Podcast 35 – Gabriel Saindon of Ivory Holsters

My guest today is Gabriel Saindon of Ivory Holsters; a leader in custom Kydex holsters for backcountry hunters and gun enthusiasts. We talk about the history of Ivory Holsters, why the company was started and the features they are incorporating to build a better product than the competition. 

After covering many of their different model holsters, Gabriel dives into a bunch of practical information and tips for carrying sidearms in the backcountry. We talk about safety, becoming familiar with your equipment, and the reasons why you should carry a handgun while hunting in the mountains. We also discuss the bear spray debate and how you can better prepare yourself for dangerous encounters that can come at any time. For more information on Ivory Holsters, please visit: www.ivoryholsters.com.

GIVEAWAY ALERT! Gabriel has generously offered to take part in a giveaway. Make sure you listen to the entire episode to find out how you can be entered to win an Ivory Holster of your choice.

Topics Covered In This Episode Include:

• How Ivory Holster’s got started and why they set out to develop a better holster than the competition
• Reason’s why I personally carry in the backcountry and the scary story of a mountain lion encounter
• Getting the right fit and customizing their holsters to meet the needs of specific firearms and uses
• Their product design of using Kydex hard plastic and the comfort features that make them superior over other manufacturers
• The EMG series that they developed in conjunction with Exo Mountain Gear packs and other frame hunting backpacks
• Gabriel’s preference of where he carries his sidearm and why he prefers to carry on the hip
• The adjustable retention design that is built into the holster as opposed to having a lock trigger mechanism that is built into my current holster
• A handgun caliber that Gabriel recommends as an overall good option for carrying into the field
• The strength in numbers of rounds versus carrying a large caliber heavy gun for self defense
• Covering the famous Todd Orr grizzly bear incident and other bear attacks where bear spray was used and was found to be ineffective in those scenarios
• Becoming comfortable with your equipment and having multiple uses for every gear item in your pack, including your handgun 
• Ordering an Ivory Holster and how to select the right model for you based on your gun and specific needs
• The importance of practicing with your equipment and becoming comfortable with basic setups without all the bells and whistles
• Carrying a loaded gun versus not racking a bullet in the chamber and how that can make a big difference in a fast-paced, intense scenario
• Trigger discipline and being more aware with a fully loaded gun
• The close bear encounter I had in 2017 and why from then on I always carry my gun loaded in the backcountry