I understand the challenge of finding holsters for firearms like the Beretta 81. Who, after all, is buying an old Cheetah and intending to carry it in 2025? As it turns out, I am. I struggled to find a suitable holster until I discovered Falco Holsters and their Hamilton A635 model. Falco offers a vast selection of holsters for both new and old firearms, combining a classic look and feel with modern features.
The Falco Holsters Hamilton A635
Why the Beretta 81 in 2025?
You might wonder why I’d choose to carry a Beretta 81 in 2025, especially with so many excellent modern firearms available. Contemporary options like the P365, Hellcat, and CC9, along with other optics-ready micro 9mms, are incredibly popular. The Beretta 81, by contrast, is a truly vintage firearm. It’s an all-metal, iron-sight-only, DA/SA, hammer-fired gun chambered in .32 ACP—a caliber most wouldn’t consider for self-defense today.
Despite its age, the Beretta 81 is one of my all-time favorite guns. It’s a double-stack, DA/SA, .32 ACP pistol in the classic Beretta design. It looks great, shoots well, and is genuinely fun to use. While it might not make a lot of sense to some, it’s a free country, and I have no doubt I can defend myself with the 81; I just needed a reliable carry rig.
The Falco Hamilton
I typically prefer polymer holsters, ideally Kydex or another cutting-edge polymer material. Since that wasn’t an option for the Beretta 81, I decided to try Falco Holsters. I was unfamiliar with Falco, but they seemed to specialize in holsters for older firearms. While they do offer nylon, their leather rigs appear to be their primary focus.
I ultimately chose the Falco Hamilton for concealed carry. It’s a traditional Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) rig designed for strongside carry. While appendix carry is popular, I still appreciate the reliability of traditional IWB. The Falco Hamilton is an all-leather rig featuring a pair of polymer belt clips that tuck securely under the belt for enhanced retention.
This holster utilizes a pancake-style design, which works best when worn in the 4 o’clock position. While it may not offer the quickest draw, this design has proven effective for a long time. The classic gun, paired with an old-school carry position and an old-school holster, creates a harmonious combination.
The Falco Hamilton is crafted from ⅛-inch thick full-grain Italian leather. It’s a substantial holster, weighing roughly seven ounces. The leather is treated for durability—hand-dyed, oiled, and lacquered to protect it. This results in a beautiful, rigid, and stiff design, which comes with both advantages and disadvantages worth noting.
Wearing the Falco Hamilton
As I write this, I’m wearing the Hamilton with my Beretta 81 holstered, locked, and cocked. The holster features a heavily reinforced mouth that prevents it from collapsing when you draw the gun. This allows for safe reholstering, and the stiff design ensures a smooth draw without any holster drag—simply grip, rip, and shoot.
The clips enable the Hamilton to be worn with a tucked-in shirt, offering excellent concealment. While neither the gun nor the holster is small, their positioning makes them disappear easily under a T-shirt. I’ve also been able to wear it with my work attire since it’s tuckable.
The rigid leather design means you’ll need to break in this holster before it becomes truly comfortable and conceals optimally. Initially, its stiffness prevents it from conforming much to the body. This can make your hip and pants look a bit stiff and uncomfortable. It requires many hours of wear and movement for it to mold to your body and become comfortable.
It’s never painful, but stiff leather is, well, stiff leather. Once the Hamilton breaks in, it transforms into a very efficient concealed carry holster. It becomes quite comfortable and securely houses my Beretta 81. The inherent stiffness also helps prevent the holster from wearing out prematurely, which could otherwise create an unsafe situation.
Ride or Die
The Hamilton makes it easy for me to strap up with a deliciously old-school gun and enjoy my day. The holster provides a comfortable, concealed, and safe option for a gun that’s not quite the norm. Check out Falco holsters if you need to outfit an old school gun.
