I had purchased a very name brand huge pistol, a self-loading behemoth, somewhat universal in application. To enable carrying it, I purchased two Galco products.

I have determined, not withstanding the praise of some salivating rapid breathing fans of this pistol, that it does not meet my needs. So, off to the LGS on consignment it will go.

But, now what? The expensive Galco leather ... I'll have to sell those as well. I hate taking a loss on practically new items. I look at the stamped numbers on the magazine pouch...229. 229, that's a Sig. That's what I carry. Don't tell me the magazine pouch will fit 229 magazines? With a few minutes tightening the two compression screws, indeed it does fit and retain 229 magazines.

Dare I check the holster? Purchased for another pistol, but...ta da...it fits a 229 perfectly. How in the world?

I suppose the universality of the other pistol means its leather products may fit universally.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 4MUL8R,

It’s not 100% universal. I have a H&K P2000 and SIG P225 which are dimensionally similar. A leather paddle holster for the HK will accept the SIG well enough. But a kydex holster for the HK will not.

Conversely, none of the 3 leather Bianchi belt holsters for the SIG would accept the HK. Nor will the leather Galco SOB for the SIG will take the HK.

I should think the fit issue would depend on how closely the leather was formed around the gun in question.

Edited to add:

That got me curious about P365 and Kahr PM9. I had the PM9 first so 3 holsters are for it. They are all well fitted with great positive retention.

Stealthgear IWB is hybrid with kydex shell and breathable synthetic cloth backing. P365 slid in all the way, but it does not “click” in place. Holding it upside down it slowly slides out. But fits well enough that I can see using it IWB appendix.

Bravo Concealment IWB kydex has similar result. Slid in but not positively clicked in place. Does not slide out when held upside down but shaking it starts it sliding. Again IWB I think provides sufficient pressure for security though not as confident as the Stealthgear.

Galco Miami Classic shoulder holster did not accept the P365. The gun slid in easily enough but the slide on the P365 is a bit longer than PM9, so I was unable to get the retention strap snapped in.

Based on this, I am thinking leather holsters fitted for PM9 would work well enough for P365, unless there is retention strap that is not adjustable.

I’ve given up on Galco as in my opinion their quality isn’t what it once was. That said, I had a couple of their Avenger models in the 90’s. One for a P228 and one for a P220. I could interchange them and the pistols fit perfectly except for the barrel length.

These days I never interchange holsters and only use ones made the the specific pistol. This is especially critical if you are carrying a striker gun w/out a a blade safety like a P320.

quote:

Originally posted by jer830:
These days I never interchange holsters and only use ones made the the specific pistol.

Yep. "Good enough" often isn't, especially over time.

A decent percentage of the unintentional discharges come from using an improperly fitting holster that's molded for a different gun than what the user is trying to put in it. Especially leather holsters once the holster starts to wear in. A leather holster that's a decent but not perfect fit out of the package will degrade further as the leather gets worn in unintended areas by the improper fit, the mouth opening and trigger guard boning start to deform, etc., and the next thing you know your gun is unexpectedly falling on the ground, or you're putting a hole in the floor/your leg while holstering. (You can also run into issue with a holster that's not made for that gun allowing a large enough gap around the trigger that a foreign object can get inside the trigger guard while holstered.)

And the sad truth is that modern Galco leather holsters aren't what they once were in general, and tend to get floppy/loose faster than higher quality leather holsters as it is, even when used with the correct firearm.


Mag holders are a different animals since they're naturally more universal, and don't present a safety issue. If the mag fits, and is retained properly, you're good to go.

quote:

Originally posted by jer830:
I’ve given up on Galco as in my opinion their quality isn’t what it once was.

Ain't that the truth. I have one of their old paddle holsters that I carry my Kimber in that is a great, well made piece of work with nice thick leather. A couple of years ago I bought two more of the "same" holster for two other pistols and was very disappointed in what I received. Much thinner leather and poor workmanship. I was quite disappointed.

I checked the Galco website. The combat master holster is not offered for the P229. The correct dmc is much narrower.

It works, but I will be selling these items. No need to compromise.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
I checked the Galco website. The combat master holster is not offered for the P229.

Sure it is. Brown or black, right or left.

CM251 is brown left. CM251B is black left.
CM250 is brown right. CM250B is black right.
These fit the P228, P229, and P229R.

All but black left are in stock currently, both at Galco's website as well as Amazon:

https://www.galcogunleather.co...olster_8_4_1063.html

https://www.amazon.com/Galco-C...r/dp/B001U48MLY?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Galco-C...t-hand/dp/B001IVI01G

Thanks for research. My search was not fruitful.