Double Daddy

JLS, Here are a couple of pieces I built for a buddy last year, using patterns I purchased from you (S&W MP and 1911 Commander)...the patterns were easy to follow...turned out not too bad for an amateur like myself. Thanks for extending your expertise and resources our way! Chris

Been away from the forum for a little while...this is definitely not the kind of news I like coming back to, at least from the knowledge perspective. However, much success and blessings to you in your retirement and whatever your hands find work at next, Lobo. Dwight is most correct...you have been a mentor and great source for valuable information for many of us "little guys". Best of luck, sir!

PM sent

domino133...VERY nice leatherwork for an excellent weapon. I've always loved the Makarov..I did an IWB holster for a friend last year but it pales in comparison to your handiwork, friend. Well done! Looking forward to more pics and posts from you as well as more things from your YouTube channel.

JLS - Thanks for the pic!...just what I was looking for. The only thing I mold in that area would be a sweat shield and while I don't form it ultra tight to the safety, I do want the safety to be in the proper, "locked" position so that I get the correct profile molded into any leather that might be there. Not a big thing to some...just my preference.

Yep, Glockanator...I could do that...probably even have a couple of those in my spare parts bin. Otherwise, a GI or cheapo one isn't to big a deal to modify for such a purpose. I also have to wonder if the Ring's photo I posted is an old one...a few of their other C&L models show the safeties in the correct position (Springfield 1911 full size). I'm wondering if someone here might have a recently produced new one to confirm whether or not the safety is up or down.

A little help here, please. I need to construct a holster for a Commander-length 1911 but from studying the online pictures of the Ring's cocked & locked model, only the hammer is cocked...the safety appears to be in the off (unlocked) position. Here's a couple of pics for comparison. Ideas? Suggestions? Modify a Commander "C&L" blue gun so that the safety is in the correct, "up" position...or...could I somehow use my own weapon (the full size 1911 in the pic) to mold the holster? I suspect the latter would pose its own set of issues (different barrel/dust cover length). As always, thanks in advance for the wisdom & wit! Chris

Fine work...excellent finish techniques...impeccable stitching...that case belongs in a museum, Bob! Great leatherworking! Very inspiring...

Ol' Particle is inspiring, isn't he? Nice work, Bob!

Very nice! Beautiful stitch work. And those edges...Wow!...I'm with billybopp...I would be interested to hear/read your particular method.

Very nice work! Quality craftsmanship! I particularly like the shark skin accents and the extra ammo pouches...

Great Job, BHP! And a very nice Hi-Power as well...from what we can see

Thanks for the compliments, y'all! Still learnin'...

Thanks, doubleh!...Bianchi's Cyclone was the inspiration for this one but I changed the loop design a bit and did my own front shield. It didn't even need the snap closure...retention is REAL good...but the customer insisted...give 'em what they want, I guess. I like how it turned out...gonna do one similar for my own Ruger Bisley 45LC pretty soon...but with a little more embellishment. Hey, harnessman...I appreciate the compliment! This holster took me a little while to do..still a newb! The hammer thong was completely redundant...even off the belt, this holster has EXCELLENT retention on the weapon...but, once again, customer preference ruled the day. In this case, it kinda added a bit of charm to the piece.

Hey, Dwight! Thanks, as always, for the reply...I appreciate the input. Sorry for my long response time...contractors at the house doing repairs, 4yr old twin girls, regular day job stuff, etc, etc...you get the drift. Anyway...in answer to your concerns... This design does have a "little" retention, not much...I'll give that the pics do make it appear that its pretty well molded to the weapon. Its made from 3/4oz leather and I went pretty light on the 50/50 resolene finish so its kinda flimsy. Turn it upside down (with a dummy gun inside, obviously ), give it a light shake and the contents fall clear. My concerns were the same as yours in this regard. As I mentioned, I used PCS' design for a starting point, thus the forward cant, which appears necessary to give finger clearance around the grip at the spare mag area while avoiding making the entire package too bulky. In practice drawing, getting my hand IN my pants pocket has been a bigger problem than overcoming any issue with the forward cant (I typically carry IWB). Having said all of that, I agree with you that a straight cant seems WAY more practical...this design was merely a foray into the possibility of carrying a reload without cluttering another pocket with a separate holder or, worse, carrying it loose I have a straight cant, no-extra-mag, pattern that I haven't tried yet...I was just curious to see what this one would look like and to see how small I could make it...it's about 6.5" wide once its molded. As far as printing...you're exacting right. Jeans, work pants, heavy khaki's, overalls, etc = no printing. Dress pants, anything "Sunday-go-to-meeting" not only show right through but typically the pocket lining is too delicate or slick for the "hooks" to grab onto...the whole package wants to either come out or twist up when you go to draw the weapon. Conversely, they're the easiest type of pants for me to get my hands into...go figure! Yep this was a RH model...the pattern was ambidextrous...how one sewn it (which side was front/back) and which leg the unit was curved for would determine handing. I agree with you...it's much safer to keep one's weapon in their shooting hand if possible...that's how I carry my daily setup. As I said earlier this was just an experiment to see what I could come up with. I liked PCS's design for an "all-in-one" package despite those shortcomings you mentioned. You and I both know that the pocket holster market isn't exactly flooded with designs like this...mostly likely for very good reason. I'm kinda curious, however, as to the percentage of sales of PCS' Redoubt design vs the others in their lineup. Me thinks I'll give the no-mag vertical version a try... No worries about about whacking me, either...I'm much too thick skinned. If I didn't want your advice, I wouldn't post the pics. I appreciate the time you take from your busy schedule to extend the advice. Regards, Chris

Here's some more items I've recently finished. So sorry to flood the wall with posts recently...but I value you LW.net folks' insight...it keeps me steered in the right direction :-) First, a clip-on IWB for a Kel-Tec P3AT...straight cant, black with black thread. Next, a clip-on IWB for a Kahr CW9...Saddle Tan with white thread and some subtle stamping. Cranial flatulence kicked in and I accidently put the makers mark on the front instead of the back but it turned out okay otherwise Finally, a pancake holster for a Smith & Wesson M&P 40...black with white thread and more border stamping. I used an Adams Leatherworks pattern for this one, with some minor changes to the belt loop holes and sweat shield profile. As always, I appreciate the input! Chris

Here's a prototype pocket holster I came up with...to give credit where credit's due, it's inspired by PCS' Redoubt holster design. I added "hooks" at each end so it would grab in the pocket upon drawing the weapon...also brought the leather up high on the slide and doubled it up to give the thumb something to push against...seems to work fine so far. I need to work out the wrinkle under the mag pocket, however. Other critiques? Let's hear it... As always, I appreciate the input! Chris

Great looking work...real slick extension, too!

Been a while since I posted anything...let me know what's what, folks! First, a two-tone Avenger style holster for a 3 1/2" Ruger Bisley stainless steel Blackhawk 44mag (Lipsey Exclusive)...Saddle Tan with Basket Weave stamping over Dark Brown and White Thread...with a hammer thong and 2" belt slots. A special thanks to Clay Miller for the new stamp used on this holster...his ever-expanding line of tooling far exceeds my meager skills. Next, is a field holster for a Ruger Blackhawk 41mag..Saddle Tan with White Thread...simple oil finish...very rustic. Dual belt loop design allows for strong side or cross draw carry. Finally, a simple hand-sewn knife sheath for a Sharp (Japan) skinning/hunting knife...Saddle tan with White Thread. As always, I appreciate the input!

Cleanview - I have the CB3200...love it! I was going to get the 4500 but wasn't sure about investing that much $$$. After a discussion with Cowboy Bob regarding what I anticipated using a machine for, he recommended the then-new CB3200. I am very pleased with it. It came set up/adjusted and ready to use. It has a learning curve...practice, practice, practice...also, read, read, read the advice that you find within this forum...its been a big help to me! I believe you'll be pleased with your purchase. Good luck!

I read another poster on this forum refer to his "learning experience" box as the "doggy chew bin"...I kinda look at it the same way. Now...all I have to do is get a dog!...he/she will have plenty to keep them busy, that's for sure

I'da never thunk to make a chess set out of leather....Great job, dkuehn!...especially incorporating it into the table with storage. Very inspirational...I got some rustic pallet oak that just been laying around, waiting for me figure out what to do with it...Hmmm?

Very nice work, Joe! A real K.I.S.S. piece...and that is some real purdy stitchin' too!

Beautiful work!

Dwight is right...his advice (echoed by several others) has improved the look & function of my own holsters, particularly regarding the stitch line distance to the weapon. I also referenced the excellent videos produced by Particle (Adams Leatherworks.com...check him out!)...even going so far as to make a "mock-up" holster to test my pattern and adjust stitch lines and things like that. I'm just a rookie, too (as evident by my post count!)...but I'm like you...I try to improve with each and every piece that comes off the bench. Best of luck! Chris