holster shape

[Peterk]

Hello all,

I've noticed recently that several holster makers have posted pictures on their website showing weights placed on their holster showing how stiff their holsters are and how well they hold their shape.

I've made 4 holsters so far with 7-8oz veg-tanned leather and while they are plenty stiff and retains the pistols well after molding, they are certainly not rock hard and could not withstand 15lbs sitting on them for example... Any idea how they got their holsters so rigid? One pictoral guide on a maker's site indicates that they dunk their holsters in Harness Oil after molding and dying with oil dyes, and finished with typical top coats, but they are claiming their holsters could withstand a 25 lb. weight with minimal collapse of the opening.

Thanks.

[Jordan]

Marketing Hoooey.

[Randyc]

I agree with Jordan.

Peterk

Do you happen to have links to those holster web sites. I want to experience the "Marketing Hoooey" first hand.

Randy

[Shorts]

Aw guys, come on. Its not all marketing hooey. Its a balancing act

[dickf]

If they did, in fact, support 25lbs without collapsing, that's like a hard piece of plastic on my hip all day - no thanks. I'll take the leather that gives and feels like part of me, thank you.

[ChuckBurrows]

Advertsising hooey maybe? but a heat hardened leather aka cuir bouilli leather holster probably would hold up that way...a coat or two of oil generally won't soften cb to any real degree since properly made cb actually changes the leather at the molecular level...I've made recreations of original cb armour that will in fact stop a knife stab and even a sword stroke........

as to liking it or not - one man's meat and all that....on the other hand I can't see an overwhelming need for such a stiff holster and I've made a bunch of holsters for such "hard users" as LEO's, military, and pro hunting guides over the last 45+ years......

Edited December 7, 2008 by ChuckBurrows

[Jordan]

The holsters I have made have ended up plenty hard with just wet moulding and an acrylic finish, one I had used a little thinner leather so I added a layer around the throat that keeps it open enough to reholster. Personal preference I guess, I don't plan on driving my pickup over them to test their strength though. Some people express concern that the hardness of leather will not be nice to the pistols finish, but then I see them wearing a kydex one. go figure. As with any product sellers always look for an edge in marketing, I think one should purchase an item that works for them, and try not to get influenced by advertizing too much. (virtually impossible most of the time)

[Randyc]

Advertsising hooey maybe? but a heat hardened leather aka cuir bouilli leather holster probably would hold up that way...a coat or two of oil generally won't soften cb to any real degree since properly made cb actually changes the leather at the molecular level...I've made recreations of original cb armour that will in fact stop a knife stab and even a sword stroke........

as to liking it or not - one man's meat and all that....on the other hand I can't see an overwhelming need for such a stiff holster and I've made a bunch of holsters for such "hard users" as LEO's, military, and pro hunting guides over the last 45+ years......

Chuck

I agree with you about hard users. I'm a left handed LEO and I've banged up plenty of holsters, just getting in and out of the squad. The holsters I build are plenty hard. I admit, I've never stacked steel plates on them to see how much weight they would hold. As far as the consumer goes, if I told them my holsters would support 20 lbs. of weight someone would pile on 50 pounds of weight, trash the holster, then return it for a refund. The real funny part, is I'd refund their money because a guarantee is a guarantee.

Randy

[Mike Craw]

Instead of advertising by stacking plates ON a holster, they ought to talk about retention and how it helps you hang onto your weapon in fight. In over 30 years, I never had anybody try to stack plates on me, but I've had a few try to get my gun!

Mike

[BruceGibson]

I tend to agree that it's "advertising hooey." Reasonable resistance is to be expected, but if you want to stack weights on a holster, you might want to consider Kydex--or aluminum, maybe even steel.

My primary concern, and I carry all the time, is that I'm able to draw my weapon should the need arise. If it's comfortable in the interim, that's important, too. I don't care if it can lift, or support, a steel weight or two. In fact, I'm not terribly concerned about reholstering. I've got plenty of time to reholster if I'm not dead, and how much weight the holster will carry in a holster-maker's web photos doesn't influence me in the least.