Homebrew holsters made by me,show me what you have made! LONG POST and many pic's!

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I've been working on a holster for my M57; just finished cutting out the belt loops and molding the leather to the gun. This is my first attempt at a holster.

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I've still got to sand and burnish the edges some more, but I'm excited and don't want to stop wearing it. I think it fits well; the gun will fall loose if I turn it upside down and shake it, but when I'm wearing it my hip keeps snug. I tried a handstand, and determined the gun isn't going anywhere unless I draw it. So far, the position pictured (roughly 5-ish) works best, but that's mostly because the belt loops elsewhere are inconveniently spaced and the holster lifts the belt up a bit when I draw if the loops don't hold it in place. I need to fuss with it some and maybe try a new belt and see what works best. This is my first holster besides the milsurp holster that came with the gun, so I have nothing else to compare it to, but so far I'm happy with it.

I haven't decided on a dye, I only have mahogany on hand and I don't know if I want to go with that. I might wait until my Marschal Grips come in so I can try to match the walnut. The idiot mark under the trigger guard was from me thinking I was smart and using a ruler along with the spacer thing on the stitch groover to get a straight line, but didn't realize the spacer part would leave a crease too. Live and learn.
 
I read this forum more than I post on it but leather work is one of my hobbies. I always enjoy seeing others' leather work, esp. holsters since this a gun forum. Here's a few I've made.
A brown and a black for the S&W model 17
A full size 1911
And my second pancake ever for a S&W model 65 Ladysmith. (hey don't laugh, it's a 3" 357 magnum)
 

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I shoot SASS,so I wanted to make a custom double gun rig for my two 45 long colts.This was my first rig and I hand stiched the lining and all the tooling is fone by hand.I use it all the time and I even had a chance to use it at Universals Studio for a photo shoot we did Nov 2010.
The others are for my 1911 a1.
Thank you,
Henry
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Hey Eaglestroker
Leather is a great way to create something from nothing,and make it functional and nice.I'm working on some new Alligator holsters for my Cowboy gun's.
Your work look's good and solid.
Thank you,
Henry
 
Hey Henry,
The work your doing is classified as art in my book - not just another holster and that is something to be proud of my friend. Do show off the gator when your done with it!
I am similar to the OP as there is only so much money to go around and I would rather make my own holster and spend that good money on other things. The more I do for myself and friends the better I am getting though.
Take care!
-Robert
 
Hey Robert
Thank you for the word's,and keep doing what gives you pleasure.I will post the pic's when it's done.I know there was no Cowboys with Alligator holsters,but I cant resist,lol.
I will send you a pm to my web site,and perhaps you will get some new idea's.
Thank you,
Henry
 
Hey Robert
As you can see by my web site,I make all kinds of leather gear.Working on a Thorshammer with rune writing tonight.
Do you have a web site where you can display your work?
Thank you,
Henry
 
Hey Henry,
No site for me. I very seriously considered doing one and selling some BUT I'd rather enjoy it than have it become a chore. I'm currently working on a pretty neat set that includes a knife sheath, holster, double mag pouch, belt, flashlight pouch, a nice display box for all of that and a sling to go with all of it. Should be a pretty neat rig - something fun to take to the range with me.
-Robert
 
Hey Robert
I still have my first leather wrap I did for my lever action rifle I use for my cowboy shooying.That's how I got started-just a hobby,and now I make all kind's of stuff,lol.
Post pictures when you get the rig done.
Thank you,
Henry
 
This is a great thread, just came across it. I am thinking of trying to make holsters for the fun of it and this thread gave me some ideas. Thanks all.
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If you have any questions, or need help while working with kydex just ask. I do it professionally and I have no issues sharing knowledge.
 
If you have any questions, or need help while working with kydex just ask. I do it professionally and I have no issues sharing knowledge.
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I'll take you up on that.

I notice many holsters show here have Kydex beltloops -- which I use on mine. However, mine look hand-made, and I notice other people are able to achieve that crisp machine-made looks.

My method is to heat the Kydex with a heat gun and wrap it around slabs of steel -- but I still get rounded edges and a convex surface.

Any tips on bending Kydex into belt loops or hooks neatly?
 
Vern,

I use wooden jigs. Two strips of .5" thick poplar glued to plywood, spaced far enough apart to accommodate a third strip and the width of the kydex which is to be wrapped around it.

I find the key to making them look neat is in the finishing steps. I sand the edges square and then bring them to a matte polish with increasing grits and then a buffing wheel.
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I use wooden jigs. Two strips of .5" thick poplar glued to plywood, spaced far enough apart to accommodate a third strip and the width of the kydex which is to be wrapped around it.

I find the key to making them look neat is in the finishing steps. I sand the edges square and then bring them to a matte polish with increasing grits and then a buffing wheel.
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I've been using the same approach with steel bars -- maybe I'm just clumsy.
 
That's very nice work.

Next holster, try making the leather back higher, so that the butt and beavertail don't touch your hide when you wear your gun next to your skin.
 
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