By Gary Paul Johnston
 Handguns Magazine Aug/Sept 2004
                             
                                   High Noon Means High-Quality Holsters
    The century-old phrase "skin your pistol" means to draw one's gun from a leather holster in a hurry. The old adage of only drawing your gun when you're going to use it, or "every time I drew my gun someone died," is pure B.S. The truth is that every time a law enforcement officer draws his gun, he is prepared to use it, but he often doesn't. A good holster is half the battle, but the holster must retain the gun until it's needed. I'm not just talking about law enforcement officers in connection with holsters. Having owned well over 100 handguns, I would put the holster tally at about three times that number, and I still own about 50 of the best.                                                                           
    Recently, I had the opportunity to take a close look at a selection of concealed carry holsters from High Noon Holsters of Florida. Having heard of but never having seen High Noon's rigs, I was more than pleasantly surprised. Not only were the samples extremely well designed, they were superbly put together--a combination that is too often not the case.    
    Made of the finest cowhide or horsehide--that's right, genuine horsehide--High Noon's holsters are beautifully dyed, stitched and sealed. Unlike many leather holsters, most of High Noon's are precisely and deeply molded to fit each individual handgun. Thus, ordering nearly any High Noon holster requires information as to the exact pistol it is to hold and perhaps even how it is to be carried. In addition to High Noon's near-perfect fit, a tension screw adds a personal level of retention, and most models can be had lined. One of my samples was so constructed with a smooth, thin leather interior that was as good as I've ever seen. The shoulder holster was one of my favorite carry rigs in plainclothes. Its advantages are good control and concealment and fast access. Shoulder rigs are of the three basic styles: vertical, horizontal and upside down. Retention is a big concern, and most shoulder rigs have good retention systems. The upside-down shoulder rig needs better retention than any other, but you do not often see them made yhese days. Although High Noon makes 20 models of belt and inside-the-waistband holsters, it makes only one shoulder holster, but it's very cool.           

   The most popular place for a pistol is the waist, and this location offers several positions, the most common being the strong side, which is the right side for right handers and the left side for southpaws. Even when worn strong-side concealed, I prefer some type of retention capability. This can be accomplished by a good fit, extra tension provided by the belt, a top strap, a mechanical retention or a locking mechanism. Holsters allowing the pistol to be freely drawn will allow it to fall out, and if it can fall out, it will.                  
      I worked with High Noon's unique Slide Guard model and was favorably impressed. It offers a tension screw to adjust retention, and the slide guard is a flap of stiff leather that prevents the slide, sights or hammer from contacting the body. It also helps keep oil from the gun off your cloths and body. The holster is canted 15 degrees forward and has an open bottom and covered trigger guard. The holster is double stitched and hand molded. I recommend it highly.                                   

    Offering good concealment and retention, IWB rigs come in many styles, hold the pistol inside the trousers against the body or between the trousers and belt and can be worn strong-side or cross draw. However, the IWB rig isn't for everyone's build. Even if it feels good at first, it might not after eight hours. I worked with High Noon's Down Under for this job. In the IWB category, nearly all High Noon IWB holsters are made rough-side-out, which is the way I like them. This leaves the smooth side of the leather next to the pistol with the rough side out to help keep th rig in position. What about IDPA? No problem; nearly all High Noon holsters are IDPA approved, and High Noon even makes double-and single-magazine pouches for most popular auto pistols.