Originally Posted by
charlie b
I think the problem for the OP is the 4" barrel. Pancake holsters start to be a bit 'big' with longer barrels. Goes to the reason for the pancake, to break up the pistol profile. With a long barrel that means a lot of leather down low. You can make a belt slide holster for longer barrels, but, technically it is no longer a 'pancake' since it isn't round anymore. I had the same problem with an Uncle Mike's holster and a Colt 4" .357 revolver.
Also, some like to use thinner leather and give up on the sturdiness of heavy leather that most makers use. I do that on holsters I make. I usually do not have the ability to reholster with one hand, but, I have never had a reason to do that with these holsters either. I give up some durability but I like the way they 'fit'. And when one does wear out I make another. A bonus is the thinner leather is much less expensive and easier to work with.