The CQC/S pales in comparison to the Mitch Rosen Premier, also available from brownells and less expensive.

WRONG...

The Premier I tried was promptly returned for a refund. Not even close to my Lou made CQC/S. The Premire had too much cant causing the rear of the slide to point out underneath my shirt in a very obvious manner. It didn't pull as tight to the body either. The Premier did have good retention but that is the only good thing I can say about it.

I have two Lou made CQC/S's, one for my G19 and one for my G26. I waited over 10 months to receive them when I placed the order. It's a shame to hear of the slide in quality.

I recently recommended this holster to a friend but now it sounds like I should take that recommendation back.

 

SETH< Your website looks great, trrrific photos and holsters...

Thanks Mike.

 

SETH< Your website looks great, trrrific photos and holsters...

 

Sorry to hear my experience wasn't unique.

 

Lou's holsters were great. I wouldn't deal with the new guy's. I really like Skip Ritchie's work ( he worked for Lou). I recently had a problem with one of his holsters I bought second hand on the classified's here. Let Skip know about it, including that I bought it used, he said send it in. Less than a week later I had a brand new holster show up in the mail. Skip's work is much better than what Alessi is putting out since Lou's passing.

 

Hey thanks... I'm just lucky I got a original Lou made holster. At least there are plenty of talented leathercrafters out there that make some beautiful holsters and give us plenty of choices.

Holsters actually made by Lou fetch a pretty penny if you ever wanted to sell it. I have had several people try to buy mine for several times what I paid for it.

 

I have two Alessi Talons, one made by Lou the other by Tom. The holster made by Tom doesn't even come close to the holster Lou made.

I have read several great reviews on the holsters that Ritchie Holster is putting out, they are supposed to be on par with the work of Lou.
I think the quick turn around Alessi is offering and the fact that they seem to be mass producing holsters is telling of their QC, or lack thereof.

You may be onto something there. You can only go so fast and still do things the way they need to be done. Once you progress to a clicker press and vacuum assisted boning, the next step is to become Galco. Not that there is anything wrong with Galco if that is your thing, but they aren't even in the same universe with custom handmade holsters.

 

Sorry to hear that Pens. I don't have any experience with Alessi since Lou passed.

Hey thanks... I'm just lucky I got a original Lou made holster. At least there are plenty of talented leathercrafters out there that make some beautiful holsters and give us plenty of choices.

 

I have two Alessi Talons, one made by Lou the other by Tom. The holster made by Tom doesn't even come close to the holster Lou made.

I have read several great reviews on the holsters that Ritchie Holster is putting out, they are supposed to be on par with the work of Lou.
I think the quick turn around Alessi is offering and the fact that they seem to be mass producing holsters is telling of their QC, or lack thereof.

 

Yes actually. I received the replacement holster finally last Monday. Let's just say that it was my first time dealing directly with Alessi and it will be my last. Customer service is poor and though the new holster is nice,it's still no where near the quality of my "Lou" made CQC/s. So I sold the new one off already at a good discount and will stick with my original one.

Sorry to hear that Pens. I don't have any experience with Alessi since Lou passed.

 

It's kinda funny. I was disappointed the minute I opened the box and my wife said "what's wrong?". Her not knowing anything about holsters, I handed her the new one along with my original and asked her to give me her comparison. She fondles both for a few minutes and says " the best way I can describe these is that the original is like a Macy's and the new one is like a Walmart". :whistling:

 

Any news on this pens?

Yes actually. I received the replacement holster finally last Monday. Let's just say that it was my first time dealing directly with Alessi and it will be my last. Customer service is poor and though the new holster is nice,it's still no where near the quality of my "Lou" made CQC/s. So I sold the new one off already at a good discount and will stick with my original one.

 

Any news on this pens?

 

Had a friend tell me he had a new, made by "LOU",Alessi CQC/s that he has never used....guess who has it now:whistling: what a difference!!! Stays open,leather is nice and stiff... no worries about this one closing up. Hopefully I will hear something soon about the one I sent back... Confirmation number shows they have it.

 

Mine will. That is why I modified the basic concept of the CQC/S.

In belly button terms, the CQC/S is an outtie. My Paladin in an innie. :supergrin:

Well all I can say is that so far the Alessi CQC/S is the most concealable OWB I have tried so if yours is even better I think you have me sold :supergrin:

 

Mine will. That is why I modified the basic concept of the CQC/S.

In belly button terms, the CQC/S is an outtie. My Paladin in an innie. :supergrin:

PM sent.....

 

I guess I'm just not visualizing it. Which one is going to pull the grip & butt of the gun in closer to the body by way of design? I know it may be hard to be objective in your response in seeing that I am considering one of your competitor's products!!!!! Looking forward to you convincing me otherwise!

Mine will. That is why I modified the basic concept of the CQC/S.

In belly button terms, the CQC/S is an outtie. My Paladin in an innie. :supergrin:

 

The difference in mine and the Alessi is that I moved the centerline of the holster to the center of the slide. The Alessi has more of the outer section of the holster protruding away from the body. It is hard to explain. That is why mine has a body guard and the Alessi doesn't really need one.

As far as conforming to the body, they are exactly the same. The belt loop "ears" are what wraps your hip. Hope that helps.

I guess I'm just not visualizing it. Which one is going to pull the grip & butt of the gun in closer to the body by way of design? I know it may be hard to be objective in your response in seeing that I am considering one of your competitor's products!!!!! Looking forward to you convincing me otherwise!

 

Seth,

In a previous post, were you saying that your design actually holds the pistol a little closer to the body than the Alessi CQC-S? The reason I ask is because I too have heard that the Alessi model uses a little softer leather which seems like it would make it a little more pliable than some other holster leathers. To me, that would be a good thing. I have a small waist and need a leather to "bend" around the curviture of my waist at 3:00 carry. I've tried some other OWB leather holsters that were so stiff, there was no bend in them at all and completely defeated the pupose of the design in my opinion. How would you rate your product to accomplish what I just described? If I'm going to spend that much on a holster, I want to get it right!

Thanks

The difference in mine and the Alessi is that I moved the centerline of the holster to the center of the slide. The Alessi has more of the outer section of the holster protruding away from the body. It is hard to explain. That is why mine has a body guard and the Alessi doesn't really need one.

As far as conforming to the body, they are exactly the same. The belt loop "ears" are what wraps your hip. Hope that helps.

 

Seth,

In a previous post, were you saying that your design actually holds the pistol a little closer to the body than the Alessi CQC-S? The reason I ask is because I too have heard that the Alessi model uses a little softer leather which seems like it would make it a little more pliable than some other holster leathers. To me, that would be a good thing. I have a small waist and need a leather to "bend" around the curviture of my waist at 3:00 carry. I've tried some other OWB leather holsters that were so stiff, there was no bend in them at all and completely defeated the pupose of the design in my opinion. How would you rate your product to accomplish what I just described? If I'm going to spend that much on a holster, I want to get it right!

Thanks

 

Well I talked to Tom at Alessi today. He said that what I'm describing does not sound normal. He said they did get a bad batch of leather awhile back and they seem to get soft. So he said send it in and he would check it out. If it's bad he will send me a brand new one. Really nice guy he was! So we'll see what happens.

I thought they would help you out. They are good folks.

 

Well I talked to Tom at Alessi today. He said that what I'm describing does not sound normal. He said they did get a bad batch of leather awhile back and they seem to get soft. So he said send it in and he would check it out. If it's bad he will send me a brand new one. Really nice guy he was! So we'll see what happens.

 

No offense to SETH who obviously makes a fine holster, but i have always thought ALESSI had some of the best boning on his holsters, the new ALESSi holsters do not compare to the ones that LOU made, in any way...IMHO

No offense at all taken. I agree Lou's holsters were probably a bit better than what they are producing today but not by much. Boning is pretty much a toss up between most of today's makers. That is unless you look at at Matt Delfatti's stuff. Matt is incredible. He has that luxury though. When you are running YEARS behind and get his prices, you can afford to go slow. They guy is a true artist in leather.

Delfatti...

His work makes me drool.

 

Now if you're referring to the "stiffness" of the leather, it's not as stiff as say my Milt Sparks SS2. (That is one stiff holster!) The SS2 uses a metal band inside leather for its reinforced mouth -- the CQC/S just uses an extra piece of leather. In either case, my new CQC/S does not "close up" upon draw.

Yes, but comparing and IWB to an OWB is apples to oranges. The IWB has the belt and your body trying to close the holster mouth and warrants a steel band. I can't see a need for a steel reinforced opening on an OWB. :dunno:

 

SO how is it working for you so far? How rigid is yours? I love the CQC/S for OWB but my only beef with mine is,as said by a few,that the leather is kinda soft and it tends to close up on the draw. I'd like to hear from a few that have a definate " Made by Lou " older model and see how theirs compare.

I have no idea what you're talking about. My old CQC/S and the new CQC/S do no exhibit this symptom. I just wore mine today for the first time and it's not "soft" in any way.

Now if you're referring to the "stiffness" of the leather, it's not as stiff as say my Milt Sparks SS2. (That is one stiff holster!) The SS2 uses a metal band inside leather for its reinforced mouth -- the CQC/S just uses an extra piece of leather. In either case, my new CQC/S does not "close up" upon draw.

Did you pre-fit the holster to your pistol? e.g. using a plastic bag

I think if you pre-fit the holster then (after some time) it will get use to the extended shape and won't exhibit this close symptom. If the CQC/S had a metal band then it probably would be a lot stiffer and easier to shape. In some cases, you may need to use two plastic bags to get the extra shape you need. (It just depends on how tight of a fit you prefer.)