pancake holster

[crossdraw]

I want to make a pancake concealment holster for my Ruger NV. Can anyone tell me if I cut the back and top to the same size or do I have to allow extra leather on the top to wet form around the gun?

Thanks

[Springfield Slim]

I would wet-form myself.

[outrider]

Crossdraw:

Actually you can do it eitther way.  I think making the top piece slightly larger will give you more to wet mold and conform to the gun.  I have made them both ways.  In fact I still have a pancake (both sides the same size) that I made back in the 70's when I was a LEO.  I was cut for a S&W model 19 .357 with a 2 1/2" brl.  I have also made numerous pancakes for .45 auto's..again I have made them both ways.....basically it's you preference

Good Luck

[outrider]

Howdy Pards:

Crossdraw..I went downstairs and dug out this pancake holster.  I made this about 30 years ago when I was a LEO.  This was one of my offduty holsters for the 2 1/2" Model 19 .357.  Both the front and rear were evenly cut.  Hope this helps

[crossdraw]

Thanks for the help guys. 

Nice looking holster outrider.

I started one today for my kids S&W 22 cal target pistol. The barrel is 8" so it won't be much of a compact pancake style holster but rather a combo.

I cut the back side to shape and stamped out the belt holes, next I made the front oversize and wet formed it over the gun. I then formed a reinforcement piece at the mouth of the holster that will also reinforce the belt holes.
After this is dry I will stitch on the reinforcement to the front and then the front to the back. I will probably have to trim the front to match the back so I can cut stitch grooves before actually stitching it all together.

Once it is stitched together I will re-wet the front and form in some of the details.