Pocket Holster Question

[Deanimator]

I don't do any forming on mine. They're rectangular like a wallet to conceal the outline. I've had no retention problems in using one nearly every day for months.

[jrvinny]

Thanks for the compliment. I'm sure you're correct about the the screws being easier to install. I hate setting snaps. I knew this customer wanted to be able to carry in his front or back pocket and it would be different day to day. I didn't realize you could unscrew your model with a penny though. That's pretty handy. As for covering the trigger, I knew someone would point that out. I would have been disappointed if no one did! I've changed the pattern since I made this one so it covers the trigger completely. This example was my first pocket holster. I was going to remake this customer's holster but he decided it was sufficiently covered for him. I actually examined that aspect quite closely when the holster was finished and determined with the customer that since you should carry nothing else in the pocket you put your holster in, there's no way you could actually get your finger in front of the trigger while it's in the holster.

While on the subject of triggers, I looked at your website and noticed that you mold the shape of the trigger into your trigger guard section. Does that "bump" behind the trigger actually contact the trigger when holstering the gun?

jrvinny,

Nice work there! I've made holsters like yours with the snaps. I switched to Chicago screws for a couple of reasons. First, it is much easier to construct. Secondly,

I felt that the snaps are much more likely to fail compared to a Chicago screw. No real experience with that, but I just felt the Chicago screw design would hold up longer. Regarding easy removal of the panel, with Chicago screws you can use a penny or dime in your pocket to remove the screw head. You don't have to have a screw driver. If someone wanted to take the panel off several times per day, your design would work much better for easily removing the panel. However, I've found that most people use the holster in a particular way and don't take the panel off and on multiple times per day.

I had one question. Is there any reason you did not cover the trigger a little more?

[lws380]

Thanks for the compliment. I'm sure you're correct about the the screws being easier to install. I hate setting snaps. I knew this customer wanted to be able to carry in his front or back pocket and it would be different day to day. I didn't realize you could unscrew your model with a penny though. That's pretty handy. As for covering the trigger, I knew someone would point that out. I would have been disappointed if no one did! I've changed the pattern since I made this one so it covers the trigger completely. This example was my first pocket holster. I was going to remake this customer's holster but he decided it was sufficiently covered for him. I actually examined that aspect quite closely when the holster was finished and determined with the customer that since you should carry nothing else in the pocket you put your holster in, there's no way you could actually get your finger in front of the trigger while it's in the holster.

While on the subject of triggers, I looked at your website and noticed that you mold the shape of the trigger into your trigger guard section. Does that "bump" behind the trigger actually contact the trigger when holstering the gun?

The trigger guard kinda pushes that out of the way going in. Coming out it rubs a little, but from the back side of the trigger.

[ShortBBL]

Thought I'd put in my 2 cents here. I didn't put too much molding into mine so that it would draw smoothly and leave the holster in the pocket. I left it as flat as I could on the side that contacts the panel/pants pocket. There is still enough retention to keep it from coming out of the holster inadvertently. You can the holster and gun upside down and the gun stays put but it still draws like glass. It's a fine line on retention with a pocket holster though. Mine is a similar design to IWS380's but I used snaps for the back panel instead of chicago screws. It just makes it easier to take the panel off for front pocket carry. I made it a bit wider to keep it from shifting around in the back pocket. I was worried I made it too wide but the customer says it works great. I'm interested to see how the nub on the slide side holds up. Any critiques are welcome. Always trying to improve designs and functionality.

Very nice looking little rig right here!! Thanks for sharing.

I'll add mine to the fray tomorrow. I made two so far for the LCP... not sure I like either, but maybe try #2 isn't too bad!