Mexican Holsters, need input

[davidkachel]

Since most of you guys are old geezers like me, you must remember the many, many holsters of fine quality that used to come out of Mexico.
To my knowledge, isolated here in the wilds of Utah as I am, that Mexican leather faucet seems to have been totally shut off quite some time ago.
Can any or all of you shed some light on this? Where'd they all go?
Considering the totally absurd prices being charged by some (read, most) US holster makers these days, I would think they couldn't find enough trucks in Mexico to bring all the holsters across fast enough.

[Pete Ebbink]

Those trucks rolling in from Mexico are probably filled-up with other cargo...workers and high-dollar "recreational" items...

[lugerholsterrepair]

David, I spend my Winters some few minutes fron a small Mexican boarder town and I go there often. I can assure you there are a plethora of mexican holsters/belts there for sale. Most of them are crafted for the Colt Single action pistols. Cowboy type rigs. One thing I did notice the few times I have inspected and priced these, they do not seem to be cheap. Nicely made and tooled. I should do a Forum artical on them next Winter...Jerry Burney

[davidkachel]

Jerry, by "cheap" I meant inexpensive.
Though a lot of junk leather has come out of Mexico, just as much quality leather is also made there.
I have recently taken an interest in old quality leather which as often as not says "Mexico" somewhere, and would love to be able to buy current leather if it exists. They had some styles and ideas that never caught on with US makers.
An article sounds to me like an excellent idea, particularly if it included the contact info for the major quality Mex. manufacturers. I speak/read/write fluent Spanish in case you donâ??t and need help.

[lugerholsterrepair]

David, Yo soy muy tanto! Perdido in el Mundo de confusion...
No, They are not cheaply made..Expensive I might say. They do not give them away in Algadones. I just never found anything there to suit my tastes.
I have looked into Mexico as a supplier of hides etc. but have never investigated the source of holster manufacturers.
Speaking fluent Spanish would come in handy where I come from! Jerry

[davidkachel]

<I just never found anything there to suit my tastes.>

I understand. Most of what I've seen was not to my liking either. But there have been a few pieces that were "subtler", that I liked.

I wish I still lived in AZ, so I could just pop down to Nogales and see what's there now. It is encouraging to know they're still making quality goods, but curious that holsters are not crossing the border with everything and everyone else.

[azlaw]

I've seen a lot of Mexican stuff over the years, most is not very good. I use a guy here in Tucson who does great work for our CAS gear - much better than anything I have ever seen in Nogales, and I get exectly what I want.

H

[lugerholsterrepair]

I will take a few photo's of the Mexican dealers when I get there in Oct. Also let you know what the stuff costs! They make some stunning rifle cases...
The Mexicans make good leather, have for hundreds of years.
Ellie has a teardrop over the shoulder Mexican made purse, it still looks new after five years.
It's just that their culture works too much Mexican into most of the designs.
Jerry Burney

[Edward Tinker]

Originally posted by azlaw
I've seen a lot of Mexican stuff over the years, most is not very good. I use a guy here in Tucson who does great work for our CAS gear - much better than anything I have ever seen in Nogales, and I get exectly what I want.

H

What is CAS, you used that phrase before like we should know it...?

[lugerholsterrepair]

Cowboy action shooting! Where ya been ED! Jerry

[Edward Tinker]

okay, on a luger forum and I should know this because...

[lugerholsterrepair]

Because your smart, handsome and a man of the World! Because I'm from Arizona...Jerry Burney

[Edward Tinker]

I simply couldn't figure it out, long week I guess

[davidkachel]

Thanks Jerry, I look forward to seeing some pics.
The mystery still remains as to why they have dried up on this side of the border.

[Aaron]

Aren't all the Triple K holsters made in Mexico? Anyway, I'm very happy with the quality of most of the leather belts I get in Mexico. However, the leather rifle cases they make are monstrosities.

[lugerholsterrepair]

The mystery still remains as to why they have dried up on this side of the border.

David, It could be importation laws. I tried to become a leather importer years ago and the cost & paperwork was prohibitive. American customs are not user friendly.
Aaron is right, their leather rifle cases are monsters! Pretty at first...Jerry Burney

[davidkachel]

Jerry,
Interesting. I am puzzled, but certainly not surprised. I learned long ago there is no limit to the strange logic of bureaucrats.
You should have tried importing drugs instead of leather. People in that business seem to have no problems at all! <grin>

[azlaw]

Originally posted by Edward Tinker
okay, on a luger forum and I should know this because...

Well, I did see someone else use the term on this site before I did. See my earlier post on the latest in Cowboy Action Shooting Luger leather. CAS is the fastest growing shooting sport on earth, so the topic could come up, well, anywhere.

And by the way, my brother is presently at the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) world championship (called "End of Trail") in New Mexico this week, and he reports that SASS will sanction the "Wild Bunch" (WB) class and offer it in the championship next year. This likely will mean that local clubs will start offering WB as well. An opportunity to flex those shooter Lugers.

H