One issue with El Paso. They refuse to make a holster without a hammer thong or a retaining strap. I argued with them that it simply wasn't authentic on a Slim Jim, but didn't make a difference. I tried to cancel my order as a result--they just ignored me and delivered the holster with the hammer thong. After many years of being a loyal customer--that was my last dealing with them.
In all fairness (to a competitor!
) let me say that in our letiguous society their product liability insurance and/or their lawyers may not give them any choice about including a retention strap or hammer thong. I am
well aware that those devices were not in use before the turn of the 20th Century, but I must include them as well...thongs on most of the Old West holsters, retention straps/flaps only where historically correct or for my hunting/field holsters. In the case of the thongs, they are placed in such a manner that they aren't readily seen when worn. Of course, I can't force the customer to use them or even keeping them installed. I include a sheet with every order (as well as others on the care, use and "feeding" of their gear!!!) explaining how to use the thongs. If a customer truly odes not want the thong, then they do so with the understanding that I cannot be responsible for accidents or incidents resulting fromm the lack thereof! (In other words, if you don't use the retention device, and you have a live round under the hammer of your Colt's-style single action, and the gun falls out, hits the hammer spur, discharges and shoots you or a bystander, I'm not responsible!!! And, BTW, a hammer thong is ONLY intended to keep the gun from falling out of the holster while you are doing summersaults, etc.! It is NOT intended to keep the hammer spur from snagging on something and cocking it!) Also, when ordering from me, lets get on the horn and talk. Unless, of course, you live in Europe or Australia or Antarctica or someplace!
This is NOT a solicitation for business! Just a matter of information on the subject!
Your obedient servant,