Galco International is one of the oldest holster manufacturers in the United States — a brand that started as a small family workshop in Chicago in 1969 and over more than half a century has defined the standards for leather holsters serving civilian shooters, law enforcement, and the military. The Galco name derives from founder Richard N. Gallagher's surname, and its products combine traditional leather craftsmanship with the engineering precision demanded by professional firearms users.
From Famous Jackass to Action Cinema Icon
The company launched under the original name The Famous Jackass Leather Company — inspired by Gallagher's stubborn commitment to quality. The workshop initially produced a broad range of leather goods. The turning point came when a Chicago detective told Gallagher how a well-fitted shoulder holster had saved his life. That story redirected the company toward holsters as its core product. In 1980, the brand was renamed Galco International and relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, where a production facility of over 7,000 square meters operates to this day. The real image breakthrough came in 1984 — the Jackass Rig shoulder system appeared on Detective Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice. The model was immediately renamed Miami Classic and became one of the most recognizable products in the history of the holster industry.
Craftsmanship, Materials, and Innovation
From the start, Galco committed to premium center cut steerhide — cowhide taken from the center of the hide, where uniform thickness and fiber structure allow precise molding of the holster around a specific pistol model. Hand molding, harness-stitch saddle stitching, and multi-stage finishing are elements of production the brand refuses to cut corners on. At the same time, Galco has never shied away from innovation: in the 1980s it was a pioneer in using Kydex as a holster material, and in the early 2000s it developed the hybrid KingTuk holster combining a Kydex shell with an ergonomic leather backing. The proprietary Carry Lite material enabled the brand to produce high-quality holsters at an accessible price point.
Trusted by Law Enforcement and the Military
Galco has partnered with government agencies and law enforcement across the United States for decades. Shoulder, belt, and ankle holsters, badge holders, and duty belts are issued to officers at local departments as well as the largest federal agencies. Between 2005 and 2012, the company participated in the Holsters for Heroes program, donating hundreds of holsters to soldiers deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. The brand appears regularly on screen — beyond Miami Vice, it has supplied productions including the Die Hard franchise and Face/Off.
A Full Range of Carry Systems
Galco offers holsters and accessories for virtually every carry method. OWB covers outside-the-waistband belt holsters, while IWB addresses concealed inside-the-waistband carry. Horizontal and vertical shoulder systems excel during extended field carry. Ankle, thigh, and chest models round out the lineup for sport and specialized applications. Magazine carriers and accessory pouches are available to complement every holster, and the Galco Custom Shop produces pieces in exotic leathers including alligator, shark, stingray, and ostrich.
Galco at Militaria.pl
At Militaria.pl we carry a carefully curated selection of Galco International products — leather and hybrid holsters for the most popular pistol models, available in OWB, IWB, and shoulder configurations. Galco is the choice for shooters who refuse to compromise between quality and functionality, as well as for collectors who value authentic American gun-leather tradition. We invite you to explore the full range from this legend of the craft.
