New Elephant Holster - Dang You Kevin At Slc

[lonestar tactical]

Good day all. I have been a long time lurker but never felt like I had much to share in the way of information or work. It can be a little daunting with all the great work shown on this board. I am self taught so please keep that in mind. Nothing but printed books, online resources (I love this site) and a few youtube vids.

Now that I had the opp to talk to SLC and get some great customer service and prompt replies I had no choice but to pick up some hide from them. Hate when a company has great employees - it makes it so difficult to do business with anyone else lol. Side note - Kevin and Emma are a joy to deal with. Nothing but the best experience with working with both of these individuals. Picked up a nice piece of black elephant and black shark from SLC.

The Cage IWB/OWB holster for a 1911 Commander in elephant.

It is an OWB holster that was modified to also accomodate IWB carry.

The elephant is attached to 8/9 oz premium tooling side with Barge contact cement and hand stiched using nylon waxed line. Dried for complete 24 hours before working with it. Once it was dry I worked the edges and sanded for a perfect fit and finished edges with Fiebings edging. I then wet molded and then dyed with Fiebings USMC black (3 coats) and then applied neatsfoot oil to front and back. Dried for another 24 hours and then sealed with Fiebings Sheen.

Straps are hand cut with strap cutter - got tired of paying for straps that never seemed to be the same size order to order. I attached the elephant to the hide with Barge contact cement and then used eyelets to re-enforce connection points. Sanded and finished edges.

Same steps for the magazine carrier - I am going to be making this as my standard magazine carry method. Only difference is that I used chicago set screws to attach the sides. The leather seemed thick but I prefer it this way because it tends to grab a little better when pulling for a reload.

I have the shark holster currently drying and it is looking fantastic as well.

Hope you enjoy.

Be Safe,

Doc

Edited September 5, 2011 by lonestar tactical

[King's X]

Beautiful holster and yes Springfield can put you in a spot to buy something when the service is great!

[wizard of tragacanth]

Nice, clean look! Glad you came out of lurking mode.

And for the rest of you lurkers... olly olly oxen free!

Nick

[lonestar tactical]

Had a client request a duplicate set up for his 3.5 RIA 1911 with elephant

I encourage people to try out elephant hide.

Be safe,

Doc

[dickf]

You've definitely got a good start. I think you'll find that the stitch line will allow the holster to lose it's ability to retain the firearm over time because it doesn't follow the profile of the gun. You need to adjust it to come as close to the weapon as possible, while following the natural curves of the gun. Also, eliminate any angles and round everything off, especially the mag carrier, and I'd say you've got a nice looking pattern there.

Edited September 15, 2011 by dickf

[lonestar tactical]

You've definitely got a good start. I think you'll find that the stitch line will allow the holster to lose it's ability to retain the firearm over time because it doesn't follow the profile of the gun. You need to adjust it to come as close to the weapon as possible, while following the natural curves of the gun. Also, eliminate any angles and round everything off, especially the mag carrier, and I'd say you've got a nice looking pattern there.

Thanks for the feedback - always welcome.

To be honest with you I had my design tested for over a year before I started making them available to the public. Were talking some hard daily use by leo at the fed and state levels, as well as concealed handgun folks here in texas. The shape of the holster is unique to Lonestar Tactical. In my opinion, it is better to swim apart from the crowd then with it. The edges are well rounded to avoid anything that may poke/rub/dig into you - and as an OWB the shape works great.

The MagPac II is not rounded off as much because pockets are not round. I designed the shape of the MagPac II to take into account the pointy bottom end of the inside of our pockets. I did originally make it more round and it tended to shift more than I cared for.

I do have a more traditional shaped holsters comming out shortly. Something along the lines of an avenger type holster and also something similar to the Kirkpatrick IWB holster. Those will have more of what you mentioned.

Thanks again dickf and much thanks for the food for thought - if we don't adapt we get left behind

Be safe,

Doc

[dickf]

In my opinion, it is better to swim apart from the crowd then with it.

I agree, and with holstermaking, that can be difficult sometimes. Still, I think you should consider making the stitch line follow the profile of the gun. Your holster, when put to hard use, will lose it's retention over time due to that stitch line. They all get worn and looser, which is a fact of life, but doing everything you can to limit that fact is in your best interest. Look at other makers, especially the pro's like Del Fatti and Kanely - there is a reason the line is close, and it's not simply because it looks nice.

We all have to start somewhere, and there's no shame in reevaluating a product to refine it. Your customers will benefit in the long run.

My 2 cents.

Good luck.

[lonestar tactical]

I agree, and with holstermaking, that can be difficult sometimes. Still, I think you should consider making the stitch line follow the profile of the gun. Your holster, when put to hard use, will lose it's retention over time due to that stitch line. They all get worn and looser, which is a fact of life, but doing everything you can to limit that fact is in your best interest. Look at other makers, especially the pro's like Del Fatti and Kanely - there is a reason the line is close, and it's not simply because it looks nice.

We all have to start somewhere, and there's no shame in reevaluating a product to refine it. Your customers will benefit in the long run.

My 2 cents.

Good luck.

Hey buddy - I appreciate your advice. I have another order that I am working on this morning for a Colt Commander. Will implement the stitching as suggested and see how it works.

Not claiming to be a know it all as I know that there are many who have much more experience than I. No shame in reevaluating is right - clients make suggestions and I implement. No supervisor to explain changes or why I had to make a holster 3 times because I did not think it was perfect. Which is why I love what I do - I answer to only one person and thats the Mrs lol.

Thanks again and will post pictures of the implemented stitch lines.

Be safe dickf,

Doc

[lonestar tactical]

I agree, and with holstermaking, that can be difficult sometimes. Still, I think you should consider making the stitch line follow the profile of the gun. Your holster, when put to hard use, will lose it's retention over time due to that stitch line. They all get worn and looser, which is a fact of life, but doing everything you can to limit that fact is in your best interest. Look at other makers, especially the pro's like Del Fatti and Kanely - there is a reason the line is close, and it's not simply because it looks nice.

We all have to start somewhere, and there's no shame in reevaluating a product to refine it. Your customers will benefit in the long run.

My 2 cents.

Good luck.

Thank you to everyone on the board who has offered feedback and made suggestions.

I took to heart the suggestions and moved my rear stitch line in on my 1911 holsters to better fit the curve. My design was only recently adapted to 1911's - prior to this the bulk of my business came from LEO using Glock polymer guns (square trigger). As you know Glocks have square trigger guards.

Also, I shortened and rounded more around the edges to make it about .75" shorter across.

Thank you dickf and others.

(added information - this is for my clients 1911 Commander order I mentioned earlier)

Be safe,

Doc

Edited September 21, 2011 by lonestar tactical

[Sixer]

The elephant looks great! The stitching looks great as well.