Stoeger stainless steel "Luger" holsters

Gavno The Ugly · 12-13-2011, 01:45 AM

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.

CavScoutEurope · 12-13-2011, 09:08 AM

"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!"

Didn't the East Germans have holsters like that for thier Luger's?

DavidJayUden · 12-13-2011, 12:16 PM

The irony is that in 75 years collectors will get all aflutter over the discovery of one of the rare Mitchell Luger vinyl holster, so rare because all the original owners pitched them away because they were cheesy.
dju

John Sabato · 12-13-2011, 12:41 PM

... and by that time frame the environmentalists and PETA will be touting the Mitchell/Stoeger holsters as "pioneering" the use of made made materials to cut down on pollution and save the donor animals... what a world we live in! It is never dull here is it?

Lugerdoc · 12-14-2011, 11:26 AM

I believe that the "Stoeger" marked holsters were original designed to be used with their .22lr pistols. You can add a couple of loops of leather thru the Sarco Navy cross strap on the rear of your holster to use as belt loops. TH

12-13-2011, 01:45 AM	#1
Gavno The Ugly User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 11 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Stoeger stainless steel "Luger" holsters 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. __________________ Connoiseur of Russian motorcycles, very complicated radio receivers, Irish Setters, sports kilts, Women's Flat Track Roller Derby, medium sized reflecting telescopes, and other eclectic effluvium...

12-13-2011, 12:41 PM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	... and by that time frame the environmentalists and PETA will be touting the Mitchell/Stoeger holsters as "pioneering" the use of made made materials to cut down on pollution and save the donor animals... what a world we live in! It is never dull here is it? __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

12-14-2011, 11:26 AM	#5
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	I believe that the "Stoeger" marked holsters were original designed to be used with their .22lr pistols. You can add a couple of loops of leather thru the Sarco Navy cross strap on the rear of your holster to use as belt loops. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

12-13-2011, 09:08 AM	#2
CavScoutEurope User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 86 Thanks: 102 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts	"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!" Didn't the East Germans have holsters like that for thier Luger's?

12-13-2011, 12:16 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	The irony is that in 75 years collectors will get all aflutter over the discovery of one of the rare Mitchell Luger vinyl holster, so rare because all the original owners pitched them away because they were cheesy. dju