48 Reviewed by Peter Caroline A while back, I had an opportunity to review and subsequently purchase a Guncrafters Indus- tries .50GI pistol (see August 2010 Blue Press). A handgun of this quality deserves equally impres- sive leather and, while reading the latest Blue Press, I found what appeared to be the perfect solution: Mernickle Holsters had created a 1911 holster for the recently created “Wild Bunch” competition category. It was an ideal match, a marriage of classic Hollywood Western history and what I considered to be the ultimate iteration of John M. Browning’s finest handgun design. Now, it just so happens that I am a member of a minority group that is frequently subject to dis- crimination. I’m left-handed. And because the vast majority of shooters are right-handed, that market determines what kind of holsters Dillon keeps in stock. So I went directly to Mernickle and explained my situation. No problem. They were happy to turn out a portside rig for me or any other sinistrally-inclined customer. When the holster and mag pouch arrived, I was delighted at the quality of the workmanship. The fit and finish are impeccable. Although this is a rig built for competition and hard use, it has the distinction of being built for a species of competi- tion in which the participants are often being judged on appearance as well as performance. To take off from Billy Crystal’s Fernando character, “It is just as important to look marvelous as to shoot marvelous!” While the rig has an authentic turn- of-the-century appearance, complete with US-in- oval stamping, the ergonomics and speed of draw are everything a modern Cowboy Action Shooting competitor could ask for. It is hard-molded for years of heavy use, will easily accommodate a heavy 2” gunbelt, and the T-nut lock system keeps the holster securely in place. Also included is a removable rawhide safety strap for those who fancy such things. It should be obvious that someone intimately associated with Fast Draw competition created this holster/mag pouch combo. Bob Mernickle started shooting Fast Draw in Canada back in the late 1960s. As his skills advanced, he started analyzing the holsters that worked best for him, added his own improvements and created his first rig. In the mid-1970s, after several competitions and subse- quent improvements, he went to his first sanc- tioned World Fast Draw Association contest, and set a world speed record in one of the events. Another competitor witnessed this feat, asked Bob where he got the holster and then asked, “Can you make one for me?” Bob agreed, and as the word spread, he was in business. Gunleather for the New Old West Gunleather for the New Old West Mernickle Evil Roy “Wild Bunch” 1911 Holster & Mag Pouch Nov 10 Blue Press Section 3 9/14/10 3:04 PM Page 48
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48
Reviewed by Peter CarolineA while back, I had an opportunity to review
and subsequently purchase a Guncrafters Indus-tries .50GI pistol (see August 2010 Blue Press). Ahandgun of this quality deserves equally impres-sive leather and, while reading the latest BluePress, I found what appeared to be the perfectsolution: Mernickle Holsters had created a 1911holster for the recently created “Wild Bunch”competition category. It was an ideal match, amarriage of classic Hollywood Western historyand what I considered to be the ultimate iterationof John M. Browning’s finest handgun design.
Now, it just so happens that I am a member ofa minority group that is frequently subject to dis-crimination. I’m left-handed. And because the vastmajority of shooters are right-handed, that marketdetermines what kind of holsters Dillon keeps instock. So I went directly to Mernickle andexplained my situation. No problem. They werehappy to turn out a portside rig for me or anyother sinistrally-inclined customer.
When the holster and mag pouch arrived, Iwas delighted at the quality of the workmanship.The fit and finish are impeccable. Although this isa rig built for competition and hard use, it has thedistinction of being built for a species of competi-tion in which the participants are often being
judged on appearance as well as performance. Totake off from Billy Crystal’s Fernando character, “Itis just as important to look marvelous as to shootmarvelous!” While the rig has an authentic turn-of-the-century appearance, complete with US-in-oval stamping, the ergonomics and speed of draware everything a modern Cowboy Action Shootingcompetitor could ask for. It is hard-molded foryears of heavy use, will easily accommodate aheavy 2” gunbelt, and the T-nut lock system keepsthe holster securely in place. Also included is aremovable rawhide safety strap for those whofancy such things.
It should be obvious that someone intimatelyassociated with Fast Draw competition created thisholster/mag pouch combo. Bob Mernickle startedshooting Fast Draw in Canada back in the late1960s. As his skills advanced, he started analyzingthe holsters that worked best for him, added hisown improvements and created his first rig. In themid-1970s, after several competitions and subse-quent improvements, he went to his first sanc-tioned World Fast Draw Association contest, andset a world speed record in one of the events.Another competitor witnessed this feat, asked Bobwhere he got the holster and then asked, “Can youmake one for me?” Bob agreed, and as the wordspread, he was in business.
GGuunnlleeaatthheerr ffoorr tthhee NNeeww OOlldd WWeessttGGuunnlleeaatthheerr ffoorr tthhee NNeeww OOlldd WWeessttMernickle Evil Roy “Wild Bunch” 1911 Holster & Mag Pouch
Nov 10 Blue Press Section 3 9/14/10 3:04 PM Page 48
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