MTR Custom Leather Holster Review [VIDEO]
MTR Custom Leather is a North Carolina-based company that makes some truly fine holsters. The leather crafter behind MTR is Matt Rector, who has quite a blessed touch with leather. They have a LARGE selection of holsters for different guns and different carrying methods, along with products to care for your newly acquired concealed carry holster. I can tell from my experience with the one they sent me that it should last a long, long time if properly cared for.
I tested the Dual Carry Holster with my standard Glock 27. It's both an inside the waistband (IWB) and outside the waistband (OWB) holster in one. With the exception of the clips, it is 100% leather that is formed for the gun and holds its shape incredibly well even when worn inside the waistband.
Like many other MTR Custom Leather Holsters, it can be customized in a number of ways, to include types and color of leather, the color of stitching, single vs double stitching, thumb break or not, and attachment clip options. Additionally, they can make the holster to fit your gun with different light attachments, if so desired.
When worn IWB, the Dual Carry Holster uses two standard steel spring type clips. While the leather is thick and the holster firm, I did not find it uncomfortable when worn IWB. As a personal preference, I found this two-clip IWB holster to be most comfortable when worn in the small of the back. As an added method of carrying, it also has two belt slots cut into the leather flaps on either side of the gun, so it can transition to an OWB holster.
Versatility is awesome! Set up as an OWB, this holster is comfortable and still very concealable.
I found that it excelled outside the waistband. It has a very nice, natural curve to its shape, which lends itself greatly for concealed carry. I usually carry appendix, inside the waistband (AIWB), but occasionally I will carry strong side hip (3 o'clock) OWB as well, and I was easily able to conceal my Glock 27 in this position without anything more than a t-shirt.
As an added bonus, the company added a little leather to the holster's back making it taller, which protected my skin from my gun's slide. Here's a video where I talk about the holster and allow you to see it in more detail:
The overall quality is top notch and the workmanship shows. At $74.99, an MTR Custom Leather Holster is not the cheapest option available. But if you want something that is of high quality, you are going to have to pay a bit more than you would for a kydex gun holster.
Remarkably, MTR Custom Leather holsters are less expensive than a vast majority of many others out there on the market. Even better, they come with some terrific customer service.
Do you own any leather gun holsters for your EDC? Let us know what you trust in the comments below. Also, if you're looking for more holster reviews, we've compiled a list of our 21 favorite holsters. If you're in the market for a new one, it may be a good idea to check that list out, before you make the decision to buy anything.
If you like a custom holster at a reasonable price, check out Sun Coast Leatherworks. The owner, Bill Jackson, is a master leathersmith and really an artist. He designed and made a horizontal mag carrier that matched the pancake holster and gunbelt that he custom made for my CZ P-01. Turn around was only like 4 weeks and the price couldn’t be beat. They are online and on facebook. I’ve only worn holsters OWB and have tried many over the years, so I know from which I speak.
PS. Judging by the look of those slots on the holster in the video, you didn’t wear it OWB very long or often, so while I appreciate your review, I think you should be honest.
Doug, Thanks for watching the video and for recommending a holster you like.
I will respond to your comment about me supposedly not being honest in this review, based on your observation of the slots in the holster. I don’t mind differences of opinion, and you certainly have your right to your opinion and to spend the time typing it into a comment on this article…kudos. There is one thing, however, I will not let slide and that is for you to question my honesty or integrity.
Doug, you don’t know who I am or what I am about, and to make a statement like that is ignorant. I will let you know I wore the holster for a little over a month, IWB and OWB. Not sure how much wear and tear you would expect with all your years of experience carrying OWB, but perhaps if your holster is showing considerable wear after a month, it’s time to switch companies.
See, I too know of what I speak, and I also speak the truth. It is something that was instilled in me a long time ago and before you question the integrity of someone you do not know anything about, based on some flimsy detective work, you should pause and think.
I gladly welcome your comments about the article, holster quality, grammar my appearance or whatever criteria you want to judge, but my integrity is something that I have never and will never compromise.
Good for you matt
Matt is by far one of the most honest people I have met in my life and defiantly knows his things, great review man! Maybe sand paper will help on those clips?
I had a really bad experience with mtr took too long and really poor quality work.
Sorry to hear that J. Were they able to fix the issue?
Just wanted to add a quick contrasting viewpoint to the above. I had a S&W 4513 TSW (no rail) holster made like the one reviewed here and the quality, workmanship, and customer service was top notch. I’d recommend MTR to anyone. I have no relationship with the company whatsoever but as a customer.