utility holsters

[Thadrick]

 Been playing hard this summer and am getting tired of worrying about scratching up my fancy holsters. Dont really know when a fancy holster is going to be useful actually (going to sunday meetings?).

 I guess they can hang from my wall and collect dust?  Built two holsters that can be used without worry while playing and if they get beat up, even better.

[CdK]

Nice rigs.

Just me but if I need to go somewhere and thinking I might need so much ammunition I would take a rifle with several large capacity magazines!

[AlZilla]

Definitely like those. Looks like 34 rounds of ammo plus 6 in the cylinder. With my girth, I could probably fit a box on the belt alone with room to spare!

[chuck123wapati]

those are just fine.

[Gezzer]

Real nice !! 

Fancy  is nice ....... it just doesn't last long in the everyday world 

[Thadrick]

Thanks, I carry extra on the belt because my utility/security rife uses the same ammo. It usually leans against a tree while my handsare occupied, the pistol stays on my hip.

[TonyV]

In Texas and other parts of the southern U.S., fancy rigs are referred to as Picnic Guns.  It's not uncommon for friends to wear their fanciest sidearms and leather to BBQs.

[JDFred]

They look sharp.  There’s nothing wrong being loaded for bear.

[Thadrick]

28 minutes ago, JDFred said:

They look sharp.  There’s nothing wrong being loaded for bear.

Same principle as a condom, would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Lol

[Mablung]

1 hour ago, TonyV said:

In Texas and other parts of the southern U.S., fancy rigs are referred to as Picnic Guns.  It's not uncommon for friends to wear their fanciest sidearms and leather to BBQs.

Often a slick 1911 or fancy revolver, from what I understand. I wouldn’t mind a Dan Wesson or Nighthawk with nice grips in a well-tooled holster. I had a shot at getting a former range rental Dan Wesson for a good price years ago; should have grabbed it. Needed a few parts replaced, but I could have held on to the gun and replaced the components as I went. Youth is stupid. 

[Lobo]

From a business point of view there is always a good market share available for utility-type holsters, designs more attuned to protecting and securing the handgun while keeping it comfortably available.

An example of my usual comments about the 4 major factors of holster design; comfort, security, accessibility, concealment. Whenever one factor is emphasized there will be compromises in the other factors. Each user must determine which factor(s) are most important and how much compromise is acceptable.

My time in the business was 1972 to 2015. Back in the mid-1970s I filled orders from hunters, guides, and outdoorsmen for full-flap holsters, usually for large handguns suitable for hunting or survival needs. That market remained steady over the years and as late as 2010 or 2012 I completed orders for customers literally all over the world including scientific, geological survey, oil exploration groups, most of them operating in remote areas and extreme climates. I remember another order from a motion picture production featuring pre-WW2 uniformed police officers using full-flap cross-draw holsters.

Another slice of the market, somewhat similar, is chest holsters for use by hunters, backpackers, recreational vehicle users, and others. Protection and security are primary factors with accessibility and comfort also considered.

For those trying to build a business it never hurts to consider product lines to meet customer needs. Many makers seem to concentrate their efforts on what appeals to themselves rather than focusing on what other people need or want.

My 2 cents worth for the day.

[TexasJack]

Very nice looking rigs!

 

[AlZilla]

@Thadrick, I'm curious about the rise/angle up from the holsters. Did you wing it, was it a pattern, maybe a specific angle or rise (so many inches in a foot)?

 

Thanks for whatever info you can provide.

[Thadrick]

The patterns I made out of paper told me the end needed to angle up in order for the holster to hug the hip without wrinkles. So yeah, I shot from the hip so to speak. Must be correct because I wore the black belt all day today hiking and riding my xr650 on the mountain. I had no pinching, slipping or discomfort no matter what I was doing.  I actually almost forgot I was wearing it except for the leg strap had to be adjusted a couple times.  

[Thadrick]

Maybe this will help? Its my best pattern so far. The belt is made out of 8 oz veg tan but I found that the back is a lot more comfortable if i use 2-4 oz suede. The suede helps keep the belt located properly on the hip when bending sitting or just walking.  Ive used veg tan on the back of the belt and found the pistol starts pulling the belt down my hip and when sitting it starts to slide around my cheeks

Edited July 25 by Thadrick

[AlZilla]

20 hours ago, Thadrick said:

Maybe this will help? Its my best pattern so far. The belt is made out of 8 oz veg tan but I found that the back is a lot more comfortable if i use 2-4 oz suede. The suede helps keep the belt located properly on the hip when bending sitting or just walking.  Ive used veg tan on the back of the belt and found the pistol starts pulling the belt down my hip and when sitting it starts to slide around my cheeks

Very nice. Thanks for the picture and explanation. Looks like a slightly steeper angle on the shorter end.

I've made a couple of drop holsters for my every day regular gun belt. For some reason, drop holsters just ride better than regular belt holsters.