My usually sour-faced training officer when I was a cop trainee once growled at me: "The gun you have on you when you need a gun is better than all the guns you have home in your safe. So carry a gun." The key words are on you. If you need your gun to save your life and it's in your car and you aren't --or in your desk and you're in the lobby -- it's a moot point. It may seem obvious to most, but I hope some of you are saying, "Hey I do that" and getting ready to pay more attention now. For those who have fallen victim to the "I bought a good gun, but didn't have the cash left over to buy a good holster," I've found your solution. And besides, the old saying: "Got a ten dollar head, buy a ten dollar helmet" -- applies to handguns too.

The folks from High Noon Holsters are making outstanding holsters at a price that won't offend. The last few weeks I've been wearing two High Noon belt slide holsters for my daily carry: the Sky High and the Slide Guard. The slide guard was designed for a J-frame or similar revolver, has a natural finish and is lined with synthetic leather. The liner makes the draw and reholstering smooth as silk and also protects the guns finish and absorbs moisture. The two-belt slot design has a 15 degree forward cant, a reinforced thumb break and a tension screw. I normally don't have a thumb break on my concealed rigs, but this one was very easy to operate with one hand. Wearing my lightweight revolver in the Sky High was distinctly comfortable, and all day carry was a pleasure. The Slide Guards name comes from the extended portion of the holster preventing the slide, hammer, and sights from contacting the body and clothing. It was made with the same precision as the Sky High. The model tested was made for a Commander-length 1911, and the natural finish horsehide made for a simple but handsome finish. It made me want to show it off -- too bad you have to hide it.

I spent the better part of a day with the holster against my skin and found the "slide guard" worked as advertised. Not having the slide and 1911 controls rubbing on my skin left me sans-hammer bites and other such things I'd have to explain to my wife. After talking with Alex from High Noon and spending some time on their Web page I found that, indeed, "You can have it your way." Regardless if you're right- or left-handed, what your favorite color might be, the type of leather and finish your heart desires, or weather you want a retention device or not, you can find a holster or two suiting your needs. A few items are kept on-hand in limited quantities but, as Alex told me, your holster is made to your personal specifications. Sort of like the way it should be if you ask me.