Shooting from the Hip

Earlier this year we outlined how to get all crafty and make your own gun holster. And that was all well and good.

However, YouTube user particlerealities was busy this week uploading a comprehensive three-part video demonstration that completely blew our post on it out of the water. He not only shows you how to create your very own leather holster but provides a snazzy soundtrack that goes right along with the creative process.

There are plenty of steps involved, but in the end, you will have something special that you won’t be able to find anywhere else (especially if you bedazzle it.) Carve out some time in your calendar to try it out, and tell us how it goes. We’ll try to do the same. Maybe.

Here at Gun Holsters Blog, it’s fairly evident that we have a thing for, uh, holsters. But what about things shaped like gun holsters that aren’t really gun holsters? Hmm… good question.

Take the Koffski Shoulder Holster for instance. It says it’s a shoulder holster; it kinda looks like a shoulder holster; it should feel like a gun holster since it’s Italian leather. But will it hold a gun? Not a chance.

From the brilliant minds of the Germans comes a “shoulder holster” that’s actually a men’s handbag. This firearm fashionista purse includes a bag, wallet and a V piece as well as a shoulder strap. Perhaps having a wallet that looks like a holster might keep criminals at bay?

On the other hand, having a holster with a real gun might be a teensy bit more intimidating.

The product description for the bag reads “Whether in the office or on the move, the shoulder holster allows the user to carry his basic items around with him in a manner that is manly, flamboyant and, above all, extremely practical.” We’re not sure if something got lost in German-to-English translation here, but we’ll let you draw your own conclusions.

And for around $470 this could all be yours!

(Via Luxist)

Every time we mention the words “gun” “holsters” and “fail,” the name Lee Paige instantaneously comes to mind.

Is that so wrong?

What’s worse is that this month’s two holster FAILS appear to be pretty similar to the ones we posted last November.

The first one involved a Salt Lake City off-duty police officer. He was getting ready for work when his weapon discharged as he tried to put it in its holster, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The 14-year veteran suffered minor injuries when the bullet entered his hip.

The next one is borderline ridiculous: A Wyoming woman is outside shoveling snow with a revolver in a shoulder holster. The gun slips out of the holster. The woman is then shot in the ankle. But why pack heat while shoveling a driveway?

The woman told police she armed herself because she “was concerned about crime in her neighborhood.” Sounds like a good enough reason to us. Perhaps she just needs a more secure shoulder holster?

Whatever the case might be, both are great reminders to be careful out there!

(Image via Wikimedia Commons)

If you’re tweeting about gun holsters, we’re listening. Not to creep you out, but to understand the holster-toting community just a little better. We’re keeping our ear to the ground and our eye on the tweets. Here’s just a peak at what we’ve been hearing…

@theBigsexy: Had a pretty good night! Watching Dexter playing with guns and looking for gun holsters online! What man fun!

@Farah_Kz: #Waystoannoypeople wearing gun holsters and putting the remote controllers in them!!! @Thisisjoej

@brian_hickey: Photo: I used to dress my dog up like a cowboy, with gun holsters and everything, but I never thought to… http://tumblr.com/xn35mfs1w

@florido: @shefcgq yes! completely unnecessary; all he’s put in there so far is a gun and i’m pretty sure holsters were invented for a reason

@risbergz: homework… homework… homework i NEED those A’s badly – otherwise no party with the gun holsters:[

@alovething: @reluctantlemmng Sort of! He and Misha are going to wear gun holsters and fedoras. That’s pretty much all that matters.

@ChuckCash: Spy tip – Velcro gun-holsters, a big “no-no” for hit-men and assassins.

@Aville828: Gun show at the hampton convention center 2day. I’ve seen 20.00 tasers and 20.00 gun holsters

@leenakagawa: My buddy Sterling: “Just got the snuggie with gun holsters.” He’s the film loader. Working way too hard…

@mayhemindustry: HeidiTron. Complete with bedazzled gun holsters and Easy Bake Oven.

@crew54: I’m bout to make some homemade Crew54 Snuggies with built in gun holsters cuz we iGoons like that, who wants one, put in your orders now

@PrprincessB: @JustinMadness90 dont worry im sure ur gun has seen more holsters than my holster has seen any guns..so im more concern about my holster :p

@JustinMadness90: @PrprincessB how would you know how many holsters my gun has been to….. rofl what a convo xD

@glenihan: @paigeiam Well I see you made it home safely, despite driving through Kingman, where I’ve seen ppl walking around w/ gun holsters, lol.

@Rozanne_G: @studdastuffy *holsters gun* you’re safe this time.

To be like the aforementioned tweets, here’s a PowerPoint presentation on not-boring tweets. Prepare to be wowed.

Enter gun holster shopping with the mindset that what you buy not only impacts your draw time, it could also be a factor in your safety. While many professionals use gun belts for holsters, civilians prefer other concealable options for carrying firearms.

Once you have a concealed carry weapon selected, really think about what you want out of a holster. Are you looking for something with all-day comfort? Is keeping your weapon hidden most important to you? Or is competing with the likes of Howard Darby at the top of your list?

Sure, it’d be nice to find a combination of all three. However, figuring out what quality you need the most will help.

Once you decide, figure out where that holster should go. Do you want something to clip on to a gun belt or to a jeans pocket? Would you like to rock a Miami Vice-style shoulder holster? There are also ankle holsters, though many don’t prefer this type of holster because it greatly reduces your draw time.

In the video below, pd4cary shows off his personal collection of concealed carry holsters. With belt holsters, two- and three-slot holsters and outside-the-waistband holsters, he explains the good, bad and ugly of each. His favorite? The inside-the-waistband holster even though “it’s not as comfortable as other kinds.”

A garage seems like an appropriate setting for the birth of a rock band, not a future multi-million dollar company. Yet, like Mattel and Apple Inc., Bianchi International began in 1958 with John Bianchi, a full-time Southern California police officer, simply constructing affordable quality holsters in his garage.

Follow the quantitative history of what later became an industry leader in holster creation and innovation and is now a part of the Safariland family.

• 1960 – The year Bianchi’s innovative thumb snap first seen on the Model 5BH/5BHL took the holster market by storm.
• $36 million – Bianchi International’s sales in 2004.
• 4 – Years of research that went into its synthetic universal military system holster design, or M12, which was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1984.
• 1992 – Bianchi introduced its AccuMold holsters, accessories and belts in this year, and these products continue to be its staple in the gun holster industry.
• 32 – Years the NRA Bianchi Cup Championship pistol tournament has been scouting the best marksmen in the world.
• 110,000 – Total amount of square feet in Bianchi International headquarters in Temecula, Calif., and its additional manufacturing facility in Imperial Valley, Calif.
• 20 million – The estimate of how many belts and holsters John Bianchi designed and manufactured during his career.
• 1 – Number of books authored by John Bianchi. Bluesteel & Gunleather, his one and only book published in 1978, gives an extensive history of gun holsters and its continuing development.
• 1983 – Year Bianchi acquired Gregory Mountain Products, an external-frame backpack manufacturer.
• $60 million – Amount Armor Holdings Inc. paid for Bianchi International in 2004.
• 105 – Miles separating GunHolsters.com headquarters and Columbia, Mo., the location of Bianchi’s first pistol-shooting tournament.
• 40 – Percentage of Bianchi’s business that came from Gregory packs in 1993.
• 1975 – The year that Bianchi produced its one-millionth holster.

And now it’s time to check out a western-inspired Bianchi holster that was first produced in the 1980s.

Pink guns are nothing new. These pistols painted in girlish hues have been auctioned for breast cancer awareness and criticized as a silly marketing gimmick for years. However, with women like Debbie Ferns proving female-only shooting camps, it’s likely we’ll see even more for-her, rose-colored accessories in 2010.

And while not all females require a pink gun and/or accessories, it’s nice to have some options. Here are 20.

1. Hello Kitty Sig Sauer P226 – According to the maker’s website, customization of this product was halted in May 2008 due to complaints from Sanrio, owners of the Hello Kitty brand. Not including the cost of the gun, this particular custom job was $2,100 with Swarovski Crystal on the grips.

2. Sparkly Grips – Featured on Jim’s Gun Supply as a DuraCoat item, it costs $50 to $85 to color and finish any type of gun accessories like scopes and magazines.

3. Ear Muffs – Touted as light weight and comfortable, this ear protection gear has 28 decibels of noise reduction for $34.99.

4. The Lady Di 460 S&W Magnum – Because of her peaceful nature, something tells us that Princess Diana would not be too happy about this 460 S&W Magnum ($657.95). “The most beautiful woman in the world on the most powerful handgun in the world. How can you go wrong?” asks its creator GlamGuns.com.

5. Hello Kitty Machine Gun – The video speaks for itself. Of course, this discovery was made at the Anime Expo.

6. Trigger Lock – Keep your gun safe in style with a pastel pink combination trigger lock at $18.99.

7. Pink Camo Smith & Wesson – Another product of DuraCoat, it cost $135 for the pink camo touch.

8. Hello Kitty AR-15 – This big gun made CNN a while back, especially since it was at first rumored to be a Photoshop job. As you can see from the photo below, this one-of-a-kind firearm was custom made by Armory Airbrush.

9. Anti-Impact Glasses – Keep your eyes protected and your mind at ease by looking through rose-colored glasses ($19.99) at the shooting range.

10. Rainbow Brite Ammo Loader Kit – Another wonder from GlamGuns.com, this kit ($243.95) contains streamers, glitter and confetti that can be added to a gun chamber, shooting out “a trail of sparkling love with every shot.”

11. Breast Cancer Awareness Benelli Shotgun – Yet another DuraCoat creation. This type of customization would cost somewhere around $125 to $225.

12. Camo Gun Case – This lockable nylon gun case ($19) fits .22 Cricket and Chipmunk rifles with or without scopes.

13. Haydel’s Game Calls – Get a duck’s attention quick with this acrylic mallard call ($16.24) with a soft pink finish.

14. Beretta U22 Neos DLX Pistol – This ultra-sleek gun ($269.99) features hot pink grip inserts that gives it some added style.

15. Pistol Case – This Pepto-Bismol-colored case ($22.99) is pretty self-explanatory. Its exterior boasts reinforced composite; its interior contains egg-crate foam padding.

16. Crimson Trace Lasergrip – Ergonomically designed, this lasergrip is part of the Smith & Wesson Defender Series. And, yes, batteries are required.

17. Hello Kitty AK-47 – The price? $1,072.95. Some might argue that’s a small amount to pay for this über-customized weapon with a hand-crocheted shoulder-stock muffler and anodized titanium plating. But the bad news is, they’ve only made 500.

18. BB Gun – Its website declares that this Crosman 760 pellet gun ($42.99) is “sure to become a collectible!” However, we feel that the limited-edition Lady Di gun probably will obtain that status much sooner.

19. Rifle Sling – If you’re already carrying a pink rifle, why not add a pink rifle sling (17.99) with a hint on camo (or is that bronze?) to the mix.

20. Binoculars – Spot your target, yet keep yourself somewhat concealed with Green Ring Yosemite Binoculars ($99.21).

Gun Holster TLC

Marksmen have used leather for holsters since the beginning of firearms. However, nobody expects you to know that history or how to properly care for a leather holster. That’s why we’re here.

Simply follow the guidelines (collected from various holster manufactures) outlined below to ensure your leather holster receives only the best TLC. And by properly cleaning and storing your gun holster, you will prolong the life of it and save money in the long run.

Note: Many have varying opinions on these treatments, so if you disagree with something or have found a better way, let us know in the comments section. These are just the “official” rules from those who produce holsters.

DO: Treat your gun regularly. If left untreated, dry rot can begin to occur. Unfortunately if you treat it improperly, your holster will begin to break down long before it can dry rot.

DON’T: Dry your leather holster using artificial heat from a hair dryer, oven, radiator, direct sunlight — you get the picture. This makes leather crack.

DO: Use hard-bar glycerin soap. Lather soap with water, rub onto the leather surface with a soft cloth, and wipe off.

DON’T: … get too soft on us now! And if you use oils like Neat Foot or Mink oil, you will. These oils saturate and soften the leather holster too much, negatively affecting its shape.

DO: Let your leather dry naturally. Your patience will pay off.

DON’T: Forget your holster on your car dashboard in the summer. Or anything, for that matter. Especially foodstuffs.

DO: Give your holster is a cool, dry home when it’s not at your side.

DON’T: Submerge your holster in any liquid, including water. So, no deep-sea holster diving, people!

DO: Use a neutral color of Kiwi polish after a holster wash. Buff it off with a brush or soft cloth.

DON’T: Leave your holster in a high-humidity space. That will cause mildew and quite possibly a funny smell. Conversely, a low-humidity space that’s too low will cause it to dry out.

DO: Continue reading this to get the low-down on some sweet types of leather.

Love Leathers?
Here are six common and not-so-common leather types.

1. Full-grain: This represents the upper layer of the hide that formerly contained hair but since has been sanded or buffed, as it is the highest quality of leather. This is also a common leather used to make gun holsters.
2. Vachetta leather: Best known as the leather of Louis Vuitton luggage and handbags, this type goes untreated and is very likely to undergo staining and/or water damage. Sunlight makes the color of this leather become darker, which makes it easy to spot a fake designer bag over time.
3. Corrected-grain: Also known as snuffed grain, this term applies to any leather that has its outer surface of grain removed by an emery wheel and has an artificial grain added to the surface. Most of it is used for pigmented leather since it covers up any imperfections.
4. Top-grain: Far from being “top” in quality (actually it’s the second best), this leather is sanded and refinished for more stain resistant, plastic feel.
5. Split: The name comes from just that — splitting the grain layer of hide into two or more layers. Used to create suede, split leather has an artificial layer applied to the surface and embossed with a leather grain.
6. Bonded leather: This man-made material is constructed mostly of leather fibers and scraps that are bonded together with latex binders most often seen as Bible covers, diaries, art books and even belts and sofas.

(Image via Flickr)

Concealed Carry Shoulder Saddlebag

For when a gun holster just isn’t good enough … or concealed enough, there are a few handbags on the market that are made specifically to hold your firearm.

But can’t you just put a gun in any old handbag?

Well, no. For starters, it’s not exactly secure if it’s bouncing around in there with your wallet, car keys and whatever other nonsense you refuse to leave at home.

Even if it’s in a special compartment, there’s still not a place to securely holster it. And if your weapon isn’t small, there might be some issues fitting it in an ordinary purse. The gun’s extra weight also creates major stress on the straps, which is not only uncomfortable but can be a safety risk if it snaps.

The solution: pistol purses and gun bags! Made for women by women (and, yes, sometimes for men), these sophisticated, stylish bags feature special compartments for your handgun and will keep it entirely secure and concealed.

Gun Tote’n Mamas
These ladies aren’t messing around! Just look at the very Men In Black-esque picture that greets you on their website. The seven ladies draped in ninja-like turtlenecks with their eyes hidden behind black shades appear to be just as concealed as their handbag weaponry. These mamas have come up with a range of patent-pending styles — from a shoulder saddlebag ($125) to a basic hobo ($79). It’s apparent that they’re not going to give up style for safety.

Would you mess with the Gun Tote'n Mamas?

Each of Gun Tote’n Mamas’ designs uses full-grain leather and slash resistant shoulder straps. Every bag is lined with either nylon or suede. The outside is said to get softer with age and last for years. According to a review in Women’s Outdoor News, the purse did indeed become “butter soft” in a good way only after a few weeks of wear. These mamas don’t discriminate and do offer unisex bags including an urban shoulder bag ($85).

Secure Purse
And then there’s Secure Purse, a brand that touts concealment purses, backpack holster purses, fanny packs and more. The website reads more like an autobiography of the founder, where she confesses her fears of being attacked in dark parking lots and explains her personal dilemma with gun handbags.

Secure Purse sets itself apart with having a zippered compartment that locks. “It is a very nice feature that gives me a great deal of peace of mind,” the creator writes. “This is of course not a substitute for safe responsible gun handling.” Its online store features more than a dozen handbags from $35 to $90 with plenty of pictures to go along. Unfortunately it looks like some models sell out quickly and others have been discontinued. So, you best get pistol purse shoppin’!

For the most part, homemade gun holsters really aren’t something professionals should carry, especially those dealing with dangerous criminals. Nevertheless, you can find endless instructions on how to do it on your own in seconds. But to actually construct it … well, that’s going to be a bit more time consuming. If you’re good at it, you’ll have a personalized holster that fits your pistol perfectly in no time.

After pouring over several how-tos and step-by-step instructions, here’s what we gleaned:

1. Make a holster pattern using cardboard. Cut out your cardboard model, and hold it next to your choice of material (many prefer cowhide). Trace around the cardboard on your material.
2. Use a sharp knife to cut the leather. Be sure to cut a mirror piece, too, since this will be the other side of your holster.
3. Take a ruler, and mark the position of the gun and magazine and then the trigger guard and barrel.
4. Thinly layer glue to the areas on both pieces, making sure that you don’t glue together the part where the gun will go.
5. Trim the leather, and punch holes for a belt to loop through. Cut belt slots and stitching grooves. Stitch and double stitch the holster.
6. In order to mold the leather, wet it on the inside and out, and place your plastic-wrapped gun on the inside. Use your fingers to push the leather around it.
7. When the holster is dry (usually takes a night), trim and burnish the edges, and dye it if you’d like.

Check out a much more detailed version of this process, along with a variety of other types of holsters right here. Or for even more details, stop by JDLawhon.com’s Holstermaking 101, where a holster hobbyist walks you through everything — from picking out the leather to his own personal tips and tricks. “It’s always fun doing another holster (although I wouldn’t want to do it for a living!),” he writes on the site.

There are plenty of other ways you can get creative with your pistol holster. Try knitting your pistol its own cozy, or even crochet a holster belt out of doilies (see below photo for examples). Sure, you’ll probably be laughed off (or kicked out) of the shooting range, but you’ll get bonus points for creativity. Right?

And in this DIY video below, t3hDRIT shows off a holster made for his Airsoft pistol out of duct tape and spray paint.

Note: You might want to abstain from getting too creative because it could jeopardize your safety and the safety of those around you.

Know of any cool and creative holsters you’ve made or found online? Send them our way!