ltwguns.com

A few years ago I received a package from Lou Alessi, inside the package was an APX for a S&W Chiefs and a note that said "Happy Birthday". Well I called Lou and we talked for awhile about the APX. He asked me to use it and let him know what I thought. Well it is my most often carried holster behind one of his ankle holsters. After about a year or so I was talking to Lou and mentioned that if he offered a tuckable option it would be the perfect holster IMHO. Well Lou said he would look into it when he had a chance, we all know what happened to that chance. Anyway I was thinking with the talent we have in leather here on LTW someone should be able to make a tuckable type appendix carry holster for the smaller guns. I think they would sell like hotcakes. I know I would get one and it would probably turn into my primary carry for the BUG 642. Just a thought, I know Lou would have gotten around to it and it would have been perfect but now someone else should pick up the torch and run with it. If someone knows of a holster that might fill the bill let me know.

Eric

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And this eternal resting place Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

Hey Eric:
I've built them for a few years now. Oddly, appendix carry has been utilized by some for many years but appears to have recently gained wider interest.

Matt I've looked at your website so many times and have never seen a tuckable appendix carry holster on it. I still think you make the best mag carriers and cuff cases though. If you offer a tuckable style holster that can be carried in the appendix area which one would it be? Oh and if so could I slide to the front of the long line (LOL) in order to give a honest opinion of it? Why does it seem that the things that will last you a lifetime take half that long to get????

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And this eternal resting place Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

I believe the holster shown below is the type Mr. Del Fatti is referring to above. (Perhaps he can confirm this...)

I purchased this holster in June. It is python skin, tuckable, and very lightly used.

Unfortunately, it does not work for me. If you want this one, you can have it for what I paid: $175.00 shipped (gun not included, of course).

-ArtCrafter



PS: Mr. Del Fatti shows a variation of this model in the 'Photo Gallery' on his website.

I appreciate the offer but while your holster is great looking it is not my style. If it was like the one in the link we would be talking. I dont know why I have never paid attention to that specific holster before. Are you able to adjust the cant or is it pretty much up and down? Why are you trying to get rid of yours? And to change the topic a little bit, Matt if you have a plain leather one lying around for a J-frame, R/H drop me a line, I also dream of winning the lottery... Thanks for the picture and the offer though...

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And this eternal resting place Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

The cant is straight and non-adjustable.
As I said, it does not work for me.
You could always spray paint it 'tan.'
You're welcome.

Actually, I don't mind keeping it. As a 'minor collector' of holsters, I should probably have at least one of Mr. Del Fatti's works, plus at least one 'exotic.' This one covers both bases nicely.

-AC

I think Tom @ http://www.alessigunholsters.com might just be the guy to talk to.

Alex Nossar also makes one a lot like that.

Alright, then...

A few things I would like to see here:
• 'tuckless' (don't need that feature)
• sewn loops (no 'clips' of any description)
• 15°-20° muzzle-forward rake (I, for one, do not wear my pants pulled above my navel; neither am I female)
• someone stepping up to buy my MD 'APX' shown above (everyone 'needs' one)

FWIW, I also think the clips on both holsters above are on the wrong side of the gun (should be on 'top', not under grip). OTOH, I am unconvinced it really matters.

-AC

Hello every one..

ArtCrafter,

The holsters that NYCMedic posted here, are no meant to be carried on the appendix area he didn't pointed that way either... then the difference in clips position and muzzle rake, those are strong side tuckable holsters, designed and supposed to be used between 2 O'clock & 4:30, with exception of the S&W holster which is a hybrid design, It´s an IWBTK/PKT-H. wen clip is removed !!

I double on your observation on this point, I have another model specially meant for appendix carry which also allows the user to tweak the angle a little bit for extra comfort. (of course it has a totally different configuration than the hybrid).

It´s a shame I have no pics handy of the model we are discussing but I completely understand of what you're talking about..

BTW: That's a very nice looking holster you got there!!!

Alex

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Alex NossaR
www.nossargunleather.com

The one shown by ArtCrafter is a type that I have built. It was built for the original owner and, as a result, reflects the features he wanted. Besides the adjustable ride height that one has, other belt attachments and variable rake could (and have) been incorporated into holsters for other customers. I think that keeping the draw angle as perpendicular to the belt and as closely parallel to the handgun barrel as possible works the best for a single off-set belt attachment. This would minimize any tendency for rotation while riding on the belt or when drawing. Although I've played with so called tuckable designs over the years, I haven't spent a great deal of time on them because I think the method invites problems. One in particular that concerns me is the possiblity of dislodging the handgun when ripping out the covering clothing. I think this possiblity increases as the pistol is positioned more rearward as in a conventional draw position. The shirt tail can encircle the grip when the wearer is inadvertantly pulling the fabric forward as they are pulling up with their off side hand. Just my two cents worth.

In reply to Mr. Nossar...

Regarding NYCMedic's pics, I understood the Govt Model holster at right in the top photo is not an appendix holster. Besides the 'FBI' rake being 'backwards', I think a person would have to be really, really, REALLY TALL to make that work.

However, the intended purpose of the 'hybrid' J-Frame holster at left in the top photo was - and remains - less clear to me. Certainly, 4:30 is not the appendix position, but 2:00 would seem to be encroaching upon it. In addition, the pic does not clearly illustrate the cant. It appears to be straight-drop (or very nearly so), but that might be merely an 'optical delusion.'

Then again, here it appears, courtesy of NYCMedic, smack dab in the middle of a thread on tuckable, appendix carry holsters. Now, I know (and cheerfully admit) I am easily amused, but I was heretofore unaware I am so readily confused. Hey, that's (almost) a rap!

In reply to Mr. Del Fatti...

First, I agree with Mr. Nossar: The J-Frame 'python holster' you made, and that I now own, is very nice looking. I also appreciate that it was custom-ordered and built to customer spec. However, like Mr. Nossar's hybrid holster above, it's intended purpose remains a bit hazy.

Background: The photo of the python holster shown here is a copy of the pic that appeared in the previous owner's for sale ads. (As an aside, I found those ads both here on LTW and on the 1911 Forum.)

Now, I have to admit that it was almost looks alone that convinced me to purchase the python holster. I also assumed from its general outline that it was built for appendix carry. (I should note that the previous owner advertised it solely as an "IWB" holster and did not specify where it was to be worn on the clock.) I also have to admit that, even from just looking at the pic, I was skeptical it would work for me as an appendix holster. In fact, I was skeptical it would work for me in any position. Those 'worries' were confirmed soon after I received it.

However, I had a 'backup plan' - or at least I thought I did. A friend's wife who is an avid concealed carrier seemed a likely candidate for such a holster. Unfortunately, she rejected it out of hand. So, onto 'Plan C' (aka, the fallback position): It is so nice looking, I would simply relegate this objet d'art to collector status. Which I have. Sort of anyway.

On a distantly related tangent...

Among my small but growing collection of fine leather goods, one of my favorite actual 'users' is a single offset-loop Mitch Rosen ARG for a Govt Model.

I guess that's what makes horse races (not to mention forum threads).

That is all.

Old though it be - from Sun Aug 28, 2005 2:09 pm - this by Lou from the old thread: Hey Lou, The truth about tuckables? is well worth another look for comments by Lou himself and some more of the very wise folks around here. Prototyping mentioned as in work by another great maker in 2005 is, I gather, in current field test. I'm happy to see that a search all posts by Lou gets some of his wisdom.
My own current view is that I'd love to see the tuckable Lou never made and hope to see some of the protypes mentioned in 2005 and shown on another board recently in eventual production but like Randall knives and Heritage guns delivery times might repeat might allow new ones to be buried with me

- Also that on the one gun one carry principle (that I first saw in John Bianchi's book though it be the old wisdom of beware the man with one gun he might know how to use it) and in line with Lou's own comments as excerpted above adopting a weak hand rip the shirt technique that I'd find clumsy (though some of the mustacheoed trainers do it brilliantly ) to execute to a combat grip is probably not in the cards for me - certainly not as a one gun one carry technique. Further in my so far futile efforts to try it I haven't found folks with 3rd generation S&W forms to make me one for something in the 3913 family

Maybe the folks with an ASP and the collectible gear to go with it would have an opinion?

Alex,

Whose clips are you using?

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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:
They appear to be the newer type from Comp-Tac.

Thanks Matt,

I don't suppose they offer a "Competitor Discount"

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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

email on the away John....

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Alex NossaR
www.nossargunleather.com

I appreciate everyones input so far, with that said I believe that a tuckable holster similiar to Lou's APX is a viable holster. I also realize it is a specialized holster that would require practice to master. A little back-ground I guess is in order. I am a fulltime LEO (sometimes too much time) and have carried a BUG since 1995. About 7 years ago I was transferred to a plainclothes assignment (jeams/polo). I continued to carry my regular duty weapon (Sig 220) and ordered one of Lou's ankle holsters to replace my vest holster for my S&W 642. Move ahead about 4 years and I get moved to CID and continue to carry a BUG to compliment my duty weapon (Colt Commander). Sometimes the ankle holster doesn't work out as an idea way to carry the BUG. I have at times carried the 642 in the APX with my shirt kind of tucked down behind it and have found that in my situation this is idea. Now sometimes I am not at work but realize that I may still encounter bad people so I always leave the house with 2 things, a pistol and my can of Skoal. Most of the times my style of clothing lends well to me carrying my Commander and a spare mag. Sometimes the wife wants to go to a place that an untucked polo wont work, why I dont know. At these times I use the ankle holster or tuck the shirt around the APX. I have found that I actually like to carry in this manner, tucked APX, but realize that a tuckable APX style holster would be better. With all of that said I also will offer that at my agency we are required to qualify with any pistol that might be carried on duty whether BUG or primary. If the pistol is a BUG only there is a reduced course of fire. I have qualified with the 642 and the tucked APX without a problem. With that said I still prefer my Commander or Fullsize 1911 in a OWB holster concealed in some manner. Oh and I also have a KT P380 and Seacamp 32 that I thought would replace the 642 at some point, well they haven't. Just some of my thoughts and why I would like to see something along these lines offered.

Eric

_________________
And this eternal resting place Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

Unless that was not what Lou intended for his design, an APX looks like it could easily be modified or crafted to accept a comp-tac clip or a tuckable Talon clip.

Been a while since I posted but this thread got my interest. Though it will not be a tuckable, over the past 8-9 months (kinda like giving birth!) I have been designing a dedicated AIWB holster with the input of a select few end-users who have carried appendix for years. Prototypes for various full-size combat pistols are in the field being tested now and the finalized version will be available soon. Note I said "full-size pistols". Going into this the objective was to fly-in-the-face of the conventional theory that AIWB only works with small guns and athletic body types. The holster is designed to work primarily with duty guns and with any body type. It incorporates a few unique features that I believe have never been used in holster construction before; all of which work together to overcome the general shortcomings commonly associated with AIWB carry as pointed out to me and explained by serious end-users and tacticians I have spoken with and asked for input. Stay tuned...

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http://www.garritysgunleather.com
"He who works with his hands is a labourer, he who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman, he who works with his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist."
(St Francis of Assisi)