The 1791 Gunleather Ultra Custom: A Holster You Can Mold Yourself
The new 1791 Gunleather moldable holster is one of those great “why didn’t I think of that” ideas.
Called the Ultra Custom, this tuckable, inside-the-waistband, open-top holster can be custom-fit to a variety of handguns. And it’s simple to do yourself. If you can heat water, you can mold this holster to your favorite carry gun. And then you can remold it to your next new favorite carry gun.
This Holster Has Several Advantages
The Ultra Custom has layers of soft cowhide inside and out. Outwardly it looks like many quality leather holsters. It’s shaped with a sweat guard extension at the top and the tuckable synthetic belt clip allows for minor adjustments in cant. I like a slight forward cant with my IWB holsters. So far so good.
However, in between those layers of leather is the Memory-Lok material. It allows you to reshape the holster for a custom fit for several different handguns.
That’s something you can’t do with other holsters. You could go out and buy a custom Kydex or molded leather holster for a specific handgun. Custom-molded holsters usually provide good retention while protecting the handgun’s finish.
But if you decide to switch handguns, you’re stuck with a holster you can’t use or end up including it in the deal for nothing when you sell the old handgun. I regularly test different handguns. It’s a rough job, I know. Some I buy, some I return. Over time, I’ve accumulated a couple of boxes full of holsters I no longer use.
With the 1791 Gunleather Ultra Custom holster, I can have one holster that can be remolded over and over again for a custom fit for several handguns in the same size range.
Currently there are six different models available, with fits for everything from pocket pistols to small revolvers to full-size semi-autos. At the moment all are right-handed models.
I Had To Put This Holster To The Test Myself
I picked a Size 3 Ultra Custom holster to review.
1791 Gunleather says this holster can be molded to fit three-inch 1911’s; Glock 42, 43, 43X; Kimber Carry Ultra; Ruger LC9, SR22; SIG Sauer P365, P230; Walther P22; Bersa Thunder 380; and possibly others in that size range.
I found that before the molding process, my SIG P365 and Ruger SR1911 Officer Style 9mm pistols would fit.
To my disappointment, my Walther CCP M2 and FN 503 would not.
Some Like It Hot
Following directions is sometimes a struggle for me. And I’m not a particularly handy guy. But this was easy. I put the 1791 Gunleather moldable holster in the included resealable plastic bag along with some loose coins for weight and dunked it in a pot of water on my stove.
Even after removing most of the air and adding more coins, I couldn’t submerge the entire holster. So I added an iron frog doorstop. That did the trick. The instructions called for heating the holster in water between 145 and 175 degrees F for five to seven minutes.
My water measured about 158 to 160 degrees and I found I needed about ten minutes for the holster to become sufficiently pliable. I removed the bag from the water. (I used tongs for this because 160 degrees is hot.)
Molding The Ultra Custom Into Shape
Next, I placed my SIG P365 in the holster. I inserted the longer of the two included plastic T-handled tools from the bottom of the holster to form a channel for the pistol’s sights.
Then I used the other tool and my fingers to shape the holster around the contours of the pistol. I paid particular attention to the trigger guard area and ejection port.
After five to ten minutes, the holster had cooled and it was molded to the SIG P365 for a perfect fit. I attached the belt clip with the two included screws and I was good to go.
Good Fit And Comfortable to Carry
I’ve been wearing the Ultra Custom to carry the SIG P365 and I’ve found it to be a secure, comfortable combination.
The Ultra Custom is not inexpensive at a suggested retail price of $109.99. But you’d expect to pay around that for a custom-molded leather holster.
And this one allows me to reshape it when needed should I switch to a different handgun.
That’s makes it a holster I can keep in service, one I won’t have to throw in a box with so many other discarded holsters.
For more information on the Ultra Custom moldable holster, go to the 1791 Gunleather website at 1791Gunleather.com.
Steven Paul Barlow is a retired sergeant/station commander and former firearms instructor with the New York State Police. He is an avid hunter, fisherman, and enthusiast with all things related to firearms, knives, and survival. He has been writing on outdoor topics for more than 35 years. His collections of outdoor humor stories are available at BriarHill Books.