When Ruger informed me they were shipping a pair of new candidates for the title of Perfect Packin’ Pistol, I turned to Rob Leahy of Simply Rugged Leather for suitable holsters, who I “discovered” at one of the sixgun discussion Web sites. An order was placed for two of his pancake style holsters for the Ruger 2-3/4"Alaskan and the 4" Redhawk both now being offered in .44 Magnum.

Rob started making his own leather while living in northern Idaho, beautiful country, but pretty much devoid of leather makers. Those first holsters were for N-frame Smith & Wessons and Ruger single actions. When Rob moved to Alaska, he started offering holsters commercially adding concealment gear for 1911s and pocket pistols. From the name selected for his company it is obvious he sticks with simple proven designs which will hold up under rugged field use. Each holster is molded around the particular firearm it is designed for and as Rob says it provides a snug fit and will hold the sixgun in place “whether you are riding horseback, on your 4-wheeler, snow machine or flyfishing or hiking on a trail through the woods.”

Most of Rob’s holsters do not require safety straps as they are so closely molded they will survive a fall off a horse, falling out of a canoe, or stumbling down the mountainside (none of which we wish on anyone). Rob says one customer was carrying a holstered S&W when he wound up swimming after a runaway jet boat. The sixgun stayed in the holster.

Most are based on the time-proven Pancake design of Roy Baker. Rob also offers the Chesty Puller holster for large sixguns, iron-sighted or scoped, to be worn across the chest and named after the Marine who was, well, simply rugged. He also offers the 120 Lawrence with a long safety strap which can be unsnapped very quickly and also folded back under the belt when not in use. The two holsters selected for the new Ruger .44 Magnums are the Sourdough Pancake and the Loaded Pancake.

The Sourdough Pancake pictured with the 4" Redhawk features three belt slots so it can be worn strong side or crossdraw. No safety strap is required. For the .44 Alaskan, the Loaded Pancake has six cartridge loops sewn across the front of the holster. With six in the gun and six on the holster there is no need to carry extra rounds or wear a cartridge belt. If it can’t be done with 12, it can’t be done. Rob follows the three basic necessary requirements for excellent holsters: quality design, quality workmanship and quality leather.

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