Go with a quality horsehide, the difference is night and day.

Kramer vertical scabbard or the Milt Sparks 55bn

Not to be a picky bastard (although I can be a pick bastard) I think it’s important to note that the holster commonly referred to as an “Askins’” style rig is not and should not be attributed to Charles Askins. More appropriately the holster is design of the late Bruce Nelson (that’s what the “BN” in the Sparks “55BN” stands for) and he deserves all of the credit for this design, as I know he had earned it. That style of holster was designed and first produced by Nelson and called the #1 Professional. It later also became widely known as a “DOJ” rig after Bruce allowed Lou Alessi to make the holster to help fill the large demand for the rig by the California DOJ. Lou still produces the holster to this day under the “DOJ” moniker.

Over the years a great many variations, improvements, and copies of this holster have been made, some with proper recognition and some without, and, second only to his Summer Special, the #1 Professional is probably Nelson’s most copied holster design.  However, to the best of my knowledge Askins never had anything to do with a holster of this design. None the less, by no fault of his own Askins is commonly given unworthy name recognition mainly by a few holster companies who may not (do not?) know the difference... or maybe just needed a catchy name.

I’m certainly not scolding anyone here on this forum I just thought a little history lesson might be timely and appropriate.  


MtBiker – If you’re looking for a holster of this design I would strongly suggest you bypass the Blackhawk offering and source the rig directly from Sparks in the form of their 55BN or NLG or also from Lou Alessi with one of his DOJ or PSS rigs. I’m sure you’ll be much happier with the finished product and overall quality of any of those rigs.