Members Mekial2222 Posted October 4, 2011 Members Report Posted October 4, 2011 Hello, I've been thinking of making my first IWB holster for a while and I am trying to figure out which style to make... Pancake, flat side, or the one that looks like a basic belt clip type... what are the pro and cons of each of these? thank you. Quote
Contributing Member TwinOaks Posted October 5, 2011 Contributing Member Report Posted October 5, 2011 For your first holster, I'd recommend making a clamshell style. For an IWB, the simplest way to do it is trace your gun on a folded sheet of paper, add spacing for the stitches, cut out and unfold. There's your pattern. The assembly is pretty easy, especially if you do something inspired by a Summer Special. That can be made with a total of 2 pieces of leather, and two snaps....plus stitching, of course. Good style for a first, as the design of the holster will help with retention without relying only on molding. Read (if you haven't) our pinned tutorials on holster making, and feel free to ask any questions. Quote Mike DeLoach Esse Quam Videri (Be rather than Seem) "Don't learn the tricks of the trade.....Learn the trade." "Teach what you know......Learn what you don't." LEATHER ARTISAN'S DIGITAL GUILD on Facebook.
Members Dwight Posted October 6, 2011 Members Report Posted October 6, 2011 TwinOaks is right about the clamshell being easy. I usually introduce all my students to a flat backed pancake, . . . easy to make, . . . easy to adapt, . . . very comfortable when finished. May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members katsass Posted October 7, 2011 Members Report Posted October 7, 2011 (edited) TwinOaks is right about the clamshell being easy. I usually introduce all my students to a flat backed pancake, . . . easy to make, . . . easy to adapt, . . . very comfortable when finished. May God bless, Dwight From the grumpy old man showing his age, and FWIW. Not trying to steal this thread, but this came up a while ago and I was unable to locate a suitable picture at that time ...and I finally forgot about about it. The term 'Clamshell Holster' apparently means something different in modern parlance than it did when there were actual .....'Clamshell Holsters' . Frankly they weren't worth a dink (one of my lesser used but more polite terms) They were a mechanical holster that opened by the insertion of the trigger finger into the trigger guard and depressing a 'hidden' release button. The thing snapped open rather violently and was supposed to (sort of) throw the weapon into the shooter's hand. Used by many law enforcement departments, they resulted in many accidentally dropped weapons when they decided,(on their own) to open unexpectedly. This resulted in numerous damaged weapons, and there were more than a few unintentional discharges reported. To me, the enclosed pic is a 'Clamshell Holster'. What I believe you are speaking of is a common folded pouch .... still, arguably, the most common type of holster made and one of the most simple to make. Mike Edited October 7, 2011 by katsass Quote NOTE TO SELF: Never try to hold a cat and an operating Dust buster at the same time!! At my age I find that I can live without sex..........but not without my glasses. Being old has an advantage.......nobody expects me to do anything in a hurry.
Contributing Member TwinOaks Posted October 7, 2011 Contributing Member Report Posted October 7, 2011 Honestly, I think I just picked up the term "clam shell" in a discussion about the various holster types.....long while back, on here (pre-crash). Folded pouch certainly describes it better. Perhaps I'll start using that..... Your pic is quite unique- I've never seen the likes before! Quote Mike DeLoach Esse Quam Videri (Be rather than Seem) "Don't learn the tricks of the trade.....Learn the trade." "Teach what you know......Learn what you don't." LEATHER ARTISAN'S DIGITAL GUILD on Facebook.
Members katsass Posted October 7, 2011 Members Report Posted October 7, 2011 (edited) Honestly, I think I just picked up the term "clam shell" in a discussion about the various holster types.....long while back, on here (pre-crash). Folded pouch certainly describes it better. Perhaps I'll start using that..... Your pic is quite unique- I've never seen the likes before! Well, as I said .... they weren't worth a whooo-ha. They also were not inexpensive. Both sides of the shell were steel, covered in leather. And notice the big swivel configuration so that one could sit easily in a car. But, that's a Clamshell Holster. I wore one for a short time, but got rid of it when a friend's Python hit the asphalt. Mike P.S. The gun in the holster looks an awful lot like an old Colt Officer's Model, but not the Officer's Model Match that I carried for a short time. Basically different sights only. Edited October 7, 2011 by katsass Quote NOTE TO SELF: Never try to hold a cat and an operating Dust buster at the same time!! At my age I find that I can live without sex..........but not without my glasses. Being old has an advantage.......nobody expects me to do anything in a hurry.
Members Reaper Posted October 7, 2011 Members Report Posted October 7, 2011 (edited) I can send you the pattern for this holster if you like. It will fit any Duty size, Compact and Full size semi-auto other than the 1911... All it is really is a wrap around with reinforced throat with snap straps. Works real well and the flap hanging off the rear catches the bottom side of the belt so the holster stays put when you make a draw. I carry a G17, G19, G23, HK 45, FN 40, Sig 226, Sig 229 and CZ's in it as I feel like doing. I'll post a better picture of a Natural finished one which shows the holster allot better later today. I just finished a few up for some PoPo's I shoot with regularly. Cross draw for a 696-4 7 shot 357 also. I probably should post more of what I do, but eh... Not mush I think is worth to hard drive space because it isn't unusual enough. Edited October 7, 2011 by Reaper Quote No sir, he fell into that bullet
Members Reaper Posted October 7, 2011 Members Report Posted October 7, 2011 Well, as I said .... they weren't worth a whooo-ha. They also were not inexpensive. Both sides of the shell were steel, covered in leather. And notice the big swivel configuration so that one could sit easily in a car. But, that's a Clamshell Holster. I wore one for a short time, but got rid of it when a friend's Python hit the asphalt. Mike P.S. The gun in the holster looks an awful lot like an old Colt Officer's Model, but not the Officer's Model Match that I carried for a short time. Basically different sights only. Yeah it looks like a accident waiting to happen. Or a gun grab offering... I could see that working out in a Saddle Bag as a mounted holster. You flip the flap up and reach in trigger it open and you've got the weapon in hand. Keeps it from being buried under whatever else is in the Saddle Bag. Quote No sir, he fell into that bullet
Members katsass Posted October 7, 2011 Members Report Posted October 7, 2011 Honestly, I think I just picked up the term "clam shell" in a discussion about the various holster types.....long while back, on here (pre-crash). Folded pouch certainly describes it better. Perhaps I'll start using that..... Your pic is quite unique- I've never seen the likes before! Here is another view of one. Mike Quote NOTE TO SELF: Never try to hold a cat and an operating Dust buster at the same time!! At my age I find that I can live without sex..........but not without my glasses. Being old has an advantage.......nobody expects me to do anything in a hurry.
Members marine mp Posted October 7, 2011 Members Report Posted October 7, 2011 Mekial2222, If I can be so bold as to interject something here....... before you decide to make a IWB,....take that shooter (UNLOADED) that you especially want to make a holster for and wear it inside your trousers for about 8 hours on a weekend, and do your natural routine during the day. Bending, sitting, doing everyday stuff......and if you are o.k. with a weapon inside your pants for a day, then go ahead and make a holster. If you don't like it, then you would have saved all that time making a holster that will spend its time in the "holster drawer"!!!! For MYSELF, I can't abide a weapon inside my beltline. People come to me (mostly new to the carry scene) and want a IWB holster an I tell them to do as I described above. They come back wanting a OWB and are happy for the intel. Just a thought. To each his own. Semper-fi Mike Quote "The first one thru the door...gets the copper-coated candy". ADL Custom Holsters "I've got a LONG list of real good reasons, for all the things that I have done"!!!
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