Metal Reinforcement On Mouth Of Holster

[LeatherWerks]

I recently purchased a Milt Sparks holster for a handgun I have. It's left handed and I got it for half the normal price. I guess someone ordered it and their credit card failed. Anyway, their loss was my gain.

It's a beautiful holster, an Avenger style and has a feature that I hope someone can tell me more about. That feature is what I assume is a metal insert at the top mouth of the holster that stiffens and keeps the holster from collapsing when the weapon is out of the holster.

I've heard pros and cons of a steel reinforced holster, but always was interested to understand what type of metal was being used.

If anyone has built a holster in this fashion, or knows what the Milt Sparks company uses, I would appreciate your comments.

Thanks,

Steve

[supercub]

I've done a few. I use a piece of galvanized steel around 18 gauge. Cut it out with tin snips, glue it to the holster body, overlay the leather reinforcement and sew it together. Lately I've sewn two pieces of 4/5 oz together with the metal sandwiched between the layers. No need to add an additional reinforcing leather throat piece and you end up with smooth grain side inside and out.

Of course, if you are building an avenger style, you'll need something like the throat band for the rear belt loop.

[Matt Alsaker]

On my IWB holsters, I use a piece of 22 gauge stainless steel between the holster body and the leather reinforcement piece. I have a local shop laser cut them to the size and shape I use. The edges are smooth and the size is exact. I've read the pro's and con's of doing this also. If someone didn't want the SS reinforcement piece, I would just leave it out. I've never had anyone make that request though.

[malabar]

Most of the holsters I make have the steel-reinforced throat. It improves retention, reholstering and presentation. No downside I can see, except it raises the cost.

tk