COMPLETE GUIDE TO LEATHER OWB HOLSTERS

In the world of responsible firearm carrying, the leather belt holster is renowned for its blend of tradition, durability, accessibility, and, of course, quicker draws in comparison with other carry styles. This guide offers a detailed look into these leather gun holsters, catering to both experienced users and beginners. We'll speak about all available carrying positions, and dissect different holster styles to suit diverse needs and scenarios. Whether for professional use, sport shooting, or personal defense, this guide will help you understand and choose the right leather holster for your specific requirements.

POSITIONS OF LEATHER BELT GUN HOLSTERS

Carrying a firearm in a leather OWB holster, whether it is a leather pistol holster or leather revolver holster, offers flexibility in terms of positioning, each with its own advantages and considerations. The choice of where to place your gun holster leather is influenced by factors like comfort, ease of draw, and the specific context in which you'll be carrying your firearm. Below, we explore three common positions for leather OWB holsters:

• Hip Holster (3-4 o'clock Position): This is a classic and popular choice, especially for right-handed individuals. (An alternative for left-handers would be  9 o'clock Position ). The holster sits on the wearer's hip, making it a natural and intuitive position for quick draw. It's also comfortable for everyday wear and allows for relatively easy concealment with the right clothing and cant of the leather gun holster.

• Cross-Draw Holster (11 o'clock Position): Ideal for those who spend a lot of time seated, such as drivers or office workers. In this position, the belt holster is placed on the weaker side of the body, allowing the dominant hand to draw across the torso. This position offers comfort while sitting and can be a tactical choice in certain scenarios. Traditionally, the left-hander would draw from the opposite side which in this case represents a 2 o'clock position.

• Small of the Back Holster (6 o'clock Position): Here, the handgun rests directly at the back, typically under a strong cant for an optimized grip during the draw. This position can be split into open-top holster designs for quicker access and those with a thumb break for added security. While this position offers excellent concealment, it requires more practice for a swift and safe draw and may not be as comfortable when sitting.

The design of the leather belt holsters plays a crucial role in how well it adapt to these positions. Factors like the holster’s cant (angle), retention features, and overall shape contribute to its suitability for a specific position. Remember, the ideal position varies based on personal preference, body type, and intended use. It's important to experiment with different positions and leather handgun holster designs to find the perfect combination for your needs. You can find more about holster positions in our blog post dedicated to holster positions.

COMMON LEATHER BELT HOLSTER DESIGNS

OWB leather holsters come in a variety of designs, each tailored to different preferences and needs. Understanding these types can help you choose the one that best suits your lifestyle, comfort, and tactical requirements. Here is a complete list of our outside the waistband holster types:

• Pancake Holster: A classic design known for its close fit to the body, aiding in better concealment. This style typically uses two pieces of leather stitched together with the gun sandwiched in between.

• Holsters with Belt Tunnel: Instead of traditional belt slits, these holsters feature a singular, thick belt tunnel. This design allows the holster to stand a bit away from the body, facilitating a more ergonomic draw. This design is particularly popular with gun owners seeking leather revolver holsters for their medium-sized irons.

• Canted Holster: These holsters are angled (or canted) to improve concealment and ease of draw. The canted holster significantly helps against the printing of your grip against clothing. This means even your OWB can be a perfect leather concealed carry holster.
• Straight on the Hip Holster: Designed to sit straight on the hip, this type offers a quick and efficient draw, making it a preferred choice in situations requiring rapid weapon deployment or at shooting ranges.
• Multiangle ( Multiposition ) Holsters: Equipped with three or more belt slits, these holsters offer the versatility to carry in multiple positions, such as hip or cross-draw, simply by using different belt slits of the holster.

• Open Top Holster: Characterized by its lack of a retention strap, allowing for a faster draw. This type is popular among those who prioritize quick access for example at the shooting range.
• Thumb-Break Holster or Other Retention Devices: These holsters include a thumb-break or other mechanisms like the MLC lock, which hooks by the trigger guard for added security.

• High-Ride Holster: Positioned higher on the belt, this design ensures a comfortable carry and can aid in better concealment under a jacket or a coat.
• Clip-On Holster: This type uses a steel clip, commonly found on IWB holsters, for easy attachment and removal from the belt, offering convenience for those who need to frequently put on or take off their holster.
• Holsters with Retention Screw: These holsters allow customization of the draw tension, enabling users to adjust the force needed to draw the firearm to their preference.
• Holsters with Snap Belt Loops: Designed for ease of attachment and removal, these leather handgun holsters use classic snaps to secure the holster to the belt.

• Duty Holsters: Often used by law enforcement, these are designed for a low-ride position to facilitate a faster and more ergonomic draw.
• Paddle Holsters: Ideal for those who need to frequently remove their holster, as it does not require a belt. The paddle design slips inside the pants, securing the holster in place.

Each type of leather OWB holster offers unique benefits and drawbacks. When choosing a holster, consider factors like your typical activities, the environments you'll be in, and your personal preferences for draw speed and comfort. Leather and guns is a timeless combination, however, you should never forget to include a good leather gun holster belt, that will support your preferred handgun with a trustworthy hold.

LEATHER OWB HOLSTERS

Our custom leather gun holsters are handcrafted from premium Italian leather. We buy the best quality vegetable-tanned leather, we hand-dye it and lacquer it in-house. Our craftsmen make custom leather holsters one at a time, using the traditional method that results in sturdier and more durable leather pistol cases.

LEATHER BELT HOLSTERS

Leather as a material has excellent properties and ensures high comfort and durability. FALCO offers belt leather holsters for revolvers and pistols made from leather in 4 product lines. We are best-known thanks to our premium leather gun holsters line when the holster is made from full grain natural leather according to the traditional method. You also have a choice of the classic line that customers like the most because of the price-quality ratio. The comfort line is characterized by suede leather combined with classic leather mainly for reinforcing the most important parts such as holster security straps, leather belt loops, and the opening of a holster. Basic leather line holsters are made of sturdy black leather. Such outside the waist holsters are basically shaped, but that doesn't change the fact that they serve as great leather gun cases.

LEATHER OWB OPTIC READY HOLSTERS 

Almost every Falco OWB holster for concealed carry is Red Dot compatible.  You can choose from the following best – know gun optics brands like the Romeo, Trijicon, Vortex, and others. Most favorite is Holosun mount compatibility.  Not all our customers know that if you choose the Red Dot sight for pistol option, we will automatically adjust the holster to high sights. 

OWB LIGHT BEARING HOLSTER

We place great emphasis on the fact that every customer will find their dream holster. Therefore our OWB holsters are compatible with various lights and lasers such as Streamlight, Surefire, Olight, or Viridian.  If you are not able to find your concrete light or laser in our gun configurator, please let us know at support. We are still stocking new light molds, and we will definitely contact you when we stock the one on your specific firearm light, and at the end, you will have the best leather OWB holster. Our customer like the most the combination of owb holster for M&P Shield with Crimson Trace laser or CZ P07 light bearing owb holster.

CUSTOM OWB LEATHER HOLSTER

At FALCO you can build your own custom leather OWB holster for concealed carry from scratch and enjoy concealed carrying even a full-size firearm in the premium custom-fitted OWB pistol holster. In our configurator, you will go through the individual options and you will feel like in Pimp my ride, but you will actually be tuning your new OWB leather holster that will last you for years. You are able to choose from the options such as the leather line, trigger guard design, logo engraving, initials embossing, and leather lining. You are also able to choose different colors of leather. Gentle ladies admire our OWB leather pink pistol holsters, which are a great accessory to daily wear.

We can even make comfortable FK Brno belt holsters, and almost all leather belt holsters can be made as revolver holsters OWB. We are able to produce a holster according to a revolver frame. For example J Frame holster OWB holster for Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 38.

All FALCO Holsters can be made as left-handed holsters for revolvers and pistols. If you are a left-handed shooter, you can simply select a left-hand option in our gun configurator.

Falco Holsters offer a Lifetime Limited Warranty for all belt holsters and with our replacement screw sets, you can easily replace any worn own screws or attachments. And if for whatever reason you are not satisfied with our belt holster, you can take advantage of our 30 Days Buy Back guarantee.  

This way, you can truly enjoy your concealed carry OWB holster for life.

HOW TO MAKE LEATHER HOLSTER

It's quite simple. You kill a cow, you peel it off the leather, you process the leather, and that's where the fun begins. Of course, it is a joke. I recommend you leave it to the professionals – understand us. 

We, at Falco, cooperate with the most renowned cowhide producers and we can declare that Falco is one of the most famous leather holster maker in Europe. As soon as we get the order from you the whole process begins. It is important to draw the template accurately so the holster will fit your gun perfectly. Then the leather is cut to the exact shape of the holster. After cutting the shape we color the edges of the leather pieces. As soon as the edges of the leather were colored, we glued it together and we add hardware. At this time we have a holster already made. The last steps are to sew all the parts together, color, hand mold, and impregnate them. The last step is to lacquer it to make a beautiful shiny holster.

Brand new leather OWB holster can be hard to work with because it’s so tight, but when it comes to your handgun that can affect your draw. It can also make it difficult to holster your pistol since it won’t accept the frame as easily as non-leather. Therefore we also recommend you buy our Break in Kit for easier holstering of the firearm. It contains denatured alcohol for holsters and leather conditioner. 

Custom-made leather holster for your specific firearm, made of the finest full-grain Italian leather. Do not hesitate & take a look!

Conclusion

Navigating the world of leather OWB holsters can be both exciting and overwhelming given the plethora of options available. From the classic pancake design to the versatile paddle holsters, each type offers unique benefits tailored to specific needs and preferences. Whether your priority is comfort, quick draw, concealment, or ease of carry, there is a leather OWB holster that meets your requirements.

Remember, the right holster is not just about the firearm; it's also about the fit, comfort, and how it complements your lifestyle and attire. It's important to consider factors like your typical activities, body type, and the environments in which you'll be using the holster. Additionally, practicing with your chosen holster is key to ensuring proficiency and safety in its use.

As you make your choice, keep in mind that a good holster is an investment in your safety and comfort. It's worth taking the time to research and perhaps even try a few different types before settling on the one that feels right. With the information provided in this guide, you're well-equipped to make an informed decision about the leather OWB holster that will serve you best.

Happy carrying, and stay safe!

Author: Veronika Mojzisova, Martin Lukacko

Date: January 3rd, 2024