I know this video is over 2 years old, but I'll fill you in on some of the info about Ritchie that you may not know. I read others post and they are very good and I'll consolidate everything here. 1. Skip Ritchie did use to work with Lou Alessi back in the day. 2. The holster was designed by Lou Alessi and sold under the original Alessi's name as the PCH. Check Alessi's website and you'll be able to confirm it. This is a very comfortable design as you have experienced. 3. Ritchie is still in business. I have a couple of holsters from them ordered a few years ago. Their quality is very good. 4. While it may look somewhat similar to the Sparks Summer Special series, it is a diferent style, flatter, thinner and sits lower in the belt/pants. It's an alternative to the Summer Special series. Good day.
Man, good call on finding a holster with spread-out beltloops for carrying a full size stainless steel 1911. That's what I came here for- your insight. Thanks!
Absolutely in business... and in the same building (approx 20 miles from my home) as the now deceased Lou Alessi. Quality times 9 and "Good People" too! Skip and Bob Ritchie are my leather artisan's of choice and in my opinion one of the finest holster makers out there and I am proud to call them friends. Great review and now i am going to finish watching it as I wanted to comment right away ';-)
Looks like a great holster. Nice of the person to "donate" it to you. As for switching back to a 1911, just go for it. You can always go back to the revolvers. I switch all the time, than just gives me another excuse to go back to the range and practice the platform all over again.
Nice holster... The Stakeout runs $140 on their website. Ritchie Leather also has one called the Hideaway that looks good (close to the VM2 style). I still use the Galco Summer Comfort, but I've been thinking about a Galco V-Hawk, Milt Sparks VM2 or Winthrop (still looking around).
Oh geez all you needed was a damn holster for that gun. You'll be carrying it soon for sure. Don't worry you'll go back to the revolvers after some time. If it make you feel better, I too am always torn between a revolver and a 1911 as well.
This holster design was the last Alessi made. I had one for a 1911 and a Sig 220ST that was made by him before he passed. The big difference was how the loops lay over the top of the outer edge. They are fantastic holsters. There is no reinforcement for the mouth of the holster which keeps the thickness down and that was the goal of the holster. The rear of the holster is also flatter against the body. I regret selling those holsters more than selling most of the guns I miss. Ritchie Holsters stood up after Alessi passed, there is a lot of info on their history if you do a quick search.
Richie use to work for the late LOU ALESSI, Making holsters with him, Before going out on his own, Opening up " RICHIES LEATHER CO. His holsters are Great made also.
Its funny all these years carrying ed browns, wilsons, les baers etc and always carrying them in cheap galco summer comforts and king tucks. Finally bought a milt sparks summer special from brownells. Should be here Friday. also bought a crossbreed super tuck. that being said the galcos always got the job done.
unlitdarkness6 I have been using it every single day since I got it. Been using it with an ed brown special forces with gen iv coating and wilson combat vickers elite in stainless. I love it. It is comfortable and stable. I would say honestly for reasons I am unsure of the summer comfort is slightly more comfortable. That being said the milt sparks is slightly more stable. Very little finish wear on the ed brown gen iv coating. It had some finish wear before from the galco. I don't think the milt sparks has added any additional wear. I ordered the wilson with the stainless upgrade and polished flats. Absolutely zero finish wear. Even with stainless, unless it's bead blasted like an ed brown or kimber it will show very slight wear on high spots. you will see some light shinning and can leave some scratches coming in and out of the holster. Never have had this problem on either the summer comfort or summer special. Have had it on other leather holsters though. I definitely recommend the summer special. I also recommend the summer comfort though also. Where I live the summer comfort is 69.99 and the summer special is 99.99 if I remember correctly from brownells.
That also being said I wore the crossbreed twice over 2 days with the milt sparks, changing back and forth. Haven't worn the crossbreed since. Was holstering the crossbreed with a wilson cqb and les baer utc. The crossbreed is a great product and comfortable but requires a lot more break in and always leaves holster wear which I don't mind on some of my guns. I don't want holster wear on this particular wilson vickers elite and ed brown special forces and those 2 are the ones I have been most interested in carrying the last couple or few months so I have been going with the milt sparks. I think maybe in a few months I might try the crossbreed again.
+lee radio although I love Sparks I've been introduced to TT Gunleather recently and have been looking them over and really liking them a ton. Might have to take a closer look at them.
![일상 속 기분 좋음 [Proto disco meme]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DwmEIaZ7XGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I know this video is over 2 years old, but I'll fill you in on some of the info about Ritchie that you may not know. I read others post and they are very good and I'll consolidate everything here.
1. Skip Ritchie did use to work with Lou Alessi back in the day.
2. The holster was designed by Lou Alessi and sold under the original Alessi's name as the PCH. Check Alessi's website and you'll be able to confirm it. This is a very comfortable design as you have experienced.
3. Ritchie is still in business. I have a couple of holsters from them ordered a few years ago. Their quality is very good.
4. While it may look somewhat similar to the Sparks Summer Special series, it is a diferent style, flatter, thinner and sits lower in the belt/pants. It's an alternative to the Summer Special series.
Good day.
Man, good call on finding a holster with spread-out beltloops for carrying a full size stainless steel 1911. That's what I came here for- your insight. Thanks!
Absolutely in business... and in the same building (approx 20 miles from my home) as the now deceased Lou Alessi. Quality times 9 and "Good People" too!
Skip and Bob Ritchie are my leather artisan's of choice and in my opinion one of the finest holster makers out there and I am proud to call them friends.
Great review and now i am going to finish watching it as I wanted to comment right away ';-)
+ConquestN98858 ah ok thanks for the info!
It's a perfect match,Looked very concealed and no printing, and I also noticed you get a very good purchase on the handle, awesome pair!!!
Looks like a great holster. Nice of the person to "donate" it to you. As for switching back to a 1911, just go for it. You can always go back to the revolvers. I switch all the time, than just gives me another excuse to go back to the range and practice the platform all over again.
+Gun Collector007 thanks my friend! only time will tell with the switch. we shall see!!!!
Nice holster... The Stakeout runs $140 on their website. Ritchie Leather also has one called the Hideaway that looks good (close to the VM2 style). I still use the Galco Summer Comfort, but I've been thinking about a Galco V-Hawk, Milt Sparks VM2 or Winthrop (still looking around).
Yeah, that holster compliments the Commander.Very nice.
+CWB1863 its not a bad holster at all!
Good looking, comfortable rig.
+MidwayShooter its not bad at all but not gonna carry it...
Good looking holster,great video.
+Caddilacjim thanks as always!
Awesome setup especially for the weight consideration.
+Jon Z it does seem to work really well! but i'm not going to carry it
+TheOl1911 still no less a reasonable option
Oh geez all you needed was a damn holster for that gun. You'll be carrying it soon for sure. Don't worry you'll go back to the revolvers after some time. If it make you feel better, I too am always torn between a revolver and a 1911 as well.
+Cody S I don't plan on carrying a 1911 this year. I don't think LOL. we'll see.
This holster design was the last Alessi made. I had one for a 1911 and a Sig 220ST that was made by him before he passed. The big difference was how the loops lay over the top of the outer edge. They are fantastic holsters. There is no reinforcement for the mouth of the holster which keeps the thickness down and that was the goal of the holster. The rear of the holster is also flatter against the body. I regret selling those holsters more than selling most of the guns I miss. Ritchie Holsters stood up after Alessi passed, there is a lot of info on their history if you do a quick search.
+Bryan Skelton Wow, thank you for the info, very interesting.
Richie use to work for the late LOU ALESSI, Making holsters with him, Before going out on his own, Opening up " RICHIES LEATHER CO. His holsters are Great made also.
Yup, I also would be tempted to edc a 1911 again if a new holster showed up...
+TheGunfighter45acp I know right! but not gonna do it
Its funny all these years carrying ed browns, wilsons, les baers etc and always carrying them in cheap galco summer comforts and king tucks. Finally bought a milt sparks summer special from brownells. Should be here Friday. also bought a crossbreed super tuck. that being said the galcos always got the job done.
TurboB18C1DC2 What do you think of the milt sparks?
unlitdarkness6 I have been using it every single day since I got it. Been using it with an ed brown special forces with gen iv coating and wilson combat vickers elite in stainless. I love it. It is comfortable and stable. I would say honestly for reasons I am unsure of the summer comfort is slightly more comfortable. That being said the milt sparks is slightly more stable. Very little finish wear on the ed brown gen iv coating. It had some finish wear before from the galco. I don't think the milt sparks has added any additional wear. I ordered the wilson with the stainless upgrade and polished flats. Absolutely zero finish wear. Even with stainless, unless it's bead blasted like an ed brown or kimber it will show very slight wear on high spots. you will see some light shinning and can leave some scratches coming in and out of the holster. Never have had this problem on either the summer comfort or summer special. Have had it on other leather holsters though. I definitely recommend the summer special. I also recommend the summer comfort though also. Where I live the summer comfort is 69.99 and the summer special is 99.99 if I remember correctly from brownells.
That also being said I wore the crossbreed twice over 2 days with the milt sparks, changing back and forth. Haven't worn the crossbreed since. Was holstering the crossbreed with a wilson cqb and les baer utc. The crossbreed is a great product and comfortable but requires a lot more break in and always leaves holster wear which I don't mind on some of my guns. I don't want holster wear on this particular wilson vickers elite and ed brown special forces and those 2 are the ones I have been most interested in carrying the last couple or few months so I have been going with the milt sparks. I think maybe in a few months I might try the crossbreed again.
Best holster I've ever had for my SR1911 was a cheap DeSantis "mad max". Loops are far apart and distributes weight perfectly.
+Solar_Empire good to hear - I'll have to check it out
I think that holster is a $100 plus item.
I'm placing my bet: once it starts getting warm, you'll start carrying a 1911 instead of transitioning back to the pug nose.
+Sedan57Chevy I don't know....we shall see - I do have plans on getting a really nice 1911 come summer time....
Why get a holster if you dont carry it...... I had a xd 9mm then went to other guns, no need for a holster then.
1911's Rule. No wait, Revolvers Rule. No wait......
+Brian Miller LOL yup
I like leather but it SQUEAKS a ton and I can't stand walking around sounding like that. haha
+MaherMic this one doesn't squeak (yet) but yes I hear ya. My Lobo enhanced pancake holster does squeak at times. I hear ya
you have to put baby powder on the ones that squeak.
milt sparks all the way...
+lee radio although I love Sparks I've been introduced to TT Gunleather recently and have been looking them over and really liking them a ton. Might have to take a closer look at them.