Holsters for new guns

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kd7nqb

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I admit I am they guy who likes the newest shiniest most advanced gun in the world. My current addiction is the S&W M&P40. And I will own one as the next paycheck clears. As this is going to be my daily CCW I am going to need a good holster. I went into the gun store and was told that my only current option was either a generic Uncle Mikes style or a Fobus Kydex one. What I am really looking for is 2 holsters. 1. OWB leather pancake style 2. IWB holster. On the Smith website you can find custom fitted OWB but nothing IWB. I have had this same issue with the XD and other "new guns". I guess its just a classic scenario that accessories are going to lag behind new guns by several months.

Second question is I found a lady who makes custom leather holsters for about $90, do most custom leather workers need a special form or can they make it using the gun itself without damaging the gun.
 
I'd recommend a custom fit holster. I can highly recommend HBE Leatherworks and raftersgunleather.com. You can expect to wait at least 6 weeks for a custom holster, but it's well worth it, IMO.
 
Hmph, I looked at the rafters stuff... Gotta say, all the bumpy stuff like the ostrich/alligator looks like it would attract more attention then I think I'd want.

But they all look really nice.
 
I got a Milt Sparks VM2HS that I carry a Ruger P97 in every day and love it. It is the most comfortable carry that I have found. I ordered another one for a different gun. I have several cheap holster for different types of carry,and they are fine for occasional carry, but when you start carrying full time, you want the most comfortable thing you can get.
 
SO many choices ...

OWB - try a milt sparks or a Mitch Rosen Belt slide. Lately I've been eyeing El Paso Saddlery - some of their set ups look awesome ... I know from experience that Kevin at K&D does a great job also.

IWB - I've always preferred Kydex for IWB - BearClaw Holsters has a couple very streamlined designes that have no more kydex than absolutely necessary making for a very thin and concealable holster. Comp Tac is also universally loved and is a great solution.

My .02 ...
 
I went into the gun store and was told that my only current option was either a generic Uncle Mikes style or a Fobus Kydex one.
Click to expand...
I know exactly how you feel.
When I bough my CZ 75B SA .40 I could not find a holster anywhere local.
I bought two holsters that claimed to accept a CZ 75B...but one was for a CZ 75B Compact (a Bianchi Minimalist) and the other one must be for the CZ 75B 9mm (Desantis paddle-holster) and it does not fit my .40 either.:mad:
I think the problem is the ambidexterous safety switches on the SA model.

So I brought my pistol to the store and just started trying out different holsters.
In a short time I found a nice Desantis holster that fits rather well (not perfectly, but very close)....

The Desantis Thumb Break Mini Slide for the Beretta 92F (085BA86Z0).

So my advice is to just try other holsters of the approximate size.
Who knows, maybe you will find one that fits well.
And if you do, post it here!

Good luck,
Easy
 
Depends on how soon you want something. The better known and higher quality makers have huge backlogs; by coincidence I called Milt Sparks yesterday for a VM2 for my new CZ P-01, and they said they are running about 22-24 weeks. That's six months, folks. Brommeland Gunleather (also high quality) isn't even taking orders now (according to their site) until they get the waits down.

I'd probably get something "good enough" for now, and then put an order in for a top-notch holster, so by the time it arrives, you'll REALLY appreciate it.

As for the fit, most mass production makers have fit charts on their websites, so you can figure out which model fits your gun. The M&P has been out for long enough that the makers should have a good idea if they have anything that will fit it, and it is popular enough that they should have something out by now.
 
Leather craft is one of my hobbies and I am stepping into holster making (post forthcoming). In answer to your question usually blueguns red guns training aids are used to mold a specific model gun into a holster. We can use a real firearm however it will get wet though we wrap it in plastic wrap 1st. There are companies out there that can 3d laser scan an unusual firearm than make a cnc plastic replica, but this is wicked expensive and I wouldn't consider it unless making a couple dozen pieces.
 
Blade-Tech. They're one of the best custom kydex holster makers around -no leather though.

They make OWB and IWB holsters for your M&P40.
 
I've done leather work for about 15 years. Mostly custom molded cases. The only danger to the gun from wet-molding a holster is that you might die of boredom.

The process is simple: decide on holster type, draw a pattern from the gun onto some tracing plastic, transfer the pattern to the leather, blah blah blah.

The gun is cleared, cleaned, over oiled, wrapped tightly in several layers of kitchen plastic wrap. The holster is soaked in warm water for a couple of minutes, pre-stretched with a rounded wooden dowel, then the gun is worked into place. It takes 8-24 hours for the leather to dry. The holster edges are finished, it's dipped in dye and hung to dry (another 4-8 hours).

Picture to follow; an evening and an afternoon--something to carry while cleaning the garage, mowing the lawn, etc...
PPK_Holster_Web.jpg
 
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The guy in the gun store is a liar. Those are the only holsters HE HAS in the store for the M&P 40. DeSantis has several paddle holsters for the M&P 40, I like the Viper Paddle the best. http://www.desantisholster.com/065.html Their other paddle holsters are good too and you might like a different one better. They also have many IWB holsters for the M&P 40, I like the Cozy Partner the best. http://www.desantisholster.com/028.html

Don Hume also makes a good product for a fair price. I also like their WEB site because they give you the option of choosing a particular gun and then they list all the holsters which fit that gun. Here is a link to Don Hume's M&P 40 options: http://www.donhume.com/Products/ProductsList.cfm?action=SearchByWeapon&WeaponID=282

There are many good companies out there but many are way over priced. The two companies above give you a high quality product for a fair price and they are just as good as the higher priced companies. IMO of course.
 
I assume your M&P is a full-size? Galco and Don Hume are making both types of holsters for it.

I had Nate Gable of UBG Holsters make a IWB for my 9mm compact and am very pleased with it.
 
I can do Full Size or Compact MP9 or 40 guns. I carry a MP40c in an OWB "The Slide" or IWB "Double Clip" as a primary.

My lead time is 2-3 weeks.

dblclip1.jpg

dblclipon1.jpg

dblclipon3.jpg

mp40chost1.jpg

mp40choston1.jpg
 
Recently went through a similiar situation. I was looking for a holster for my new P2000. I couldn't find a holster at any store around here mostly because i'm left handed. There is however tons of holsters online. I ended up getting an IWB from Don Hume. It arrived after about a week and only cost me 34 bucks after shipping. So far I love it. I just checked their website and they have the same holster for the M&P. Here's a picture of mine

CCW.jpg
 
kd7nqb,

I carry a fullsize M&P40, and it took me forever to settle on a decent carry holster (IWB). I used a cheap, plastic Unkle Mike's IWB for a long time, just to allow me to carry while I shopped for the right holster. I did not want to have a drawer full of holsters that never get used. I recently settled... I got the MTAC made by Comp-tac (partially made by Minotaur). It is a hybrid holster - leather backing with a Kydex body. The advantages are that it feels very comfortable against the hip (even when not wearing an undershirt), the retention is decent (and adjustable), and the draw is only a touch slower than a Kydex-only holster.

Other great advantages, which really did not enter into my decision... Once you have the leather backing, you can simply buy a new Kydex body ($30) to enable you to carry a different gun, and they have a large selection. It allows shirt-tucking. And, one of the best features, they had the holster made, shipped, and in my hands, WITHIN 1 WEEK. I would have been just as happy if it took them a couple months, but it didn't. This is just my input.

You have some great suggestions here. Good luck!

*edit* link to Comp-tac MTAC
 
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