Wright Leather Works Predator Holster Review

Above, the Predator holster for my Ruger P95 pistol. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Anyone looking for a quality holster for their 1911-style pistol or revolver, Wright Leather Works is one place to look into.

A few years ago, I bought their Predator OWB (outside waist band) holster for my Ruger P95. The holster was specially made for the P95. It has thick leather (needs some breaking in). It fits great on my gun belt. As I am left-handed, I got the left-hand holster.

Here's a snippet of a review of the Predator holster by American Rifleman (NRA):

Great gunleather must be durable, functional and attractive to boot. And while there are many excellent Kydex or polymer concealment holsters that have the two former qualities in spades, there really is no substitute for the appearance and character of well-worn, but well-maintained, steerhide. The boys at Wright Leather Works got the formula right with the Predator—a pancake-style, leather concealment holster. The workmanship of the leather is excellent with tight, neat stitching and clean lines. Held in place by two 1¾” belt slots, the holster rides tight to the body,  and the vertical offset of the slots cants the gun forward by about 15 degrees. The design is ideal for those who carry at the four- or five-o’clock position, behind the hip, because the firearm is still easy to reach and draw, and the grip frame is angled slightly upward, minimizing its “print” when concealed.

To read the full American Rifleman review, go here.

To visit the Wright Leather Works website, go here.

How to Inspect Used Firearms Before You Buy

Above, Ron Peterson's Firearms, where I bought my Winchester 94. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I moved to New Mexico, I've purchased three firearms. 

Two of them, the Winchester 94 and Remington 870 Express shotgun were purchased from dealers. I checked out both before purchasing. The Winchester 94 was used and the Remington 870 was new. The third, a Winchester Model 12 shotgun, I took a chance and bought it online after looking over the photos of it by the seller. 

When I bought the used Winchester 94, the rifle was on an easy accessible rack, so I was able to look it over, inside and out (especially the bore). I basically inspected the rifle along the lines of an article on how to inspect used firearms as posted by Don's Weaponry.

Don's Weaponry begins their article with:

A used firearm can be an excellent value, but the price tag should never be the first thing you evaluate. Condition, safe operation, parts availability, and a clean transfer matter more than a cosmetic bargain. Knowing how to inspect used firearms helps you recognize normal wear, identify concerns that require a gunsmith, and walk away when the history or condition does not add up.

Start with one non-negotiable rule: treat every firearm as loaded until you have personally verified otherwise. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger, and do not begin an inspection until the action is open and the chamber and magazine well or cylinder have been checked. If a seller will not permit a safe, basic inspection, that is reason enough not to proceed.

To read more, go here. 

Are Lever Actions Better Than ARs for Survival?

Are Lever Actions Better Than ARs for Survival? video from Gun-Man Ballistic.

Summary:

Direct impingement gas systems fail under heavy carbon fouling and freezing conditions, making tactical lever-action carbines the ultimate mechanical backup for grid-down survival. We break down ten manual-action platforms—from the heavy-hitting Marlin 1895 SBL in .45-70 to the multi-caliber S&W 1854 and 5.56 Henry Supreme—testing how positive manual extraction beats gas-operated failures when logistics collapse.   

The 10 Lever Action Rifles Shooters Trust Most In 2026

The 10 Lever Action Rifles Shooters Trust Most in 2026 video from The Ballistics Bureau.

Summary:

In 1898, the U.S. Army contracted for 10,000 Winchester Model 1895 rifles. An Army general returned the 100 rifles he was assigned for field trials. Then, in 1915, Russia ordered nearly 300,000 of them. Same rifle, opposite verdicts.

In this documentary, we rank ten lever-action rifles by the strength of the documented evidence, not the strength of the legend:

• Production histories and military use
• Reviewer tests, with round counts where they exist
• Real problems, including feeding hang-ups and ammunition sensitivity
• What each source can and can’t prove

The lineup includes the Winchester Model 94, Marlin 336, Winchester Model 1892, Henry New Original, Marlin 1895 SBL, Browning BLR, Henry Big Boy, Marlin 1894, Henry Lever Action Supreme and Winchester Model 1895.

Where a result comes from one reviewer, a short test or a writer’s opinion, we say so. Always test your own rifle with the ammunition you plan to use.

Which lever gun would you rank number one, and which do you think is ranked too high? Tell us in the comments.

Yen Finishes October With Gain

We're now in a new month and it is time to take a peek at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen in foreign exchange trading for those of you contemplating a trip to Japan.

The Business Times reported that the yen gained a bit at the end of October. 

They wrote:

[NEW YORK/LONDON] The yen was on track for a third consecutive daily gain on Friday (Oct 30) after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) left rates unchanged and upgraded its inflation outlook, while declining US Treasury yields weighed on the greenback.

The BOJ left its main rate at 1.25 per cent in a widely anticipated move, but stressed that its policy had entered a new, more hawkish phase open to raising rates once every few months.

The yen was last up 0.11 per cent at 157.51 per US dollar, but was on track for a monthly loss in October.

To read more, go here.