Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • Contributing Member
Posted

Got a picture of that? I think if you look down at a pancake holster from the top you'll see my point.

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

  • Replies 77
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Members
Posted

I know your point and I've looked down into plenty of holsters. I know that where the two pieces come together in front of the slide creates a little v-shaped channel, but definitely not enough to create a reliable sight channel. Check out the websites for Milt Sparks, 5Shotleather, and Kramer - there's plenty of pictures. Tony Kanalley at Milt Sparks was mentored by Milt himself and John Rolston was mentored by Lou Alessi, two of the most well known and respected holster makers ever. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me. I'm not trying to start some kind of feud, but I did a Lot of research when I started making holsters and tried to learn everything I could from the people that were considered the best in the trade (Sparks and Alessi) and putting a sight channel into all of my holsters was one of those things. The only exception being a cowboy rig.

  • Contributing Member
Posted (edited)

Yeah. So, you would agree that a (50/50) pancake holster is tighter on the belt than in the hand, or not? I mean, where you do think this 'tighter' is coming from? SOMETHING is moving... where do YOU think it comes from?

A couple of points you may or may not care about...

This video was uploaded actually to make fun of some folks who thought they knew something about holster retention. Listen, and you can hear my pneumatic chair bouncing and me trying not to laugh out loud ;)

post-13153-0-03034500-1456163446_thumb.j

And this one (not the same holster) is for the shield 9mm. Looking from the front, the seam is clearly center. Now, when you push that front slot IN toward the body, what do you suppose happens to that space in front of the weapon? This of course is less noticeable on an obese person, since on a slim person the holster curves MORE.

post-13153-0-88676900-1456163474_thumb.j

Edited by JLSleather

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

  • Members
Posted

Did this take a turn? A holster is definitely tighter on the belt due to the inward tension. That tension pulls the front panel tighter to the body, also closing the gap left by the stitch line - all the more reason to mold in a sight channel. If I'm not mistaken, the photos of your holsters show a slight inward curve that was done in the molding process. Also in your photos it appears that there is some deep molding inside the trigger guard area, I presume, to aid in weapon retention. All of the holsters I build have retention as shown in you video or they don't leave my shop.

  • Members
Posted

I'm sorry to have somewhat hijacked this thread, I apologize and will refrain from posting further.

  • Members
Posted

On my flat backs I use a 3/4 sight channel. Otherwise it molds right down to the frame. And my stitch line is even with the inside of the frame, not the middle. Front sight drag is no good. Just throwing that out there since the topic came up. Different process than traditional pancakes. In case anyone cares. lol

  • Contributing Member
Posted (edited)

Yep, different process ;) But we don't largely want to hear actual facts around here ... much better to have someone pat us on the head and tell us we're doing good. Maybe stems from so many people's fear of actually sharing something useful (but I'm just guessing)?.

Who knows... maybe I shouldn't guess before the coffee is ready?

Edited by JLSleather

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

  • Members
Posted

i would not call it hi jacking.......have been away for a few days......

dialog is what I really look for.....and it is amazing what can be ;learned from different peoples opinons and methods. I can learn from opinions that I agree with and the ones that I disagree with. Heck, I guess opinions that I dont undertand create in me a desire to learn more.

please comment on my opinion here.....it seems to me that people go about gaining retention 2 different ways. 1. mimicking the necessities of a kydex, they form into the trigger and ejection port to get a snapping into place effect. 2. creating as much good surface contact area as possible by forming, or boning in. Since I only have a few years of experience, my curiosity is if method number one mentioned above only became prominent after kydex became prevalent in holster making? I have no idea, but the answer by some that have done it longer would help me prove or disprove some personal thoughts.

Amarillo Texas

bambamholsters.com

  • Members
Posted

You know I remember when this forum was a great place to get onto and discuss leather working in general and now not so much. It's no wonder that this sub-forum has so few people on it anymore, if someone does not share the same opinion that the "self proclaimed expert" does they "don't largely want to hear actual facts" and "just want to be patted on the head and told they're doing good". Well, I guess I'd rather be patted on the head and told I'm doin" good by the likes of Tony Kanally, John Ralston, Mark Garrity, Jay Nelson and Matt Delfatti than the likes of you any day. JLS it's crap like this that make folks not want to be a part of a forum like this and exactly why several people are no longer here. Oh by the way, I watched your little video again, I think a good bunch of your retention is coming from the front sight hanging up on the inside of your holster! I could be wrong, but what do I know, maybe I just need a cup of coffee!

  • Contributing Member
Posted

Yikes! No need to be sensitive. Got some good tips? Just show us the pictures, no worries ;)

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...