Leather weight.

[Scott1952]

There are various schools of thought on what weight leather to use in the fabrication of holsters. My question to those of you inclined to answer, is what weight do you utilize for your different styles? IWB weight/OWB weight. I use 6/7oz for my OWB. I have yet to attrempt an IWB holster.

Thanks

Scott

[ArtS]

Hey Scott,

I haven't tried an IWB yet either. I usually use 8/9oz but I've gone thinner when that was all I had on hand.

Art

[adaman04]

I'm interested in this as well. I'm going to be focusing on OWB mag and light pouches and (exhale) hopefully a holster if I think I'm up to it. I have planned on 8/9 as I thought that looked to be pretty common among holster makers. Now I see a lot saying they go a little lighter for OWB and even lighter for IWB. I guess a lot of it is a matter of preference and what you want the holster to do.

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

Scott,

I use 8 oz. for my belt holsters, and 6/7 oz. for my IWB holsters unless multiple layers are involved.

[Randyc]

I have been using 8/9 oz. leather from Hermann Oak for my OWB Bulldog Avenger tunnel loop holsters. I've been using 6/7 oz. Hermann Oak for my beltslide (pancake) style holsters and S&W J-frame pocket holsters. I found the lighter weight leather is easier to mold and bone.

With the economy being what it is, I'm test marketing some less expensive holster designs.

I purchased some black drum dyed 5/6 oz. cowhide from Zack White and have made and sold a few pocket holsters this week. I also made a few proto-type beltslide holsters for the Glock 26/27 and 19/23. The drum dyed leather has molded very nicely, reasonable in cost and seems to be a better quality then the economy sholders at Tandy. As an added bonus, I don't have to dye the stuff myself.

Randy

[Lobo]

Most of my production is concealment holsters, with variations of the pancake style making up the majority. For many years I used nothing but 8-9 oz. shoulders with good results overall. Lately, I have been making quite a few holsters for lighter-weight handguns from 7-8 oz with good results. This weight is certainly easier to work with, sew, form, etc.

For mag pouches and the occasional flashlight holder requested I have used weights down to about 4-5 oz. for the pouch portions, generally with a back made of 7-8 oz. for a stronger belt attachment. The lighter leather has all the strength needed for carrying the weight, can be formed to more intricate shapes more readily, and is less bulky for a streamlined finished product.

As noted by RandyC, I am seriously considering a line-up of "economy" grade holsters, perhaps 6-7 oz. leather. There are a lot of folks carrying sidearms now, with 38 states having adopted "shall issue" concealed carry laws, and many of those folks want lower cost alternatives. I'm also considering the lighter weights for my shoulder holsters to reduce bulk.

Note to RandyC: thanks for the info on the drum dyed from Zack White! I do get tired of dying everything.