After learning that the rangers of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks carry the Sig Sauer P229 in 40 S&W as their sidearm I would like to know where they get their leather gear.



Does anyone of you forum members know who the maker of holsters, belts and pouches is?

That's a fine pistol and damn nice duty rig, especially for a bunch of possum cops.

My guess would be that they bought their own (i.e.: not provided by the department and therefore not standard issue).

Nice looking rigs. "Possum Cops", that's funny, had't heard that one before.

They're kindly referred to as "Rabbit Sheriffs" and "Possum Police" around here.

Noticed on the show "Wardens" that their leather seemed to be some unusually nice stuff.

That stuff is very typical for what use to be carried quite a bit on sheriff's departments, at least. I have a set similar to that, but dark brown per the colors used at that time. Bianchi was a provider of a lot of it. If i remember right bianchi was originally a cop in southern california that got into the leather business.
high quality stuff, i am still using a couple of holsters that i used in the 70's.
they have those little "keepers" belt snaps to hold the duty belt to the pants belt. You just about needed to use suspenders for the weight of a lot of that stuff.

notice the guy on the right, where is right hand is. One of my thumb break holsters is permently stretched out by me using the gun/holster as a arm rest.

Probably not the most high tech of duty leather, but it sure is good looking. Them boys have a good sense of style about them...but they are missing proper cover for their melons.

Friend is a stock inspector and I believe those that I have seen carry, have similar rigs. I'll ask him and if no luck there, I will ask a local warden.

Those are some damn fine looking River Belts. They were my long favorite and I used them whenever policy and good conscience allowed.

Holsters look like Tex Shoemaker or Ted Blocker.

My right hand always rested on my gun and my left was always rested on my OC spray holder. ..just comfortable that way

Those are each different rigs, so likely personal choice

The sideways covered mag pouches drive me insane. Other than that, sharp rigs. That being said, looking sharp would not be adequate reason for me to five up modern materials and technology.

then stay with your Uncle Mikes nylon......

It's fast.

Although his look backward to me.




Dave

When they are sideways, they don't jab you in the gut as bad when seated. (if you have one).

Well it is Montana LOL

What makes you think they are different rigs?




And sideways mags on your strong side front, openings facing midline are damned fast

Their gear is made By AE nelson

The OP posted this same question on the Sig forum

Did you mean weak side?




Travis

it is a little wierd, using keith's name, then german burger, from forest germany.

But the mags are reached obviously with your weak hand.

Opposite of the buckle was spray, then cuffs then taser

Nahh...when I still wore a duty rig daily, and on the occasions I still wear one now (rarely)..Uncle Mikes is nowhere to be found. Jones Tactical Belt, Safariland everything else.

Leather is pretty, but its a piss poor material for daily duty use.

That has to be some of the classiest duty leather still in use.

I would have to agree.

We were issued two sets of duty gear.

A "working" set. Safariland basket weave

And a high gloss set for ceremonial wear

I'm tracking now. When you wrote mid-line I was thinking centerline. As in toward the holster.

Bent Nail is a powerful thing...




Travis

I posted there first and then came to the idea to try it here just because I thought that I would meet some more people in this forum than in the Sig community.



OK, I am from Germany and I use the name of the icon of the handgun world "ElmerKeith" but that's the way I try to express my appreciation.

By the way, I always thought that it should be spelled "weird" and not "wierd".

I've examined, worn or been issued a whole bunch of duty gear between the Bicentennial and this spring.

Nylon is a lighter, low maintenance alternative to leather and it's fine for hard-use belts, pouches and keepers. Safariland's hard-shell holsters are about as good as it gets in that class of equipment.

The worst shixt I ever saw issued was Clarino.

There is still nothing more comfortable than the old billeted style belts depicted in the first post of this thread.

Damn, you're old....

I started at age 20 but cannot deny the accusation.

I started much younger than 20, but my first time was in 1976 too...

I believe our livestock inspectors have the same rigs.

I spoke with a livestock inspector friend about their issued duty rig. He didn't know off-hand. Another inspector was sitting there and he thought the gear was made by a gal out of Bozeman. Neither were carrying at the time obviously.

Expect to hear back soon and will let you know.

Just heard back.

Gitem was right, AE Nelson from Scio, OR.

First time I saw the show, I asked the same thing. The holsters are appealing for woods carry. Looks like you can fit a backpack belt between the gun and your waist. The entire belt is appealing. Nice leather work is hard to find today.

I believe the Montana DOL and FWP get some of their gun leather from a Mom and Pop leather shop in Bozeman, MT called Awl Works on North Rouse in Bozeman. I have several of their holsters and the fit, finish and quality is superb.

~$500. Maybe more.

Looks brand new.

No cover for "rangers"?? The San Francisco-looking dude needs one.

Yes, the sideways mag pouches are a big no no. Very slow on reloads and most often encountered on guys in their third trimester of pregnancy. I have also seen mag pouches worn sideways and on the weak of the side or back of the hip. Terrible set up for fast, smooth reloads.

Nice looks without security retention are a bad idea for open carry duty wear. No thank you.

Looks similar to ElPaso Saddlery #2 Thumbreak.