First 'Clam shell' CCW/ open carry holster.

[ComputerDoctor]

First attempt. Sig Sauer, P320 9 mm Military, semi-auto fits very well. I like it much better than those 'plastic' Star Wars funky holsters although my SIG came with one. Glued with Eco-Flow Leather Weld. Hand sown with a very thick, waxed black thread. 4 coats of Fiebing's Buckskin dye. Buffed. 2 coats of Fiebing's tan antique finish. Sprayed with Fiebing's Leather Sheen. Used Fiebing's Black edge coat. 

Sam:)

[DpMaquilon]

Looks like it may be too heavy when worn on the belt it might be prone to flop over especially after done wear time. Also after some time and wear the firearm may start to slide down further into the bottom hole of the holster just keep an eye on it. 

I like your mix and use of stamps looks pretty cool thanks for sharing.

[Mattsbagger]

To my eye it almost seem to be upside down in the holster. Other than the strap. I would round the end of the strap end also square edges seem to snag on things. That barb wire stamp can be fiddly to work with.lol

[ComputerDoctor]

The picture below is from Tandy Leathers Buyer's guide catalog. Nuff said

Mine was made from 'Dead Cow' to finished product and isn't a store bought kit:)

The 'strap,' is left a little long to facilitate an easy un-snapping:) Square edges???

All of my 'carry' holsters have straps for added security:)

The holster is very thick and stiff and will hardly flop over. The pistol will never slide down lower more than a half inch or so due to the design of the "Clam Shell,' that solidly grips the barrel. Even if it did, the 'grip' would keep the pistol from dropping through.:)

Thanks for the comments Folks!

Sam:)

Edited August 25, 2018 by ComputerDoctor

[Rockoboy]

I have never made a holster, or seen a holster in the flesh, but I think your holster would look and work better, last longer etc if the ends of the holster around the belt loops were not so close to the belt loops.  

[bikermutt07]

Keep up the good work. Keep having fun.

[JLSleather]

What keeps the Sig from dropping down?  Ride on the grip?

[ComputerDoctor]

3 hours ago, JLSleather said:

What keeps the Sig from dropping down?  Ride on the grip?

The CLAM offers a nice firm grip. I designed it that way  It grips the barrel in a love hug:)

Sam

 

[Clintock]

18 minutes ago, ComputerDoctor said:

 It grips the barrel in a love hug:

Do you have a spring steel in the holster to keep it from spreading over time? I’m thinking over time as the holster breaks in and gets softer the clam gonna open up and your pearl gonna drop. 

[ComputerDoctor]

Maybe in 50 years of every day usage the very thick hide will open up but the grip would stop further movement anyway:)

Let's face it, most of the stuff we make is just artistic and for show:)

Wear it at the shooting range once a month or so, put a coat of mink oil on it, wiped it down and show it off next time you go to shoot--if you ever do:)

Sam

[Bolt Vanderhuge]

Most are for show? That is funny. I carry 3-4 days a week. I cant carry at work but I do when off work. Mine get used is what I am getting at. 

Anyways, if you look at the pic.of the 1911s that you posted you can see that the stitch line follows the trigger guard. This is what prevents the gun from going any further no matter how soft the leather gets over time. 

 

Edited August 27, 2018 by Bolt Vanderhuge

[ComputerDoctor]

OMG! What happens if the stitching that is closer to the trigger guard than my example, come apart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my Golly, the pistol would slide down a tad and I REPEAT, the pistol's grip would cease all movement

21 hours ago, Rockoboy said:

I have never made a holster, or seen a holster in the flesh, but I think your holster would look and work better, last longer etc if the ends of the holster around the belt loops were not so close to the belt loops.  

WOW  Thanks! 

I will move my stitches closer to the barrel and trigger guard next time and incorporate 'spring steel' inside the flesh to provide that everlasting holster that everyone wants and needs:)

Sam

Edited August 27, 2018 by ComputerDoctor

[JLSleather]

Each his own, I suppose. I don't personally tolerate even those (MULTITUDE OF) holsters with stitch lines 1/4" or 1/2" from the goods.  

Short of cutting the thread AND pulling at the glued layers, this one won't loosen.

Edited August 27, 2018 by JLSleather

[Hildebrand]

ComputerDoc,

There is a wealth on information on holster making on this site.  If you open your mind up and listen to what others have to say about your design and execution.  If you don't want advice then I would state that in your initial post.  You have been given some great advice but seem to just react negatively to anything that does not agree with you.  You have a great foundation to build from, I like the tooling and finish on your holster.

Todd

[YinTx]

5 minutes ago, Hildebrand said:

If you don't want advice then I would state that in your initial post.  You have been given some great advice but seem to just react negatively to anything that does not agree with you

In all fairness to OP, this was posted in the "Show Off!" section, not the "Critique my Work" section.  That being said, there has been decent advice given, and there is a wealth of info on holster making on this site, worth reviewing in a positive light to constantly improve one's work if one is so inclined.

YinTx

[JLSleather]

7 minutes ago, YinTx said:

reviewing in a positive light to constantly improve one's work

As for me, my comments were intended to AID, not to denigrate.  FWIW.

 

[Hildebrand]

24 minutes ago, YinTx said:

In all fairness to OP, this was posted in the "Show Off!" section, not the "Critique my Work" section.  That being said, there has been decent advice given, and there is a wealth of info on holster making on this site, worth reviewing in a positive light to constantly improve one's work if one is so inclined.

YinTx

Apologies, I did not see which section it was posted in, it was just in the current thread feed on the right of my monitor.  I will pay closer attention to which sub forum it is from.

[YinTx]

28 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

As for me, my comments were intended to AID, not to denigrate.  FWIW.

 

I took it as intent to aid.  For me, carrying is serious business, whether 10 minutes or 10 hours, so I want all the technical aspects of any holster I might make to be spot on so I don't have to worry about any kind of mishap.  From that perspective, I want all kinds of input.  But I digress, I am me, not everyone else is like that.

ComputerDoctor, I see a lot of creativity in your stamp work,  and I can see you put some time into your first effort at a holster.  Look forward to seeing how you do your next version.

YinTx

[ComputerDoctor]

Come on there Fella's, I took it as constructive advice but come on, some comments were a little silly in light of the fact that it is my first "Clam" style holster and I carefully designed and cut it to exactly fit my SIG and it does just that, without stitches close to the trigger guard, "Do you have a spring steel in the holster to keep it from spreading over time?" or any other substrate to stiffen and already STIFF holster. I do appreciate advice but when I'm told that: " I have never made a holster, or seen a holster in the flesh---" I just had to say something--now that's funny:)

I see unbelievable artistic and fabrication talent on this site, with a hundred years of experience, a $3,000 Leather sewing machine and other expensive equipment mentioned, and posting names reflecting web-sites for individual leather craft businesses with 10,000 posts on the site, so no wonder SOME are condescending to us NEW Folk's in the HOBBY.

I do this Hobby while I work in my busy IT and Computer business and then go home and work my Agri-Farm. I'm EX Military, owned my own GUN store in California, professionally reloaded for customers and myself, shot about 300 rounds a week and enjoyed IPSC shooting and did very well.

I have made lots of CUSTOM holsters for customers and I learn something more every time I start another project. I do learn from some of you Folks and it has helped me. You make things look easy. It's not easy for me--but it is fun:)

I've been doing this for maybe 9 months or so:)

If I offended anyone's sensibilities, I'm sorry. My Bad.

Sam

Edited August 27, 2018 by ComputerDoctor

[Clintock]

Didn’t offend me. I was just merely asking what kind of retention you’d have with the holster since the stitch lines were so far away. Nothing I said was to “offend”. Seems there’s nothing anyone can say anymore without someone getting offended. 

And I’ll agree with ya. There’s been some silly comments on this thread... 

[ComputerDoctor]

"

And I’ll agree with ya. There’s been some silly comments on this thread... " Clintock quote

Yeah but all were done to edify, instruct and build confidence in us newbee's

Sam

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[Rockoboy]

On ‎28‎/‎08‎/‎2018 at 12:39 AM, ComputerDoctor said:

If I offended anyone's sensibilities, I'm sorry. My Bad.

No offense taken.

As I stated in my original post, I have no experience in making holsters, but from what I see on this website, whilst I believe your holster looks good, it would look better and possibly last longer with minor alterations to the outline of the piece. No harm, no foul, play on.