Home made IWB pancake holster

[Wiggy]

Just wanted to share something I made the other day.



My financial situation is pretty tight right now, and there's going to be a mass lay-off where I work in the next few weeks, so I can't afford a good IWB holster.

I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a bag of scrap leather for $6 and a few other supplies like thread. I used an OWB pancake holster that I liked for the pattern, and added a few changes so the clips would fit on it. The clips came off of two other holsters for a handgun I don't have anymore, too bad they don't match (oh well).

I thought it would be easy, until I started stitching... The leather is so thick that the awl broke on the second hole. I had to use a more heavy duty awl from a swiss army knife to do the rest of it and sew it with a quilting needle. After I was done with the stitching, I fused the knots and went over all the thread with epoxy to waterproof it. After it was done, I buffed it with some black boot polish to even the color out and then rubbed in some mink oil to soften it up.

I've been wearing it every day to break it in, and I have to say, even though it's ugly as sin, it works perfect. It holds the gun tight, it stays where I want it, comfortable, and it's easy to draw from and reholster. The whole thing only cost me about $10, a few hours of my time, and a couple nasty blisters on my hand. I still have enough material left to make another one. For my next one, I'll actually make one that looks nice since the leather is so hard core I think it'll last for many years to come.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[sass20485]

Not bad !

[Frogbones]

As I like saying...crude but effective.

[los]

Wiggy,

I applaud you.!!

It may not be the prettiest holster ever made, but I'll bet it conceals just as good as the best out there.

CONGRATS.

Hope your financial/employment situation improves real soon for you !

My best wishes.

-Jimmy

[Dal1Celt]

If your happy with it then it must be beautiful!

[AZ Husker]

Every master holstermaker started the same way!

[QKShooter]

Next time use an electric hand drill and a very small drill bit and drill all of your stitching holes first. That should make the next one go easier.

[rottkeeper]

Who cares it's IWB as long as you keep your pants on when you go out nobody will see it. You tried, you delivered. +100

[retsupt99]

If it works for you...it's good for you...
Much better than I could do.

[Hopyard]

I have great admiration for anyone who can tackle a job like that and get a usable product out of the effort.

So, from my point of view, you did a wonderful job. Great job, actually. Very nice.

[AllAmerican]

I think you did a fine job. You didnt have to wait either eh? LOL

[HKkid]

Congrats. You have more patience than I do. Don't think I could sit there and do that. Glad it works for you.

[swiftyjuan]

Great job, it works! I made a knife sheath once - worked great if you didn't move...

[boricua]

Cool! Make another one, call it the "Wiggy Super-Rustic Pancake" holster. Put a $200 price tag on it and advise that it'll take 20 to 26 weeks to deliver. In 2 weeks you'll have a waiting list. Invest the $200 profit in more leather and keep it going. You'll be set for life.

[harlee79]

Congrats nice work... I'm sure that holster will mean more to you than anything you could buy, even if it ain't as purdy.