willb
Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2022
- Messages
- 41
This past year I worked on some holster designs and thought you might like to see some of the results.
My preferred carry is IWB and I wanted a design that could function with several different makes and models, provide a means of retention without reverting to the standard practice of molded leather or Kydex, and had the potential to morph into versions that could accommodate larger framed revolvers and semis. What I call the MANTA holster is what I came up with.
The front and back panels are made up of two layers of leather so there are finished surfaces inside and out. Also, there are Kydex inserts sandwiched between the layers: 1 - A curved piece in the sweat guard preserves an unobstructed entry for my thumb as I grasp the grip (I got tired of my thumb getting hung up in the folds of my shirt).
The insert extends just to the bottom of the sweat guard and is free to bend back and press into the flesh above the hip bone - the grip of the firearm remains tight along the line of the body.
2 - Another curved piece at the top of the front panel reinforces the opening and promotes easier re-holstering.
The cylinder cutout on the back panel produces a more tapered side silhouette and also serves as a registration point for the firearm. The formed Kydex clip deflects downward when it's pressed by the trigger guard as the firearm is inserted. The trigger guard rides up and over the hump of the clip and then comes to rest as the cylinder of the revolver hits the edge of the cutout - preventing the firearm from traveling further into the holster and the hump of the clip from ever coming into contact with the trigger. The semi-auto version utilizes a rubber bumper mounted on the Kydex clip as a positive stop for the trigger guard. Retention is good.
I've carried this arrangement with my J frames and LCR for months now and it's worked really well. A larger version has also worked well with my 696 and my GP100. Each size has proven to be very comfortable which I attribute to the formed curvature of the back panel that distributes the load evenly and eliminates any pressure points.
Another effort was for a pocket holster.
I wanted a holster that would remain in the pocket when the firearm was drawn and would do so in a wide variety of pocket shapes and sizes.
The Kydex extension arms fit/adapt the holster to each pocket. The slightly curved arms slide outward to the full width of the pocket ensuring that the ends of the arms contact the 'corners' at the top of the pocket when the firearm is drawn and the holster cleanly separates from the firearm. There are also rubber bumpers of the ends of the arms that provide a very grabby surface against the fabric of the pocket.
Although I don't seek out this arrangement, the version on the right is intended to accommodate a snub with adjustable sights (just in case I run into a deal that's too good to pass up).
A common issue is having the holstered firearm sag outward so that the butt is showing in the pocket opening. By extending the arms all the way toward the outside seam of the pocket the holster is pushed back toward the inside seam and the butt of the firearm is kept away from the opening.
The black fabric is nylon, the kind used for exterior awnings, very durable. The blue is denim. The interior fabric is fleece.
The fabric wraps around the firearm and can be cinched up snug with the velcro closure. I carried this arrangement all summer with the aforementioned J frames and LCR. No problems.
I've also been experimenting a little with surface treatments. I've been thinking about what possible directions the art could go in, as alternatives to the traditional carving and stamping. I like the carving and stamping, very attractive. I'd just like to hear some new music.
The crow holster is an attempt to add an additional dimension to the carving in the form of a narrative. First time I attempted any carving.
I did these when Van Gogh's SUNFLOWERS were in the news. I wanted to try painting on leather, as well as practice some more carving.
And this is where I am now - This is brass that has been formed to the curvature of the holster then inlet and pinned to the outer layer of the front panel. It's intended to function not only as a decorative element but also stiffening/protective plates for the leather/contained firearm.
Thanks for sticking with the long post. All comments are welcome.
My preferred carry is IWB and I wanted a design that could function with several different makes and models, provide a means of retention without reverting to the standard practice of molded leather or Kydex, and had the potential to morph into versions that could accommodate larger framed revolvers and semis. What I call the MANTA holster is what I came up with.
The front and back panels are made up of two layers of leather so there are finished surfaces inside and out. Also, there are Kydex inserts sandwiched between the layers: 1 - A curved piece in the sweat guard preserves an unobstructed entry for my thumb as I grasp the grip (I got tired of my thumb getting hung up in the folds of my shirt).
The insert extends just to the bottom of the sweat guard and is free to bend back and press into the flesh above the hip bone - the grip of the firearm remains tight along the line of the body.
2 - Another curved piece at the top of the front panel reinforces the opening and promotes easier re-holstering.
The cylinder cutout on the back panel produces a more tapered side silhouette and also serves as a registration point for the firearm. The formed Kydex clip deflects downward when it's pressed by the trigger guard as the firearm is inserted. The trigger guard rides up and over the hump of the clip and then comes to rest as the cylinder of the revolver hits the edge of the cutout - preventing the firearm from traveling further into the holster and the hump of the clip from ever coming into contact with the trigger. The semi-auto version utilizes a rubber bumper mounted on the Kydex clip as a positive stop for the trigger guard. Retention is good.
I've carried this arrangement with my J frames and LCR for months now and it's worked really well. A larger version has also worked well with my 696 and my GP100. Each size has proven to be very comfortable which I attribute to the formed curvature of the back panel that distributes the load evenly and eliminates any pressure points.
Another effort was for a pocket holster.
I wanted a holster that would remain in the pocket when the firearm was drawn and would do so in a wide variety of pocket shapes and sizes.
The Kydex extension arms fit/adapt the holster to each pocket. The slightly curved arms slide outward to the full width of the pocket ensuring that the ends of the arms contact the 'corners' at the top of the pocket when the firearm is drawn and the holster cleanly separates from the firearm. There are also rubber bumpers of the ends of the arms that provide a very grabby surface against the fabric of the pocket.
Although I don't seek out this arrangement, the version on the right is intended to accommodate a snub with adjustable sights (just in case I run into a deal that's too good to pass up).
A common issue is having the holstered firearm sag outward so that the butt is showing in the pocket opening. By extending the arms all the way toward the outside seam of the pocket the holster is pushed back toward the inside seam and the butt of the firearm is kept away from the opening.
The black fabric is nylon, the kind used for exterior awnings, very durable. The blue is denim. The interior fabric is fleece.
The fabric wraps around the firearm and can be cinched up snug with the velcro closure. I carried this arrangement all summer with the aforementioned J frames and LCR. No problems.
I've also been experimenting a little with surface treatments. I've been thinking about what possible directions the art could go in, as alternatives to the traditional carving and stamping. I like the carving and stamping, very attractive. I'd just like to hear some new music.
The crow holster is an attempt to add an additional dimension to the carving in the form of a narrative. First time I attempted any carving.
I did these when Van Gogh's SUNFLOWERS were in the news. I wanted to try painting on leather, as well as practice some more carving.
And this is where I am now - This is brass that has been formed to the curvature of the holster then inlet and pinned to the outer layer of the front panel. It's intended to function not only as a decorative element but also stiffening/protective plates for the leather/contained firearm.
Thanks for sticking with the long post. All comments are welcome.
