CAVE

Thank you all for the information. I have been trying different styles and positions. I am still practicing, but things are getting better. I find I really like getting the trigger belt loop super close to the guns grip (like stated above). I did one with my SR22 that was low enough it got in the way of my grip. For the target range and for packing during trapping or hiking, I really liked it. Obviously it isn't ideal for self defense or quick draw, but it is a 22lr after all. Anyways, I am having fun trying out different ideas and styles thanks to you all.

It is hard to tell from the picture, but yes there is a stitch line above the slide. I'm trying to keep them tight to the gun as best I can. Also, the mag release is for right handed only and the back plate is cut around it. I left it higher on the front plate only. Thanks for the help, I may try one with a full length site channel. What do you mean by role over the slide? Molding? More on the site channels and leather purchase?

I am still practicing. This one is the first version for my pt24/7 in 40cal. I am actually thrilled with it for what it is. I'm sure there are some things I can improve on which is why I'm posting it here for critique. The stitching and finish could be much better so I continue to practice. I am pretty happy with the balance, but it isn't perfect. I really would like to move the gun down on the belt another 1/4"-3/8". As it sits, my small hands can fit to grip the gun fine, but I don't have much room to play with if I want to move the belt location. Are there any designs or ideas that can do this without adding more cant to the holster? Also, a question on sight channels. You can see I have a molded channel that is tapered on the front half of the gun. I have seen a few designs where this is molded all the way to the rear of the gun (top of the holster). Are there any benefits of problems with one design or the other? My half length seems to work fine, but I don't have anything to compare to. I used a stiffer leather on this one too, and am much happier with the end product. So far I have just been using leather I got from a retired leather worker. I haven't ordered any of my own so that is the next step (I'm almost out of practice leather). I have been reading some threads on choosing leather, but I would love to hear some further opinions on weight and cuts to order. Thanks for the critiques.

This is somewhat encouraging. I was intending this holster to be "high ride" with my initial design. I didn't know what I wanted or anything, but I looked at a lot of pictures...after this thread I compared mine to even more pictures (even drawing lines across other designs for belt position) and didn't see a huge difference to what seemed like a very popular holster design. What was so different about all these high rides that seemed sometimes even more off balance than mine? I think now I am understanding some of the differences and trade offs better. What I really want (now that I've practiced a little) is a better balanced and comfortable carry. This may be somewhat routine for some of you guys, but being new I feel like this is great and very useable information that I didn't have. As to cant, I have more to learn. This position came from mock drawing and reholstering with an effort to find comfort.

Again thank you for the comments. I did some balance testing with a few guns. 40 cal bullets obviously made a much bigger difference than the 22, but having the clip in and full did change it up for both guns. High cap mags vs standard were surprisingly much different too. I am really enjoying this process and all the practical advice is helping a lot. I hope to start the improved sr22 holster in the next few days. Hopefully I can also improve on the craftsmanship a little. Is there a relation to belt position (vertically) and ease of drawing the weapon? I don't mean me being able to reach, grip, and draw. I mean how the belt acts on the holster and how the holster acts on the gun. How does the leather surrounding the gun stretch, collapse, or move during drawing the weapon and can this be affected by belt position or cant? Does leather thickness play a big role in this? Is this even something you can explain over the internet without trail and error?

Awesome, thanks so much. I don't know why I didn't think of the mock up cardboard holster idea. I like this! Burnishing, yep, I forgot that step and had a heck of a time burnishing those spots. Keep it coming if anyone has some good info for me. I'm still reading and searching, but this is really helping.

For the new belt loop postition, I'm leaning towards about 1/2-3/4" higher. Does this seem like enough? From some reading, retention straps seem to be a personal preference. I like the idea of no strap/snap, but would like to hear more ideas. What happends to this style of holster over the long haul? Will it loosen up quite bit to where it may be needed? I did all the forming on the front piece, and the back leather is just flat. It that ok? Is some forming of the rear piece important? It seems more comfortable flat than a friends that has some forming of the back piece. Thanks for the advice, keep it coming. I am working on the finish details of this one and then I will start another. I think I will try another with this same gun and change the position a little. I think it will be helpful to compare once I make a few changes. This sr22 is just a gun I will carry around for fun when out exploring the woods or hiking. Just a fun shooter to pack around for entertainment. I am just hoping to learn some things about the design before working on a conceal gun. I'm am new not only to holster making, but also to gun carry. I don't have a lot of experience to even know what to ask (hence the ignorance statement). I probably won't be building a belt any time soon, but I am looking into some before the next holster build. I have thick skin so I prefer blunt and to the point like Dwight. I'm just trying to fully understand the advice I'm recieving and maybe need the dumbed-down solution to go with the problem. The changes I feel are needed are somewhat intuitive, but I'm hoping I can bypass some trial and error by getting some answers here. Bring it on. If I thought it was perfect I wouldn't ask.

Maybe I missed it, but what style works? Adding leather to the upper part of the slide wouldn't lower the center of gravity so I must assume you mean to lower the carry position? Or is it something with the pancake style? The extra leather is to keep the weapon more secure correct? So my design is flawed two fold. Not secure enough and too high of a carry right? When on the belt the gun is actually pretty tight in the holster. Should I expect it to loosen too much as it breaks in (without the extra leather)? I'm connecting the dots, but I can be slow sometimes. I'm sorry for the ignorance, but I just went for it and this is what I came up with. Poorly thought out is very true. I didn't have any patterns or holster knowledge to go on so I just jumped in. I have searched this site quite a bit and have found great info on the process, but very little on the design of auto holsters (other than pictures). I'm appreciative of the help and comments. Keep them coming please.

Is this an aesthetic change or a functional change? I would love to see a picture or photoshop version of your change. I don't quite understand the downward arc idea. Concave or convex? Thank you for the comments. This holster's belt loops were designed around a duty belt that I have. It seems to be sturdy, but maybe I will look into some other types. I really don't know the difference between a good one and a poor one. Are there things I can do to the style to increase balance and stability other than a heavier belt? I am working on burnishing still. I hope it will clean up my edges some. I had a hard time with my utility knife cutting the belt slots. I have limited tools, but was considering chucking up a dowel in the drill press for the belt slots..?

I am new to this and just finished my first for this ruger sr22. I am very happy with the results for a first, but have some questions. I get a little "bounce" from the gun on the belt if I walk fast or jog. I attribute this to the high carry (conceal style) holster. I assume that if I raise my belt slots on the holster body, dropping the gun a little on the belt, this will balance out the weight a little. Do you all have some advice about fitting holster style and balance to gun weight and shape? I realize there are probably an infinite number of combos. I'm just looking for some things to try. Can I get a rock solid hold/balance on the gun but keep the high carry of the conceal style pancake? This gun is pretty light, but I'm going to start one for my taurus pt24/7 next and want to make some improvements to make it ride just right. Criticism encouraged beyond just the style or cut. I still haven't applied oil or finish, just dye. I'm working on some different burnishing methods too and then dye the edges again.