Small-of-Back Holster for a Large Cylinder Revolver

[Rick_Jorgenson]

This is Smith & Wesson "Air Weight" .44 Special snub nose.

The customer wanted a Small-of-Back Holster with a Thumb break

I've designed several Holsters this style of carry but never for something this short and with this large of cylinder.

The client is not a big guy so there will be a lot of "pull" on the belt straps which moves the top of the gun away from the belt line which also pulls on the Snap and strap for the Thumb break.

Even after doing the drawing and pattern I wasn't sure it it would work properly. I made a few adjustments and cut the leather out.

I assembled the Holster and it worked!    (it didn't end up in the box under the bench!)

Questions, Comments, Constructive Criticism are always welcome!  Thanks for looking!

Rick

[OV-1D]

  Having that leather surrounding the trigger isn't such a good idea , reaching for the gun its just another obstruction in the way for retrieval but the strap is in a good place . Otherwise your good to go .  Just an opinion .

[Rick_Jorgenson]

  Having that leather surrounding the trigger isn't such a good idea , reaching for the gun its just another obstruction in the way for retrieval but the strap is in a good place . Otherwise your good to go .  Just an opinion .

Hi OV,
I try to build as safe of a Holster that the average person with "some" gun experience can safely use and not hurt themselves or others at least because of a design issue.

For that same "average person" using the trigger opening to draw is not considered safe so, we cover triggers and trigger opening as much as possible. 

We've had a couple people ask for the trigger opening to be uncovered, we refused, explained the safety issue. Both were inexperienced shooters and stated it would help them remove the gun from the Holster (both had large revolvers) I suggested they continue looking for the Holster they want elsewhere and a smaller gun to carry so they could draw safely.
(both had us build them a Holster with the trigger opening covered)

I did draw from it and it functions very well, I had my doubts because the gun is so wide (.44 cylinder)

[heyjoe]

nice job on the holster but it has to be very uncomfortanle to sit anywhere with such a large gun in the small of back.

[Texduk3]

quick draw,  looks awkward,
raising the shoulder may be difficult, 
one may get disarmed in the process.
Where is the snapper to undo the strap?
nice holster though,,,,,

[Wumbey Goomba]

P.S. Nice Holster

[Surculus]

I think I might have preferred the old [as in Indian Wars era] cavalry butt-forward approach for that. If you're carrying SoB these days, the idea is you're carrying concealed, and if I was doing that I'm really not worried about "violating the 180" like you would have to be for using such a holster on the range or in competition.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

nice job on the holster but it has to be very uncomfortanle to sit anywhere with such a large gun in the small of back.

No doubt about being uncomfortable to sit with that behind you. The client loves it, he stopped in the shop today just to let me know how happy he is with it and he was wearing it (I saw him drive away so he sits down with it on) 

quick draw,  looks awkward,
raising the shoulder may be difficult, 
one may get disarmed in the process.
Where is the snapper to undo the strap?
nice holster though,,,,,

Thanks, SOB carry has the element of suprise I suspect. I saw him today and he carries with his shirt not "tucked in" so it is covered, it makes him look heavy unless looking at him you suspect a gun.

It is a Thumb Break so the snap is located on the inboard side. Grasp a full combat grip, push your thumb downward (unsnapping the strap) while gripping and the strap gives away when you draw.

Anybody carrying that would
be a Bad Man.

I would like to touch it off a few times.

I been wanting a sewer pipe diameter barreled
Revolver a while. Maybe I will use my hospital money
to get me one.

P.S. Nice Holster

Thank you!
The gentleman is kind of a "hipster" looking guy I wouldn't even guess he was armed. Not that there is a "look" to someone being armed! lol!!
A woman asked me today if I was a "gun guy"    (While I was selling her husband a Holster) I told her "I have a couple"  lol!

It's fun to shoot the giant calibers (a couple times) I'll take a turn with a friends giant revolver but after 5 I'm done!  I like to shoot (a lot)  and don't want to feel like my hands and wrists need to to be in casts. 
My 1911 in .45acp is fine for me. This year I'm training regularly with my Glock 17 (9mm) and I'am enjoying that too 

I think I might have preferred the old [as in Indian Wars era] cavalry butt-forward approach for that. If you're carrying SoB these days, the idea is you're carrying concealed, and if I was doing that I'm really not worried about "violating the 180" like you would have to be for using such a holster on the range or in competition.

I think carrying SOB is a deeper level of concealment used for a questionable area or situation. Many safety violations are off the table, protection is the main concern. JMHO

[heyjoe]

whatever you do Rick don't try a 41 magnum revolver! that will be another one you'll have to have...

[Rick_Jorgenson]

whatever you do Rick don't try a 41 magnum revolver! that will be another one you'll have to have...

I had Smith Mod 51 4" Bbl. in .41 Magnum (part of an inheritance) I sold it. It was a beautiful gun    A friend just needed to give way too much money for it! I never shot it.

[bearcatter]

Needed, or persuaded ?  .... 

[Rick_Jorgenson]

Needed, or persuaded ?  .... 

I was persuaded.

The days of "needing" to sell something to pay for something else are behind me 

[heyjoe]

whatever you do Rick don't try a 41 magnum revolver! that will be another one you'll have to have...

I had Smith Mod 51 4" Bbl. in .41 Magnum (part of an inheritance) I sold it. It was a beautiful gun    A friend just needed to give way too much money for it! I never shot it.

good thing. you would have kept it and not gotten that too much money. 41 magnums shoot very flat and are very accurate. just slightly smaller diameter than a 44 magnum without all that recoil. its almost the same situation as between a 32 acp and a 380 acp.  smith and wesson model numbers for 41 magnum are 57 with adjustible sights and 58 with fixed sights and a bull barrel. model 51 is a 22. 

[Rick_Jorgenson]

whatever you do Rick don't try a 41 magnum revolver! that will be another one you'll have to have...

I had Smith Mod 51 4" Bbl. in .41 Magnum (part of an inheritance) I sold it. It was a beautiful gun    A friend just needed to give way too much money for it! I never shot it.

good thing. you would have kept it and not gotten that too much money. 41 magnums shoot very flat and are very accurate. just slightly smaller diameter than a 44 magnum without all that recoil. its almost the same situation as between a 32 acp and a 380 acp.  smith and wesson model numbers for 41 magnum are 57 with adjustible sights and 58 with fixed sights and a bull barrel. model 51 is a 22.

I least I can shoot it, since I sold it to my friend! lol!  I better not shoot it, I might like it and have to buy it back! lol!!

[tinhorn]

I was imagining drawing that pistol from that holster. Now my shoulder hurts.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

I was imagining drawing that pistol from that holster. Now my shoulder hurts.

The "Small-of-Back" method of carry definitely is not for everyone! 

The percentage of this type of Holster we do monthly is pretty small (1 to 2%)  But once in a while all of a sudden we'll get 3 or 4 orders in a day! Mostly for Mini Masters. All from different parts of the country.

Folks with shoulder problems like the Cross Draw style Holsters. Less pressure on the shoulder to draw.

[bearcatter]

I least I can shoot it, since I sold it to my friend! lol!  I better not shoot it, I might like it and have to buy it back! lol!!

The "friend" should sell it back to you for twice what he paid you

[Rick_Jorgenson]

I least I can shoot it, since I sold it to my friend! lol!  I better not shoot it, I might like it and have to buy it back! lol!!

The "friend" should sell it back to you for twice what he paid you

I avoid "friends" that would do that.  My friends know I wouldn't do that to them.

There are family members I wouldn't go out of my way again for.  Because they "burned" me on a business deal (they didn't honor their part of the deal we made... when money was paid, Suddenly 50/50 was more like 80/20)

They didn't remember the hand shake    so they've missed out on some other family business opportunities because I bypassed them and went to another member (which does hold up his end of every deal we have been involved in)

I'd rather give something away than have anyone feel like I've taken advantage of them. 

[bearcatter]

I had a smiley face. I just meant charging you more to get it back would teach you to really think before you let one go. I've only had one that I regretted selling. A Sterling 302. Stainless .22 pistol even smaller than a Guardian. Lousy accuracy, but always worked perfectly.

[Uncle_Lee]

Really beautiful leather, but way too big for me.

[heyjoe]

I least I can shoot it, since I sold it to my friend! lol!  I better not shoot it, I might like it and have to buy it back! lol!!

The "friend" should sell it back to you for twice what he paid you

I avoid "friends" that would do that.  My friends know I wouldn't do that to them.

There are family members I wouldn't go out of my way again for.  Because they "burned" me on a business deal (they didn't honor their part of the deal we made... when money was paid, Suddenly 50/50 was more like 80/20)

They didn't remember the hand shake    so they've missed out on some other family business opportunities because I bypassed them and went to another member (which does hold up his end of every deal we have been involved in)

I'd rather give something away than have anyone feel like I've taken advantage of them.

amen.

[RogueTS1]

I'd rather give something away than have anyone feel like I've taken advantage of them.

Rick; We are beginning to feel taken advantage of ..................... and we need some gun leather for a few new items.   

[Rick_Jorgenson]

I'd rather give something away than have anyone feel like I've taken advantage of them.

Rick; We are beginning to feel taken advantage of ..................... and we need some gun leather for a few new items.   

I'm back on your project... 

[KEN AR]

That's a big cylinder alright.  Glad we did not try to do a SOB style for my Smith and Wesson Governor!  Now that is a Large and LONG cylinder. 

Once again DGL comes through on execution of another challenging design perfectly.  I'll agree that the trigger needs to be covered especially for new shooters without much training or trigger time.

[bearcatter]

That complete rig is beeyootifull. How do you keep any money living near Rick? The temptation must be great.   

[KEN AR]

BearCatter,
Keep money?  Heck I had to move to Arkansas to get away from Phoenix after I retired!

I worked right around the corner from DGL for over two years.  It was a 52 mile drive to work one way.  I was glad to quit that job but that meant that stopping by to see Rick and John was now a drive across Phoenix and some really bad traffic to fight.

I'm now in a small town in rural Arkansas so my gun buying and trading has slowed down.  With the slow down in buying guns my budget is recovering on the leather savings.  I did pick up a Glock G48 recently and Rick did a special holster for me on that one.

I do miss getting to stop by the shop.  Rick is a great guy and very talented.  He will always be my go to holster guy.

[bearcatter]

Excuse me, Ken. I was under the impression you were in AZ, especially with your AZ forum ID. Maybe you should change it to KEN AR...?  You still talk about Rick as if he was next door. 

[KEN AR]

So not to high jack a tread but Rick mentioned his client is a slim and the untucked shirt to cover the gun makes him look heavier.

Do any of you like me buy shirts that allow for a little extra "carry" room?  Yes I know I'm not slim, I have a Keg vs a Six Pack.  However  when using the belt holster I always select a shirt that has that extra room to not print the gun on my hip. 
I will even buy one size larger than actually needed at times.

I do advocate concealed carry most of the time just so that other people don't notice me.  Yes some may say oh look an untucked shirt is a flag for a person that carries but here where i live in rural Arkansas most shirts are untucked, even at church.  Yes many guys and a few gals carry into church.  They are not a flock of LAMBS! 

So there it is I buy clothing to meet my carry requirements.  No Fishing or Photographers vest, no tactical cargo pants, no sport coat to cover the Don Johnson style Miami Vice style shoulder holster.  Just a well designed belt holster for secure low profile carry.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

Excuse me, Ken. I was under the impression you were in AZ, especially with your AZ forum ID. Maybe you should change it to KEN AR...?  You still talk about Rick as if he was next door. 

It's 2022! With smart phones and computers it's almost like being in the same city 

I've spoke to Ken more since he moved to AR than other people I know that still live in Phoenix! lol!   

Guns and Leather help keep people connected! 

[KEN AR]

Excuse me, Ken. I was under the impression you were in AZ, especially with your AZ forum ID. Maybe you should change it to KEN AR...?  You still talk about Rick as if he was next door. 

BearCatter,
OK I just figured out how to change my Screen Name.  I moved from the Phoenix area just over a year ago here to Mena, Arkansas.
It is a very small town in the Western part of the state. Just about 15 miles from Oklahoma.  It was the featured city in Tom Cruise's Made in America film. The one where the CIA and Clinton's were running guns and drugs from Central America... True story, BIG air field here... a lot longer runways than needed for small planes.

Well Rick may be several states away but he is as close as a phone call and the US mail does a good job of keeping me connected.
Lord knows it is far to easy to send money over a computer now.

Rick and I had a lot in common. We both had spent many years working on autos and also we both spent many years working Insurance auto claims for different large insurance companies.  I had done some leather work on a armature basis  and taught leatherworking for the Boy Scouts for several years.  So having a basic understanding of what all goes into making holsters I loved seeing how Rick and John did their work at the shop.  Had I stayed in Phoenix and lived on their side of town I might have tried to get a job as their shop flunky after retirement. But alas I'm now here in Arkansas close to my Grandkids and enjoy seeing them several times a week.  Oh here is a shot off my back deck.  Did I mention that I take the Grandkids fishing in my back yard?

[bearcatter]

Mentioning Mena, you brought out some nice memories for me. Hitch-hiking around years ago, I met a retired couple in DeQueen, straight south of Mena. Seemed like a nice quiet place. The couple's name was Nutt, LOL. I helped the man do some re-wiring in his barn. He took me shooting on his back property. Imagine handing me, who he had not known 36 hours, a loaded M-1 Carbine? They set me up in an old travel trailer, and I was well fed. I stayed with them about a week. They didn't want me to leave. My nicest experience "on the road".

[KEN AR]

BearCatter,
I run down to DeQueen often as my daughter's farm is in Wickes.  Great little town and lot's of good people there.
Glad to hear you enjoyed your time in this area, we love it here.

[RogueTS1]

I'd rather give something away than have anyone feel like I've taken advantage of them.

Rick; We are beginning to feel taken advantage of ..................... and we need some gun leather for a few new items.   

I'm back on your project... 

But Rick; those are old items! We need leather for some new items.