[James]

I made this pancake holster for the XD 45 4 inch.

It was designed with a forward cant so the butt of the gun didn't stick out behind so bad. It holds the gun quite high and close to the body. However, with a gun as thick as the XD, I think it will still print some. It would sure be a good carry with a jacket.

In one sense I hate retention straps, but on the other hand I surely do hate seeing my gun land in the gravel, so I put a strap, with a snap, on the holster. This will be positive retention, but will slow down the draw a bit.

 

[Car Knocker]

That's a good-looking holster!

I think that if you can mold an indentation in the area between the trigger and the forward trigger guard, it'll add quite a bit of retention and you will likely be able to do away with the strap. Here's an example:
http://www.miltsparks.com/images/Photos/NLG_small.jpg

 

[Cowboy]

Nice job on the holster James !!

 

[Shaolin]

Looks pretty nice.

 

[bane]

I like it! Are you considering "going public"????

 

[Hunter]

Nice job

 

[Jeff Johnson]

That's a very nice looking holster!

 

[James]

I think that if you can mold an indentation in the area between the trigger and the forward trigger guard, it'll add quite a bit of retention and you will likely be able to do away with the strap. Here's an example:
http://www.miltsparks.com/images/Photos/NLG_small.jpg

Yes, that could be easily done. The design of the holster makes the back side push out towards the gun as it curves to fit your body. It actually fits pretty snug and under most normal activity would probably stay put just fine.

I have been carrying handguns for 50 years, and I hate to recall how many times I have lost one out of the holster. One time I was horseback and rode a mile before I realized it was gone. I had to backtrack. Luckily I found it. A couple of times I lost a gun near water and gave it a good dunkin in the water and muck.

Its those unexpected or unplanned things when you do some violent activity of some sort, that throws your gun flying. The XD loaded weighs 2 lbs. 8 oz. and has a bit of inertia if your holster gets sucked back quickly from some physical activity.

I want positive retention. I want to run, jump, play, do cartwheels, fall down, get up, and ride a bronc without losing my gun.

 

[titanium27]

I have made a few holsters myself two being IWB and one an SOB. One IWB and the SOB are for my Springfield sub compact. On the SOB I molded the leather around the front of the trigger guard so that when you put the gun in you can hear it lock in place. I have not had a problem with the gun falling out. I still prefer the IWB for the most comfort and the best conceal carry.

 

[James]

I have made a few holsters myself two being IWB and one an SOB.

I am curious what you used for clips on the IWB? I would like to try making an IWB holster, but not sure what to use for clips. If the hardware is available somewhere that would be a big help.

 

[UTOC-45-44]

I have made a few holsters myself two being IWB and one an SOB.

I am curious what you used for clips on the IWB? I would like to try making an IWB holster, but not sure what to use for clips. If the hardware is available somewhere that would be a big help.

2nd that

TJ

 

[titanium27]

The in the waistband holsters are fairly easy to make and I didn't want to spend $60 to $80 and find out that I didn't want to carry that way. I tried on a Galco but the only thing I didn't like about it was they used two small leather straps that wrapped around the belt so I made mine with one larger strap. I just went to Tandy Leather and picked up the snaps, you can buy them in a kit that has all the tools needed to set the snaps. I ordered the leather from Tandy also. The small of the back holster was a lot harder to make and the leather dye was a mess, the next one will stay brown.

[Please reduce the size of the photos to no more than 640 pixels -- Thanks, Jeff]
[img]http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk46/titanium27/holsters003.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk46/titanium27/holsters002.jpg[/img]

EDIT (Jeff): Here are links to the full-size photos:
photo #1
photo #2

 

[titanium27]

Sorry Jeff I forgot to resize them hope this is better kind of new to forums.

 

[Jeff Johnson]

Thanks for reducing the size. 8)
You didn't really need to go all the way down to 320pixels wide... :lol2:

For everyone's benefit, forum rule #6 says that posted photos should not exceed 640 pixels in width. The reason for this is because many forum members do not have the nice wide monitors that other members do. Large photos lead to horizontal scrolling to read the threads.

6. No posts that contain excessive numbers of photos are allowed. Be mindful of the fact that some members of this forum do not have high-speed Internet access. Also, it is common courtesy to limit the width of photos to no more than 640 pixels. If you don't know how to do that, then you can ask.

 

[titanium27]

I did it so that it would hide the inperfections!

 

[James]

Thanks for the information.

About leather dyes. Don't get the water based dyes. I have had good luck with the ones thinned with spirits.

 

[titanium27]

Thanks for the information.

About leather dyes. Don't get the water based dyes. I have had good luck with the ones thinned with spirits.

I think it will be awhile before I dye leather again but thanks for the info.