ltwguns.com

Here is a new one for you leather gurus:

When I'm not at work, I'm either at school or studying in the library/coffee shop/restaurant/etc. That means I've got my pack on me a LOT. I would like to come up with some sort of solution for carry inside the messenger bag.

My daily carry rig is a USP-C .45 inside a Milt Sparks VMII w/ 1.5" loops. My messenger bag looks like this:


Under the front flap there is a pocket as wide and tall as the bag, and it is just thick enough to accomodate a firearm and holster, and maybe a double mag pouch as well.

Would it be possible to stitch up a 1.5" leather "belt" inside the pocket so I could clip my VMII onto it the same way it goes on my belt? I don't yet know what cant I'd want (if any? 90 degree draw?), but I could experiment. My bag generally contains 10-20 pounds of books/laptop/etc., so I have no doubt the bag would be heavy enough to allow me to draw from the holster.

Thoughts?

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--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

Cool looking manpurse, kinda like Jack Bauer's

Seriously, maybe you can get a nylon holster and have somebody sew it inside one of the internal pockets.

Good luck.

You could certainly do as Richard suggested but stitching inside a case is kinda difficult. To utilize your VM II, you could use chicago screws to install a belt blank of leather or kydex to which you could mount your holster. Another option is have an attache holster built. I build a couple or a long time customer who wanted to be able to carry in his leather briefcase. One version was straight up, and the other was heavily raked for a left hand cross draw. Here's a real crappy photo of it but it'll show you the basic idea:

I think there is a much greater need out there for carry like this, whether is is convertible to a belt holster or not.

Lou Alessi made a fantastic portfolio with a holster insert, but it so back-logged, I don't know if he'll ever make mine !

That is absolutely beautiful! You can have it done for me by next week? Right?

I thought stitching inside the case might be a bit tough, but stranger things have happened. Would it be possible (or wise?) to attempt to hand-stitch a nylon 1.5" "belt" on the inside of the pocket, or would you worry about stability?

_________________
--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

I think you're right. When I have looked at the concealment rigs available off the shelf they are all either a) ugly, b) scream "I have a gun!", or c) both.

I bet there would be a fairly large market for a company who could successfully convert normal civillian products (backpacks, purses, messenger bags, day planners, etc.) into effective concealment products. As much as I hate to show my age here, looking presentable is important - heck, I know that's why many on this forum choose to purchase custom products by the leather gurus here. There has to be someone out there who makes non-uber-tactical-mall-ninja products for every day concealment...

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--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

Next week? No it might be just a bit longer.....

Yes I think the nylon belt section would work pretty good. If you could find an old Wilderness belt you could cut up, it'd provide some rigidity to keep the holster from flopping inside the case.

I might contact Wilderness and see if they've got any scraps laying around. All I need is about 8" of belt and I'm good. Excuse my ignorance, but how exactly would you suggest stitching the belt inside? What kind of thread would I need? What kind of needle?

Thanks for the help!

_________________
--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

Hey Nick:
Just call the shop tomorrow and I'll try to help with suggestions. That would probably work out easier since I don't know what the inside of your case looks like.

Thanks a lot, Matt! And by the way, the proper answer to my "next week" joke was "that depends how thick your wallet is."

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--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

Matt,

That is exactly what I have designed for a bag I was drawing up for a guy I work with. That looks really sharp. The bag I am making has 2 sections, and the other has a similar setup for mounting a lap-top case.

Is the holster sewn to the mounting panel or did you use Chicago screw there too?

Really nice work as always!

John

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I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

Hey John:
Thanks! The "holster" is made by stitching the outside you see in the photo to the panel. In this case, it's roughout to two smooth sides are toward the pistol.

Nick..I know that this posting is a little "stale" now, but I just found it and thought I'd reply. Have you checked Coronado Concealment Leather? I used to know an attorney who had one of their day planners/messenger bags that was very nice! It was very classy, and didn't scream GUN when he was around his office, or between courts, etc.. It might be worth a look for you..they are a little expensive, but seem to be very well constructed! Good luck!--John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee