[Gavno The Ugly]

Greetings!

I'm a Newbie here... stumbled across this august gathering of Lugerphiles while trying to research a shortcoming of my Stoeger "American Eagle".

When I bought the beastie (new), I noted something that was VERY odd indeed.

I bought the Navy version (i.e., the 6" barrel). After waiting thru Wisconsin's mandatory 3 day before taking delivery, the gunshop guy loaded me up... he presented me with the pistol, it's case, the magazine loading / takedown tool, and, much to my surprise, a HOLSTER!

I was NOT impressed with that holster for a number of reasons... for one thing, if the Good Lord had intended us to pack a handgun around in VINYL, he would have upholstered cows with Naugahyde!

I was even MORE underwhelmed when I discovered that when having these holsters made up, they ONLY made 'em for the 4.75" barrel version... NOT for the 6". This cheesy looking thing was TOTALLY useless, and it promptly hit the trash can.


SO... What to do about a holster??? That stainless steel monster is too big and awkward to pack around WITHOUT one.

It's been a problem that I've finally addressed.

Cruising the Sarco catalog, I noted that they've gotten a new shipment of Navy Luger holster repros in, and at what I'd deem a reasonable price too. I promptly ordered one, knowing full well about the obvious problem with this scheme...

Anyone owning one of these stainless Luger clones knows full well that it's SLIGHTLY LARGER in all dimensions than a real Luger. While I was hoping for a repro that's a bit sloppy and loose, I fully expected a TIGHT FIT, if I could get the beast into it AT ALL! Some stretching WOULD be necessary, I was certain.

That was a pretty good guess, as it turns out...

If ya push HARD, the gun (with magazine inserted) BARELY fits... so time to apply my somewhat half baked plan.

Neatsfoot oil will REALLY soften leather if you overdo it... so I REALLY overdid it, and jammed in the pistol!

The top flap barely closes... but slimy with Neatsfoot oil, it stretched to fit over the flap stud.

For 2 or 3 days now I've been applying MORE oil to the outside of the holster (I loaded up the inside before jamming in the gun), and lo and behold, it seems to be slowly working! hopefully it will loosen up enough for my purposes before the leather starts to tear apart.

Only one problem left, and this one was unforseen... the crazy strap system on the Navy holster. NO belt loops!!!

I note that the Imperial Navy likewise saw the error of their ways, and ADDED belt loops on their revised version of the Navy holster; that shoulder strap is a bit... UNIQUE, shall we say?

Well... if this thing DOES work out well, I'll let ya know, and post some photos later.

If it DOESN'T... I'll just kiss $27.99 goodbye, toss it in the trash, and try to forget the whole thing.