How to Break in a Leather Holster / What's on the Bench

The leather holster is different from a kydex or Hybrid holster in that it has to be broken in. It should be pretty tight at first, as it breaks in it should maintain retention yet be smoother and smoother.  A little jiggle loosens it up, but there is a better way.  How about 25 dry fire a night.

Every Conceal carrier should do some form of dry fire. Any reputable trainer will tell you that what he teaches you can be practiced in house with no bullets. For this little article we will deal with the draw only. There are two absolute essentials to dry fire. The first is to check, double check and check again that the gun and magazine is empty. Can not be over emphasized.  Then with the holstered empty gun, pick a spot on the wall (or a target) and draw the gun and drop the hammer. There are many things that can be practiced, but the draw is the most important, getting the gun into action.  Practice standing normal, sitting, lying down, whatever position you can imagine being a possibility should that awful event ever happen that you are attacked.  The second of the most important parts is when you are done, speak out loud and say "I am done dry firing".  This is to instill in your mind that this is finished.  No "just one more" after the gun as been loaded again.

25 a night for a few nights, and the holster will be smoother and faster, just as your skill will be as well.

What's on the Bench

Rossi 357 Cross draw holster

1911 commander avenger

1911 mag carrier

Glock 19 Gamer holster

Glock 43 Avenger

Glock 43 avenger 

Glock Magazine Carrier

Gamer Holster Ruger p49 and mag carrier

Gun Belts are .25 inch thick

Sig 938 Omni

XDM Omni to be worn small of the back knuckles in

Gamer holster for an XDM 

Avenger for a Judge revolver

Glock 43 and What's On the bench

Started making holsters for the long awaited Glock 43 recently.  It seems to be in pretty high demand.

Glock 43 Avenger that was requested black with a natural re enforcement piece. 

Glock 43 Omni with some "cross" design. Dyed walnut

Glock 43 in a dark brown

Judge revolver in cross draw configuration 

Judge revolver in a regular Avenger configuration

XDS 3.3 molded with my 4.0 blue gun

1911 Gamer holster

Gamer gun  and mag carrier for a ruger p 94

Same double Mag carrier

Wingman for a Glock 19

A bubba J for ann XD

Ruger LC9 omni

A skinny for a XD Sub Compact

Speed loaders

Same speed loaders

Taurus Public Defender Judge / What's On The Bench

I have had several requests for the Judge holsters, so I just ordered a blue gun for it and also a Ruger LC9.

I have several customers that are into rock crawling and have specific needs since they are harnessed in the seat. Cross draw with a severe cant.  This one also happens to be for a "lefty".  

Taurus Judge Public defender.  In Walnut color

South Paw Cross Draw

Another Rock Crawler setup

Xd cross draw .  Two Tone Walnut on Coffee

Horizontal knife sheath

AS Worn

Avenger for an XDS 3.3 Molded off of my 4.0 blue gun

Gamer holster for a railed 1911

Glock 43 Omni. Saddle Tan.

Avenger for a commander sized 1911. Pictured with a full size 1911

A "Bubba J" for a 1911.  Made to be placed in between car seath.
Put a hat over it and "good to go"

Pair of 1911 Mag Holders made to match a previous Holster Order

Belt

I had a little "me time" and made a roper style wallet for myself.  I will use it a while and am already making notes of changes I will make on the next one.  So far, it will be a little wider and taller, and some additional pockets and minor cosmetic things as well.

Holster Essentials / What's On The Bench

For several years I have gone out of my way to pay attention to holsters. Forums, facebook groups, books ect. I can't even enjoy a good western anymore because I get sidetracked by the gun gear.  I see some awesome and some not so awesome holsters. Holsters come in all different kinds of styles, materials and purposes. When it comes to holsters for the purpose of concealed carry, I think there are some things that are absolutely essential.

1. A full grip access with the first purchase on the gun. The grip, when drawing should be as needed for firing.  I see many holsters, that require one to re adjust after the initial lift is made out of the holster.  Reason being is that it is hard to make it that away. A portion of the trigger guard has to be exposed (that is where your middle finger is going to be touching with a proper shooting grip) yet at the same time, the trigger itself has to be fully covered for safe carrying.

2. The mag release should never covered. Other wises it can be actuated without intention. Again it takes time and effort to expose the mag release properly.

3. Stitch line and fit. The two go hand in hand. The proper fit allows the gun to come out smooth yet have proper retention. The retention test is, when the holstered gun is held upside down it must be shaken out or fall slowly, not freely.  The new holster will usually have to be shaken out and as the holster "breaks in" it will fall slowly when held upside down. I will never understand why people want the gun to be held in like a vice. The purpose of the holster is two fold. To keep the gun in the holster all day until needed and when needed it needs to come out without resistance. A form fitted holster will do that.

4. Might as well look good. People spend a lot of money on there guns and often just get an Uncle Mike's .......I really don't get that either.

Goes without saying that a Bam Bam Holster does all of the above (just sayin)

What's on the Bench

M45A1 1911 Avenger. Double stitched Brandy in Color

 

1938 High Standard Model A Gun in basically a "hunter" style holster

Ruger GP100 Avenger Holster. Walnut and Airbrushed black accent.

Avenger for a 3.3 XDS  (blue gun is a 4.0)

Glock 43 Avenger Brandy with airbrushed black accents

North American Arms 22 Mag horizontal cross draw.

Glock 43 Omni in two tone coffee and brandy

Double mag carrier for a FNX 45T (only had one mag to mold with)

Double mag carrier for a 1911