By Michael A. Black | Contributing Editor
With the current growing civil unrest sweeping our nation the benefits and necessities of concealed carry have never been greater. With a variety of handsome, quality products to choose from, the 1791 Gunleather company offers some unique products with a lot of distinct advantages as far as comfort, looks, and concealability at reasonable prices.
I had occasion to do a product test on a couple of their newer items, the Snagmag magazine holder, their Stealth Black Gun Belt, and their Stealth Black Revolver Holster.
The Snagmag holder (aka the TAC-SNAG 155-R, priced at $34.00-$34.99) is a unique variation that offers access to a quick reload should you need one. As the experts often say, there’s no such thing as having too much extra ammo. There are various models that allow for the dimensions of whatever gun you carry.
The particular model I chose was the Glock 43 + 2 Extension. The Snagmag is not a sheath-like holder that you wear on your belt. Instead, it’s meant to be concealed in your pocket with an affixing metal clip. Once inside looks like very much like a common pocket knife. It’s made of tough neoprene plastic and has securing tongs which hold the magazine in place like a grasping hand.
There’s a sturdy back piece, a J-lip on the bottom into which the magazine fits, and a couple of other clasping folds that secure the mag in place. There’s also a small, inverted hook on the back of the Snagmag holder that does just what the name implies: it snags the material of your pocket as you pull out the magazine, thus preventing the holder from staying affixed to the mag, which could prevent a smooth draw. The dominant hand preference must be specified to allow for the proper withdrawal.
Once again the Snagmag is designed to be just what the name implies: a magazine holder to be carried inside your pocket that will snag on the material enabling the wearer to affect a quick drawing action. With a magazine in place, it’s slightly thicker than most knives, and the metal clip is plainly visible on the outside of the pocket, but it’s an innovative way to carry that extra mag without advertising that you’re armed. Naturally, as with any product, the wearer should regularly conduct practice runs to make sure the muscle memory is there in case of a critical situation. The old adage still applies: the way you train is the way you’ll react.
Since 1791 is primarily known for its fine leather-work, my product testing volunteer was eager to test one of their leather holsters. In these days of polymer and nylon holsters, it was interesting to see one made from finely crafted leather. Leather holsters have been around for a long time, and 1791 Gunleather goes the extra mile to make sure they’re sturdy, comfortable, and dependable.
The Stealth Black RH holster comes in various sizes. Prices for these holsters range from $34.00 to $55.00. The one I chose was custom molded for a J frame Smith & Wesson snub-nose revolver Model 60. The first thing you notice is the unique feel of the holster. It’s made of sturdy, handcrafted 100% Certified American Heavy Native Steel hide leather that custom-molds to both your body and your gun for supreme comfort and fit.
The first thing you notice is the detailed, handcrafted exterior that has reinforced stitching along the outer contours. This double stitching increases the secure hold of your firearm within its holster. The outer shell has such a durable feel that the nickname “Steelhide leather” is immediately apparent and totally appropriate. The soft, hand-crafted interior, however, has an almost velvety feel to it and is specially designed to protect the bluing of your pistol and prevent holster-wear. It’s available is various colors of Stealth Black, Brown on Black, Signature Brown, or Classic Brown.
The leather is specifically designed to mold to the contours of your particular gun. Make sure to specify the model of your gun before ordering, and use only that weapon in the specifically designed holster. One of the side effects of wet molding the holster is that it causes a consolidation of the leather fibers. This can cause some minute shrinkage of the holster, so a breaking-in period might be required in some cases. The company includes a printed sheet advising you on the best ways of breaking in your holster, which includes placing your weapon in a plastic freezer bag or plastic kitchen wrap. (It goes without saying that this process should only be done with an unloaded weapon.) Once this has been done, insert the gun into the holster and give a slight (approximately 1/16”) twist in both directions about 6 to 12 times. Then let the bag-wrapped firearm remain in the holster for approximately 15 minutes.
Once the firearm is removed and stripped of its plastic wrappings, it should have a snug, but not loose feel to it. This process can be repeated if the holster needs further conditioning. It should be noted here that the fit to my Smith & Wesson .38 was perfect the first time out and required no breaking in period.
A Stealth Black Gun Belt was also included to be tested. Its fine craftsmanship matched that of the holster and snakes through the two specially designed belt loops with snug exactness. The two slip together for a comfortable and concealable fit. These belts are specially designed to accommodate a holster.
While the holster is available with an alternate cant, should the wearer wish to carry their weapon in such a manner to facilitate a side-draw, it’s generally recommended that the gun be carried on the hip of the dominant hand side of the body. Regardless, a good shooter always practices their draw to get accustomed to making a smooth and flawless movement. It is recommended that this practice be done with an unloaded weapon.
The 1791 company is so confident in their quality, reliability, and workmanship that they stand behind their products by offering a lifetime warranty. The price of the belt is $59.99, and you can tell by its heavy-duty construction that it’s going to have a place in your equipment wardrobe for some time to come.
If you’re interested in learning more about the 1791 Gunleather products visit their website at www.1791gunleather.com.
