Metal Reinforcement

[Red Cent]

Dwight, some holster makers in the Fast Draw realm actually make holsters out of fiberglass. No leather lining. A bunch of them make steel lined fast draw (real fast draw rigs)rigs that has zero tension on the gun. The handgun just lays there uninhibited until you go to work.

"The holster also has Mernickle’s SAFELEG bullet deflector to protect the shooter’s leg in the event of a premature discharge. As stated earlier, the holster is fully steel lined, and provides a rigid pocket for the gun that doesn’t hinder the draw."

http://www.gunblast.com/Mernickle-FastDraw.htm

I had the wife pick up a piece of sheet metal in 18 gauge. Ain't no way I will attempt to shape that inside of leather. I bought a roll of aluminum and two sheets fits between 22-24 gauge. Good enough.

[Dwight]

Malabar, . . .

Just for kicks, . . . I checked Ebay, . . . this is like the one I had:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bianchi-FastDraw-Left-hand-Black-Leather-Steel-lined-Holster-Cowboy-Western-SASS-/251520540033?pt=US_Holsters&hash=item3a8fcadd81

As you can see, . . . lots of steel molding must be done before the leather goes on it. I don't remember the guys name, . . . but he is the one who always beats Marshall Dillon to the draw on Gunsmoke, . . . he is the "grandfather" of the steel lined fast draw holster.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Josh Ashman]

Mernickle holsters notes on their website that the steel lining is to deflect wax bullets only. With that being the case I imagine any thin metal lining would probably work although you might want to do some Mythbuster type testing on something other than your leg. As for forming the metal I'd think it would be relatively easy, basically the same thing as a metal reinforced opening on a carry holster only run it across the back fairly far down.

I'm sure the Mernickle holsters are great but looking at the pictures on their site I think there is probably a high level of marketing involved which probably applies to the leg shield as well.

There's my 2 cents, it's worth just what it cost you!

Best regards, Josh

[camano ridge]

Dwight, that would be Arvo Ojala, he taught most of the western stars of that era how to shoot, as well as developing many of the fast draw rigs.

[malabar]

Dwight, Red Cent, Josh,

thanks for the insight. makes more sense now. i'll have to get started on this soon.

tk