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Post by Burnston on Oct 19, 2018 10:45:20 GMT -5
Like many of you, most of my leather gear is home-made. Certainly not because of my superior craftsmanship; rather, economic reasons motivation me to this sort of work. I have tremendous respect for the time, talent, and craft of people who do this for a living, as my "skill" is dramatically lacking, while I hold the monopoly on frustration. I am not seeking trade secrets from you professionals; just some simple advice from those of you who have experienced these same issues, and found solutions for them, on your home-made work. Through use of the pictures below, I hope that some of you with a bit more "home" experience might enlighten me to my mistakes. The problem is, my upper forearm continues to scrape the outer edge of my pistol, which can only mean my angles in my leather are off. The question is, which angles? In picture 1, I demonstrate the level of my pistol compared to my belt, and I wonder if I've made the belt loop too low, causing my pistol to ride too high. I should note, my draw is comfortable as far as level is concerned. Picture 1 The extreme angle of the pistol is demonstrated in picture 2. Is the solution to this extreme angle in the belt loop, or is there another variable I am not considering? In picture 3, you can see how far the butt angles from my hip when standing straight and comfortably. This usually means the butt is indirectly in the path of my elbow. (different pistol/rig, same problem) I am far too inexperienced to tell what leather factors contribute to this extreme angle, (distance from side/hip to pistol butt). As indicated in the final photo, I have made several attempts on multiple holsters for multiple handguns, making small changes here and there, but still ultimately ending up with the same result. The hip-to-pistol ratio is just significant enough that my upper forearm/elbow continually drag against the pistol butt. Is there an obvious solution that I am missing? Please note that I am not asking for trade secrets among those of you who do this for a living. However, to those of you who dabble in home-based work for your own purposes, I would very much appreciate any enlightenment you might provide on the issues I am having.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Oct 19, 2018 11:02:14 GMT -5
I've made a few, & one of the things I've started doing, is to make the revolvers ride higher, so they don't get in the way sitting... the last couple I've done, my cylinder sits above the belt, to thin that area... don't know if that would help you out or not...
I also have some with a full width belt loop, & also done a couple with a cut out in the middle, essentially making a belt loop on each edge... this arrangement allows me to straddle the belt loop on the pants, which keeps everything really tight... I don't always wear the same brand of pants, & they have their belt loops staggered differently... so sometimes I'm between belt loops, & sometimes I have to straddle that belt loop, to get the position I'm after...
I'm also partial to birdshead grips for everyday carry, as there is just less grip to get in the way...
BTW... nice looking rig... tooling looks nice
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Post by seak89 on Oct 19, 2018 13:02:08 GMT -5
I would look at a stronger belt also.
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steve
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,490
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Post by steve on Oct 19, 2018 15:20:35 GMT -5
I can't really add anything, other than if you think your leather skills are lacking- you are selling yourself short my friend. I'd be more than proud to wear that holster on my belt!
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Post by magnumwheelman on Oct 19, 2018 15:54:57 GMT -5
My latest everyday carry belt has a siffener... It took a lot to get it broken in... But now I love it
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Oct 19, 2018 16:34:00 GMT -5
Easy , quick fix , pull your pants up a bit and tighten your belt 2 notches. 2nd fix is to jettison that style of holster. Pretty impossible to have that style lay flat along your body. I make pancakes and run my belt OUTSIDE the holster thru the belt slots. Holds the gun in snug and tight. Yet its quick to draw and held very secure !
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lws
.30 Stingray
Spokane Valley, Washington
Posts: 229
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Post by lws on Oct 19, 2018 17:59:55 GMT -5
Easy , quick fix , pull your pants up a bit and tighten your belt 2 notches. 2nd fix is to jettison that style of holster. Pretty impossible to have that style lay flat along your body. I make pancakes and run my belt OUTSIDE the holster thru the belt slots. Holds the gun in snug and tight. Yet its quick to draw and held very secure ! I am in total agreement with coldtriggerfinger . Spent lots of years horseback on large cattle ranches in my younger days. I also carried the pancakes cross draw and still do. Also like the birds head grip for the same reason as mentioned above by magnumwheelman
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Post by bradshaw on Oct 19, 2018 20:35:14 GMT -5
Burnston.... look closely at the excellent photos you provide. To shift the butt closer to my body with your design, I would shift the belt loop rearward 3/8-inch, or thereabouts. To do so does not increase speed, may slow it a hair. By tucking the butt closer to your torso amplifies practicality for nearly all physical chores. Note the front of the loop must pull rearward, otherwise it pulls the topstrap of your sixgun closer to your belt, flinging the butt outward.
Another way to pull in the butt finds a (supplemental) vertical tab extending from the top fold of leather, with a vertical slot to give the belt leverage to pull in the butt.
Pancake holsters have their place, very limited in my carry, as I disdain the bulk----which comes into conflict with belt loops on the pants. I have many miles on inside-the-belt/outside-the-pants holsters with N and K frame Smith & Wessons. No outside-the-belt holds an N-frame so close to the body, and still fast. This arrangement works around tractors, gearshifts, hydraulic levers, chainsaws, all the way down to canoe paddles, which are more forgiving than machinery of the hardware world. Doc Barranti, Gene Desantis and Lou Alessi effectively experimented with the supplemental panacake-type slot on the rear, and Chick Gaylord may have, also.
A short barrel----4-inches and shorter----does not vertically stabilize the holster against the leg, especially with big frame sixguns like the N-frame and Redhawk. These guns warrant extra consideration in holster design. A stiff belt is a must, a single hank of thick belting leather 1-1/2” wide is minimum. 1-3/4” is better and 2” is even better, providing it fits through belt loops. Hip-slung leather wants wider.
Your home-baked sixgun skin looks to be very well executed. A little adjustment on the cutting table should bring it in. David Bradshaw
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Oct 19, 2018 23:50:36 GMT -5
The quality of your work is very good! Nicer than mine that's for sure. One quick way to keep the butt from banging your arm is to move the holster back one beltloop.
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Post by Rimfire69 on Oct 20, 2018 8:07:15 GMT -5
I don’t build holsters, I only wear them, your work looks fantastic. As already stated in earlier posts, being a litttle higher and a little further back makes a big difference to me. Interesting note from Mr. Bradshaw on small movement of the loop, makes sense. All mine seem to pull the butt in tight to my body. Once again, great looking work.
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,416
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Post by JM on Oct 20, 2018 8:45:10 GMT -5
Looks like you might have a bit of belt sag.
Perhaps a thicker/stiffer belt, or try pulling that belt tighter.
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450ak
.30 Stingray
Posts: 458
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Post by 450ak on Oct 20, 2018 19:17:26 GMT -5
Put a welt at the top of the belt loop. Really helps pull the outfit in
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Post by Burnston on Oct 20, 2018 19:38:55 GMT -5
Thanks to all for your participation, advice, and compliments.
magnumwheelman- I understand the bird's head preference. My Smith 21 is my most common choice, partially for its round grip frame. Also, what "Stiffener" are you referring to?
seak89- When I first built this belt, I used two strips of the thickest leather I could find and stitched them together. In its "brand new" days its stiffness served its purpose. Unfortunately, my standard Wrangler jeans puts a belt loop right where my holster rides, necessitating the skipping of one loop, which may very well cause the drooping I believe you're referring to. I believe your advice regarding a new belt is sound.
coldtriggerfinger- Thank you for the pancake holster suggestion. Unfortunately, I've tried them and object to their bulk. But it is very possible I am using the wrong model. Out in the woods today I slid the whole rig back just a hair at your suggestion, which made an improvement as far as my elbow is concerned. However, I'll need to practice on the draw from that position.
lws- I find your work/carry history interesting. I too have spent and still spend a great deal of time in the saddle working cattle and have always found Tom Threepersons most ideal. Once upon a time, while carrying crossdraw I came very close to getting my pistol tangled in a dally, which ended that bit of experimenting. I'd be interested in hearing more about your rig set-up, given the similarities in usage.
bradshaw- Very high praise coming from you, which I appreciate. My current belt width is 1 3/4, as a full 2in will not fit in my belt loops, though I would prefer a 2in. I believe I will attempt a stiffer belt first and foremost. My pancake holster experiences sound very similar to yours.
JM- I'm on the last hole in my belt. At the risk of complaining about my wallet being too small or my diamond shoes being too tight, it is possible I shall need a smaller belt.
Thanks again to all. You've all been very helpful.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Oct 20, 2018 20:47:17 GMT -5
I've got 2 actual "gun belts" one is 2 layer with one layer being horse hide... The second is two layers of leather, with a strip of kydex sandwiched in the middle as a stiffener... The second belt took a month or two, to break in... But I love it now
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Post by Burnston on Oct 20, 2018 21:19:52 GMT -5
Interesting. Are these home rigs?
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