Good gunleather costs the earth these days. Buy once/cry once.
My old shop has gone all synthetic, and that was under way when I was still working almost 16 years ago. The biggest reason? DRUG LABS/PROCESSING SITES. Leather cannot be decontaminated effectively, ballistic nylon and most other synthetics can be. The nylon uniform rigs save some weight over the old leather stuff, too.
While I agree good leather is becoming more scarce. I completely disagree that ya must mortgage the ranch to have it! As I mentioned, I was able to get a complete holster and harness for less then Berranti wanted for just the harness. It is no less quality, it was custom made for me and arrived about 5 weeks after order. Fit and finish are 100% satisfactory.
As for others, used stuff is also out there!! Anyone who has been around a decade or four, has a drawer or box of holsters and many of these folks "thin the herd" So stay alert and ya can find excellent deals on many of the pasts quality holsters. Bianchi, Safariland & Galco are some of the big ones most folks know.
Simply Rugged ya also mentioned and they are good and less costly than these ultra hi dollar makers. To me its like they are trying to build a name. A product able to command hi $$ but without having the years of service and oreformance to back it. Not at all that they aint great, for my $$ just not enough.
CW