Background: I was introduced to Ray Cory of Lobo Gunleather on the S&W Forum as he was one of the makers that catered to those needing custom revolver leather. I have purchased one of his J-Frame pancake holsters and was very pleased so I decided to try one of his IWB holsters for my M&P9c
First Glance: The holster is very nice looking and has a deep rich brown color to it and the stitching is very tight and I don’t expect there to ever be any trouble with the stitching coming loose. The boning is not as detailed as some of the higher cost holsters but don’t think that reflects on the functionality of the holster. The holster is an offset snap style, meaning the snaps are not directly over the gun like a Summer Special, it is more like a Milt Sparks Watch Six or a UBG Canute. PS: Lobo does offer a detailed boning option for an extra $10
Holster quality: The leather on this holster if THICK! But not so that it takes up a noticeable amount of space inside your waistband. If you are a leather connoisseur and like nice thick, heavy leather that will be around when your grand kids are carrying your guns, this is the one. The cant is less than some of my other holsters and I would say it is about 10 degrees. I like the smaller can’t as it doesn’t force the back of the slide too far forward so as to print and allows you to carry closer to 3 o’clock. The loops are made of the same thick leather with a single point of attachment (screw) so they can be replaced them with another size. The snaps are NOT pull the dot brand snaps although they are of very high quality and seem to be very industrial. So far I have not had any trouble with them “popping open” unless I grab my belt and pull up on the belt only, which wouldn’t happen very often.
Firearm fit. The holster was very tight when it first came but has since loosened slightly and now the retention is just at that perfect level, where the gun doesn’t come out without a firm pull yet it will seat in its place without the gun coming out of battery. There is a distinct “seating” that you can feel when the trigger guard gets to the portion of the holster designed to hold the gun in place. Holding it upside down will not release the weapon. Even with the detailed boning, I don’t think the fit would have been any better.
Overall Impressions: The gun rides high but with a short barreled gun and the need to obtain a complete firing grip for presentation, I think the ride height is where it needs to be. If it were any lower in the waistband the presentation grips would be compromised. The gun is secure in the waistband and doesn’t try to flip over or feel unstable as long as you have a stiff belt. The holster holds the gun very tight to your side. The mouth is not reinforced but due to the construction and thickness of the leather, it stays open for re-holstering. I have carried a UBG Canute for several years and would not hesitate to place this holster in the same quality category as the UBG. The Lobo Gunleater IWB does the job it is asked to do and doesn’t complain. I expect this holster will outlast others that cost twice as much.
This is the "working man" of the holster world.
PROS:
CONS:
OVERALL RATING: 4.75 hollowpoints (out of five)
First Glance: The holster is very nice looking and has a deep rich brown color to it and the stitching is very tight and I don’t expect there to ever be any trouble with the stitching coming loose. The boning is not as detailed as some of the higher cost holsters but don’t think that reflects on the functionality of the holster. The holster is an offset snap style, meaning the snaps are not directly over the gun like a Summer Special, it is more like a Milt Sparks Watch Six or a UBG Canute. PS: Lobo does offer a detailed boning option for an extra $10
Holster quality: The leather on this holster if THICK! But not so that it takes up a noticeable amount of space inside your waistband. If you are a leather connoisseur and like nice thick, heavy leather that will be around when your grand kids are carrying your guns, this is the one. The cant is less than some of my other holsters and I would say it is about 10 degrees. I like the smaller can’t as it doesn’t force the back of the slide too far forward so as to print and allows you to carry closer to 3 o’clock. The loops are made of the same thick leather with a single point of attachment (screw) so they can be replaced them with another size. The snaps are NOT pull the dot brand snaps although they are of very high quality and seem to be very industrial. So far I have not had any trouble with them “popping open” unless I grab my belt and pull up on the belt only, which wouldn’t happen very often.
Firearm fit. The holster was very tight when it first came but has since loosened slightly and now the retention is just at that perfect level, where the gun doesn’t come out without a firm pull yet it will seat in its place without the gun coming out of battery. There is a distinct “seating” that you can feel when the trigger guard gets to the portion of the holster designed to hold the gun in place. Holding it upside down will not release the weapon. Even with the detailed boning, I don’t think the fit would have been any better.
Overall Impressions: The gun rides high but with a short barreled gun and the need to obtain a complete firing grip for presentation, I think the ride height is where it needs to be. If it were any lower in the waistband the presentation grips would be compromised. The gun is secure in the waistband and doesn’t try to flip over or feel unstable as long as you have a stiff belt. The holster holds the gun very tight to your side. The mouth is not reinforced but due to the construction and thickness of the leather, it stays open for re-holstering. I have carried a UBG Canute for several years and would not hesitate to place this holster in the same quality category as the UBG. The Lobo Gunleater IWB does the job it is asked to do and doesn’t complain. I expect this holster will outlast others that cost twice as much.
This is the "working man" of the holster world.
PROS:
- Inexpensive ($57)
- Heavy leather
- Low, or no, wait time
- High quality stitching
- Holds close to your side
- Stays open for re-holstering
CONS:
- Needs pull-the-dot snaps
- No detailed boning
OVERALL RATING: 4.75 hollowpoints (out of five)