[GunNut]

Just curious if any of you have a preference of either open bottom or closed bottom on a pocket holster?

I've been making holsters for a little while and wonder if it makes a difference to you when choosing a pocket holster.

Here is my current J-frame design that is open bottom, but would not take much to make it closed.

Does it matter?

Any other things you would prefer that I changed?

Thanks,
Steve

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/stmcelroy/IMG_1537.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/stmcelroy/IMG_1532.jpg

[Brian Williams]

The nice thing about a closed bottom pocket holster, the lint and other dirt from inside the pocket does not get inside the holster. But with an open bottom most junk from the top of the holster will eventually fall out the bottom.

I like a closed bottom for IWB and pocket and an open bottom for belt carry.

[GunNut]

Brian,

Thank you, I am going to try my next holster with a closed bottom and see if I can keep it the same size. I don't want to make the holster bigger in order to close the bottom, as it then starts to get a little big for pocket carry.

[rcmodel]

In experimenting with making pocket holsters for a Kel-Tec P3AT, I found I could save about 1/8" - 1/4" by leaving it totally open.
(Not even folded in over the muzzle like your picture.)

That was just enough differance to be able to get it totally inside a jeans hip-pocket and covered, or not.

I do generally prefer closed holsters however.
Especially for field, hunting, & duty belt holsters.

Ever sat down on the ground in a blind, or slipped on your azz in the mud, and plugged up the muzzle of a gun in an open end holster?
I have!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[ArchAngelCD]

I like closed bottom pocket holsters best.

[Boulder]

I like closed too for pocket.

[NCHornet]

I always want open, that way the lint and other stuff that find it's way into our jeans will eventually fall through. The Nemisis is my favorite.

[Macmac]

Closed here... I sew my own as well, and just did for a NAA mini.

Hog legs I also like closed for the reasons mentioned above.

I have both open and closed for semi auto, and some of these are very minimal.

Nice neat stitching btw. But I gotta ask ;-) Is that safety orange?

I see ruff side in and ruff side out.. Why not ask about how these guys think on that idea... I can see it both ways.

[The Lone Haranguer]

The nice thing about a closed bottom pocket holster, the lint and other dirt from inside the pocket does not get inside the holster.
Agreed.

I always want open, that way the lint and other stuff that find it's way into our jeans will eventually fall through.
But the bottom of your pocket is closed. The junk has no place to go except back up into the muzzle.

[Grizfire]

For IWB or pocket carry, it doesn't matter much to me. For OWB, I prefer closed so that when I'm out playin' the dirt (hunting, fishing), I don't shove material in the barrel when I sit down.

[elderboy02]

For pocket carry, closed is best. I have several without a closed bottom, and the lint goes into every nook and cranny of the gun.

[DMK]

I think the lint issue is over rated myself.

I use open bottom pocket holsters daily and never had any lint visible in the bore or any other part of the gun. I look for it regularly.

Maybe ya'll need to clean your guns once in a while (and your pockets). ;)

[Macmac]

DMK, I run chain saws as a part my earnings.. A couple hours of that and I am covered inside and out with saw dust and chips. Down my boots inside my socks, My pockets are filled.

My NAA mini, in my pocket is covered in dust, My bic refuses to work. At least with a very snug home built holster the mini remains shootable.

I roll my own smokes 100% and I think I manage a savings on bacca as I swear the packet lasts about double time since it too gets filled with saw dust..

I tried I really did to use a open shoulder holster for a .45, but that just got stuffed with saw dust.

Of course things like trucks quit, and before I know it I get covered in sand, dirt and clay, layin there flat on my back swearing at U joints, Tie rods and winches.

When it ain't dirt it is snow.. When I get home my wife has to wonder who I am, as I apppear to be some stranger, until I get this mess off, then she just wishes I was a stranger.

[jwxspoon]

Depends upon the size of your holster. I want a snub holster to be able to accommodate the varying lengths of snub barrels out to about 2.5"

jw

[DMK]

DMK, I run chain saws as a part my earnings.. A couple hours of that and I am covered inside and out with saw dust and chips. Down my boots inside my socks, My pockets are filled.I work in an office, or a cool, clean computer room. Once in a while I come across a nasty dust bunny. :p

If I were you, I'd probably carry IWB with the gun completely covered by pants and shirt. When I work outside on my property or crawling around under my cars that's what I do.