After binge-watching Longmire, I became fascinated with the paddle holster. Walt could take his rig off and put it back on in seconds, and that convenience made the style very appealing to me.

The ability to strap on or remove your gun and holster without removing a jacket, undoing a belt, or threading leather through loops is the point of this design. It is not my only carry method, but it fills a very practical niche.

Right view of Sig in a paddle holster
Black-on-black shark skin and ostrich paddle holster.

Black on Black: Shark Skin and Ostrich

This paddle holster was custom ordered for a Sig P320 AXG Classic. The details included full black shark panels, an ostrich trim piece, a thumb break, suede lining, and embossed initials. My order was placed on May 16 and arrived on July 5, a total of 50 days.

The holster itself cost $494. I also ordered a double magazine carrier for another $125, bringing the total to $619. That is expensive, but the workmanship made it feel like a serious piece of custom leather rather than an off-the-rack accessory.

Sig in a Paddle Holster
The Sig P320 AXG Classic in the custom paddle holster.

Retention, Fit, and Finish Protection

The thumb-break snap is one-directional, meaning it engages and releases only from the proper angle. Once the handgun is inserted and the strap is snapped, the pistol is secure and protected.

View of Thumb-break in a paddle holster
The thumb-break snap and retention detail.

The last thing I want is a holster that inflicts unnecessary wear on the finish of a collectible gun. A tight holster can wear the finish during holstering and unholstering. A loose holster can wear the finish during ordinary carry. That balance is one reason I paid for the suede lining.

The Southern Trapper has the perfect solution to this dilemma: line the entire interior of the holster with soft suede.
Sig in a Paddle Holster
The holster carried under a jacket or sport coat.

Price Breakdown

  • Base paddle holster: $185
  • Thumb break: $35
  • Suede interior upgrade: $50
  • Shark skin custom order: $110
  • Ostrich trim band: $70
  • Exotic double magazine carrier: $125
  • Shipping: $44
Carrying the P320 in a paddle Holster
The paddle holster in use with a sport coat.

This was my third purchase from The Southern Trapper. The first was a shoulder rig for a Colt Government Model, followed by an IWB holster for a Walther PPK/S, and then this OWB paddle holster for the Sig P320.

Sig in a Paddle Holster
Another view of the Sig and leather fit.
Concealed Carry with a Paddle Holster
The finished rig from The Southern Trapper.
Sig in a Paddle Holster
The suede-lined interior helps protect the handgun finish.

Collector Takeaway

The old saying about getting what you pay for is true often enough to matter. In this case, the paddle holster became more than a convenient rig. It became another example of how gun leather can be judged by fit, finish, utility, and how well it protects the firearm it was made to carry.

Where This Fits in the Gun Leather Section

This article is part of my broader Gun Leather collection, where holsters, magazine carriers, vintage cases, and custom leather are viewed as part of the larger collecting story.

Each piece of leather says something about the firearm it was made for, the era it came from, and the way collectors actually use, store, and preserve their guns. From here, you can explore related leather pages and compare the different styles, materials, and purposes represented across the collection.

Paddle Holster Options

Paddle holsters are appealing when quick on-and-off use matters, especially around jackets, belts, and changing clothing during the day.


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Greg Cook

About Greg Cook

Greg Cook writes about firearms collecting, personal history, and the stories behind interesting guns. His Army MOS was 76Y, Unit Armorer, and he brings that practical background to his collector articles.