Bersa firestorm 380 pancake

[JLSleather]

8 hours ago, ScoobyNewbie said:

Does the ( I’ve forgotten how to spell applicay, the brain, she is melting) on the front, for a purpose, or is it just for pretty?

Because it is. Beautiful color, as well.

"Stiffener" or "reinforcement" panel largely just 'for pretty'.  Pretty STORY, to be precise.  Years  back, somebody told a story about how "beneficial" that was to have another layer on the front.  And then a few thousand people copied that - to the extent it became fairly common.  When I put out a pattern, I generally include one simply because some people look for one.  And hopefully it adds to the look of the finished rig, not take attention away from the rig.

Problem is, those "pancake" holsters rely on tension of the belt for retention of the gun, so if there's no "reinforcement" of the back, then it collapses anyway (from the back).  Better solution is to make the holster on a curve, much like what he has done here --- front piece longer than the back piece.  And if you want to further firm it up, try two layers of 4 oz leather instead of a single layer of 8 oz.

Note -- Wickett & Craig sells pre-dyed skirting leather in roughly this color, which they call 'chestnut'.  All you have to dye is is the edges (and please, inside the slots -- don't be lazy  ).   They will split this leather to the thickness you want - no extra charge.  It can be stamped, tooled, dyed, and oiled as "usual" - so if you're doing a lot of "saddle tan", might save some time and effort.  Here's a piece shown stitched with natural color thread.

[ScoobyNewbie]

Cool, I’ve heard a lot about Wicket & Craig. How are their prices for shipping to the US?

[Stetson912]

I'm not sure, I haven't ordered from wickett and Craig directly. I use makers leather supply because I don't have a lot of money and I can order just a few feet instead of a whole side. 

But that said, I think shipping was 15-20 but I don't quite remember. 

[Clintock]

Last order from WC was one side. Matter of fact it was chestnut. Here’s an invoice to give and idea. Granted this is the highest their shipping has ever been. It’s usually right around 30 bucks 

[JLSleather]

Must be the size of the package -- and then the next ones aren't much at all.  I have an order from recently where 3 backs (sides minus bellies) shipped for $38.29 - PA to MN.