematurely as the clam shell was so fast that it was as if I always had my gun out. FFL Fax: 866-721-8691. The holsters use a Pivot Guard to lock the gun in at a second point. I never thought I would ever have the pleasure of actually carrying this gun as I could not find a holster that could compete with it! Show: Sort By: Items: Previous Page 1 2 Next Page View All As popular as they were, the clamshell holsters had weaknesses that couldnt be ignored. Sit down and have a look aroundI think youll find lots more to like here at RevolverGuy. This tough duty holster from Safariland keeps your gun secure and accessible at all times. 18530 Mack Ave., Suite 499 Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236, Duty Holsters | Holsters | CopsPlus Police Supply, 6360 ALS STX Level III Plus UBL Duty Holster, 6365 ALS STX Level III Plus Belt Slide Drop Holster, ALS Mid-Ride Level I Retention Duty Holster Model 6390, 6285 STX Tac Low Ride SLS Hooded Duty Holster, Low Ride SLS Hooded Duty Holster - Model 6285, 7360 7TS ALS Level III Retention Mid-Ride Holster, 6365 ALS Level III Plus Belt Slide Drop Holster, 6395 ALS Low-Ride Level I Retention Duty Holster, ALS STX Tac Belt Slide Holster with SLS - Model 6367, 7390 7TS ALS Mid-Ride Level I Retention Duty Holster, AccuMold Holster - Model 7105 Cruiser Duty, 7365 7TS ALS Level III Retention Low-Ride Holster, 7280 7TS SLS MidRide Level II Retention Duty Holster, ALS Belt Slide Holster with SLS - Model 6367, Model 7520 7TS SLS EDW Clip-On Style Holster, Leather Double Retention Duty Holster Model 501, Phoenix Triple Retention Duty Holster Model T391, 7285 7TS SLS Low Ride Level II Retention Duty Holster, 7395 7TS ALS Low-Ride Level I Retention Duty Holster, The duty holster is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a law enforcement officer to own. I owned at least 5 clam shells and carried one for 17 years. The Berns-Martin holster was closed to incorporate a muzzle plug that was used for support and positioning of the muzzle. In Part I of this series, we discussed the birth of the breakfront holster with the Berns-Martin design, as well as the development of competing designs from popular police holster makers Hoyt and Safety Speed. I am guessing that I am the last police officer to ever carry the clam shell holster. It was more secure than the temperamental clamshell, and it was easier to reholster with a single hand. This rear-quarter disarm technique had become popular with savvy criminals by this time, and the BOSS muzzle lock protected against it. It looks like they wear plain black, polished leather with nickel (silver) snaps or plain black with velcro. Sir, Im glad to hear from you in these pages! It uses a rotating hood and an anti-blade device to help secure the gun from an offenders grab. $70.79 USD. . Fabulous quality. North Hollywood, CA. I have been searching for the front break plain black holster called the BOSS are they still available? finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Vintage Leather POLICE BELT Jay Pee. Does it look like thats possible? The LAPDs love for the design was influential, and helped to spread the popularity of the clamshell holster beyond the states borders in the post-war years. Never have used a swivel, but I have owned Hoyts and Nelson holsters when we exclusively carried revolvers. But, deep down, hes a wood and steel guy. But thanks so much!!! We wont see the likes of it again. What part of the U.S. were you policing in? So, when Malloy and Reed switched from the Model 14 andSafariland #11top draw holster to the Model 15 and clamshell holster for Season Four, it wasnt just for the sexy optics. Justin. The H901 is one of the few duty holsters that works with a spurless hammer and yet is still very secure. 2010? I did have a Beretta .380 custom for off duty. Smith & Wesson SWMP1BS M&P Black MAGIC Combo Edge Knife . He jacked a round in while I yelled to stop, but I had my S&W in my hand instantly and fired first at 70 ft. 2x Black Leather Police Security Military Mace/Pepper Spray Holster/Pouch C-309 $ 17.50 Buy It Now $5.95 Shipping Condition: Used Location: Woodside, United States Many of Police & Security. Top of a closet, I find the complete evidence box including burglars gun! LAPD 6" Clam Shell Holster Adam-12. Even after the department finally switched to a high ride breakfront holster made by Bianchi in the mid-1970s, Los Angeles police officers were allowed to purchase their own clamshells and use them on duty, which they did with great enthusiasm into the 1980s. The clam shell may not have been perfect, but it worked for me as well as hundreds of other skilled police officers. The author would like to thank John Bianchi and Bill Rogers for their assistance with this article and for their outstanding contributions to holster development. If they ever took old dinosaurs back on the street Id be happy to carry a clamshell again. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Some of us decided a five-second draw wasnt efficient enough, and went back to real holsters. Holsters were as varied as the catalogs from which they came. I have seen some level II and level III swivel holsters designed for motor officers that were outstanding in design and quality. The two halves of the clamshell were shaped on the inside to fit the gun tightly, so that when the clamshell was locked closed, it would be extremely difficult-practically impossibleto pull the gun out the top of the holster. Concord, NH. Nelson, for continuing to make such iconic police equipment during these days when holsters are made of faux leather, space-aged plastics, and kydex! The C.A. Police Bookshelf. Safariland & Bill Rogers: The Rise of the Modern Security Holster, American Handgunner Magazine, July-August 2016, https://americanhandgunner.com/safariland-bill-rogers/. Thanks! Carried that until I retired in 2010. For more information, visit blackhawk.com or call 800-379-1732. Add to Cart Compare. The spine also incorporated a trigger guard lock, which combined with a cylinder recess and the safety strap, prevented the gun from being drawn straight upwards out of the holster. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Police Don Hume RH Leather Swivel Holster with 12 Cartridge Loops at the best online prices at eBay! Im embarrassed at the obscene sum I paid to own it. Yet, while clamshells made their way onto police Sam Brownes all over the nation, Southern California always remained the center of the clamshell holster universe. I used to fit prescription leather shoes for small children and I recognize quality work. There are four methods of retention: straps, trigger guard locks, flaps, and friction. Dont discount the police officers in California because of the politics of the State they work in. The LAPD had just switched to the shorter guns in 1969 (which were neutered to remove the single action capability, like all LAPD revolvers starting in that year), so the characters who portrayed them on TV would too, and it made sense they would carry the guns in clamshell holsters, which by this time had become an LAPD icon. Slow down, Mr. Cosgrove. Isnt it neat how some things just keep truckin on? Hooray! or Best Offer. At one point I had to have one in my collection. Brinks issued the Safariland when I joined them in98, and I carried my model 64 in it until leaving the company in 07 At least I bought the holster when I left. All rights reserved. The MSRPs for these holsters start at $108. See our pictures and if you have any questions please call Justin or Ben at Olde West (530)243-8334. Holsters. The Safety Speed Holster company (est. I was in heaven; they were all there. By the time of the Bianchi Model 2800, most folks assumed the design features of the breakfront had reached a certain level of maturity where there wasnt a lot of room for improvement. Basketweave, plain and matte finishes are all available. Our current lead-time for new orders is 4-9 weeks for most items. A clamshell wasnt your average, pedestrian, top draw rig. The only commercially available breakfronts that I know of are copies of the old Hoyt design, from AE Nelson Leather Company. Adam-12 (WWMD??) Blocker makes quality stuff, it's just the nature of the holster. FEATURES Full grain genuine leather handcuff holder Will fit one pair of handcuffs The holder is a BELT CLIP . $1500 by the time it was done. Your email address will not be published. Los Angeles Police US Clark Pistol Revolver Gun Leather Holster 38 Parent 6 RM 510.92 RM 161.80 shipping or Best Offer All rights reserved. Hoyt was happy to personalize the rigs by stamping your name and employee#/badge on the back of the holster. As retired Law Enforcement, I conceal carry daily and have used this [ST17] holster for 30 years. Gould & Goodrich has made duty holsters for many years, and the K391 is a triple-retention successor to the classic models. $46.00. Although the innovative Type I had security features, it was a concealment rig for plainclothes investigators. Im afraid I now own a vast collection of 80s breakfronts Ill never use as well as a new in the bag Safety Speed Clam shell. This less resistant spring made for an easier presentation, but sacrificed some security. The first time I got out of the car on an officer survival training scenario and left my gun on the seat of the car, I decided that it was time to go shopping for another holster. And that didnt just look cool . When the LAPD settled on six inch .38 Special revolvers in the late 1930s, they also embraced the clamshell, issuing the Safety Speed model by the 1940s. Please call us and ask for expedite service Awesome article! These guys are incredible. This feature, along with the enhanced retention and security features, gave the holster an edge in safety compared to other contemporary designs of the era. David, thanks for sharing the story! When LAPD used them (with revolvers), they lost several guns a week when the swivels broke. Go figure. Opens in a new window or tab. I don't know much about it. Everyone with the Hoyts drew a certain pleasure in drawing to get that particular pop sound when all parts of your revolver cleared the leather at the same time. Swivel Belt Loop and Drop Shank for Law Enforcement, SP100 Belt Loop for Safariland Duty Holsters, SW402 Duty Holster Level 2 (Glock, S&W and many other duty gun models) with Drop & Swivel, Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. $299.00. Safariland 762 Radio with Swivel Holder - STX. Not commercially, but you might find a sample on the electronic auction sites. Anyone use or familiar with the Ted Blocker swivel holsters? He makes rigs for a lot of LEO who are usually (a) single, and (b) dont have support payments. I always chuckled at those swivel holsters. Work continued on the type, and on the heels of the phenomenal success of the Model 27, Bianchi introduced the Model 2800 Judge, which advanced the art considerably. Copies of the Bulletin came with a letter from J Edgar Hoover. I do not have a law enforcement back ground so this has been very educational for me. Yes, the Hoyt makes a neat pop when you pull off a great draw. Also great for retention, all you had to do was hold it shut or swing it up and trap it against your rib cage. Copyright 2023 Police1. Tell your friends! Neat.thanks for mentioning that. At a time when major agencies like the CHP had already traded their clamshells for breakfront designs, the LAPD stood by their old favorite. Another BlackHawk duty holster,the SERPA Auto Lock automatically locks a gun in and prevents its removal until the SERPA release is activated. German maker's markings and dates. Hey Mike! For additional security, the holster uses a Pivot Guard that covers the back of the slide. Vintage Clamshell Gun Holster Police. I do wish youd cool it on EBay though, so I could win some of those bids myself. The Berns-Martin Company was a small outfit, and made their holsters by hand, so the output was always limited. . Thank You for the article on breakfront holsters. Please call us and ask for expedite service. Thanks for the article. It has a built in retention system that requires you to turn in as you draw out. Some of the Model 27 improvements over the Berns-Martin were subtle, but there was one aspect of the design which marked a radical changethe Model 27 was designed for mass production. But he didnt stop there, check out his site and youll be able to get holsters, belts, ammo and magazine holders made out of alligator, crocodile, tiger shark, emu, salmon (as in the fish), tegu lizard, monitor lizard, ringed lizard, hippopotamus, rhino, elephant, elephant trunk, elephant ear, cape buffalo (last four being trophy hides only) and one of Floridas best hated critter: Python. SPECIFICATIONS Right Hand fit for Glock 43. I believe they were the finest revolver duty holsters ever made. Where I worked we didnt hide behind bushes. The closed muzzle presented two complications. Its important to note that the Rogers BOSS and WRATH holsters pushed the envelope not only in their function, as the first security holsters for uniformed duty, but in their construction as well. To open it up, the user inserted the index finger of his gun hand into the area of the trigger guard, and pushed inwards on a camouflaged button (that was hidden underneath a layer of leather, just forward of the trigger face) to release the latch, at which point the halves rapidly separated under spring pressure, releasing the gun. Estimated Delivery Time: 6 weeks. It has nothing to do with Ted Blocker etc. Full grain genuine leather, inside the waist band holster with clip. Thank you Sir! Get Yours Now. 2016 to 2023 RevolverGuy.com, All Rights Reserved. They run about $180 and are very similar to the Hoyts except that the basketweave pattern runs parallel to the ground rather than on an angle (as with most other basketweave rigs). Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Even with both of these features engaged, an officer can draw the duty gun quickly. After some years of little luck I tried this new-fangled Ebay. Prescott, AZ. Aside from the holster advancements, there was a time when even though duty rigs might have all been the same plain or basketweave, the one thing that could be personalized was the officers revolvers. Adler, Dennis. Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. Bianchi continued to improve and refine their breakfront designs for revolvers into the 1990s (changing materials, construction and features along the way), and even launched a breakfront designed for the 1911 semiautomatic pistol (the Model 3000 Auto Draw), but the Model 2800 was always the standard by which other breakfronts were . Great department, great people. ; ^ ). Wolfe Publishing Company. Lexipol. Dont repeat this (Ill deny I was there), but there is a shrine in his house dedicated to the Lee Enfield rifles, and to the Webley and Smith & Wesson revolvers. Im glad you enjoyed the article, and hope youll feel free to poke around here in the various pages and discover the other fun stuff weve written about. Mine was a LH Safety Speed swivel, purchased in the late 70s. <p>This HD Swivel set is compatible with QD swivel mounts and is constructed of steel with a manganese phosphate finish & 1.5' loops.</p> First with my Colt Python, then in the late eighties the department switched to a Sig Sauer 226 9mm, and later to a 229 .40 after several shootings where the 9mm was not effective. It also has a retention strap. I was a cop in San Francisco, 80-87. A picture is below, my revolver is not for sale. If you wanted to look cool, it was your huckleberry. Only the top draws remain, and theyre usually made of synthetics,like those that Rogers ushered in. Vtg Rawhide "Jay-Pee" Made - NJ State Trooper/Police Belt w/Swivel Holster. The leather-Kydex laminate WRATH was a breakfront design with a closed muzzle at the bottom. Also, as a young pup, some of my partners were laterals from Pasadena and this was where I got to see these clamshells up close. It was sexy, and reeked of the gunfighter mystique. Whether you're in Law Enforcement, Competition shooting, Hunting, or just like a good looking Holster that respects you and your gun, Ted Blocker Holsters are a symbol of quality and excellence for over 50 years. As a result, with very few exceptions (such as the short-lived Bianchi Auto Drawor the more successful, semi-breakfront Rogers SSII / Safariland 295), the breakfronts didnt make the transition to the autopistol era. With a minimalist design and innovative movement system, the Swivel Drop Leg stays secure, adds a new range of motion, and utilizes less leg space for users who prefer this style of carrying. It is available with a basket-weave finish in additionto plain and matte black finishes. Vintage Alfonsos Brown Leather IWB Holster for Colt 1911 5" Browning Hi Power. As great as technology and human advancement can be too many things in our world today are made to be disposable but Ted Blocker isnt one of them. Most of our brass was retired LAPD, so we had the good fortune to go there. Happy to try and answer it! I know about 3 of the guys I work with have 'em. The only officer I've seen wear one was on of the Compton Schools PD officers. They probably produced more holsters of this design than any other company, and cemented their position as a leading manufacturer of police leather goods. 1955. Concealed carry holsters for Colt Python - Old-World Quality, 1000+ Customer Reviews & 5-Year Warranty. Perhaps the only thing worse than being shot in the line of duty is being shot with your own weapon. Would love you to do an article on the Audley holster and its variants. I have not seen an officer with a swivel for years. . In the mid-1970s, Rogers wore many hats as a former FBI agent, a world class competition shooter, and the owner/operator of the newly-established Rogers Shooting School. Material: Leather. Vintage Leather Police Swivel Holster $65.00 Only 1 available Pay in 4 installments of $16.25. I am currently cleaning out my parents house. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, Open the tools menu in your browser. AccuMold ARS Radio Holster Swivel. Rated by Kevin Ong Absolutely beautiful holster in Clarino to fit my 4" S&W model 28. I found a perfect condition Safety Speed Hi-ride for a 4 inch L frame on Ebay. Your dad sounds like he was a hell of a cop, and knowing Stockton, Im sure did some tough policing in some tough neighborhoods! 1) The swivels tend to break after a while, or during a real fight for your life. But it wasnt just a slick show for the tube. 9 Top Retention Holsters For Law Enforcement. At the time of the patent, most uniformed police officers (especially those who worked the highways and rural areas) favored revolvers with long, six inch barrels, which were carried in open top pouches and secured by a safety strap. CopsPlus Police Supply. The Safariland 2955 holster offers the same features as the 295. I had a model 28 S&W and a buddy gave me his custom made break front that he had never used. Rudy Lozano's Black Hills Leather Products are handcrafted like no others are today. Using the companys Tactical Modular Mount System, an officer can move the WRS holster from a duty belt to a tactical vest or thigh rig without the need to remove the pistol. The Safariland 6285CHP holster was designed for the California Highway Patrol. Instant knockdown only nano second away from him firing first. The laminate produced by Rogers Holster Company offered many advantages over traditional leather construction, such as resistance to moisture (including water, blood, gasoline, etc. But I carried a high rise , no swivel, clamshell with my M66 4 inch, really fast, worked great with LOTS of training! it was cool. Id like to have one just for the sake of having one, but certainly would never allow it to be issued for real use. Oh well, I was an old guy by then, so they pretty much let do my own thing. I was a street cop on LAPD in the late 60s thru the early 80 s. Using the companys popular Automatic LockingSystem (ALS), the Model 6360holster from Safariland is one of the most popular holsters in service today.