Simple Holster

[Bryan M]

I've been looking for a quick easy leather project for a while. We were visiting my father in-law, a retired Nevada State Trooper, and he showed me a super simple holster design that I hadn't seen in years.

Before we left he gave me a cardboard pattern of the holster and yesterday I made it and dyed it black. Today I went over it with saddle soap and burnished the edges with old denim.

I know I need to improve some things. But over all I am very happy about how it has turned out. I think I did ok on the stamping. Not perfect by any means but not terrible either. I've even thought of making them and selling them. Of course I need to do a few, maybe quite a few, before I'm ready to sell any. Practicing proper technique is something I know I need to do.

Anyway, here's a picture of it. You just fit your belt through the loops and it holds small single stack pistols or J-frame revolvers quite well. I will be using it for my M&P 9 Shield. Its a perfect fit for that size. Rides very comfortably.

Edited February 25, 2015 by Bryan M

[camano ridge]

Looks like it is based on the Bianchi Foldaway. Looks like it turned out fine.

Edited February 26, 2015 by camano ridge

[Bryan M]

Had the wife take a pic of it in use. I can't quite twist my self up that way.

I don't know about the Bianchi Foldaway. I had to look it up. It does have a similar look. From what I've been told its a very old pattern. So, I don't know which came first.

[dakotawolf]

The basket stamping looks good to me. If it were my pattern, I'd update it by eliminating that cutout near the trigger guard.

Is this a one piece holster? Is the gun sandwiched between the holster on one side and the belt on the other?

[camano ridge]

Here is a picture of the Bianchi Foldaway. pretty similar design. This picture shows the back side. When I said based on the Bianchi Pattern I should have said similar to the Bianchi pattern. I don't know which came first. I was just noting that they are similar.

[Bryan M]

Yes this is a one piece holster. The pistol is wedged between the leather and your belt or pants. It wears very well and I think its a comfortable fit. I feel it could easily be modified into a two piece as well. More like a full holster design. I can understand why you would do away with the dip for the trigger guard, but your fingers can't get into the guard as it sits. I may just fiddle with it and see what not adding that will do to how the holster carries. It would be a minor adjustment.

Oh, yes I looked the Bianchi Foldaway up and it is a similar design. Thank you for the picture though. I was watching a news report about something that had happened in Brazil the other day and saw that one of the local police had his pistol in a very similar patterned holster. It was nice to see that a professional was using one.

[dakotawolf]

Thanks for posting this! I'd never seen anything like it.

[Bryan M]

I traced it and made a pdf file of the pattern for any who are interested. Just print out on an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper and it will be full sized.

Simple Holster PDF.pdf

[Red Cent]

First time for me. Thought I had seen them all. Neat, but.....................how secure is that thing? Interesting.

[JLSleather]

First time for me. Thought I had seen them all. Neat, but.....................how secure is that thing? Interesting.

Me, too, Red. So, if you wanna unbuckle yer britches, you have to set the firearm down first ... ?

[Bryan M]

Yes to the first question. It is very secure. I have no problems at all with retention. NO to the second question. No need to set it aside when you drop trousers. It is a very comfortable, easy to use holster. For me it is a good solution for carrying small pistols. LC9, S&W M&P 9 Shield, Kahr PM 9, sizes, hold very well I have had no problems at all.

[Shooter McGavin]

Exposed trigger and exposed muzzle are 2 big negatives for me. Stay safe!

[Bryan M]

The trigger isn't exposed at all. Just the back opening of the trigger guard. As far as the muzzle being exposed, I've seen many, many holsters that do that. One nice thing about leather is you can change it to suit your own needs. I wear this daily. No issues at all. Sorry but I disagree with your assessment completely. I am safe.

[Shooter McGavin]

Disagree all you'd like. I still think it's a horrible idea and nothing you can say will make me believe otherwise. I hope you dont shoot your ass off.

[Bryan M]

I won't. But you could relax a bit. If it was such a horrible idea there wouldn't be thousands of these being used world wide, as I've since found out. Even here in the states, its a version of a Bianchi Foldaway. So, just take it easy will ya? You don't have to be a jerk. I was being nice.

[Geneva]

Bryan M. I think you uncovered his true identity.

[Shooter McGavin]

Theres also thousands of people using that "stick it in the barrel "holster"" that someone is selling. Doesnt make it a good idea.

Alas. we are all free to make our own decisions, even if they are bad ones.

If you intend to sell these, I hope you have phenominal liability insurance.

Also, Im not being a jerk. I am simply giving my thoughts and concerns on a holster you decided to show off to the world ( or at least the small percentage that frequent this forum ), and now youre just upset because Im not gushing over it.

I won't. But you could relax a bit. If it was such a horrible idea there wouldn't be thousands of these being used world wide, as I've since found out. Even here in the states, its a version of a Bianchi Foldaway. So, just take it easy will ya? You don't have to be a jerk. I was being nice.

[Slow Learner]

I liked the holster and thanks for the pdf. I will build one for my 1911. It looks better than the NRA two piece holster they were touting some time back.

With your permission I would like to try some different modifications. If it works out I will post the results.

I would also like to see one of the "stick it in the barrel holsters" that shooter mentioned. I think I have only seen one of those and it was being used as a quick draw holster in competitions. They must have thought it a good idea. I don't know just saying.

[leatherquestions]

Slow Learner,

The "stick in the barrel holster" he is referring to is the Versacarry. It's very simple: slip the rod into the barrel, clip it to your belt, instant IWB. I don't like the concept either, but that company is making a ton of money selling them. There are actually 2 companies retailing similar holsters, but I can't think of the others name.

I hope you notice I made my suggestion without the bias of the other contributor.

Tip

Edited April 8, 2015 by leatherquestions

[Slow Learner]

Thanks Tip for that information.

I'm not sure what this means?

"I hope you notice I made my suggestion without the bias of the other contributor."

Oh well.

[keithpip]

Bryan, thanks for sharing this with the forum. It's unique and I've never seen one like it. BTW, if the holster works for you that's all you need to be concerned with. Take care.

Keith