Barbecues & picatinney rails

American Handgunner, July-August, 2004 by Dave Douglas

I've never been one to favor black, green, cammo, plastic, advanced hydrocarbon, injection molded, firearm carrying devices. I've always been partial to real leather. The mingled smell of tanned leather and dyes used to color it are like the smell of a perfectly-aged cabernet accompanying a well seasoned 16-ounce prime New York cut. The craftsmanship involved--hand cutting, carving, stitching and hand boning--leaves me in awe of the leather maker's craft and talent.

Since becoming the Rangemaster for the police department I work for in real life, I've found carrying around a duty weapon in one of these works of art is, to a certain extent, impractical. Unlike normal wear and tear, the hundreds of draw cycles a week while demonstrating certain techniques prematurely wears out even the best-crafted leather rig. I begrudging admit plastic has its place. There, I said it. I hear admitting to something is the first step toward being able to deal with it.