Niche Market

[Lobo]

Just about all of the big-name holster makers tend to concentrate their offerings on popular handguns that are currently in production. As some handgun models go out of production, those models are dropped from the product line.

Some handgun models are, or have been, so scarcely distributed in the US that holster makers found it impractical to make holsters for those models. This can change.

I have continued to offer holsters for a number of vintage and modern handguns that have gone out of production, but many thousands continue in use. This has provided a steady stream of orders for years. I recently noted two particular pieces that offered some opportunities.

First was the H&K P7 PSP model, a German design in 9X19 mm caliber featuring two unique features, (1) a squeeze-cocking mechanism on the front grip strap, requiring the user to grip the pistol and depress the lever-like device to cock the striker and permit the trigger to release the sear, and (2) gas-operated chamber locking, with a gas vent in the barrel allowing the expanding powder gases to drive a piston that locks the breech until the bullet has left the barrel. The H&K P7 pistols (PSP and M8 variants) were very popular with German police forces, and some were imported into the US, but they were always a pretty high dollar item here so distribution was somewhat limited. This changed last year when H&K took in thousands of police trade-ins, ran them through the factory, imported them to the US, and offered them at reasonable prices in three grades, depending on condition and wear. A year ago the P7's were bringing $1200-plus; the limited numbers recently made available were in the $600 to $700 range, so there was a lot of interest.

Second was the Makarov pistol, originally a Russian (Soviet) military piece and later made in Bulgaria, East Germany, and China. Again, these were quite rare in the US prior to the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990's, but that changed as former communist bloc nations started selling off military hardware to raise hard currency. Many thousands were imported from the mid-1990's until fairly recently, and prices were very low. Ammunition was a problem, but that has changed and US makers are now offering some serious defensive loads for the 9X18 Makarov. I bought the Bulgarian "Circle 10" military production piece and I have been quite impressed with it. Overall, a very robust and dependable pistol that is quite usable for discreet concealed carry.

Based upon customer requests I decided to add both of these models to my line-up. As is the case with most smaller semi-auto pistols, holster design requires some thought to maintain adequate room around the grip-frame to permit a solid grip during the draw. Pancake designs need particular attention in this regard, and the squeeze-cocking mechanism of the H&K P7 requires extra attention to allow drawing the weapon without inadvertently cocking the piece prematurely.

The first holster model that I adapted to these pistols was my Enhanced Pancake model, the most popular design in my product line. Below are a few photos showing the results. The H&K P7 holster is a plain, unlined open-top model. The Makarov holster features a slide shield and holster lining.

The word seems to be spreading. As always, dummy guns are not always available, and even when they are it sometimes just makes sense to invest in something that will always have value. I doubt that I will ever regret adding these two to my collection.

Edited May 21, 2011 by Lobo

[electrathon]

Very nice. Cool to see something actually being made for a Makarov. I have one that has been my carry gun for many years. It was inexspensive, fits in my hand well and is easy to conceal. I have shot well over 1000 rounds through it and have not once had a single jam.

Aaron

[RMB Custom Leather]

Just about all of the big-name holster makers tend to concentrate their offerings on popular handguns that are currently in production. As some handgun models go out of production, those models are dropped from the product line.

Some handgun models are, or have been, so scarcely distributed in the US that holster makers found it impractical to make holsters for those models. This can change.

I have continued to offer holsters for a number of vintage and modern handguns that have gone out of production, but many thousands continue in use. This has provided a steady stream of orders for years. I recently noted two particular pieces that offered some opportunities.

First was the H&K P7 PSP model, a German design in 9X19 mm caliber featuring two unique features, (1) a squeeze-cocking mechanism on the front grip strap, requiring the user to grip the pistol and depress the lever-like device to cock the striker and permit the trigger to release the sear, and (2) gas-operated chamber locking, with a gas vent in the barrel allowing the expanding powder gases to drive a piston that locks the breech until the bullet has left the barrel. The H&K P7 pistols (PSP and M8 variants) were very popular with German police forces, and some were imported into the US, but they were always a pretty high dollar item here so distribution was somewhat limited. This changed last year when H&K took in thousands of police trade-ins, ran them through the factory, imported them to the US, and offered them at reasonable prices in three grades, depending on condition and wear. A year ago the P7's were bringing $1200-plus; the limited numbers recently made available were in the $600 to $700 range, so there was a lot of interest.

Second was the Makarov pistol, originally a Russian (Soviet) military piece and later made in Bulgaria, East Germany, and China. Again, these were quite rare in the US prior to the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990's, but that changed as former communist bloc nations started selling off military hardware to raise hard currency. Many thousands were imported from the mid-1990's until fairly recently, and prices were very low. Ammunition was a problem, but that has changed and US makers are now offering some serious defensive loads for the 9X18 Makarov. I bought the Bulgarian "Circle 10" military production piece and I have been quite impressed with it. Overall, a very robust and dependable pistol that is quite usable for discreet concealed carry.

Based upon customer requests I decided to add both of these models to my line-up. As is the case with most smaller semi-auto pistols, holster design requires some thought to maintain adequate room around the grip-frame to permit a solid grip during the draw. Pancake designs need particular attention in this regard, and the squeeze-cocking mechanism of the H&K P7 requires extra attention to allow drawing the weapon without inadvertently cocking the piece prematurely.

The first holster model that I adapted to these pistols was my Enhanced Pancake model, the most popular design in my product line. Below are a few photos showing the results. The H&K P7 holster is a plain, unlined open-top model. The Makarov holster features a slide shield and holster lining.

The word seems to be spreading. As always, dummy guns are not always available, and even when they are it sometimes just makes sense to invest in something that will always have value. I doubt that I will ever regret adding these two to my collection.

I was thinking about the same thing when I was looking at dummy guns. Why not get the off the wall dummy guns because most people are not making holsters for them, guess that is by BLUEGUNS carries both of those models.

[Denster]

Nice holsters Lobo.

You're right about the P7PSP. I picked one up when they first hit the market last year and designed a holster for it. Immediate success and I've sold well over a hundred in the last few months.

I'm sure yours will be a hit there are a lot of those pistols brought over and word is spreading quick about how reliable and accurate they are.

[Sixer]

You make a great point... I've been more concerned with getting the "normal" blue guns when I should be cranking out holsters for the P7. I love that gun! There is definitely a strong following for the P7 and I know that finding a good holster was a PITA. That's actually part of the reason I got into leatherworking to begin with... I figured I could make my own instead of waiting 6 + months to get a Del Fatti holster

[K-Man]

Nice holsters Lobo.

You're right about the P7PSP. I picked one up when they first hit the market last year and designed a holster for it. Immediate success and I've sold well over a hundred in the last few months.

I'm sure yours will be a hit there are a lot of those pistols brought over and word is spreading quick about how reliable and accurate they are.

Actually the P7PSP came back in the marketplace with a huge importation of them approximately 4 years ago.

[PHIPPS CRAFTED LEATHER]

To date every holster I have made except 2 ( Sig 232 and XD .40) has been for a out of date or not main stream pistol. 1st was for a Bersa Ultra Compact .45, 2nd was a CZ 82, 3rd was for a Sig P6, 4th will be for a 3" Lady Smith .38. Newest orders are for Glocks -19 and 27, a Walther 22 w/ a Silencer pouch. So it has been various. I enjoy the non main stream, here in PA were the Right to Bear Arms is alive and STRONG.

[Denster]

Actually the P7PSP came back in the marketplace with a huge importation of them approximately 4 years ago.

Interesting. Wish I'd have known then.

Didn't start seeing them at the guns shows around here until early last year.

[gregintenn]

Very cool! Odd, out of production handguns, as well as being left handed, were why I found myself first interested in learning to make holsters. Heres a crossdraw holster i made for a fellow. It holds a 1917 Savage 32.

...and a pancake for a CZ 52.

Edited May 22, 2011 by gregintenn

[marine mp]

gregintenn, Nice looking holsters. The do look a lot like the "Simply-Rugged" sour-dough design. If that is the case, and I may be barking up the wrong tree, we as leather-smiths need to be giving credence to the originators of the designs we borrow ideas from. If I am wrong, I stand corrrected. Semper-fi Mike