Eve Flanigan 10.14.22
Gun writers attending the Out of doors Information America convention in Dallas on October 11-12, 2022, heard from one of many nation’s principal creators of leather-based holsters for backcountry and hid carry. His title is Rob Leahy, and he’s the inventive pressure behind Merely Rugged holsters.
The presentation was filled with real-world Alaskan tales, starting from a face-off with a charging grizzly to an unplanned dunk within the Bering Sea. Leahy has been there, completed that, and has whittled his designs right down to what works for survival from all kinds of risks on two or extra legs. “I don’t like snaps to straps in my means,” he defined. Merely Rugged holsters are fashioned from leather-based that’s robust sufficient and fashioned nonetheless sufficient to make a hole sound when tapped on, with retention that’s built-in because of their form or, together with pocket fashions that permit the consumer to acquire a grip whereas protecting a handgun hid.
Merely Rugged holsters are made from American Hermann Oak leather-based in addition to unique leathers. “Take into consideration prey species—elephant, cape buffalo; that pores and skin must be lion-resistant,” stated Leahy. “I exploit ostrich too; individuals need it as a result of it’s fairly, however I want a stronger disguise.” Some designs are plain; others are two-tone, a method to create each visible enchantment and make use of scraps, he defined.
Leahy’s best-selling mannequin is the pocket holster, beginning at $35, however he’s extra keen on different merchandise, just like the Chesty Puller (base value $70), a chest harness named after his army hero. It pairs with different Merely Rugged fashions and permits for stable carry and a quick draw of a giant revolver. This battle-proven setup is a starring character in Leahy’s water survival expertise.
Then there’s the Sourdough, a pancake design with three belt slots that may be worn inside or outdoors the waistband with a straight drop or canted. Base value is $80. “Sourdough” is a complimentary moniker, Leahy defined, for a mountain man who’s confirmed himself within the open air, together with his potential to make sourdough, maybe the final word consolation meals within the wilderness.
That is however a sampling of the various merchandise out there from Merely Rugged. Leahy concluded his presentation with a nostalgic flip, informing us writers that years in the past, his firm took its title from the outline of his holster in a product overview from legendary gun critic Jeff Quinn, now deceased. Jeff’s brother Boge, representing their enterprise Gunblast.com, was within the convention viewers, carrying on the Gublast custom of down-to-earth gun and equipment evaluations.
Cowl photograph: Rob Leahy of Merely Rugged shows the lever gun butt cuff cartridge holder/cheek help he designed. It’s particularly common with prospects of Skinner Sights, an organization that makes rear peep sights for lever weapons.
