The Bill of Rights, which is the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, was ratified on December 15, 1791. These amendments protected existing rights, such as the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, which is particularly relevant to this article since it is firearm-related.
1791 Gunleather is based in Miami, Florida. As readers have probably guessed, this company chose 1791 as its name because of the importance of the aforementioned Bill of Rights.
1791 uses 100% certified American, heavy native steer hide in their holster construction. It states that four generations of professional leather artisans make its holsters. Its mission is to deliver the highest level of quality while maintaining excellent customer service. I can personally say that these are some very nice folks to work with, and they are very responsive. Every time I’ve contacted them, I’ve gotten a prompt response.
I requested a few of their holsters to review and was rewarded with fast shipping and friendly replies. So, let’s take a look at their holsters and see how they stack up in the real world.
The Holsters
I received three holsters for this review. Two are inside-the-waistband (IWB) models, while the third one is an outside-the-waistband (OWB) system. I mostly wear IWB these days, but I wanted to try one of their OWB holsters to get a feel for how they work.
BHC OWB Holster For Sub-Compact Firearms
I was impressed when I received 1791’s BHC OWB Holster for Sub-Compact Firearms for several reasons. The initial appearance is very nice, and I love the light brown color. The stitching is also impressive, as it’s even and elegant, offering a professional appearance.
Further, the leather is very thick and stiff, which lends itself well to carrying handguns in an OWB position. You don’t have to worry about the handgun and holster flopping around loosely on the outside of the belt. From this aspect alone, this holster is sweet!
One of the things that appealed to me about this holster is its compatibility with a wide range of handguns. 1791 claims it will fit the following handguns: 1911 3-inch, Bersa .380, Glock 42, 43, 43X, S&W Bodyguard .380 and CSX 9mm, Sig Sauer P365 and P365X, Springfield Hellcat, and “similar frames.” Well, now that’s quite a plethora of pistols and covers a lot of bases.
Initially, I wanted something to fit my Sig P365XL. But I also have the regular P365, the Glock 43X, and the Hellcat, so I’d be getting a holster that could fit several of my pistols, which is a huge win in my book. These days, more bang for your buck is a huge advantage.
Carry Performance
How did the holster work out? I have to say, it’s an excellent holster! I wore it with my 1791 leather gun belt, and the belt/holster combo fit together perfectly. The holster keeps every pistol I happen to be carrying tucked in tight to my side, which aids in concealment and also makes it feel comfortable. I’d say that this OWB holster is more concealable than some of those from other makers that I own because it’s so tight to the torso.
The exposed edges of the holster’s leather are given a smooth finish, so it looks professional and is pleasing to the eye. Overall, the holster is extremely sturdy and will undoubtedly last for a long time.
All in all, this holster looks good, feels good, conceals well, and fits a wide variety of pistols. It’s also very affordable; as I type this, it sells for $51.99. This one is hard to beat.
Fair Chase IWB Holster Size 3 for Sub Compact Firearms
1791’s Fair Chase IWB holster features ethically harvested whitetail deer hide leather construction, which is flexible and lightweight. The comfort level of this holster is extraordinary. Normally, I don’t care much for the softer inside-the-waistband holsters; I prefer the hard-molded leather holsters. Rigid holsters keep an open top while inside the pants, making it easier to holster a pistol when the holster is worn. Soft holsters do not, so that’s a disadvantage for them.
However, this particular soft holster has a few advantages worth mentioning. The leather is soft and acts as padding for the pistol against your skin. Hard leather and Kydex are rough and can be less than comfortable. The Fair Chase tucks into the pants and is far more comfortable than those hard holsters, making it more of a pleasure to wear.
The Fair Chase holster also has a sweat guard that extends a few inches above the mouth of the holster. When worn against the bare skin, that soft sweat guard cushions the firearm between the skin, making this holster even more comfortable.
As with all of 1791’s other holsters, the stitching in the Fair Chase is impeccable and durable.
Yet another advantage is that this holster is not molded precisely to one particular model of handgun, so it will fit a plethora of other pistols, including Colt 1911 3-inch, Glock 42, 43, 43X, Kimber 1911 3-inch, Springfield Armory Hellcat, Sig Sauer P365, P365XL, and 1911 3-inch, in addition to other similarly framed pistols. Once again, it’s nice having a holster that will work with several pistols.
As mentioned, I found the Fair Chase to be very comfortable to wear and it held my pistols securely. The spring steel clip holds the holster securely on the belt. It came in a dark brown finish that looks attractive and it won’t scratch the finish of your firearms. Overall, it’s an excellent holster. As this is written, it is available for an affordable $56.99.
SCH (Smooth Concealment Holster) IWB Holster For Sub Compact Firearms Size 3
The SCH IWB Holster is similar to the Fair Chase Holster. However, this one is made from 100% certified American cowhide leather, which is soft and breathable. It is also lined with suede, so once it’s worn in, the draw is incredibly fast, and it won’t scratch the finish of your firearms.
Overall, this holster is thicker and a bit stiffer than the Fair Chase, which makes it very comfortable to wear.
Aside from the material differences, the SCH is very similar to the Fair Chase Holster. It will also fit the same pistol models, giving it a ton of versatility. As this is written, this holster sells for $46.99 at GunMag Warehouse.
Lifetime Warranty
1791 offers a lifetime warranty. I had to order a screw for my gun belt because one of the two screws came loose and fell out without me knowing about it. I should have used Locktite. However, when I contacted 1791 to order a new screw, they sent a couple to me free of charge under their warranty. No hassles, no drama. Just immediate, efficient service that is, quite frankly, a rarity these days. Not only was it fast and efficient, but it was cheerful, which added to the experience.
Parting Thoughts
So far, every product I’ve used from 1791 has proven to be well thought out and executed. Their materials are excellent and hold up well to use.
I also like that they are versatile. One holster will usually accommodate a variety of handguns, which means I have to buy fewer holsters. Less money spent is always an attractive proposition. Further, the prices on 1791 holsters are certainly in line with those of other holster makers these days, so the buyer gets a good value for his expenditure. Finally, these holsters look good while on the job.
