jt1

Bruce - WOW, every time I am just about ready to give up with my holster making one of you artists posts something like this and I get motivated again, if I can get even close to this I'll be happy... jt

Raga - Great looking work. The style and design are are quite original. I like the Spyderco folder sheath, can we see a picture of the back with the belt attachment? Did you make the belt in picture #3?Welcome and keep up the good work...

Just ran across this site...he does beautiful work, several without sling mounts. http://www.levergunl...ifle_slings.htm

Lobo - Excellent...That says a lot about your quality. What percentage of your business do you think comes from referals?...What about you other makers? With the internet and gun forums available today the exposure could be huge..

This is a good suggestion. As it is the strap is much larger than necessary and could easily be reduced in size and reconfigured. You are correct about drawing unnecessary attention. Thanks for the input...

Jared - Concealed Carry does not necessarily equate to Invisible Carry and very few rigs are truly undetectable by someone who is paying attention. Even when wearing a cover garment OWB holsters will print, and IWB rigs are often not as covert as you might think. The reality is that most folks don't have a clue and are not paying enough attention to notice anyway. Trained observers and experienced carriers can spot CCW's at a rate that is surprising, even when no printing is visible there is body language and quirks that reveal concealed weapons to those aware of such things. While some consider comfort to be a secondary concern in holster design it is really of great importance, nothing gives up a CCW quicker than someone constantly adjusting or fussing about for no apparent reason. The faster you forget you are carrying the better off you are and a large part of that is comfort and placement. As far as the support strap goes, I had in mind to use it under a suit jacket or untucked Tee-shirt, but the strap in and of itself is really not an issue. I could wear it all day exposed and it does not shout "gun", I have a keychain with a similar strap and as I said before, most folks don't notice anyway. When you pocket carry, it is quite noticeable that you have something in your pocket with most pants, but people carry things in their pockets, and it is not unusual. It is one of the few carry methods that allow you a full combat grip unobserved by most by the common act of putting your hand in your pocket...

Pocket holsters come with varying degree of gun retention, while a roughout or sticky material or hooks etc have some bearing on the holster staying put much more depends on the fit of the gun in the holster. One that is tightly boned vs one that is a drop in fit make the real difference. This particular holster is a loose fit with no boning designed primarily to fix the gun in the proper presentation for drawing and relies on the clothing for retention. This provides for very fast deployment when used for a primary weapon and works well in a normal threat environment. For duty use or as a backup during vigorous activity a tighter fit may be recommended. Even lightweight guns get heavy. Depending on the type of clothing and the weight of the gun some combination's do not work. Heavyweight jeans or other rugged pants provide significant support for pocket carry, dress pants or other lightweight clothing does not. Using the support strap allows the belt to support almost all the weight of the gun and can allow you to pocket carry heavier guns in lighter clothing. This holster is a work in progresses (as it seems all of mine are) and I already have a list of changes to make...

Here is a pocket holster I finished last night. I pocket carry mostly Airweight jframes, which are easy to manage, for heavier steel framed guns I added an adjustable support strap to allow the belt to carry the weight of the gun. It seems to work well, although I only used it for an hour so far...

Maybe for you two handed types If I had three hands I might be able to match the quality of your work...

Yes, I learned that the hard way, as with most things I learn...as well as the thicker the belt the wider the slot needs to be, pretty much a trial and error thing. It occurs to me with a slot punch it would be fairly easy to make the slot a bit longer, less so to make it wider. The punch/chisel thing is working well after about ten pratice slots...

Thanks for all the replies ...I tried the chisel and punch method and it turned out a perfect slot for me on the first try, with a little practice It should be quite acceptable. I can see where a slot punch would be a better alternative, I will order a few once I settle on some standard sizes. Now to do a few tests to see if it is better to stitch around the slot before or after cutting, or see if it makes any difference...

Tried to search this but didn't find what I was looking for. I'm cutting belt slots in double layer 7/8 for OWB holsters and not having very good luck, I have tried using a round knife, razor knife and Exacto but I cannot get square sides/round ends or consistent results. What are some methods that work to give good, consistent slots? And how to burnish them? Thx. jt

Monica, I have been pocket carrying for many years, this is the best pocket holster I have found. As you can see it has the type of sticky material you are referring to. It is made my Robert Mika, a really fine gentleman who I am sure would be willing to share with you if you give him a call, he is here: http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/

Shorts - Great looking holsters and a beautiful design, The best feature I think is the muzzle treatment, I have not seen that done before, did you develope it? Good job...

We the people...???...

Good input...I had not considered that a thicker belt would inpact the O/A lenght quite so much, but when I think about it I guess it would. Might be a good move to take all measurements from the inside. I am looking to bulid a very strong and stout belt but after reading the posts here I think the strips I have cut might be a bit thick as they would result in a belt about 3/8" thick...I might just use some 5/6 for the lining with one strip of the 8/9 I have cut to end up with a 1/4" thick belt. I will do a few and see how they work out. My original question was not about cutting the belt on a "curve", but rather when gluing up the two pieces. I was told by an old timer at the Portland Leather Company to start the glue up in the middle and work in both directions in the approximate waist size of the user to keep the two strips tensioned evenly all along the lenght of the belt, he's been building western rigs and saddes for over 50 years and I'm old enought to know when to listen... Hobby Tom - I like the chart idea, seems you need to take the material thickness into account also. Thanks for the replys

Ready to make my first Concealed carry gun belt, This will be double thick using two straps of sewn 8/10 oz, the question is should I glue them up flat or round approximating the waist size of the user, or does it not make a difference? Thanks...

Dwight - Thanks for the reply, I just might try to redo this one as you describe by opening up the stitching. I have never cared much for metal clips but while I was contemplating your suggestion I thought of a method of attaching leather loops (possibility covered kydex) that might work well. As for the plastic bucket...I've heard of a 10 gallon hat...now a five gallon holster

usmc0341 - Thanks, Once I settle on the final design I'll make a new one, I've got a few changes to make to this one already then it can go into the "box" with the rest, or it will go through the torture test to see how it holds up...

I know I've got a way to go, but I've gotten this far reading here. Thanks to all for the info and sharing your experience. My prototype body for an OWB driving/crossdraw holster: Still working on the belt attachments, I want a fast on/off without removing the belt and a bit of adjustment in the cant angle, this is proving to be somewhat more difficult than I imagined. My primary goal for this prototype was gun retention and easy one handed reholstering. It works well on both counts. Now I just need to refine my leather working skills and finish the belt attachments. Thanks again for everyone's input.

BOOMSTICKHolsters - Very nice indeed...you continue to produce excellent work, and set a benchmark for me and probably some others here as well. No, your not alone, I'm interested as well...

Bob- Thanks for the info and the quick response, just the type of input I was looking for. I'll keep looking. Have a nice day jack

New to sewing machines and have a question. Can anyone tell me about the Singer 175-63 machine? I'm looking to use it for holster making, usually two layers of 7/8 maybe sometimes three layers. Will this machine handle this? It appears to be in OK shape, nor great. Is this a slow speed machine? Does it have the walking foot or other desirable feathers? Are parts and service still available? How much should I offer? Thanks for any info you may be able to provide.

Greg - I'll be sure to give you credit, how does the accidentstitch sound?

Greg - Very nice work and an interesting design. The box stitch looks good and appears very strong and functional, I can find no reference for it. Can you give some directions how it's done? jt