Wellsmade Custom Holsters: Truly Well Made
By: Frank Borelli, 4 April 2004
This week we're going to review some custom designed and manufactured holsters and belts made out of exotic leather. Why? Because we're all off-duty sometimes, but - as I learned from LtCol Dave Grossman: "Off-duty" is a state of mind. So (for those of you who are familiar with LtCol Grossman's teachings will recognize this) instead of "baaaaing" like a sheep as I step out my door, I find a way to comfortably and effectively carry a sidearm every time I leave my house. Wellsmade Holsters may be exotic, but they certainly do the job in comfortably securing your weapon.
George Wells, the gentleman behind the company - and who still drives the company doing the large majority of the work - contacted me after seeing some other holster reviews in the Blackwater Tactical Weekly. Specifically he was looking for some critical feedback on his holsters and felt that the Blackwater community would be the ideal place to get it. After all, no one ever accuses those who frequent Blackwater of holding their tongue. If things work, it gets said. If equipment doesn't work, or performs poorly, that gets said too. That kind of feedback is what George was looking for.
After a few introductory contacts, we agreed that George would produce two holsters for me to test: one right handed pancake for my Glock 19, and one left handed pancake for my Glock 26. I left the type of leather, color, and every other design feature to George's judgment. And I'm quite thankful that I did. What I received was two excellently finished contoured black holsters made of elephant hide. Now I like to play in the dirt, but I'm not on the same level as elephants. I knew immediately that if that hide could hold up to an elephant's life (and it did) then there'd be little that I could do to damage it. Recognizing that, I set about trying to wear out the stitching or ruin the snaps - typical wear issues for people who wear a firearm daily.
Before I go on, I should mention that the holster I received for the G19 was delivered with a flaw. The snap hadn't been properly mounted and was a bear to break open on the draw. When I called George and identified the problem, he had no hesitation. "Send the holster back and I'll repair it." Not only did he repair it, but he also identified what the problem had been - told me point blank that it had been a skipped step in the manufacturing process - and corrected it without any issues. This type of attitude, outlook and action signifies to me the high level of customer service folks can expect from Wells-Made in supporting their products.
Back to those two holsters. George had sent a matching belt as well, and I took to carrying both those guns everywhere I could, under every circumstance available. My wife thought it was funny to have me carrying two-guns and some "wild west" jokes got made, but I didn't want to JUST carry left handed and I had to test out the holsters. I even wore them working in my shed and filled with Rings Blue Guns playing in some sports events (non-contact type). I had to break the holsters in (and the belt) and then try to wear them out.
Within a week I discovered two things: First, I wasn't going to break the holsters in. They were going to break me in. I'll comment more on this next. Second, they were immensely comfortable in spite of being so durable that they didn't show so much as a scratch on the surface, even after having been worn through briars, over and around barbed wire, etc. They were durable and functional and I couldn't hurt them.
Now, about the comment that I couldn't break them in. Some people think of holsters like they do boots: that they aren't comfortable until you've softened the leather up some and "broke them in". Well, in the case of Wells-Made holsters, you have to adopt a different outlook. Here's why: George Wells didn't start his professional life as a holster maker. Instead, George is an Orthotist by trade. What is that? An Orthotist is a medical specialist who creates braces to support injured folks who face orthopedic challenges, and prosthetic devices (artificial limbs) for amputees. If you think about it, having the knowledge about human anatomy and muscle/skeletal function to design and craft replacement body parts gives the man unique insight into how things attached to support the body have to work. George took that knowledge and applied it in a practical fashion to his holster designs.
I didn't have to break in the holsters because they came out of the box contoured to fit my waist. How did George do that? Before he began to make them he had asked me about my height, weight and waist size. From that information he knew how much curve had to be contoured into the holsters and he made the belt to be correct within three inches (giving me room to gain or lose a few pounds). So, rather than having a flat pancake holster that I had to break in to fit my body, these holsters were specially designed to fit me in accordance with the measurements I'd provided him. Further, not only did the holsters fit my body, but they also custom fit the guns they were made to secure. The end of the slide/barrel for each weapon fits down into the holster to stop between an eighth and a quarter of an inch inside. Nothing extra, but nothing exposed.
I was so happy with the holsters' performance that I ordered one for my Springfield-Armory 1911 .45ACP. Again, I left the material up to George and, again, I wasn't disappointed. Within two weeks I received a beautiful holster with a matching belt and offside pouch to hold my SureFire flashlight and a spare magazine. This time George had selected African Ostrich leather - specifically taken from legs and necks so as not to be overly marred by quill pockmarks - but tough at the same time. This has become my daily wear rig, providing me comfort and security as I carry that full size Government Model .45, the light and the spare magazine.
Now, as with any other truly custom crafted equipment, they don't come cheap. You get what you pay for. I fully expect my holsters, belts and pouch to last me the remainder of my (hopefully long) life. Reasonably, I plan on leaving the elephant hide holsters, along with the Glocks that they fit, to my sons. I have a feeling that my wife would have my Government Model buried with me... but I'll end up leaving that to one of my daughters.
I encourage you to check out Wells-Made on line at http://www.wellsmade.com. Information on materials, pricing, etc is all available. If you're looking for a great, durable, comfortable off-duty holster, Wells-Made has got them. If you're looking for a custom fit holster to keep your duty weapon close to your body, Wells-Made has got them. If you're looking for a holster that you simply cannot find anywhere else, but you know what you want? Give George a call and see what he can do. His background and expertise are truly unique in the holster manufacturing business, giving him an edge in creating holsters that are comfortable and functional right out of the box.
By: Frank Borelli, 4 April 2004
This week we're going to review some custom designed and manufactured holsters and belts made out of exotic leather. Why? Because we're all off-duty sometimes, but - as I learned from LtCol Dave Grossman: "Off-duty" is a state of mind. So (for those of you who are familiar with LtCol Grossman's teachings will recognize this) instead of "baaaaing" like a sheep as I step out my door, I find a way to comfortably and effectively carry a sidearm every time I leave my house. Wellsmade Holsters may be exotic, but they certainly do the job in comfortably securing your weapon.
George Wells, the gentleman behind the company - and who still drives the company doing the large majority of the work - contacted me after seeing some other holster reviews in the Blackwater Tactical Weekly. Specifically he was looking for some critical feedback on his holsters and felt that the Blackwater community would be the ideal place to get it. After all, no one ever accuses those who frequent Blackwater of holding their tongue. If things work, it gets said. If equipment doesn't work, or performs poorly, that gets said too. That kind of feedback is what George was looking for.
After a few introductory contacts, we agreed that George would produce two holsters for me to test: one right handed pancake for my Glock 19, and one left handed pancake for my Glock 26. I left the type of leather, color, and every other design feature to George's judgment. And I'm quite thankful that I did. What I received was two excellently finished contoured black holsters made of elephant hide. Now I like to play in the dirt, but I'm not on the same level as elephants. I knew immediately that if that hide could hold up to an elephant's life (and it did) then there'd be little that I could do to damage it. Recognizing that, I set about trying to wear out the stitching or ruin the snaps - typical wear issues for people who wear a firearm daily.
Before I go on, I should mention that the holster I received for the G19 was delivered with a flaw. The snap hadn't been properly mounted and was a bear to break open on the draw. When I called George and identified the problem, he had no hesitation. "Send the holster back and I'll repair it." Not only did he repair it, but he also identified what the problem had been - told me point blank that it had been a skipped step in the manufacturing process - and corrected it without any issues. This type of attitude, outlook and action signifies to me the high level of customer service folks can expect from Wells-Made in supporting their products.
Back to those two holsters. George had sent a matching belt as well, and I took to carrying both those guns everywhere I could, under every circumstance available. My wife thought it was funny to have me carrying two-guns and some "wild west" jokes got made, but I didn't want to JUST carry left handed and I had to test out the holsters. I even wore them working in my shed and filled with Rings Blue Guns playing in some sports events (non-contact type). I had to break the holsters in (and the belt) and then try to wear them out.
Within a week I discovered two things: First, I wasn't going to break the holsters in. They were going to break me in. I'll comment more on this next. Second, they were immensely comfortable in spite of being so durable that they didn't show so much as a scratch on the surface, even after having been worn through briars, over and around barbed wire, etc. They were durable and functional and I couldn't hurt them.
Now, about the comment that I couldn't break them in. Some people think of holsters like they do boots: that they aren't comfortable until you've softened the leather up some and "broke them in". Well, in the case of Wells-Made holsters, you have to adopt a different outlook. Here's why: George Wells didn't start his professional life as a holster maker. Instead, George is an Orthotist by trade. What is that? An Orthotist is a medical specialist who creates braces to support injured folks who face orthopedic challenges, and prosthetic devices (artificial limbs) for amputees. If you think about it, having the knowledge about human anatomy and muscle/skeletal function to design and craft replacement body parts gives the man unique insight into how things attached to support the body have to work. George took that knowledge and applied it in a practical fashion to his holster designs.
I didn't have to break in the holsters because they came out of the box contoured to fit my waist. How did George do that? Before he began to make them he had asked me about my height, weight and waist size. From that information he knew how much curve had to be contoured into the holsters and he made the belt to be correct within three inches (giving me room to gain or lose a few pounds). So, rather than having a flat pancake holster that I had to break in to fit my body, these holsters were specially designed to fit me in accordance with the measurements I'd provided him. Further, not only did the holsters fit my body, but they also custom fit the guns they were made to secure. The end of the slide/barrel for each weapon fits down into the holster to stop between an eighth and a quarter of an inch inside. Nothing extra, but nothing exposed.
I was so happy with the holsters' performance that I ordered one for my Springfield-Armory 1911 .45ACP. Again, I left the material up to George and, again, I wasn't disappointed. Within two weeks I received a beautiful holster with a matching belt and offside pouch to hold my SureFire flashlight and a spare magazine. This time George had selected African Ostrich leather - specifically taken from legs and necks so as not to be overly marred by quill pockmarks - but tough at the same time. This has become my daily wear rig, providing me comfort and security as I carry that full size Government Model .45, the light and the spare magazine.
Now, as with any other truly custom crafted equipment, they don't come cheap. You get what you pay for. I fully expect my holsters, belts and pouch to last me the remainder of my (hopefully long) life. Reasonably, I plan on leaving the elephant hide holsters, along with the Glocks that they fit, to my sons. I have a feeling that my wife would have my Government Model buried with me... but I'll end up leaving that to one of my daughters.
I encourage you to check out Wells-Made on line at http://www.wellsmade.com. Information on materials, pricing, etc is all available. If you're looking for a great, durable, comfortable off-duty holster, Wells-Made has got them. If you're looking for a custom fit holster to keep your duty weapon close to your body, Wells-Made has got them. If you're looking for a holster that you simply cannot find anywhere else, but you know what you want? Give George a call and see what he can do. His background and expertise are truly unique in the holster manufacturing business, giving him an edge in creating holsters that are comfortable and functional right out of the box.