My "custom" holster

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Wvfarrier

Blackhawk
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So, I do a lot of horseback riding and a lot of hiking. I got used to thigh rigs during my military and LEO years amd always modified them to make myself comfortable.

This one, for my S&W 627, was built by dissecting a Galco Phoenix Holster and installing the mounting points for a Safariland QLS system. It works great and I can use any SL parts that accept the QLS.

I like my guns grip to ride at pocket height.

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I'm getting ready to make a hybrid shoulder, IWB, OWB, cargo pocket holster for my Max9 that will also work with the Kel Tec. I might make a dedicated pocket version without the loops. I might make one for my LCP as well. The mag below the grip will obscure the outline of the pistol and look like a tablet or something.
 

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This is my 28 year old hybrid shoulder, OWB for the Kel Tec. I used to have a belt loop snap on it for IWB but deleted later since I can use the clip.
 

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Ride1949

Hunter
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I'm getting ready to make a hybrid shoulder, IWB, OWB, cargo pocket holster for my Max9 that will also work with the Kel Tec. I might make a dedicated pocket version without the loops. I might make one for my LCP as well. The mag below the grip will obscure the outline of the pistol and look like a tablet or something.

You might want to rethink that magazine under the grip placement. That's going to make it real hard to get a decent grip on your pistol.
 
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You might want to rethink that magazine under the grip placement. That's going to make it real hard to get a decent grip on your pistol.
Yeah but being there it completely breaks up the outline of the pistol and facilitates an extra magazine. I'll try it and see. I just got some leather to work with. I'm really liking the pocket version. It's definitely not a fast draw rig but hopefully won't be too bad. If I add the pinky hook to the 10rnd it'll stick out a little bit.
 

Ride1949

Hunter
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Hvymax:
Having the silhouette concealed won't mean much to you if you really need the gun. Also same-side magazine carry makes for a slow and awkward reload. Do yourself a favor and take some cardboard, cut, mold and glue it together, (I generally use contact cement for this) in the shape you're planning, and give that a try before you do your final pattern in leather. It will help you to discover any design flaws without wasting your leather. Good luck with your project.

Edit to add: there's a lot of good hints and advice on this forum.


Check out the rest of the forum too. Just about everything you need or want to know about leatherworking.
 
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Took your advice. I made a few changes. I opened up the back tab so my thumb can get around the grip. It's no worse than a regular pocket holster to retrieve. The mag works exactly as planned Max 9 kinda looks like a tablet in my pocket and the LCP a phone.
 
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Took your advice. I opened up the front and back a bit so I can get my thumb behind it. This is my hybrid IWB/ pocket holster. It's actually better than my store bought pocket holster.
 

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S
Hvymax:
Having the silhouette concealed won't mean much to you if you really need the gun. Also same-side magazine carry makes for a slow and awkward reload. Do yourself a favor and take some cardboard, cut, mold and glue it together, (I generally use contact cement for this) in the shape you're planning, and give that a try before you do your final pattern in leather. It will help you to discover any design flaws without wasting your leather. Good luck with your project.

Edit to add: there's a lot of good hints and advice on this forum.


Check out the rest of the forum too. Just about everything you need or want to know about leatherworking.
Staples are faster than glue for cardboard. I decided to mock up for the LCP while I'm at it. I like the flat front panels. It leaves a clean print in the pocket like a large phone or tablet it also means I have a spare mag which I usually don't when pocket carrying. Like I said the mag being there really covers the outline of the gun completely. I grip the gun between my thumb and palm. My hand even encompasses the red dot so that won't hang up either. Any form of concealed carry is going to be a compromise of concealability. I suppose I could wear my IPSC rig if speed was a priority. Just having the gun and a reload in one place is already a step up from having a gun and probably not dealing with what to do with a mag. Either in the OWB or IWB will be as accessible as any other semi discreet holster. I have a few paddle holsters that are faster but they print even under a jacket.
 

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This is the pocket "print" with the LCP. Perfect clean lines just like a cellphone. A normal pocket holster shows the full outline of the gun.
 

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My new wave of custom holsters. I still need to decide what to carve on them. 2 for the Max9/P11 and one for the LCP. The pocket ones completely obscure the outline of the pistol and they all carry an extra magazine.
 

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