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From: gmk@falstaff.mae.cwru.edu (Geoff Kotzar)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Star Firestar questions
Message-ID: <35751@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 17 Jun 91 21:30:51 GMT
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Organization: Case Western Reserve University
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Approved: gun-control@cs.umd.edu

In article <35704@mimsy.umd.edu> ejohnson@cs.washington.edu (Eric Johnson) writes:
#
#So, I decided to get the Star Firestar. I have already ordered it from my 
#friendly neighborhood FFL. My questions now are the following:
#

(stuff deleted)

#
#   2) Has anyone out there had good or bad experiences with various
#      holsters for it? I don't even know whats available. I want a 
#      holster that's strong side belt-level, but I haven't decided
#      whether I want an inside-the-pants, pancake, or whatever. I'd
#      love your comments.
#
#
#Thanks in advance for your replies.

You might want to look at Milt Sparks' rigs. He puts out a number of excellent
concealment holsters. I have four of his designs: the RoadRunner, Yaqui Slide,
Mirage, and a Summer Special. The only one I have any reservations about is the
Mirage.

The RoadRunner is a pancake stye without thumb snap but with a wire reinforced
opening allowing a very tight fit and one-hand reholstering. It is a high-ride
design and tucks the gun in tight to your kidney. Concealment is very good as
is comfort.

The Yaqui Slide and the Mirage are both "slide" holsters that wrap around the
triggerguard and slide but leave the muzzle open. Bulk is minimal for both but
the Yaqui is the larger of the two. The Yaqui holds the gun outside the pants
while the Mirage holds it between the belt and the pants. Take the gun out
and stick it in your desk and the Mirage "disappears". It collapses completely.
Therein lies the rub. Not only is one-hand reholstering out but you must
loosen your belt to reinsert the pistol. I also do not know for how many 
different pistol chassis these are available for. I use Colt Gov't models.
Being slide holsters the barrel length is irrelevant to retention which is
good especially with the Mirage. With a coarse surface texture on the slide
drawing the gun can be a bit of a problem though.

The Summer Special is an inside the pants rig and is very concealable. Like
the RoadRunner the mouth is reinforced with steel making one-handed rehol-
stering possible. The smooth side of the leather is turned in and the rough
side is out to grab your trousers and help keep the gun in place. There is
a single magazine pouch available that is built just like the holster and
there might be a double.

The stuff is not cheap running about 30-50% more than Bianchi and there is
a 3-4 month wait this time of year. There are also not a lot of options
available such as thumbsnaps or colors. These are not the only designs
but they are the ones I am familiar with.

Milt Sparks
Box 187
Idaho City, ID 83631