Would Appreciate Feedback On My Pancake Holster Pattern

[SteelcityK9Cop]

As someone who has been carrying for 18 years... I always look for at least the 15 degree cant. The cant actually makes the draw easier...as well as making it more comfortable to wear. Be it my Glock 27 or my 1911 It rides the best with some cant to it.

[JollyJ]

No worries and still thank you, Michael (mlapaglia)! It was probably my references to six shooters because your comments were dead on for them.

Thanks SteelcityK9Cop! That's the type of information I was looking for. Like I said, he's new to this, and I want to do my best for him. He's a fireman and EMT in our city and grew up with my oldest daughter. He's a good kid!

Jeannie

[camano ridge]

Jolly, have your customer take his unloaded firearm and put it between his belt and pants then have him draw the firearm at different angles, he will soon determine on his own that he will get a better draw with a cant.

[DoubleBarP]

JollyJ. I'm an armature at this holster building stuff so factor that in when listening to what I have to add. On the other hand, I have been carrying a handgun professionally for over 3 decades. As a firearm instructor, I teach my students to achieve a “shooting” grip on the gun while it is still in the holster. Based on your drawing I suggest you adjust your pattern to allow for that…

In addition, a “cant” of 10-15 degrees will help with concealing the firearm and gaining a shooting grip while still in the holster. Individual body mechanics and where the holster is worn on the body come into play in this area.

If you are looking for a good primer ask Dwight if he would be so kind to provide a copy of his student handout that he provides to his students when he is teaching holster classes. It is an excellent primer. You could also look at Adams leather works. He has some videos of how he builds holsters. Another good resource.

Some of the best advice my mentor gave me when I started building holsters was this.. “I can’t give you a step by step formula that will lead to success. Building holsters is one of those things that you need to do with your hands”. I can give you a how to list but you need to do it to understand it”.

It does get easier over time. Although I am not sure, how much better I have gotten… I keep trying though… Good luck in your quest to build a better holster. Be sure to post pics of your product so we can see how you have progressed…

DBP

[JollyJ]

Thanks all! And I have a reply from a personal message I sent particle too!

I will discuss your comments about the cant with my "guinea pig", Pat. I know he will appreciate the information from long time carriers and I'm betting he will then want to start with the 15 degree cant.

I will post pictures once I make the holster so you can check out my finished work and give any additional pointers.

Thanks again!

Jeannie

[Eagle Crest]

It's a good design. For what it's worth and I'm sure someone will disagree with me, I wait to stitch the trigger guard side. I stitch my slide side then I put the gun in the holster. I press the holster a bit with my fingers to get the leather close to the bottom profile of the gun. I then trace the profile. Remove the gun. Over stitch the line. Punch my holes and stitch. I have gotten good results with this and am always able to get the trigger side stitch line really close. As said before when completed you want the holster to be tight. I almost want to think it should be a bit tough to draw. When the leather moistens and stretches it can get to be too lose and can become dangerous. But that's just my two cents. I'm new to the holster business but I have carried a gun for over ten years.

Also in respect to the strap for the thumbreak I initially had the mindset that the strap was there to hold the gun down and several of my straps were way too tight against the gun and would become distorted. The retention in the mold is what holds the gun in place. The strap is just extra insurance. A well molded holster should never even need a strap in my opinion. It's just the persons preference.

[JollyJ]

Thanks EagleCrest. I made a mock up with scrap leather and did find that I had to make another line of stitching closer to the trigger. Then I had my friend take the mock up and use it for awhile to see what he thought. I suggested to him that I might need to stitch it even closer. He used it, agreed that I needed to make the stitching a bit tighter but otherwise loved it! Also, he did want the strap for just the extra safety.