Rough side out holster ?

[bcraig]

I have only made about 15 holsters in my life and have never made a Rough side out holster.
What are the advantages and disavantages to Making a rough side out holster ?

I have a couple of Pietta Remington New Army pistols and am going to make a slimjim crossdraw holster for the one with a 8 inch barrel and a slimjim strong side holster for the the one with a 5 1/2 barrel.

I will be using 7 to 9 ounce vegetable tanned leather .

Thanks

[jeepnik]

Only plus is appearance. Harder to keep clean and tends to both show dirt & stains. Also darkens regardless of cleaning product used.

You pretty much have to suede line them to protect blued guns.

[marlinman93]

One plus would be the smooth side in is easier on the gun's finish. But I don't think I'd like the looks of rough side out myself.

[bcraig]

One plus would be the smooth side in is easier on the gun's finish. But I don't think I'd like the looks of rough side out myself.

Look at Clint Eastwoods Holster on a lot of his movies such as For a Fistfull of dollars,For a few dollars more and the Good the Bad and the Ugly,those are rough out holsters.
Here is another page showing a few more rough out holsters
https://americanhandgunner.com/gear/historic-holsters/

[bcraig]

Only plus is appearance. Harder to keep clean and tends to both show dirt & stains. Also darkens regardless of cleaning product used.

You pretty much have to suede line them to protect blued guns.

Yeah I do like the looks of them now that I have been looking at them more.
Maybe the dirt is better on the outside of the holster rather than the inside gathering and retaining dirt ?

[gamekeeper]

John Wayne wore a rough side out holster in the movie "3 Godfathers".

[bcraig]

John Wayne wore a rough side out holster in the movie "3 Godfathers".

Thanks for your information

[gamekeeper]

There's a photo of a reproduction of the 3 Godfathers holster in the Guns of the Old West magazine Spring 2022.... Thanks Old No7.....

3 godfathers 3.png

The only internet photo I could find, I would use a Rough Out holster as it would go well with my Rough Out cowboy boots....

[Rube Burrows]

Holsters are like many other things in that there need not be any specfice reason to have one rough side out. You'll find people who do them for looks. Some will do it because you get a lined holster without having to use extras leather. Some will copy movies.

[Jeff H]

I do rough-out for IWB holsters specifically.

In t his application, there is an actual benefit in that it contributes to keeping the holster where it's supposed to be. Still need loops or clips, but it makes a big difference.

Anyway, it's hidden between your trousers and your underwear, so who cares what it looks like?

[bcraig]

There's a photo of a reproduction of the 3 Godfathers holster in the Guns of the Old West magazine Spring 2022.... Thanks Old No7.....
3 godfathers 3.png
The only internet photo I could find, I would use a Rough Out holster as it would go well with my Rough Out cowboy boots....

Thanks for the pic

[Old No7]

Here is another page showing a few more rough out holsters
https://americanhandgunner.com/gear/historic-holsters/

Wow, some nice looking holsters on that site!

There's a photo of a reproduction of the 3 Godfathers holster in the Guns of the Old West magazine Spring 2022.... Thanks Old No7.....

Cheers to you John! Thanks for sharing that pix with the forum -- enjoy those mags I sent.


OId No7