Intersting order

[chiefjason]

Got an order for 3 holsters from a guy with a special request.  2 standard one, the third was an OWB small of back, high ride, palm out.  Yeah.  We went back and forth on details.  I'm confident he has good reasons and he explained some of them.  It will be a BUG while he is working.  I usually try and talk folks out of SOB, but I took this one on.  He's also part owner in a gun board I frequent, so there is that too.  

 

The more standard ones.  Matching set for an M&P and Shield. 

 

With the Shield.

 

Now for the SOB.  Also added adjustable retention for this one.  First time I've tried this.

Shot of the back.  I chose to add a full length reinforcement to the back to help stabilize it.  Widened the belt tunnel too.

 

Wore it around the house a bit.  Overall, I'm pleased with it.  Waiting for him to get some time wearing it for the final verdict.  It wore better than I expected.  Although you have to put the belt on the pants before putting the pants on that's for sure.  And it wears better center to left of center, 6-7:00.  Lets the grip ride in the small of the back and not hang out away from the curve of the back if it's at 5:00.

 

I've already started another one like it, but that one will be left hand cross draw worn about 1:00.  If the design rings some bells, Dwight's pocket holsters gave me the idea for the trigger guard side.  I've used that on a couple other holsters, including and IWB single clip.  Building them "backwards" has some advantages in clearing the grip.  

 

 

Edited May 25, 2017 by chiefjason

[alpha2]

If you're going to use a hole punch to end your belt slots, you need to cut between the holes at the outer limits of the slot. Either that or reduce the size of the hole punches. When you're working with sheet metal, that hole at the end is a stress relief point. Not really applicable to leather, in MOST cases. (End of slots in card slots comes to mind.) That's all I've got!

Edited May 25, 2017 by alpha2

[chiefjason]

I don't sweat the keyhole look.  It's actually harder to clean up an edge to match it than it is to keyhole it.  BTDT  And the slot punches are useless for gunbelts.  Particularly the belts these tend to go on.  Any smaller and there would be problems.  My guess is, some guys would like them to be even wider.  I've tinkered with the idea of skeleton holes, 2 holes punched and a single cut to connect them.  But have not tried that yet.