F.E.G. PA-63 Carry Holster

[Guest infinity40]

I took my FEG PA-63 shopping yesterday, looking for a carry holster. I wanted an IWB with a retention device, I prefer thumb snaps. I wanted thin, thin thin, because I am thick, thick, thick.

I tried the Fobus PPK1 holster and it did not fit my FEG despite what everyone says. It held the gun way to tight. Drawing the gun was 50/50. Half the time the holster came out with the gun. I tried the one for the SIG 230/232. it was closer but still wasn't good. And neither of these was what I really wanted for carry, IWB with retention.

I get to travel some in my job, in a hundred mile radius of the Tri-Cities, so I get to visit a lot of shops in different towns. I stopped in several shops over the last couple of weeks trying to find just the right holster. In Johnson City yesterday I took my FEG in to try to find him new shoes.

I found a Galco WB206 holster that fit my FEG perfectly and had the features I wanted. And I got it for half off just by asking. $20, out the door. I'll try this one for a while and see how it works. I read somewhere that finding the perfect holster was more of a journey than a destination.

Part of my problem was trying to make a molded holster fit a gun it wasn't molded for... duh!

[Guest infinity40]

BTW, this holster is made for a Beretta 84, go figure...

Edited March 30, 2012 by infinity40

[JAB]

Glad you found something that works. I have an F.E.G. SMC-380 that is my 'car gun'. As such, I sometimes just need to put it on and go. I don't carry IWB and don't want to have to undo my belt, etc. to put an OWB holster on. I have a conceal carry belt pouch (fanny pack) that works okay but I am not just wild about using it. I've decided to make a belt slide type holster for it that, in addition to the traditional 'belt slide' setup will have a removeable, metal belt clip on each end. My hope is that, with those clips, it will still 'ride' more or less like a regular belt slide but will be relatively easy to put on and take off when needed without having to unbuckle my belt, pull it out of half my belt loops, thread the holster on then put the belt back on..

[Mark@Sea]

You just gotta know people. Next time you get over Rogersville way, bring your heater. I can mold up a leather holster for it in an hour. It'll take about 3 days to finish, but I don't need the pistola for that.

[Guest infinity40]

Mark@Sea, cool, I'll PM you and we can talk money offline.

The problem I have with the Galco is reholstering. It's a two handed operation, sometimes three. "Honey, can you pull my belt for me while I holster my gun?"

Specs for the custom holster;

As I mentioned, I like thumb snaps for retention. I love the look of a well finished fine leather holster but I like the softness of the inside out Galco. And the rough side out makes it tend to stay put. I carried in the Galco all day Saturday and I even loaded about 30 bags of compost, lime, etc at the Home Depot. I never had a problem with the security of my weapon and I was paying attention. I am thinking maybe inside out leather for the holster. And to help with the reholstering an additional stiff strap along the top 3/4 of an inch or so, the part that will be seen above the belt, right side out and nicely finished in a saddle brown. Any thoughts on my ideas?

BTW, Waffle House in Boones Creek, not posted, Evergreen Princeton Rd, J.C., not posted. Home Depot, J.C. Not posted.

[Guest infinity40]

I have an F.E.G. SMC-380 that is my 'car gun'.

I love these little guns. I don't know about the 380, they look the same.The pa-63 was copied from the Walther and then improved so as not to go off when you decock it and they made the firing pin drop out of the channel when on safe thus blocking the firing pin from the hammer. I also like the trigger pull. I did a Wolf calibration kit for it and the pull is really sweet now, even double action. It is very slim and easy to conceal, it is very accurate, it used to be inexpensive I think i paid $150 for mine years ago, and the biggest reason I like it is that it points exactly like my 1911's. No muss with retraining myself.

I hate the safety/decocker works backwards. Down is safe and up is fire. But other than that I am a real fan of these little guns.

[Mark@Sea]

If I am picturing what you want correctly, why not (using 2 pieces of leather) have the rough outside toward your body, and a smooth finished piece over that, with the pocket for the gun in between? You get the gripping effect toward your body, but it still allows your pants to conform as you move.

Thumb snaps are popular. If molded well enough, though, you don't need it. If you can turn the holster upside down and it retains the pistol, do you need a retaining strap?

A stiffining layer for reholstering sounds good, if you carry IWB. I'd suggest making both 'sides' of pretty stout leather - 3/8's or thereabouts. Leave about an inch 'margin' on the inside piece so that the pistol doesn't dig into you anywhere.

JAB's idea will work. Sounds like it'll make a neat little holster.

[Guest infinity40]

Oh I get it, smooth side towards the inside of your pants to allow the pant material to slide over the smooth surface of the holster as you move. I like that idea.

I know molded holsters are secure without extra straps and snaps but I just like the added security. Thumb breaks add another layer of security without adding to the draw time.

I worry about it being too thick with the heavier leather. 6/8 of an inch of leather, plus the added strap of 3/8ths adds over an inch of width to the rig. The Galco is made of about 1/8th inch leather, and with a 3/8th strap for reholstering makes it add only 5/8ths of an inch to the width of the gun. Would that be feasible?

I got your PM and sent you my email address. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Edited April 1, 2012 by infinity40

[Mark@Sea]

Yeah, that would be feasible. I started cutting around noon. Got interrupted by weed eating chores, but it is coming along nicely.

[Mark@Sea]

I made this one for a local realtor in December. He just sent me photos. Looks like it is holding up well.

No retaining strap, but doesn't need it. The molding is tight enough you can hold the holster upside down and shake it without the pistol falling out.

[Guest infinity40]

How hard do you have to pull to get it loose? I hate pulling the holster out. It's embarrassing.

[Guest infinity40]

I like the looks of that holster a lot. Nice and thin.

[Mark@Sea]

Holster stays put. You do have to wear a man belt, not one of those thin vinyl things.

[Guest infinity40]

Sorry I missed you the other day. We'll have to try again.

[Mark@Sea]

I'm gone to Norfolk for a wedding until the 16th