Pheonix, Arizona, Galco International– A general-purpose hybrid design that combines the best elements of leather and synthetic, the Switchback™ is fully ambidextrous and can be carried in the strongside or cross draw positions. The main body of the holster is constructed of layered synthetics, beginning with an outer layer of durable black ballistic nylon. Beneath that is closed cell foam that imparts structure to the holster body and protection for the firearm in the field. Finally, a layer of 420 denier gunmetal-colored packcloth lines the holster.
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An ambidextrous “exoskeleton” made of top grain steerhide allows the belt to be threaded through either side of the holster body in strongside or crossdraw positions, for right or left-hand draw. The retention strap is reversible for ambidextrous use.
The Switchback is a perfect way to pack a full-size pistol or revolver in the great outdoors or on the range. Available in a black finish, it retails for only $54.
See all Galco’s belt holsters!
About Galco’s 100% Made in America Promise
It started humbly with a small family leathergoods shop in Chicago, Illinois. One can argue that Chicago doesn’t exactly top the list for a great gun culture anymore, but as we all know, things were a little different back in 1969. Richard Gallagher lived in Chicago and that’s where he founded The Famous Jackass Leather Company, the predecessor to what’s now Galco.
In 1980, Mr. Gallagher decided to rebrand the company and chose the name Galco. It’s sometimes assumed that Galco means “Gallagher Company,” but it’s really an acronym for Great American Leather Company. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1983. The climate for holster makers in the desert southwest is a lot better than Chicago for a host of reasons, but of course Mr. Gallagher wanted to keep his holstermaking entirely in America, so he chose Phoenix.
Patriotism was perhaps never more visible at Galco than during the high-tempo years of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. In 2005, Galco instituted the Holsters for Heroes™ program that donated over $100,000 worth of premium-quality shoulder holsters to deploying armed service members. Galco was fortunate enough to receive a Citizenship Award from the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence for the HFH program, in addition to being recognized as a Patriotic Employer by ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve).
Galco sources as much raw material in the USA as possible, with its leather coming from the comparatively few remaining American tanneries, competing with high-end saddle shops and European designer handbag makers for the top 2% of available premium steerhides. These hides go on to become the basis of our professional-grade lineup of instantly-recognizable designs like the Miami Classic, Ankle Glove, Concealable, FLETCH, Summer Comfort and more.
While other holster makers buy their hides overseas and outsource production to China, Vietnam or Mexico, and others are wholly owned by Turkish and Paraguayan interests, Galco remains committed to manufacturing right here in Phoenix, Arizona. We ensure our employees are rewarded for their hard work and skilled craftsmanship. This also affords us the opportunity to provide good jobs for experienced craftsmen, and Galco once again bet on America and expanded our Phoenix headquarters and holstermaking plant twice in the 2010s.
For over 50 years, in times of calm and times of crisis, Galco has never wavered in our commitment to stringent quality standards, our loyal customers, our nation’s first responders and military, our valued employees, and most of all, to our great country.
We’re proud to be an American company.
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