About holster leather

[NorthBorder]

Been trying to make a pancake holster for my M29. Have made some western style holster for my Blackhawks. They turn out ok but definitely look like beginner's work and I'm good with that for now.
I would like to know what weight leather you generally use when making these holsters. I have mostly been using a 9-10 wt leather. How do you stiffen the leather so that it will maintain the shape of the gun after it is molded around the gun?
Thanks for your help

 

[AzShooter1]

I use two thicknesses of 7 - 8 ounce leather which makes it pretty stiff. Another trick is to soak the holster in hot water with dishwashing liquid in it. When it dries it will retain the shape you molded it to.

Using a vacuum bag to do the forming and letting the holster sit over night will form it to the gun as well. This is the method I currently use.

Good luck.

 

[Wolfshead]

Soak the finished holster in resolene for 30 seconds or so and let it dry for 48 hours.
Some use a solution of resolene and water about 50/50%
Important to let it dry for 48 hours

 

[gobsauce]

On the topic of leather, i tend to use 8/9 oz leather, but for molding, I'd go with @AzShooter1 's advise ,and go 7/8oz.

Here's a video I used to sorta get an idea of someone's process. I'm gonna go ahead and warn you, every leather question has a different answer depending on who answered it. I would just wet it enough to make it workable, that way it burnishes as I mold it.

 

[CraigC]

I use 8-9oz for damned near everything. If it's veg-tan, you shouldn't have to do anything for it to hold its shape. Once it's wet-molded and dried, it should stay that way.