Why an Offset .38 Backup Works — Using a 1791 Kydex IWB + 1791 Fair Chase Leather Holster

The setup: what you have and why it’s smart

• Primary: 1791 Kydex IWB — rigid, repeatable, low-profile; excellent for consistent draw/reholster geometry.
• Backup: 1791 Fair Chase Deer Hide — a quality leather holster with nice retention and a quieter draw/holster than Kydex. Leather’s flexibility and texture are good for a backup that maximizes comfort in the Appendix position.

Using these two holsters together gives you rigidity where you need it (kydex for primary alignment and fast reholstering) and forgiving, tactile retention for the backup (leather that won’t scrape metal or rail surfaces).

How to position the backup (practical, non-mounted offset)

1. Belt placement & ride height
   • Mount the Kydex IWB in the strong side IWB 3 o’clock
   • Place the Fair Chase leather backup slightly offset — a bit in front of the primary, offset 38 degrees in front. The offset should create a clean draw path that avoids the main weapon’s slide/barrel/handguard.
2. Concealment clothes
   • Leather rides differently than kydex. Thicker shirts or a jacket will help keep the backup from printing. If printing is a concern, lower ride height slightly or move the backup to a position covered by a jacket/outer layer.
3. Belt selection
   • Use a rigid, supportive duty or reinforced gun belt. Leather holsters shift more than kydex under load; a stiff belt prevents the backup from migrating or cant changing.

Practical checks before trusting the setup

These are tests you can run without fabricating anything — just with the holsters and belt.

1. Dry-draw walk-throughs
   • From a variety of positions (standing, seated in a vehicle, partially crouched), practice drawing the primary and then transitioning to the backup. Your hand path should be unobstructed.
2. Holster-to-holster interference check
   • Cycle the primary’s manipulations — charging, clearing, mag changes — while the backup is in place. Make sure there’s no scraping of grips against rails, magazines, or controls.
3. Retention & Reholster
   • Leather retains differently than kydex. Practice reholstering the backup while maintaining muzzle discipline. Confirm it seats fully and won’t ride out when you move.
4. Live-fire validation
   • At the range, run controlled drills. Make sure the backup remains secure during recoil, and practice transitions into the backup under time pressure.

Maintenance differences — leather vs kydex

• Kydex IWB: Easy to clean, holds shape, minimal retention creep. Periodic screw checks for retention and checking for cracks are all you need.
• Fair Chase Deer Hide (leather): Requires occasional conditioning to prevent drying and maintain shape. Keep it dry — leather darkens and tightens when wet, which can change retention characteristics. If retention increases after conditioning or weather exposure, retest draws.

Pros & cons — real Holster Edition

Pros

• Immediate redundancy.
• Leather backup is more comfortable in the Appendix position.
• Using reputable 1791 holsters keeps geometry predictable — these are designed holsters, not jury-rigged brackets.

Cons

• Leather can shift slightly under movement; you must retest after long wear.
• Two holsters close together can increase printing if clothing is thin.
• Slight additional weight and bulk on the belt.

Drills to train with this setup (recommended)

1. Primary failure transition
   • Simulate a primary malfunction (tap/roll) and transition to the backup. Start slow, then add speed and stressors (movement, reloads).
2. Vehicle entry/exit draw
   • While seated in a vehicle, practice clearing a seatbelt and drawing the backup from its offset position.
3. One-handed manipulations
   • Practice drawing and reholstering the backup with your support hand (useful if the primary hand is injured).
4. Retention check under movement
   • Run a short movement drill (sprints, turns) and ensure the backup doesn’t walk on the belt or change cant.

Final recommendations

• Start with small adjustments to ride height and cant — tiny changes have big effects on draw ergonomics.
• Condition leather holsters, but retest retention afterward.
• Use a firm belt and keep all mounting screws tight.
• Practice transitions and reholstering until they’re instinctive: don’t rely on the “idea” of an offset backup — rely on repeated, validated performance.