Prototype, variation on the Avenger style

[Bronson]

Lobo I very much like the looks of that.

Would you mind if I used your welt-in-the-wing idea for a similar holster I've got kickin' around in my head?

Thanks,

Bronson

[Lobo]

Lobo I very much like the looks of that.

Would you mind if I used your welt-in-the-wing idea for a similar holster I've got kickin' around in my head?

Thanks,

Bronson

As for this use of a welt being my idea, I will only go so far as to say that I have applied an existing technique to a fairly common style of holster to achieve an end that I was interested in pursuing. Like so many other things that we see, something very similar has almost certainly been done by others before us.

That said, so far as I am concerned, please feel free to go forward with your plan. I am sure that you will develop this concept further, which is a good thing in my opinion.

This style of welted holster construction adds significantly to the time required to produce a holster (multiple patterns, additional pieces to cut, another stitching pattern, etc). This factor by itself will probably keep major manufacturers from using it, as additional time equals reduced profits in mass production and marketing.

[katsass]

The welt consists of a piece of 9-10 oz. cowhide cut to fit between the front and back panels throughout the "wing" area (behind the trigger guard and down to the bottom of the holster). The welt is relieved (cut away) in the area of the rear belt attachment. By extending the welt from the bottom of the holster to the rear of the trigger guard there is a significant gain in overall rigidity in the finished holster. By extending the welted area up behind the trigger guard this adds to the ability of the rear belt attachment to pull the holstered handgun in tightly to the body.

The tunnel loop panel sewn on the back side also extends upward to the mouth of the holster, thus adding some rigidity to the rear of the holster.

There is no additional reinforcement of the holster mouth. This holster was "force dried" using applied heat during the drying process. This also adds rigidity to the finished product. It will, indeed, support the steel anvil with no distortion at this point. Of course, all leather products will wear so I don't expect this degree of rigidity to be permanent, but it will always be a solid piece.

Thanks for your comments.

Good morning Lobo. Great design, fantastic execution and great coments re: the repositioning of belt loops etc. I always thought that repositioning the belt loops was sort of the curse of being left-handed and just did it as a normal course of action for myself. I seldom use reinforcement at the holster mouth as I use two layers of 4/5 oz leather bonded together (flesh to flesh) for the body on almost all my holsters. This done, and when dried for 24 or so hours in the desert heat (95 to 105 and a humidity level of less than 15%) after molding, I guess that I get the same effect as your "force drying". Anyhoo, when dryed this way the things are very rigid and actually stay thay way for years. Again, great work! Mike

[Lobo]

Good morning Lobo. Great design, fantastic execution and great coments re: the repositioning of belt loops etc. I always thought that repositioning the belt loops was sort of the curse of being left-handed and just did it as a normal course of action for myself. I seldom use reinforcement at the holster mouth as I use two layers of 4/5 oz leather bonded together (flesh to flesh) for the body on almost all my holsters. This done, and when dried for 24 or so hours in the desert heat (95 to 105 and a humidity level of less than 15%) after molding, I guess that I get the same effect as your "force drying". Anyhoo, when dryed this way the things are very rigid and actually stay thay way for years. Again, great work! Mike

Thank you, Mike. Very kind comments. I live in Pueblo, Colorado where we share much of the desert climate (very low humidity, very high summer temperatures); unfortunately today we set a record low temperature, and it has been pretty humid for a week or so. On average, if we were to receive about 1" less precipitation per year we would be officially classified as a desert region. My shop is on the banks of the Arkansas River, and I frequently see nothing but dust and a trickle of moisture from time to time.

I have updated my website with this variation on the original style, and have already received an inquiry from a customer (to whom I shipped an original Avenger style holster just a few days ago). Fortunately, this customer recognizes the difference and has sent a new order for another holster in the new pattern, so the heat factor hasn't gotten me this time. Since this customer is a repeat customer I have offered him a good discount in exchange for his testing the new product and offering his comments. Being a retired cop, I have several regular "testers" for new products, but I see an opportunity for gaining new insights from another source here.

Thank goodness for air conditioning in the American southwest!

[303brit]

Very nice design Lobo, I was searching for a new holster to make and had to give that one a try.

I usually make hybrid IWB holsters but had the itch to get back into the full leather.

I checked out your web page, you do some very nice work. Good to see a Colorado neighbor doing well.

[Lobo]

Very nice design Lobo, I was searching for a new holster to make and had to give that one a try.

I usually make hybrid IWB holsters but had the itch to get back into the full leather.

I checked out your web page, you do some very nice work. Good to see a Colorado neighbor doing well.

Thank you, 303brit. By coincidence, just yesterday I completed one for the Glock 19 with neutral cant.

I have added the "Enhanced Avenger" and "Enhanced Pancake" models to my product line, and interest has been very good. These two new models now account for 30% of orders since the first of this year.

Attached photos show the Enhanced Avenger with mouth reinforcement for the Colt Commander and Enhanced Pancake for the 1911, recently shipped out.