Triple K Holsters started 77 years ago, right after World War II, when veteran Leo Krasne opened an army surplus store in San Diego, California. By 1952, his son Jerry Krasne was running the business. At that time, the emphasis had shifted to manufacturing their own premium line of hunting and shooting accessories. Jerry Krasne renamed the company Triple K Manufacturing after his three children, Kim, Kurt, and Karen. The rest is history.

A Spotlight on Triple K Holsters

As the company grew, it steadily expanded its product lines for sportsmen and law enforcement. In 1994, Jerry’s son Kurt took over as President. He focused on product diversification, international markets, and advocacy for “Made in America” product lines. At the time, many of their competitors moved their manufacturing overseas to exploit lower labor costs.

Now, with a fourth-generation Krasne learning the family business, Triple K remains one of the few firearms-related companies still in California. The company’s products are made to last a lifetime. In addition, they are the only source for some classically styled leather sporting goods.

I spoke with current Triple K president Kurt Krasne for this story.

Kurt Krasne: In His Own Words

Frank Jardim: What sets Triple K apart from other companies?

Kurt Krasne: We know who we are, and we know we are NOT. We are NOT a supplier of Kydex, plastic, nylon, or other synthetic holsters and accessories. Instead, we make products for a wide range of shooting disciplines for recreational sportsmen, concealed carry, and professional law enforcement duty wear.

We offer quality, timeless leather shooting accessories built to last a lifetime. To sum up what Triple K offers in three words, it’s tradition, innovation, and value.

FJ: What goes into Triple K leather gear?

KK: A quality finished product always starts with the best leather. Most of our leather holsters and accessories are made from American vegetable-tanned hides. That is to say, both the skin and the tanning are sourced in the USA.

We use top-quality dies, thread and solid brass, and classic nickel-plated brass buckles and snaps that will last a lifetime. Skilled, experienced, hands make each item. Our average craftsman has been with us for over fifteen years, and we have a few with over fifty years of service. Our people take pride in their work.

Classic Western Leather

FJ: Some of your products have been around for over fifty years, too. I was longing for one of your classic Hollywood-style cowboy rigs back when Gunsmoke was on TV.

KK: We still make a lot of those Western-style holsters and gunbelts for a wide range of revolvers and automatic pistols. The low-slung drop-belt styles came about after the Old West era and got picked up by Hollywood in the 1920s.

In the 1880s, you’d have seen holsters worn high on the hip. We make those, too, but the drop belt style is the most popular because of TV and movies. Our Wyoming Holster and Cheyenne Drop Belt is the most popular Western-style rig on the market.

As the popularity of scoped hunting revolvers increased, we responded by introducing our Space Cowboy Holster, which we designed so it could be worn on our Wyoming drop loop belt.

FJ: Speaking of handgun hunters, you seem to have gone all in on developing practical holsters for the biggest hand cannons on the market.

KK: Handgun hunters have unique requirements. We listened to what they were saying. Our Big Thunder Rig has dual shoulder straps to evenly distribute the weight of heavy revolvers across both shoulders and your torso. It keeps your gun in the front in a position where it can be readily drawn, especially while sitting in a tree stand, on an ATV, or on horseback.

For on-the-go “run-and-gun” and “spot-and-stalk” hunters, we made the #606 Bandolier Rig. It’s the fastest rig to take on and off, and it’s comfortable even with the biggest revolvers.

Concealed Carry

FJ: What have you got for concealed carry?

KK:  We have several lines of time-tested designs that we can mold to the majority of handguns used for self-defense. It would take hours to talk about them all, but they cover deep concealment holsters for the pocket, ankle, or inside the waistband through shoulder holster rigs.

Our shoulder holsters include both the traditional vertical and the horizontal styles for just about any revolver or automatic. Our horizontal #274 Ultra Three Piece Dual Harness Holster offers concealment and the all-day comfort that only a dual strap leather rig can provide. The straps double in width where they go over the shoulders to really spread out the weight.

For comfortable inside-the-waistband carry, the #314 Insider Holster is one of our most popular. The #671 Crossdraw Holster is a dedicated open-top, cross-draw style holster that is perfect for quick deployment from both a standing and sitting position. There’s no faster draw from the sitting position than a crossdraw.

For automatics, the #778 Victor is a premium all-leather holster that offers maximum versatility. They are cut roomy in front of the triggerguard, so they can be used interchangeably with just about any medium to large frame automatic. This holster is the solution for many shooters who equip their pistols with a tactical light. The Victor holster is also optic-friendly.

Modern Holsters for Cap and Ball Revolvers

FJ: The fact that you make modern holsters for obsolete cap and ball revolvers has long made me wonder what people are doing with these guns besides plinking and Civil War reenactments. What’s going on that I’m missing?

KK: People just love shooting them for any purpose, I suppose. The needs of cap & ball black powder handgun enthusiasts have been largely ignored by holster makers. But we make contemporary chest carry and traditional waist carry holsters for them, both open top and flap.

The #602 Hunter Shoulder Holster is a vintage style we make for most handguns that is ideal for left or right chest carry of a black powder revolver. Our #310 Black Powder Holster is a classic hunter style that we make for Colt and Remington cap & ball pistols. We also offer a full line of Civil War reenactment leather goods like military belts and cap pouches.

Elegant Leather Shooting Accessories

FJ: Triple K has been a favorite of value-conscious shooters since before I was born. However, you also make leather for people of…let’s say…refined tastes.

KK: That’s true. We make elegant leather shooting accessories for the discriminating gentleman/lady hunter or sport shooter.

The #551 Deluxe European Shooting Bag is our most popular range bag with premium vegetable-tanned leather in a beautiful tan color. This is the kind of range bag you could see the King of England using, but ours is only $550. Compared to what a piece of top-quality leather American-made luggage costs today, it’s a great value.

Some of our best leather for shotgun sports include the #559 Sporting Clays Shell Pouch with adjustable waist belt in Havana Brown and the #125 Deluxe Shot Shell Carrier. It holds four boxes, or up to 100 shotgun shells, and is available in plain, basketweave, or hand-carved floral pattern leather. Hand-carving leather is an ancient decorative art. Floral patterns were quite popular in America’s Old West era.

Mounted sportsmen, horses, and Harley Davidson love our saddlebags and saddle rifle scabbards. The #118 Rifle Scabbard for telescopic sight equipped bolt action rifles is a signature product that secures the rifle from loss and damage from the stock wrist down while still allowing quick access. For complete protection from the elements, many add the optional hood that covers the buttstock.

Triple K Manufacturing has a premium leather product for every outdoor shooting adventure you may have at very reasonable prices. We make so many holsters, waist belts, pistol, rifle and shotgun, ammunition carriers, ammo belts, magazine pouches, rifle slings, etc. The best way to see all that we have to offer is to visit our website at TripleK.com.

Final Thoughts

During this interview, Mr. Krasne rattled off precise product parts numbers instantly and effortlessly. This is a demonstration of his dedication to the craft his family has perfected over generations. If you are in need of quality leather for your shooting needs, Triple K Holsters has it.