Holster Making Guide

[Wayward Shrimp]

There are some really good tutorials on here, but I have some situation specific questions.

First are there any guides/threads that I could look thru? (IWB holster keywork ended up being a wild goose chase)

I want to make a IWB holster for a Ruger LCR. Thing is I don't wear a belt, and if I do, its a thin one, not something anything could really clip or use as support.

How do I select the spring clip? (Size, and shape)

Any specific considerations for this type of holster/carry situation.

Thanks in advance!

[Fredo]

The best I can offer is pant waists are NOT designed to hold up a weapon. Even the smallish LCR is going to give you trouble if you try to hang it off the pants wasit line or a thin belt. You may want to consider a a back pocket holster or buying a good belt to carry with.

Sorry, hate to rain on anyones parade.

[dbusarow]

This is only my opinion, but, don't use the clips. You will look pretty silly pointing your holster at the BG.

Use straps, leather or kydex. There are lots of pictures of completed IWB holsters on this forum to give you ideas to work on.

Also just MHO but you can get away with a lot less belt when carrying IWB than OWB. I often wear a single layer 10oz bridle leather belt when carrying AIWB. My OWB belts are all double layer 7/8oz.

Dan

[marine mp]

Sounds like a elastic waistband belly holster is the ticket. Semper-fi Mike

[Wayward Shrimp]

well bummer.

I guess it might be time to visit the 'how to make a belt' forum too

Thanks for the replies!

[Bronson]

Would you knowingly build a house on an unstable foundation? The belt is the foundation of your carry rig.

Bronson

[TexasJack]

It's pretty simple to make a holster for the back pocket. Because the LCP is so flat and right-angled, it's easy to work with.

I took a small board and used it to make the top cover for the pistol by wet molding the leather over the gun. (Actually, I made a wooden model, but you can also use the pistol and just cover it well with Saran wrap.) Mold the leather over the pistol using pins or wire brads to hold it to the board as you mold it. Let dry a bit, then remove the gun and let if finish drying.

Next, cut a thick piece of leather that will fit in the pocket. If you want, you can use 2 thinner pieces, just sew the cover onto one of them before gluing and sewing them together. Trim the molded piece of leather so that you have enough edging to be able to sew. Place on the flat part and sew them together. Unless the molded portion is very stiff, you may want to put the pistol inside as you get it attached. BE SURE the TRIGGER is covered. Legal reasons - just trust me.

Thought I had a pic of the one I did, but can't find it. I actually did a couple before I worked out the bugs.

If you look on the elsiepea web site, there are various holsters being marketed.

[Big O]

TexasJack, its a Ruger LCR (a revolver), not a Ruger LCP (that teeny-tiny semiauto). A pocket holster might work for a big guy like me, wearing baggy trousers. Probably not so much for a younger female fashion slave....

Wayward Shrimp - concealing a firearm requires some compromises for most people. You can either choose your firearm and build your wardrobe around it, or choose your wardrobe and select your firearm based upon it. You don't wear a gunbelt, and have chosen a Ruger LCR. To ME, this seems to call for a lightweight shoulder holster, constructed in such a manner as to place the revolver in one of two natural hollows - either just below the armpit, or just beneath and to the outside of the breast. This, of course, would require some sort of cover garment - a vest, a sweater, an outer shirt, or a loose primary shirt. Mind you, I am making several ASSUMPTIONS here. I am assuming that you are hesitant to change your wardrobe, that you are small in stature, and that you are not willing or able to select a different firearm.

You MIGHT consider a paddle holster, but that'd put the body of the holster outside the waistband necessitating a longer cover garment, and the weight of the pistol and holster would still pull the waistband down.

If you decide to go forth with the IWB holster with clips, I'd recommend wide clips to maximize the grip on the pants, and not doing any detail boning of the leather AT ALL, because more retention would be the LAST thing you want without a belt to anchor the holster to.

In my younger years, I cared about being fashionable. At this age, I don't much care. I prefer to carry full-sized, full-powered handguns, and am willing to commit any fashion crimes necessary to accomodate this. I tend to carry in OWB holsters at the 3 o'clock position, under shirts that could have been made by Omar the Tentmaker.

Edited March 23, 2011 by Big O

[katsass]

Well girl, just a point from a grumpy old man. I have carried a handgun in open carry (LEO gunbelt) and in concealed carry, now, for over 40 years.. One thing that you must understand is that to carry concealed, you must dress to conceal..........not try to conceal as you now (normally) dress. Unfortunately, that's the way of things, if you are to do it satisfactorily. Modifications are usually necessary. Mike

[BigK]

I wish someone had a magic pill for your specific situation, but there doesn't seem to be a good cure for what ails you.

IWB almost demands a belt for anchoring the clip or attaching straps with line snaps. Pocket carry requies looser fitting pants than I've seen most women rockin nowadays. Front or rear pocket carry will aslo require a long enough shirt to cover the bulge, which is tough in warm weather. Don't even bother trying an ankle holster, they'll get ya killed (trying to unholster in a hurry is tough AND it can hang on brake/clutch pedals when driving or make you trip and fall).

Marine MP seems to be onto something with the belly band. I haven't tried it, but an LCR is light enough and I hear they are cofy. I hate to recommend it, but off-body carry is also an option. Putting your revolver in a fanny pack is best, since purses are the first thing snatched.

Whatever you choose, I'm glad you're packin' and hope you find something you like. Rethinking that belt gives you the most option, but I'm sure you already realize that.

Edited March 25, 2011 by BigK