R.E.Lee

Hey Guys,

I havent been posting too much as of recently, but the more I wear my XD9 in my VM2, the more I find myself wishing it had slightly more forward cant (to lift the butt of the gun up slightly, allowing it to better tuck into my back).

Seeing as how the VM2 doesnt have adjustable clips, though I love leather (and hated the kydex, CTAC I tried), I am wondering if the Brommeland MC5 has more or less forward cant than the VM2.

I am also giving some thought to trying Kevin at K&D's new Dakota defender, though I like the slimness of the MC5, and it seems as if the Dakota and VM2 are about the same thickness.

I guess the reason I havent just up and bought an MC5 for my XD9 yet is that I am thinking about replacing it as my primary carry gun with something along the lines of a 4" 1911, more than likely a Dan Wesson Bobtail commander. I guess I am still looking for the holster for me, and refuse to have the box full of "not-quite" holsters.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give me!

Roundeyesamurai

Hey R.E., here's an idea: Look in the Yellow Pages for a cobbler or other type of leatherworker, take the holster to him, and see if he can make the modification you're looking for.

Ask for samples of his previous work, of course.

Gary Brommeland

I cannot possibly recommend AGAINST such an approach strongly enough. To have a sophisticated concealment holster design tinkered with by a shoe repair guy or saddlemaker is roughly equivalent to stopping by your local butcher shop for brain surgery.

Roundeyesamurai

Oh really? And that would be because...?

Gary Brommeland

Howdy,

The Max-Con V's are raked at approx 25 degrees for just the purpose that you mentioned - it allows the firearm to be worn behind the break of the hip (about 4:00-4:30) with the grip tucked into the hollow area just below the botton rib. This really enhances the holster's concealment characteristics, and still allows a nice smooth draw from that position.

The VM2 is a great holster and it's design is an indication of Tony Kanaley's talent. I believe it is intended to be worn a bit further forward though (3:00 -3:30), because it is raked at what seems to me to be about 17 degrees. Tony lurks here from time to time, you might want to post a question to him for the specifics - I am just guessing .

Both are great holsters, but they are different designs offering different features. Good luck with your search for the "perfect" holster - I've been struck with that particular brand of obsession for most of my life (that's why I run a holster shop ).

Gary Brommeland

Because holster making combines the leatherworking talent of a master craftsman, a strong working knowledge of anatomy & physiology, the totally mastery of the mechanical workings (of each and every) firearm that a holster is made for, with the tactical expertise and "street sense" of a professional firearms trainer.
That is a VERY rare skill set that takes about 5 years of INTENSIVE study, training, practice - along with a LOT of trial& error to even get started in the game. Most holstermakers who are considered world class have been doing it at least ten to 15 years.
I've been making holsters (professionally) for 22 years, and I still learn new stuff all the time, and trust me - I live, eat, sleep and breath holstermaking.
Tony Kanaley has been at it as long as I have, Josh Bulman has been at it about 15 years, Lou Alessi more than 30, as has Matt DelFatti.
Just because a guy can do pretty leather work does NOT qualify him to make or modify sophisticated equipment that people trust their very lives to.
For example, my mom is a master seamstress and can do literally anything that is possible with a sewing machine and a piece of cloth. However, I would not even consider having her make a parachute for me...

Eric Larsen

Id highly recommend you take Gary's advice against having a holster modified by anyone!

I wont modify my own work like you are describing and I KNOW How its made, what it took to get it there and why its made that way!

It's safer and frankly easier for me to remake a holster than to try and modify an existing product.....

Anytime you modify a proven design you run the risk of it simply not working like it is supposed to.....

And there is just to much to lose when it comes to a holster that needs to work when you need it to. How much is your life worth?

It may sound like Im going over the top with this...but in all reality, Im stating it just like it needs to come across.

Shoot well and god bless

__________________
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice..........Rush

Roundeyesamurai

OK, the qualifications to make a leather holster are all well and good, but there's one problem that has not yet been addressed:

What's R.E. Lee (and anyone else for that matter) supposed to do about his holster?

If the answer is "buy a new one", then I would have to say that that smacks of self-promotion. "Don't like your holster? Well, I'll be happy to sell you a new holster". And then that holster isn't right, either, and the solution is to buy yet another one, ad infinitum.

In the meantime, I am wondering what is so complicated about moving a belt loop a hair this way or that way, etc., that it can't be accomplished by someone other than "the master craftsman". It's not brain surgery, it's an alteration.

I don't need to send a Brioni suit back to Brioni to have the inseam shortened, after all. As a matter of fact, I'm sure your mother could whip that off in a hurry, though the master tailors at Brioni would howl with rage over the fact that someone other than themselves defiled their masterpiece.

In fact, Gary, your statement about your mom underlies the problem here: The craftsman's natural belief that his product is sacred. "I made it, hence, nobody but me can alter it in any way". It's the same reason why writers despise editors. The most minor suggestion that someone else (or at least, someone "lesser") might be capable of making such a minor alteration is considered a major affront.

Nobody is talking about turning his holster into an entirely different holster, just like no-one would actually ask your mother to make them a parachute. Let's not make a mountain out of a molehill.

Gary Brommeland

Sir,
I have addressed this as accurately as it is possible to do, and my opinion is based upon more than two decades of intensive study, and work in this very field. During that time I've designed, made and sold something in the vicinity of 30,000 holsters. If you choose to not accept my opinion, that is certainly your perrogative to do so. I will not argue with you.
For the benefit of those reading this, I will absolutely state that having a holster modified at all is usually a very unwise practice. Having one modified by the local shoe repair guy can easily get you killed.
As far as the accusation of "self promotion" goes, we are backed up 8-20 weeks right now, depending upon what is ordered. I do not need promotion, what I need are 48 hour days. Furthermore, if a customer buys one of my holsters and it does not work out for him, we will exchange it for something else or refund their money.
Finally, if my mom did butcher your Brioni (highly unlikely), you would not run the risk of bodily injury or death because your overpriced pants are too short. You'd just look as funny as you sound......

Mark Garrity

Roundeyesamurai,
I'll add to this and elaborate a bit more specific and technical.
On my In-Cognito IWB, similar to a VMII, the screw post that the loop attaches with is sandwiched between the two pieces of leather and hidden so that there is no metal exposed except the post thru it's hole,. I believe the VMII is constructed the same way. Moving this post would require cutting and unstitching the boarder stitch, peeling the glued together leather apart, (not an easy task), remounting the post and glueing and stitching everything back together. The act of cutting the thread and restitching leaves no guarantee that the once existing thread will not unravel at some point in time. The act of peeling apart two pieces of leather that have been glued for some time will leave permenant stress wrinkles throughout that section that will ruin the appearence of the holster. The pieces may not line up exactly after being separated, and you've got pre-existing needle/stitch holes to line up. No shoe repair guy or anyone else involved in leatherwork is going to want to machine stitch thru pre-existing holes, because it's total PITA and would require adjusting his machine to the pre-determined stitch-space of stitches per inch, which is likely different and particular to each maker, and stitches are much closer in the shoe industry. Ask around and try finding a shoe guy that will doe that.
All this said, the front strap is the one that would have to be moved higher to make a holster ride at a steeper cant. If you look at a VMII or any of the other dual-loop IWBs, there is no room to mount the screw stud any higher. It is already mounted to the boarder stitch line. And moving the rear loop lower by punching a hole completely thru the leather to mount another loop will make the holster ride too high, especially with a short barreled pistol, and change the ride height of the holster. Trust us, we know what we're doing!
A very good friend of mine makes custom cowboy boots in exotic leathers from the ground up. He has been in business for close to 40 years. He lets me use his shop and has taught me alot about working in exotics. He has probably forgotten more about leather-working than most of us holster-guys will ever learn. He has admired my work , has a few of my exotic holsters on display in his shop; and has commented that (even with all his experience) he would never attempt making such a holster. He realizes it's a totally different game. And I , in turn, would never try making a pair of boots.

__________________
"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