Leather pancake holster

Zorros · Jul 15, 2020

Came across a maker of what looks like extremely nice pancake holsters and belts and ordered a set (1,25” reinforced matching belt) for a G 43 in a really nice skin. Had an itch and scratched it for less than buying a new gun. I have been using kydex OWB under an untucked shirt. I know there are leather fans on this board. What do you think, leather versus kydex? High and tight, reinforced at the mouth to stay open. Has a cant which i will have to get used to. Probably a bit thicker than kydex. 6-8 wks.

TheOriginalMexicanBob · Jul 15, 2020

Kydex has a place but I prefer leather. Maybe I'm old school but I believe it's better for most applications. Full disclosure...I do have a few Kydex holsters but many more in leather.

Blaster229 · Jul 15, 2020

Apples to oranges.
A 43 is small enough it will conceal under a shirt. Especially at the 1-2 o'clock position.

Do you carry? Problem with OWB belt holster is you don't have the ability to take it off for whatever reason.
Big pistols are better carried OWB for the comfort factor. Smaller pistols? If you have an issue with a 43 in IWB kydex being uncomfortable, then you should revaluate conceal carrying, because you'll never find your comfort level.
Carrying anything in any form is never comfortable. There are just different levels of uncomfort.
Get used to some uncomfort. If you don't, you'll always be messing with the set up and this give away that you're carrying.

DHHilliard · Jul 15, 2020

Check out Simply Rugged's Sourdough Pancake. Just received mine yesterday. I like it so far. Strong side or cross draw. Other options available.

Zorros · Jul 15, 2020

Blaster229 said:
Apples to oranges.
A 43 is small enough it will conceal under a shirt. Especially at the 1-2 o'clock position.

Do you carry? Problem with OWB belt holster is you don't have the ability to take it off for whatever reason.
Big pistols are better carried OWB for the comfort factor. Smaller pistols? If you have an issue with a 43 in IWB kydex being uncomfortable, then you should revaluate conceal carrying, because you'll never find your comfort level.
Carrying anything in any form is never comfortable. There are just different levels of uncomfort.
Get used to some uncomfort. If you don't, you'll always be messing with the set up and this give away that you're carrying.

I carry every day, often for 12 hours with OWB. The IWB usually come off in the house. They are okay, but i find the owb convieient and comfortable and i have carried G33, shield 9 and 45,s a big 1911 in a suede IWB holster with the metal belt clip. One other thing is that with a striker fired weapon and no safety i don’t like the muzzle pointing down the front of my pants. Much more comfortable with the muzzle pointing down the outside of my leg. And that’s a big deal for me.

Blaster229 · Jul 15, 2020

Zorros said:
I carry every day, often for 12 hours with OWB. The IWB usually come off in the house. They are okay, but i find the owb convieient and comfortable and i have carried G33, shield 9 and 45,s a big 1911 in a suede IWB holster with the metal belt clip. One other thing is that with a striker fired weapon and no safety i don’t like the muzzle pointing down the front of my pants. Much more comfortable with the muzzle pointing down the outside of my leg. And that’s a big deal for me.

Why does the muzzle point down the front of your pants?

teratos · Jul 15, 2020

Blaster229 said:
Apples to oranges.
A 43 is small enough it will conceal under a shirt. Especially at the 1-2 o'clock position.

Do you carry? Problem with OWB belt holster is you don't have the ability to take it off for whatever reason.
Big pistols are better carried OWB for the comfort factor. Smaller pistols? If you have an issue with a 43 in IWB kydex being uncomfortable, then you should revaluate conceal carrying, because you'll never find your comfort level.
Carrying anything in any form is never comfortable. There are just different levels of uncomfort.
Get used to some uncomfort. If you don't, you'll always be messing with the set up and this give away that you're carrying.

In the cooler months I carry OWB in a paddle holster under a jacket. Very easy to put on and off. Any flaws you see using a paddle holster?

John from MD · Jul 15, 2020

I switched from standard kydex to Crossbreed and Fox holsters years ago when carrying a Sig 229. They made so much of a difference I have never looked back.

My younger brother, who sleeps with his 1911 :lol:

, switched to Crossbreed and it took him a couple of years to convince me. I wish I listened to him earlier.

Zorros · Jul 15, 2020

Blaster229 said:
Why does the muzzle point down the front of your pants?

Appendix-2:00, muzzle pointing at my leg or worse. I Sit most of the day. Also refuse to buy pants any bigger than i otherwise need. The OWB in kydex is pretty near perfect. Accessible, extremely comfortable, flat and high to body with a good belt and muzzle not pointed at my body. Leather, i am thinking, might be better as softer. More conforming.

Blaster229 · Jul 15, 2020

teratos said:
In the cooler months I carry OWB in a paddle holster under a jacket. Very easy to put on and off. Any flaws you see using a paddle holster?

Not with a smaller pistol. Unless it's a Serpa, retention is an issue. I keep a Fobus paddle in my car for the 43X for.. whatever reason.
I use a Fobus paddle for my range holster. I've yet to find a paddle that holds the pistol close to my body for the concealment I prefer.
Fortunately I don't have to dress up, so winter I'm good with a VP9 in my leather OWB under a flannel shirt.
But generally paddles don't hold close enough to the body for me.
A belt laced through a leather OWB holster is the most secure option.

Blaster229 · Jul 15, 2020

Zorros said:
Appendix-2:00, muzzle pointing at my leg or worse. I Sit most of the day. Also refuse to buy pants any bigger than i otherwise need. The OWB in kydex is pretty near perfect. Accessible, extremely comfortable, flat and high to body with a good belt and muzzle not pointed at my body. Leather, i am thinking, might be better as softer. More conforming.

Good thing you never sat behind me on a plane when wearing a shoulder holster.
Imagine all the people I could have killed all these years.

teratos · Jul 15, 2020

Blaster229 said:
Not with a smaller pistol. Unless it's a Serpa, retention is an issue. I keep a Fobus paddle in my car for the 43X for.. whatever reason.
I use a Fobus paddle for my range holster. I've yet to find a paddle that holds the pistol close to my body for the concealment I prefer.
Fortunately I don't have to dress up, so winter I'm good with a VP9 in my leather OWB under a flannel shirt.
But generally paddles don't hold close enough to the body for me.
A belt laced through a leather OWB holster is the most secure option.

I use a Fobus paddle holster with a VP9. Works fine under my jacket. Can take it off discreetly once I get in my office.

Blaster229 · Jul 15, 2020

teratos said:
I use a Fobus paddle holster with a VP9. Works fine under my jacket. Can take it off discreetly once I get in my office.

Yeah that's different.

Zorros · Jul 16, 2020

Blaster229 said:
Good thing you never sat behind me on a plane when wearing a shoulder holster.
Imagine all the people I could have killed all these years.

Ha. I wear a SH occasionally and think about the person behind me. Sometimes an upside down holster for an old fashioned mod 36 with a hammer.
Rule one drilled in since i was 12. Never point the muzzle at something you don’t intend to shoot. I would be ok with a DA/SA like the 229,220, 226, RAMI in IWB. They are just large. Even something with a grip safety. But again, large.

Zorros · Jul 16, 2020

I have the traditional holster drawer and in it are fobus paddleS for G27, sig 226 and SW 36. They are well made, very reasonably priced but they stand out from the body too much. They are good to lend at the range. 25 yrs ago i bought 4 shark holsters, modified pancake ( instead of two slots, one on either side, there is one and a loop behind the holster. Very beautiful, but they too stand out from the body, at least with the guns from the time: G27, 1911, 226, sw 625.

alucard0822 · Jul 16, 2020

IMO if Kydex fits well, it will never change shape, if it fits poorly, it will never change shape. If leather fits well it will loosen up and change shape, if it fits poorly, it will loosen up and change shape.

Have a lot of leather, but between holsters getting loose, holding moisture, being thick and bulky by design, and mediocre retension without a strap, I went Kydex years ago, and never looked back.

Blaster229 · Jul 16, 2020

alucard0822 said:
IMO if Kydex fits well, it will never change shape, if it fits poorly, it will never change shape. If leather fits well it will loosen up and change shape, if it fits poorly, it will loosen up and change shape.

Have a lot of leather, but between holsters getting loose, holding moisture, being thick and bulky by design, and mediocre retension without a strap, I went Kydex years ago, and never looked back.

Leather holsters are like shoes. You never wear the same pair everyday. Have a couple of the same holster and rotate them out, like dress shoes should be done.
I have 2 Galco OWB holsters I have been using for 20 years. You'd never tell they were that old.

miles71 · Jul 16, 2020

Yup, leather taken care of will last a long time. I've got a couple Don Hume holsters that are still in great shape.

I've had good luck with Tagua. Not real expensive but pretty good quality

TD

Zorros · Jul 16, 2020

Check out hill country leather. Look for him on FB because his website is old and he posts lots of nice stuff he has made on FB.

River02 · Nov 11, 2020

Leather Holster Break-in

Don't think this is really a hi-jack but another aspect of owning a leather holster--if wrong I apologize. I just received an Aker leather holster this week for my 1911. I was really surprised by the stiffness-- seems thin and stiff like Kydex. Don't recall my Galco SH being like this at all. Anyway-- any old pro/experienced tips, tricks for breaking in the leather? Viewed a couple of you-tube vids and some recommend wrapping firearm in wax paper and letting it sit for a few days. Any drawbacks to this-- 1911 is parkerized.

Leather pancake holster

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