Flashbang Visit

Julie Routzahn "Flashbang Julie", Christy, and Lisa Looper

Flashbang holsters have become one of the most popular holster brands on the market over the past few years.  Lisa Looper came up with the idea for the original Flashbang holster to satisfy her own personal need that wasn't being addressed by other holster manufacturers. She quickly realized that she was not alone.  Let's face it, men and women are built differently and that is where the idea for the Flashbang started.

There were a lot of critics who couldn't come to terms with the idea of a holster that attached to a woman's bra.  There was a lot of skepticism in the firearm industry but Lisa didn't listen and continued to push her idea until it was finally accepted.  Since then the Flashbang has been flying off the shelves.  The company has expanded it's line to include a variety of holster options for both men and women.

While Gene and I were in Oklahoma for IDPA Nationals last month we decided to take a day trip to Oklahoma City to visit our friends from Flashbang.  We no sooner pulled up when we were greeted by Flashbang Julie and her huge smile at the front door.  On this visit we got to meet GM of Operations Patrick Cuddeback for the first time.  We had originally met Lisa Looper in March of 2013 at the first A Girl and A Gun Conference.  She was an absolute sweetheart.  We have had the pleasure of seeing Lisa and the Flashbang crew at various firearm industry functions since our first meeting. Every time we see them they seem even nicer (if that's possible) and we have really become friends with this great group.

After we finished visiting and catching up, Patrick gave us a tour of the factory along with telling us the history of Looper Leather Goods. We own most of their products, so it was interesting to see the process of how they are turned from raw materials into the finished product.  The company was originally called Looper Leather Goods and the original sign still hung out front.  They started off making belts, purses, and handbags and then moved onto making law enforcement products which they had been doing for more than 70 years.

The production employees are process a large volume of orders. They use traditional leather making techniques, hand tools, and machines and blend them with modern components such as thermoplastics to create stylish and functional products.  We got to see an original sewing machine that is over 100 years old. Gene, being a machine guy, was drooling all over it.  The plant had been at the same location since the 1960's and was owned and run by Bart Looper's grandfather.  We were happy to see the production facility before they moved into their new location earlier this month.

While we were touring their facility, Patrick showed us the area where they process the leather hides.  He explained that they purchase an entire cow hide and that some parts of it are better for making the belts versus making the holsters.  He showed us how they stamp the leather with different logos for the various products that they make.

They have two spray booths, one for dying the leather and the other for glue.  They back their products with high quality suede with the exception of the products that are all thermoplastic. The vibrant colored suede you see in the picture is used in making the women's line.  Before Gene got his own holster from the men's Prohibition line, he did not have a problem using one of the women's holsters and the colors didn't bother him at all.  The plastic holsters all start out as a square sheet of thermoplastic. They are molded in an oven using dummy guns which they made.

Flashbang belts contain a layer of plastic between the two pieces of leather which makes them extremely sturdy and ideal for carrying a firearm.  The belts are not only functional but they are also stylish. Most recently we have used our belts during shooting competitions because the ones we had been using were not sturdy enough.

We believe in their products so much that earlier this year we became a retailer for Flashbang.  Gene and I both use their products daily and we can't possibly say enough great things about them and the people who work there.