Jerry Ahern : Down Under Review

Jerry Ahern
Gun World
November 2009

High Noon "Down Under"

Jerry Ahern is a firearms writer, who has published over a thousand magazine articles and columns in gun magazines. He writes rather eclectic monthly columns in GUNS & AMMO, HANDGUNS, GUN WORLD Magazine, GUN DIGEST THE MAGAZINE and DILLON BLUE PRESS, as well as a column on swords in the bi-monthly KNIVES ILLUSTRATED. One of his most recognized areas of expertise is holsters and leather gear for firearms. He's interviewed such persons as UFO Expert Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Roy Rogers, Arnold Schwarzenegger, vampire researcher Dr. Steve Kaplan, actor Steve Kanaly, etc. Along with his wife, Sharon, he's co-author of over eighty internationally published novels. Jerry is considered an expert on concealed weapons and regularly writes about firearms. Jerry Ahern was the president of Detonics Guns USA from 2004 to 2007

If you have a fine weapon, the carrying of it, if a handgun, is a serious concern. Because I write about concealed carry so much, tend to see a number of different holster styles for the same gun, and I work with the products from a large number of holster providers. One firm about which I had heard good reports for quite a few years—but had never personally tried—was High Noon Holsters . The Florida based firm has earned a well deserved reputation for quality.

One of my favorite styles of concealment holsters is the inside-waistband holster. Inside holsters, of course, present a number of advantages over more conventional belt holsters when maximal concealment is concerned. The regular belt holster's muzzle end, exposed on the outside of the pants. must be hidden with a longer covering garment. When one reaches, bends or sits, the covering garment may ride up, and the holster may be exposed. With a conventional inside waistband holster, however, one only needs to

hide or cover what is above the lower edge of the belt. Why is the lower edge of the belt the boundary? Most inside-waistband holsters have something that attaches to the belt by crossing from above the waistband line to the lower edge of the belt, or where the belt would be, if the holster were suitable or use with beltless slacks. This is by far the preferred arrangement, except for specialty carry situations.

    Back in the days when beltless slacks were extremely popular, they were often found with adjustment tabs on either side of the waistband. These tabs closed with a button. What I used to do was take an inside holster that did not feature a clip, but snap-closure leather attachments instead, and use the adjustment tab as if it were a belt. If you're ever going armed to a 1960s party, you may want to try that technique!

    The High Noon holster called the Down Under is a perfect example of this most popular style of inside the pants holster—a state-of-the art example, actually. And, it is a little retro, too, namely because it utilizes a metal clip as the attachment system. Hooked in order to secure to the belt in such a way that the holster cannot come out when the gun is drawn, this clip is 1 1/4 inches wide. These days, one should not be at all wary of clips for inside waistband holsters. Decades ago, some inside-waistband holsters were using inferior clips. These clips would break when strained— putting holsters on and off—and one had a totally useless holster with a piece of jagged metal that was sharp as a razor blade. Not a happy circumstance. Clips like that haven't been seen on American- made holsters in a very, very long time. The clip on the Down Under is high quality.

    The lip of the High Noon inside holster is leather-reinforced for ease of return and shape retention. It is built up on the body side, forming a shield between the gun and your skin or clothing. Nicely stitched and beautifully edged, the workmanship and materials found on the Down Under are first-rate. My sample is for my Crimson Trace Laser Gripped Glock 22. It carries the gun well, fit is excellent and the angle at which the holster positions the gun keeps it well within the body plane, just where it belongs for effective concealed carry. I am very glad that I finally tried a High Noon Holster, and I intend to do so again very soon. You should, too. The Down Under is a terrific holster