Something truely unique..

Mark Garrity · October 31st, 2006, 03:40 PM

I'm premeiring two new things in one post here.
A while ago, a female officer who works in the northwest (getting no more specific because she works undercover) contacted me regarding making a female-specific holster. We had met at a law enforcement instructors training conference and discussed some details there. I told here I had a few prototypes kicking around and gave her one to take home with her and try. She contacted me to discuss some modifications to that version, and she started asking me about exotics. She stated that she understood that all the exotics use cowhide as a foundation leather, and asked me how thick the exotic hides were. I explained that I skive them down thinner than they are when I receive them, to add less bulk to the holster and allow for detail molding. She asked if they were as thick as a piece of denim? I told her a little thicker than that and she hit me with "Well then, do you think you could make a holster covered in blue jean denim?"
Hhhmmmm...What have I gotten myself into...
Always up to a challenge, and always tempted by the desire to produce something truely unique and one-of-a-kind custom, I said I'd give it a try with the design modifications we'd decided upon. I immediately figured the two biggest challenges would be finding an adhesive that would not bleed thru the demin. This proved to be true and the normal leather glue would not work. The second challenge was keeping the cut edges of the denim from fraying. The end result is basically a modified Nelson Professional. The rear of the holster features a folded over loop instead of the traditional belt slot. This drops the holster about 1/2 inch lower on the waist, making it more adaptable to a woman's short torso. The rear belt tunnel is not sewn at the top. It is attached with screw posts and rubber spacers, allowing adjustment of how close or far the pistol cants towards the body. A typical holster on a woman will cant the muzzle outward and push the grip into their ribs based on their hip structure. The object was to get the muzzle inward and push the grip out some.
She's apparently a bit of a wild child, (into Harley's and horses) and asked if the mouthband could be done in black leather from a leather jacket, which she supplied. Anyway, here is the end result:

raevan · October 31st, 2006, 03:46 PM

Now that is a very fine looking rig.

MattInFla · October 31st, 2006, 03:48 PM

Very nice!

Matt

Redneck Repairs · October 31st, 2006, 03:49 PM

Damm I like that .. now why hadnt anyone come up with that before ?? That has to be the definitive answer to " jacket peek " with owb carry .

ELCruisr · October 31st, 2006, 04:27 PM

My first thought was "denim, oh no". But looking at it I really like it!

PackerfanXD · October 31st, 2006, 04:42 PM

I really like that. I'm looking for a holster my wife would be willing to wear. Can you post some more pics? Thanks.

soonerjh · October 31st, 2006, 04:43 PM

nice work on that one!

SIGguy229 · October 31st, 2006, 04:46 PM

Is that a P239/.40S&W?

Kevin · October 31st, 2006, 04:48 PM

That does look sharp!!

srfl · October 31st, 2006, 05:24 PM

Nice!

Eric Larsen · October 31st, 2006, 05:29 PM

Well....thats what I would call an exotic exotic..... te he he.

Leave it to you Mark! I mean that in a good way! :D ....its so simple it almost hurts! But hadnt been done before.......looks good!

Shoot well and god bless

paramedic70002 · October 31st, 2006, 05:32 PM

I think you're on to something here...

retsupt99 · October 31st, 2006, 06:13 PM

looks like it could work well...

Stay sasfe!

ret

Matt Del Fatti · October 31st, 2006, 06:36 PM

Hey Mark:
Pretty neat look! That denim sure makes for a very unique look that I think quite a few will like....alot. You'll probably be sorry you posted the photo

.

I used that same rear loop design on my first prototype SLP/F in 95 (CRAPPY photo alert!):

but then redesigned the SLP/F and the SLP-TL with a wrap around trailing loop (widely copied since) that was either snapped or screwed down. The reason for the redesign was because some women with more hip flare could still feel the bottom welt on the rear loop.

Anyhow...I preferred then (and still do) the clean lines of the stitched rear loop. NICE work!!

Bud White · October 31st, 2006, 06:54 PM

Very nice mark i really like it

P95Carry · October 31st, 2006, 06:55 PM

Mark - nice work - and love the whole look.

Hope she is well pleased - the whole concept seems to have come out a great success.

rocky · October 31st, 2006, 07:28 PM

very nice. I considered denim patches that could be velcroed on to a holster. (to match the jeans worn. ) Looks like set up.
Is the cant forward a better design for females, or just the officers preference?

Gary Brommeland · October 31st, 2006, 07:55 PM

Outstanding!

Ti Carry · October 31st, 2006, 08:30 PM

I agree, that is cool!

Ti.

los · October 31st, 2006, 08:38 PM

Pretty impressive work Mark. It really doesn't surprise me though! Naming it "The Blue Angel" would be very "fitting".

Mark is truly a Master Leather craftsman. You should see the Custom (one-of-a-kind) Shoulder Holster he made for my Seecamp LWS380. A Beautiful masterpiece indeed.

I can't wait to receive my full Alligator front pocket holster.

Thanks Mark.

- Jimmy

October 31st, 2006, 03:40 PM	#1
Mark Garrity Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 313	Something truely unique.. I'm premeiring two new things in one post here. A while ago, a female officer who works in the northwest (getting no more specific because she works undercover) contacted me regarding making a female-specific holster. We had met at a law enforcement instructors training conference and discussed some details there. I told here I had a few prototypes kicking around and gave her one to take home with her and try. She contacted me to discuss some modifications to that version, and she started asking me about exotics. She stated that she understood that all the exotics use cowhide as a foundation leather, and asked me how thick the exotic hides were. I explained that I skive them down thinner than they are when I receive them, to add less bulk to the holster and allow for detail molding. She asked if they were as thick as a piece of denim? I told her a little thicker than that and she hit me with "Well then, do you think you could make a holster covered in blue jean denim?" Hhhmmmm...What have I gotten myself into... Always up to a challenge, and always tempted by the desire to produce something truely unique and one-of-a-kind custom, I said I'd give it a try with the design modifications we'd decided upon. I immediately figured the two biggest challenges would be finding an adhesive that would not bleed thru the demin. This proved to be true and the normal leather glue would not work. The second challenge was keeping the cut edges of the denim from fraying. The end result is basically a modified Nelson Professional. The rear of the holster features a folded over loop instead of the traditional belt slot. This drops the holster about 1/2 inch lower on the waist, making it more adaptable to a woman's short torso. The rear belt tunnel is not sewn at the top. It is attached with screw posts and rubber spacers, allowing adjustment of how close or far the pistol cants towards the body. A typical holster on a woman will cant the muzzle outward and push the grip into their ribs based on their hip structure. The object was to get the muzzle inward and push the grip out some. She's apparently a bit of a wild child, (into Harley's and horses) and asked if the mouthband could be done in black leather from a leather jacket, which she supplied. Anyway, here is the end result: __________________ "He who makes things with his hands is a laborer, he who makes things with his hands and his head is a craftsman, he who makes things with his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist." www.garritysgunleather.com

October 31st, 2006, 03:48 PM	#3
MattInFla Senior Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,055	Very nice! Matt __________________ Hope is not a plan.

October 31st, 2006, 03:49 PM	#4
Redneck Repairs VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,141	Damm I like that .. now why hadnt anyone come up with that before ?? That has to be the definitive answer to " jacket peek " with owb carry . __________________ Make sure you get full value out of today , Do something worthwhile, because what you do today will cost you one day off the rest of your life . We only begin to understand folks after we stop and think . Criminals are looking for victims, not opponents.

October 31st, 2006, 04:27 PM	#5
ELCruisr VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 2,073	My first thought was "denim, oh no". But looking at it I really like it! __________________ If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good. ~ Thomas J. Watson, Jr.

October 31st, 2006, 04:42 PM	#6
PackerfanXD Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ground zero of the invasion Posts: 663	I really like that. I'm looking for a holster my wife would be willing to wear. Can you post some more pics? Thanks. __________________ The wealthiest nation in the world with the mightiest army man has ever assembled could not stop them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJhD-72v958 Free Ramos and Campion

October 31st, 2006, 03:46 PM	#2
raevan VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: washington Posts: 4,809	Now that is a very fine looking rig.

October 31st, 2006, 04:43 PM	#7
soonerjh Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central Oklahoma Posts: 1,233	nice work on that one! __________________ RKBA John

October 31st, 2006, 04:46 PM	#8
SIGguy229 VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Formerly Kabul, Afghanistan...now Virginia Posts: 2,484	Is that a P239/.40S&W?

October 31st, 2006, 04:48 PM	#9
Kevin Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 553	That does look sharp!! __________________ www.okshooters.com

October 31st, 2006, 05:24 PM	#10
srfl VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: FL Posts: 6,871	Nice! __________________ USAF: Loving Our Obscene Amenities Since 1947

October 31st, 2006, 05:29 PM	#11
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: WoodsX Ut Posts: 769	Well....thats what I would call an exotic exotic..... te he he. Leave it to you Mark! I mean that in a good way! :D ....its so simple it almost hurts! But hadnt been done before.......looks good! Shoot well and god bless __________________ If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice..........Rush

October 31st, 2006, 05:32 PM	#12
paramedic70002 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Franklin, VA Posts: 2,920	I think you're on to something here... __________________ Guns Save Lives. Paramedics Save Lives. But... Paramedics With Guns Scare People!

October 31st, 2006, 06:13 PM	#13
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 24,670	Very Unique... looks like it could work well... Stay sasfe! ret __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

October 31st, 2006, 06:36 PM	#14
Matt Del Fatti Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The North Woods Posts: 148	Hey Mark: Pretty neat look! That denim sure makes for a very unique look that I think quite a few will like....alot. You'll probably be sorry you posted the photo . I used that same rear loop design on my first prototype SLP/F in 95 (CRAPPY photo alert!): but then redesigned the SLP/F and the SLP-TL with a wrap around trailing loop (widely copied since) that was either snapped or screwed down. The reason for the redesign was because some women with more hip flare could still feel the bottom welt on the rear loop. Anyhow...I preferred then (and still do) the clean lines of the stitched rear loop. NICE work!!

October 31st, 2006, 06:54 PM	#15
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gone from Here Posts: 17,364	Very nice mark i really like it

October 31st, 2006, 06:55 PM	#16
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,466	Mark - nice work - and love the whole look. Hope she is well pleased - the whole concept seems to have come out a great success. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

October 31st, 2006, 07:28 PM	#17
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 13,157	very nice. I considered denim patches that could be velcroed on to a holster. (to match the jeans worn. ) Looks like set up. Is the cant forward a better design for females, or just the officers preference? __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

October 31st, 2006, 07:55 PM	#18
Gary Brommeland Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,425	Outstanding!

October 31st, 2006, 08:30 PM	#19
Ti Carry VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Under Cover Posts: 2,035	I agree, that is cool! Ti. __________________ Train and train hard, you might not get a second chance to make a first impression! I vote for Monica Lewinsky's Ex-Boyfriend's Wife for President.....Not!

October 31st, 2006, 08:38 PM	#20
los Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Corpus Christi, Tx Posts: 690	Pretty impressive work Mark. It really doesn't surprise me though! Naming it "The Blue Angel" would be very "fitting". Mark is truly a Master Leather craftsman. You should see the Custom (one-of-a-kind) Shoulder Holster he made for my Seecamp LWS380. A Beautiful masterpiece indeed. I can't wait to receive my full Alligator front pocket holster. Thanks Mark. - Jimmy __________________ What we've got here is failure to communicate.

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