Over the past couple of years,
I have had the pleasure of reviewing a few of the excellent
holster designs of Bob Mernickle. Bob is the chief of Mernickle
Custom Holsters, and has recently moved the operation from
Canada to Fernley, Nevada. In my experience, Bob is one of the
very best holster craftsmen in the world. His designs show not
only superb workmanship, but are innovative and unique.
When I recently needed a good
concealment holster for a new Springfield .45 auto, I
thought of Mernickle Custom Holsters first. After a brief
conversation with Bob, he stated "I know just what you
need".
A couple of weeks later, the
Big Brown Truck of Happiness dropped off the package from
Mernickle Custom Holsters. Contained inside were a PS6 holster
and PS23 magazine carrier to match my existing Mernickle gun
belt.
What I desired was a holster
that would carry the all-steel Springfield pistol high and
tight. The problem with most high ride holsters for a 1911 style
automatic, is that they allow the butt of the gun to flop around
like a damp fish. Especially on a shorter barreled gun
like the Springfield Champion, this can be a problem. Most
holsters just cannot fight the weight that is hanging out above
the leather, and the butt of the gun creates a bulge that gives
away the fact that you are carrying concealed.
With the PS6, Bob Mernickle
has solved the problem, allowing the butt of the gun to stay
pulled in tight against the body with an ingenious little design
that Bob calls the stabilizer. The stabilizer is a welt of
leather that goes either inside the pants, or behind the belt
and outside the pants, that places outward pressure on the
muzzle of the pistol, forcing the butt of the pistol to stay
securely tucked in tight to the body. It is simple, and it
works.
The PS6 carries the gun very
high on the side for better concealment, but allows a very short
draw length, resulting in a comfortable carry position with a
relatively quick and easy draw. On a four inch gun like the
Champion, the draw length is only two and one-half inches. On a
full sized 1911, the draw is only an inch longer. The gun rides
very high in the PS6, with most of the pistol riding above the
belt. If not for the stabilizer, the gun would definitely move
around, but with that stabilizer in place, the gun remains
tucked in tightly for maximum concealment. The PS6 holds the gun
securely in the holster, but releases it cleanly with a smooth
upward draw. Also, the trigger guard is covered for added
safety.
The double magazine pouch
carries the magazines at a slight rearward angle to facilitate a
quick natural movement to draw the mag from the pouch, and is
finished to match the holster, which is by the way, beautifully
done with a diagonal diamond design tooled into the leather.
Mernickle offers the PS6 to
fit autos, single action revolvers, and double action revolvers
in several different styles and finishes. The PS6 is, in my
opinion, the very best belt holster on the market to effectively
conceal a large automatic pistol. Check out the PS6 and the vast
array of other fine leather products online at: www.mernickleholsters.com.
Bob Mernickle understands
holster design, and expertly crafts his products from the finest
materials available. I highly recommend a Mernickle holster to
those who wish to carry the best.
Jeff Quinn
Ed.
Note: See Jeff's earlier articles on Mernickle Custom Holsters:
Mernickle
Custom Holsters FD-9 Fast Draw / Cowboy Action Rig
Mernickle
Custom Single Action Concealment Holster
-
Boge Quinn
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