Big Holster Tips?

A friend asked me to tackle making a holster for a Taurus Raging Judge Magnum. I noted the thing has some SERIOUS heft.

Any pointers/tips for working with a BIG handgun?

Looking to make a strong side open toe lined model that straddles the line between a Hunter 1100 and a western high ride.

The gun just seems too big to let it flop over a belt like the 1100 series so I want the belt loop nice and tight and lower down on the holster body... maybe even at the cylinder.

I am planning a wet form with a good sized sandbag for a nice tight fit.

Already suggested better methods of carry, he wants a belt holster, strong side. I suggested he's going to need a heavy belt.

It's a 6.5 inch .454/45 Colt 410 in blued steel.

If you don't use weight like a sand bag for your wet form how do you do it? Worked like a charm when I did it for a knife sheath.

Great looking rig! All that leather in the back makes for almost a weightlifting belt--perfect for this hogleg.

THAT is a great idea!

Working on my patterns. Haven't decided to line it or not. I'd like to, as I want to use copper rivets for part of the assembly.

I haven't forgotten I just had to clear a bunch of other projects to get started.

My basic pattern took a few tries to get right. I want nice high riding slightly canted forward design that I can mate up with a heavy almost weight lifting belt (using one as a pattern).

Have good heavy weight veg tan for the outer and belt loop, a thinner grade for the lining should give me a heavy and durable wearing holster. The snakeskin is a bull snake I ran over in Mexican Hat, Utah in 2005. The rest of him went to a hatband. It will be an accent piece in an oval cut out in a decorative overstrap. Color will be a light brown Fiebing's dye with bronze beads.

I am not set on the 'bucket' style throat yet, there's some refining to do there and before I cut any leather I am still torn between a retention strap (not like anyone will RUN with this) and a sturdy hammer thong.

I still think riveting the belt loop (before doing the lining) with heavy copper rivets is the way to really SET the loop. The rivets will be totally covered and never touch the bluing. I a going to look at Chicago screws as well.


Amazon boxes and gorilla tape make great patterns.

Basic shaping, wet forming (with 50 pounds of sand) and rough stitched fully lined holster.

I broke 5 needles sewing that damn thing together.

Still need to create the decorative and functional cross strap.

You guys that do this for a living have my envy. This is HARD work and my craftsmanship is not up to snuff.