Anybody Out There Make Their Own Holsters?

Yep!
Holsters, grips, knives, sheaths.
Been doing it for 50 years.









Sometimes that's the only way to get what you want!

rcmodel

Very nice rcmodel! Impressive.
Thanks for posting those pics.
SRT

Wow rcmodel, fine work! I was just thinking about this the other day. My grandad made me a belt with my last name on it, out of hand tools, back when I was little.

I might give this a shot, any starting ideas or resources you recommend?

Thanks!

I make my own holsters, but it would probably be really bad advertising if I didn't

What do you use to stitch? Do you have a leather sewing machine?

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No sewing machine. Wish I did sometimes!
Just can't justify the expense for one as I only do leather to support my own needs, and also to get the quality of sheaths my custom knives require.
I'm doing less & less of it anymore, as my hands are getting old. Makes them hurt too much after the ambitous projects!

Anyway, I just use hand tools and a saddlers awl.


Layout with an over-stitch tool.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?number=8091-00

Pre-drill holes with a 1/16" bit in drill press.

Sew with a Speedy-Stitcher saddlers awl & waxed polyester thread.
http://thevermontshopper.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=35&language=en&cPath=25

Tandy Leather Factory is a great on-line resource for anything leather.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/index.asp

Also, many cities have at least one leathercraft store. You can just go there and pick thier brain while figuring out what you need.

rcmodel

Ive been known to make a couple of them...from time to time.
Shoot well and god bless

Pretty sweet work guys!

I've just decide to start into this. I literally ordered books from Tandy 5 minutes ago and then found this thread.

Eric (PCRCCW) was actually sort of a mini-inspiration, as well as not being able to find exactly what I want (nevermind the weird ideas).

Jeff (the_fallguy), your doing some pretty awesome work, too.

Holy smokes RC Model... I already pay extra attention to your advice on this forum... now I'm going to pay EXTRA extra attention!

I have a huge cow hide sitting in salt... any advice what I should do with it? No, I don't have the brains. I'm thinking of using watered down battery acid. I heard you should use something called "Neats Foot oil"... but I have no idea where to get it or if its really necessary.

I made a holster 20-something years ago for my Ruger Old Army (my Ruger Bisley also fit it.) I bought a whole pigskin from Tandy leather, and used tools just like in rcmodel's picture. I made the pattern out of a brown paper bag.

I know now that pigskin wasn't a great choice, but it's what I could afford back then. And the holster is "unique". If I can find my kid's digital camera, maybe I'll post a pic later.

I have a huge cow hide sitting in salt... any advice what I should do with it?

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No idea at all, whatsoever!

Tanning hides is one skill that has escaped me all these years.

I doubt whatever you do with it would make good holster material though. Salt & acid would have a very detrimental effect on gun bluing!

You might look here for tanning supplies:
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?Dept=140

rcmodel

I've made one thus far. Skinned the deer, tanned it and created a novelty holster for my brother (he wears it out with the scouts).

Next time I'm planning to get some rawhide and shape it into a western rig for my dad's single six.

Not sure how to tan rawhide (if it's different than deer) but I've found books at the library to be very helpful.

i seen a show on the discovery channel,they were tanning leather ,did a few methods including using brains,i think you might be able to find it on the web,might be helpful anyway,nice leather work also

(1) Old sweat sock
(2) Can of shellac
(3) Can of black spray paint.
(4) Tin snips / heavy scissors

Place handgun into old sweat sock. Spray sweatsock with a generous amount of shellac. Allow to dry and harden overnight.

Next day: Remove handgun, trim excess material off of sweat sock. Spray the outside with black spray paint.

Congratulations: You've just made an Uncle Mike holster.

Tanning

Dubious:

There are several tanning methods available to use at home... but some take forever (like tanning with tannins). I was going to look this subject up in my Foxfire book, so as to provide some insight) but the volume containing tanning instructions is missing!

I did find this article regarding brain tanning though. It seems very helpful: http://www.jumaka.com/tanning/tanning1.html

THe lady in this article bought brains from a butcher, but i am pretty sure you can make a comparable tanning solution out of eggs and other things. I am also pretty sure that some of the old timers used ashes (and/or the lye from these ashes) as a tanning solution - or maybe that was used to remove the hair... i can't remember.

You have many options it seems.

Here is my first holster ever........ First, I messed up in the selection of leather thickness, too soft....Second, I cut the forward belt loop too close to the gun........Third, I didn't quite cut it to barrel's correct length although a three incher would look awesome.

Anyways, my first holster, hand stitched and boned all the way.....

Anyone with experience/recommendations for leather stitchers?

Very nice work!

I'm like those other guys. I kick-out a few here and there.

where are you gents getting your leather from?

There are no leather supply houses locally. Can you tell me what sort of tanning, what weight of leather, etc, I should look to order online?

Anyone with experience/recommendations for leather stitchers?

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Read post #7.

If you mean leather sewing machines, I can't help.
They start at a thousand bucks and go up way from there.

Can you tell me what sort of tanning, what weight of leather, etc, I should look to order online?

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Tandy Leather, if you can't find a cobbler or tack shop locally that sells leather..
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/

Vegetable tanned tooling leather.
Shoulders or double shoulders.

Avoid belly & leg cuts because it is soft, stretchy, and won't hold it's shape at all.

4-5 oz for pocket holsters.

6-8 oz for most belt holsters.

rcmodel

I'm curious how you guys are forming it to the gun. Considering I can't find a decent IWB for my old piece, I'll have to make a project of it.

Deus- this is how I understand it:

vegetable, not chrome, tanned leather is able to be formed when it is wet. So you saturate the leather with water, insert the firearm in a baggie to keep it dry, then use various bucks (your fingers, pencils, smooth dowels and such) to form the leather to the project.

I'm sure if I have this wrong, they'll correct me.

Folks- when RCmodel speaks, listen up!

I've made one thus far. Skinned the deer, tanned it and created a novelty holster for my brother (he wears it out with the scouts).

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As in, Boy Scouts?

I was under the impression that personally-owned firearms were not allowed