The 1791 GunLeather Ultra Custom Holster - Is It the Ultimate blend of Comfort and Craftsmanship?
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Ultra Custom - Full Review
As a lover of fashion, I really appreciate a well-made leather product, whether that’s a purse, pair of shoes, gloves, etc. So how can it be that I’ve never owned a leather holster? This realization led me to try a holster from 1791 Gunleather. What I like about 1791 is they take pride in their craftsmanship, offer a lifetime warranty, and continue to innovate.
Speaking of innovation, one of their newer products stood out to me – the Ultra Custom Holster. Utilizing what they call Memory-Lok technology, this holster can be molded (and re-molded) to your specific firearm(s), giving retention like that of a Kydex holster.
Now, I’ll admit I was a bit biased toward Kydex going into this. The reason being, I prefer NOT to use a retention strap, and I love hearing that “click” when holstering my gun, which is audible proof of retention. So, when I heard that the Ultra Custom has similar features, I knew I had to try it out.
1791 Gunleather graciously sent me a few holsters so I could do a thorough review, which you can read below.
What I look for in a holster
When evaluating a holster, I consider several factors. The occasion and dress code certainly influence the type of holster. However, when it comes to a holster tucked inside my belt, I look for something comfortable that both protects the trigger and provides good retention.
Concealment is also a top priority because I feel more confident when I don’t have to worry about printing. Plus, I’ll get more use out of a holster that allows me to wear a wider variety of clothing.
Ok, first let’s get into the features and basic information, then share my personal experience.
Features:
Memory-Lok – Material in their patent pending process that allows you to form a customizable fit.
Cowhide leather – 100% Certified American, Heavy Native Steerhide
Sweat guard – Protects your skin from the serrations on the slide and protects the slide from sweat.
Belt Attachment – Plastic clip that allows you to tuck a shirt in.
Price point
Price: $99.99
A quick online search showed that a leather holster can cost anywhere from $65.00 to $399.95 depending on materials used and design. The more expensive options having designs engraved into them.
Considering this, I find the Ultra Custom very reasonably. Especially considering how thick the leather is, the stitching used, and the fact that it can be molded.
Sizing
This holster can be customized to fit various gun models within the same size category. For example, it accommodates size 0 for micro compacts and goes up to size 5 for full-size firearms.
The convenient chart below outlines the six sizes available for their IWB (Inside the Waistband) holsters. 1791 Gunleather also offers an OWB (Outside the Waistband) option.
*If your firearm isn’t listed, just email the company, and they’re happy to recommend the right size for you.
Size 5 with Walther PDP F-Series / Size 3 with Mossburg MC2sc (this gun really needs size 4) / Size 1 with Ruger LCP
Benefits
Instant holster for your new firearm
In my concealed carry journey, I’ve moved through a progression of firearms. One of the earlier models I used was the Ruger LCP, because its so tiny and easy to conceal. However, as I continued to train, I wanted something easier to shoot and that could hold more ammunition. We tend to move through the spectrum of larger and smaller guns but the trick is finding a balance between performance and concealment.
I struck that balance with the Sig P365, which became my carry gun for several years. However, when I discovered the similarly sized Mossberg MC2sc, I realized it’s wider grip helped me control recoil better.
Being a newer firearm, it has been difficult to find holsters for the Mossberg. Don’t get me wrong, they do exist but there’s just not as many options.
The benefit is that if you prefer a newer gun, you don’t have to wait until holster companies catch up - just mold your own with the Ultra Custom.
Allows you to toggle between guns
There are several reasons why a person might want to remold their Ultra Custom. First of all, concealed carry is a journey and over time your preferred carry gun may change.
Maybe you’re comparing a few guns of similar size to see which you perform best with. Or perhaps you’re a collector with multiple guns to choose based on your mood.
Whatever the reason, the Ultra Custom allows you to toggle between multiple guns for the price of one holster. The most unique part being the benefit of a custom fit each time.
My experience:
Molding process & Retention
The instructions are pretty easy to understand. Simply place the holster and weights inside the special plastic bag and submerge into heated water (145-175 degrees F) for about 10 minutes. Remove the dry, but pliable holster and put your gun inside. Using the tools, create a channel for the gun sites, then press the holster to mold it to your specific firearm, giving special attention to the ejection port and trigger.
The kit does warn that getting the leather wet or exceeding 185 degrees Fahrenheit could damage the holster. If you do get the holster wet, I would recommend not putting your firearm inside, but letting it fully dry and restart the process.
The holster comes with: A belt attachment and two screws, a thick plastic bag, two plastic molding tools and typed instructions.
You’ll need: A pot, towel, thermometer, and something to weigh the holster down - this could be anything you have around the house such as washers or a handful of nails. You’ll also need a method of heating water such as a stove top or sous-vied.
Heat water to145-175 degrees Fahrenheit and submerge holster in the bag provided.
Mold the holster using the tools provided.
The concept is simple, but I did find there’s a learning curve to molding the holster appropriately. Not to mention, it requires some hand strength. The first time I didn’t get it molded close enough to the firearm.
The second time, I pressed harder with the molding tool AND recruited my husband to help. This produced amazing retention, and I was able to hold the holster upside down and even shake it without the gun falling out.
However, after wearing it around the house and doing some dry-firing I realized it was difficult to draw the gun, so I remolded it a third time. In true Goli-locks fashion, I finally got it right! Thankfully, it doesn’t matter how many times you need to practice, because you can remold this holster as many times as you like.
My preferred retention couldn’t handle as much shaking this time, but it still retained the gun when held upside-down. This was great news for me because it proved I could use a leather holster without the use of a retention strap.
On The Range
There were a few things about the Ultra Custom that are different from what I’m accustomed to.
First, you can tilt the gun on your belt line, but the angle adjustment is very slight. Therefore, the Ultra Custom has a medium to low ride height depending on how you angle it (see below). Because of that, it was hard for me to get a good grip at first.
Next, the inside lining of the holster is suede, which feels wonderful to the touch and protects the gun from being scratched, but also creates a small amount of drag when drawing the gun. Not a bad feature, it just felt different so I had to practice with it.
Thankfully, it didn’t take long for me to get accustomed to this holster. After warming up at the range, I was able to perform at my normal speed, which I measured using a shot clock. This just goes to show how important it is to practice with each holster you own.
Is it comfortable?
The flexible sweat guard and leather finish are what make this holster so comfortable.
I have sensitive skin, so I usually tuck a tank top behind my firearm to prevent chafing. If I don't do this, I often end up with red marks on my torso. However, I decided to try the leather holster directly on my bare skin and was pleasantly surprised that it didn't bother me.
I also noticed that the sweat guard didn't pinch or poke into my torso. The moldable Memory-Lok only goes into part of the sweat guard, and the rest is flexible and soft, making it much more comfortable to bend over and move around. This also made driving with a gun a lot more comfortable.
Concealable? (What I wore it with.)
Ultra Custom size 3 with Sig P365. Worn with the Concealment Camisole, which is designed to reduce printing and Concealed Carry Belt
There are multiple variables that go into concealment - size of the gun vs. size of your body, the clothing you choose to wear, and concealment efficiency (making sure all four sides of the gun touch your body).
With my proportions, I can usually conceal a compact firearm with a classic t-shirt that has a moderate fit (somewhere in-between tight and oversized.) As you can see above, that is also the case with the Ultra Custom. So, well done on concealment!
This holster doesn’t support the use of a holster wing, but with a compact pistol I didn’t need it. Using the concealment principle of placement, I positioned the holster a little closer to my bellybutton than normal and that helped prevent printing.
Ultra Custom Holster next to a Kydex Holster
When wearing the Ultra Custom it did not feel bulky and yet, its crafted with thick leather so how could this be? I began to wonder if the profile is wider than your average Kydex holster.
Above, you can see a side-by-side comparison, and the Kydex appears to be 2/8 of an inch smaller. Yes, I measured.
Either 2/8 of an inch is not enough of a difference to make it feel bulky, or the belt clip is compressed when I cinch my belt, making the overall profile smaller.
Pictured above, the tank top is tucked in for modesty, but during the day I wore the tank over the gun to help conceal it with this textured shirt. As mentioned earlier, the leather felt fine against my skin and didn’t cause any chaffing.
Grip angling away from body
I was able to style plenty of cute outfits around the size 3 Ultra Custom, but how would this holster do with a larger firearm?
Normally I carry a compact gun, but when transitioning into Fall and Winter I can sometimes get away with carrying a larger one. In the photos above, I increased the difficulty level of concealment by carrying my full-sized Walther PDP F-Series. To be fair, my petite stature and short torso make it difficult to conceal a full-sized gun with any holster, but I wanted to see what would happen.
What I noticed was the grip angled away from my body, thus decreasing the concealment efficiency. So, the one thing that would make this holster better is the addition of a holster wing to tuck that grip in. Even still, I was able to conceal it by wearing looser tops made from thick material. And as with the smaller guns, the holster molded beautifully to the full-sized Walther.
Maintenance
The maintenance of this holster is a lot easier than I expected.
According to their website, 1791 Gunleather recommends wiping your holster regularly with a soft damp cloth to remove dirt and prevent grime from building up. You may also want to use leather conditioner to prevent the material from cracking. But don’t do this too often or you may cause the holster to lose its structure.
Make sure to keep it dry and don’t let it sit in direct sunlight.
Lip of the holster is made with thick leather and reinforced with stitching.
Is the Ultra Custom safe?
Safety requires safe handling, so let me share a cautionary tale. I heard a story of a man whose firearm accidentally discharged when holstering his gun into a worn-out leather holster. The lip of the holster folded over and got in the way of the trigger. When looking at a picture of this holster, it appears to be a single layer of leather that was indeed very worn in.
The Ultra Custom however, has the structure of Memory Lok inside as well as two layers of leather and some strong stitching at the lip.
I don’t think a mishap like this is likely with the Ultra Custom, but it’s always important to keep an eye on the condition of your holster so you’re aware if any safety issues arise. As with any holster, make sure to look down while re-holstering to make sure nothing gets in the way, such as fabric, zippers, drawstrings, etc.
Overall impression
Overall, I’m a fan the Ultra Custom. It’s a quality holster that feels almost like a luxury item.
I imagine those who are accustomed to leather will love the added structure to this classic design. For those who also use a retention strap, I’m curious to know if their draw becomes quicker with this holster.
If you’re coming from a Kydex perspective, you need to know this is not a Kydex holster. It feels very different because it combines the benefits of both. For example, good retention plus a soft leather finish, makes holstering the gun very quiet but has a small amount of drag when you draw the gun. Of course this can all be overcome through practice.
When used with your everyday carry gun it gives as much concealment as any other good holster, if not more due to the low-mid ride height.
That being said, I do wish I could adjust the “cant” more aggressively to change the angle of the grip. The reason being, there’s a tradeoff that occurs when drawing the gun at a low ride height which takes more effort to get a good grip. I’d also love to see the option of adding a wing to tuck the grip closer to the body.
Overview of benefits:
- It’s very soft and comfortable
- protects the finish of the gun to keep it from getting scratched.
- Instant holster for newer firearms, so you don’t have to wait for holster companies to start making that model.
- Great for those who want to toggle between firearms for the price of one holster.
From the perspective of a woman who has many holsters and appreciates having options, here is when I could see myself choosing the Ultra Custom: When I want to carry the Mossberg MC2sc, when I’ll be driving all day, when wearing a moderate to lose fitting top, and when I want to tuck my shirt in.
