Register
Log In
Home
December 4, 2014
Offline
Finally completed a shoulder holster project that I have working on for years. I always liked the leather shoulder holsters that I purchased back in the 70’s and 80’s but since I have been making Kydex holsters for several years I always had the idea of recreating those holsters with Kydex. The holster for a model 15-2 6”VH has been around for a while. After I found a supplier for the leather straps I still struggled with a design for HKS speed loader storage on the opposite side. The solution ended up being a simple one. I used an HKS nylon double storage pouch with the belt loop sandwiched between 2 layers of Kydex for mounting hardware to connect to the leather harness.
The shoulder harness is something that I have been looking at as the solution to having limited access to my OWB holster in the winter while in the car while wearing a winter coat. Around the house it allows me to throw on a firearm with extra ammo without having to wear a belt.
July 2, 2019
Offline
Looks sharp! Any issues between the holster and the fiber optic sight? Also, does Kydex put eventual wear on the bluing like leather does?
August 8, 2016
Offline
Scott_B said
does Kydex put eventual wear on the bluing like leather does?
It must. I have Kydex holsters for my semi-autos that I use for USPSA/IDPA shooting and it wears them and they're stainless and polycoat/nitride finish.
December 4, 2014
Offline
The sight channel for the holster was molded to allow use of standard DW front sights or the EWK fiber optic sight shown.
All holsters have the potential to show wear on the firearm finish, a lot depends on the fit and cleanliness of the inside of the holster. Dirt and grime inside the holster will act like sand paper on the finish. The holsters that I make have a couple thousands clearance between the holster and the firearm, and I use the front section of the trigger guard for retention. That combination seems to minimize wear on the finish of my carry guns. In general my carry guns are considered working guns and are holstered for that purpose, safe queens travel in a padded case and are not holstered because of the potential to damage the finish.
Because of the fit of the barrel shroud to the holster the front sight does not have a chance to come in contact with the top or sides of the holster sight channel.
February 21, 2011
Offline
How close to the body does it ride when bending, stooping, leaning & so on?
this seems to be a problem with many shoulder rigs.
Matthew Quigley on handguns:
“I said I never had much use for one. Never said
I didn't know how to use it.”
December 4, 2014
Offline
While standing it rides close to the body, the friction of the leather straps keeps the rig from shifting forward when leaning over but both sides do hang freely. I have tried older model shoulder holsters that had tie downs to the belt and did not like how it felt when worn and especially when sitting. For me the rig fits my preferences. If I feel that belt tie downs are needed I can easily add them to the hardware at the bottom of the holster and speed loader.
July 2, 2019
Offline
Etrier said
The sight channel for the holster was molded to allow use of standard DW front sights or the EWK fiber optic sight shown.All holsters have the potential to show wear on the firearm finish, a lot depends on the fit and cleanliness of the inside of the holster. Dirt and grime inside the holster will act like sand paper on the finish. The holsters that I make have a couple thousands clearance between the holster and the firearm, and I use the front section of the trigger guard for retention. That combination seems to minimize wear on the finish of my carry guns. In general my carry guns are considered working guns and are holstered for that purpose, safe queens travel in a padded case and are not holstered because of the potential to damage the finish.
Thanks for the response. Makes perfect sense and, since very few of my firearms are legit safe queens, wear to the finish really is secondary when it comes to "working guns." And you are right that all holsters will put wear on a finish after time, I was just wondering how Kydex compared to leather and other materials. I've never owned a holster of that type. I definitely like how that front sight is situated in there, too.
That's a really great looking setup. I doubt you'd have any problem selling them if you were so inclined.
December 4, 2014
Offline
Scott_b,
Based on the leather holsters that I have purchased they tend to use friction of the leather over wide areas of the firearm which often seemed to quickly show wear on the finish of the firearm in multiple areas. Muzzle ends of barrels and cylinders seem to be most effected by the friction tight hold of leather on revolvers. The Kydex holsters that I make are specifically designed to use the front edge of trigger guard and edges formed at corners to hold the firearm in place. A good Kydex holster will expand slightly as the firearm is seated in place and an audible click can be heard when fully seated. In my opinion Kydex which is a sheet plastic material, is less harmful than leather but they do they job of holding a firearm using completely different means. Also there are many other variables that can effect the finish of a firearm in addition to the difference in materials.
This is an example of my experience so far, the OWB holster was made in June of 2016 and the DW model 15-2 2 1/2” VH normally resides in that holster since it was made. So far the only change in finish that I see is on the very edge of the front portion of the trigger guard.
July 2, 2019
Offline
Thanks for all the info. Do you make these for yourself, to sell, or both? I'm diggin' both the OWB holster and the shoulder holster. I've never come across either for a DW revolver.
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
Offline
Nice Work! Thanks for showing us.
December 4, 2014
Offline
Scott_b,
I make Kydex holsters for myself and to sell. There are a few forum members who have a holster that I made for them. To make a Kydex holster I generally use a holster makers mold of the model holster that I am making. The mold has to be dimensionally correct to the actual firearm. Unfortunately there are no holster maker molds available for Dan Wesson revolvers, so I use my own DW as the mold for a holster. Unless you live in Delaware I am limited to the model of holster that I can make as I do not have an FFL.
I currently have the capability to make holsters for the following: DW model 15-2 with the following barrels, 2 1/2” HV, 3” HV, 4” HV, 6” HV all made by EWK, 6” V and 8” standard. The new CZ 715 models are dimensionally different from the Munson and Palmer model 15-2 and 715 revolvers. The new CZ 715’s have larger dimensions and will not fit in a model 15-2 holster.
If you would like to discuss purchasing a holster please PM me.
1 Guest(s)
