Holster Cant Question

JD Alan · November 11, 2008, 07:26:34 PM

I have question on the prefered cant of a Strong Side holster (if there even is such a thing!).
It looks like most people here don't build a cant into the design, but I've seen quite a few that do have them other places. The Al Stohlman holster book shows the various angles or cants people can use, but doesn't comment on the pros and cons.
While I wouldn't consider myself a gamer (I'm not that good) I do want to be able to draw and reholster with as much speed and accuracy as possible.
Another thing I've noticed is some guys have the barrel canted out, while others cant the butt. I've not had the opportunity to try multiple holsters, but I'll bet some of you have, and I would appreciate learning from your experience.

Thanks, JD

outrider · November 11, 2008, 07:59:12 PM

Howdy JD,

I guess it comes done to personal preference. I recently made a set for a fellow that had an 8 degree muzzle forward cant. On cross draw holsters the SASS rules are no more than 30 degrees...the cross draws I do are 20 degrees. In his videos on making western holsters John Bianchi, put a slight butt forward cant on the holster he was making in the video. Persoanlly I like a stright drop except for the crossdraw.

Marshal Will Wingam · November 11, 2008, 08:10:47 PM

Like Outrider, I also like a straight drop. I don't do crassdraws but I made one for my wife and I put about 25 in it. It works fine. I can see why SASS doesn't allow more than 30. Beyond that, you may have a problem with the gun dropping out under certain conditions like bending over and such. I made a pair with a 3 or 4 degrees forward cant and didn't see any advantage. How long does it take to rotate a gun 3 degrees? Not long enough to make any difference for my scores.

Whiskey Creek Adams · November 12, 2008, 06:00:41 AM

I prefer about an 8 degree, butt forward cant on all my holsters, cowboy or concealment. I find that it gives me a much more positive grip. As others have said YMMV.

outrider · November 12, 2008, 07:13:00 AM

Marshal,

As you probably already know, the other reason that SASS does not allow any cant more than 30 degrees on crossdraws is that a holster with a more drastic angle would have a tendency of sweeping any people that were behind the person wearing the holster. Same goes with a drastic angle on a shoulder holster...and of course as you mentioned the high probability of a revolver falling out of a crossdraw.

Marshal Will Wingam · November 12, 2008, 08:56:37 AM

I'd forgotten about the sweeping issue, Outrider. Thanks for reminding me. That's another good reason to keep them a little straighter up on those crossdraws.

JD Alan · November 14, 2008, 09:22:29 AM

Thanks to everyone who responded. I'm working on cuting out my first holster. This will just be for practice. I'm using belly leather I got real cheap. I want to test out the fit for my NMV's and get some experience stitching something other than a straight line. I don't know if I will stamp or dye this one at all. I suppose it depends on how it turns out!

Thanks again, JD

Marshal Will Wingam · November 14, 2008, 09:33:02 AM

All right, JD. You may as well do all the steps you would for a final one. You'll get a pile of practice and if it turns out good, you have a decent holster. Don't get too fancy with the stamping, though. Belly leather stretches more than sides or backs.

JD Alan · November 14, 2008, 01:55:02 PM

I both read and was told about belly leather. I bought a strip of it because it was so cheap, just for practice. I most likely will stamp it to some degree, though I don't know with what yet. Mostly I want to see how the pattern fits my guns, and how it hangs on the belt. I'm using a pattern I made myself, after looking at many patterns, including all of Will Ghormleys, which I bought at Tandy. The Stohlman holster book was a big help too. I guess we'll see what happens!