Saturday, December 1, 2012

The Long Awaited DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard,...

...for my Beretta 92FS, arrived today. I purchased one from OpticsPlanet.com a couple of weeks back. What a disappointment is about all I can say to describe how I felt right after I took the DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard (tan and lined) out of the package. I almost immediately sent an email to DeSantis, because they are the manufacturer of this holster, complaining about what I believe is the lack of quality and the poor quality control for this product. As for OpticsPlanet, I sent them an email requesting a no-charge return to be arranged along with a full refund to me because it was damaged when I received it.
 
I guess the best way to express my opinion about this product is to show you the email I sent to DeSantis:
 
Hi, 
 
Several years ago, while still a federal agent and firearms instructor, I arranged for an order of hundreds of your holsters for my agency for its NY office. I have worn DeSantis holsters for years now, ever since that order. I have thought of your holsters as being of high quality but feel obligated to let you know that my opinion has just changed. 

I recently ordered a DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard through OpticsPlanet.com. It was delivered today. The holster I received was damaged in that the finish was scraped and, in my opinion, it should never have made it off the factory floor. 

In addition, I believe the holster is obviously of inferior quality as compared to other holsters I have been used to owning since I use only very high quality and durable leather holsters. I paid a premium to purchase a DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard that was lined. Your website says that this holster is lined with suede. When I saw the lining I almost gasped at the lack of quality I saw there. The 'suede' appears and feels more like cloth than suede and seemingly is unlike any suede I have ever seen in my life in that it is an extremely thin lining at best. It is so thin that I cannot imagine my pistol not wearing through it in less than a year; I expect a holster to last many years. Speaking of thin, the outer shell of holster leather is also pretty thin itself. The thumb break is so flimsy, I am certain it would not last a year of repeated medium use.

How you can sell this with an asking price of $84.99 plus shipping, on your site, is beyond me. I thought I was getting a bargain when I got it for around $61.00 including shipping through OpticsPlanet.com. What I got instead was something much less than desirable even though it is stamped "Made in the USA". As for this particular holster, I will return it to OpticsPlanet.com and request a refund. As for me making other purchases of DeSantis products in the future, based on this experience, I am unlikely to ever again buy one of your products unless quality improves markedly. 

Sincerely,
name & address
redacted for blog

Bear in mind that my letter expresses my opinion as to the quality, or lack of it, for that particular holster but it is my unvarnished opinion at that. I hope to hear back from DeSantis about this matter. For now though, if that is what they are offering as a high quality holster, I will not be holding my breath, and do not advise that you hold yours, waiting until my next purchase of one of their products.

All the best,
Glenn B