custom Holster questions

[TherealMordis]

Sorry if this is the wrong place for this, I could not find a holster section.
Has anyone here made there own leather holsters. I found a website that sells everything i need to make my own kydex holsters, but nothing for leather. I have tried searching on the internet, and havnt found anything.

So, who here makes or has made there own leather holster, for them selvs or others? My next question is, if i decide to get in on it, what books should i get, and what tools do i need to make some basic no frills holsters.

I apreciate any pictures and advice this fine site may have.

 

[kd7nqb]

From your post it SOUNDS like you have not done a lot of leather work. Holsters might not be where you want to start. I could be wrong but it seems like Supplies+Time+books will run you more than a quality holster online

 

[DragonFire]

I'm afraid I can't answer you questions, but I can say there is guy that frequents my local range that was some kind of leather worker, and has started making holsters.

His holsters are relatively cheap, and they do hold the gun securely, but that are very clunky and are on the unattractive side. So you should think of holster making as an art and not a science. There is more to it than just stitching some leather together.

If you're thinking of making one or two holsters for yourself, you're spend about as much money as would to buy them, and spend alot of your time in the process.

On the other hand, if you're willing to spend the time and money to learn the art properly, then I encourage you to do so. Even just a decent holster maker can make some money and while saving their customers some too.

 

[fearless leader]

DeSantis used to make special orders from time to time. They ain't cheap though.

What are you trying to find a holster for? You may not need a custom.

 

[AZ_Rebel]

I make my own holsters as I need them. Generally for myself but often end up selling them to people who need a solid, hand sewn, saddle stitched holster. There are good holsters being made by some big companies but there is also a lotta junk out there. Here are some samples of holsters I have made.

My version of the Yaqui Slide

My "Summer Special"

A Metal Lined "Training Holster"

Copied from a Thad Rhybka Design

A "Small of the Back"

This is Snap-on Cross Draw Holster for Driving

Leather work is not difficult. Suggest you look up a local Tandy Store and see if they offer classes. Buy some 8-9 oz. Belly leather, some waxed thread and some harness needles. Make a cardboard pattern of the gun you are fitting, trace it on the leather, cut with a good sharp box cutter, punch holes with an Ice Pick and learn to saddle stitch. Pick up more tools as you need them but start cheap and learn as you go.

 

[strat81]

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=189129
That thread has some very interesting points about making holsters. Lou Alessi and Tony Kanaley (of Milt Sparks Holsters) have posted in the thread. Lou mentions that it takes him 30 minutes to make an ankle rig. I guess that's why he's the pro and I'm the schlump.

 

[Srigs]

Welcome to the forum. I started out making my own holsters in leather by taking a class from Tandy leather with our local MN carry forum. Tandy does sell a beginner leather kit and you can get a 6 oz single shoulder that should get you started.

I hope that helps.

 

[Autolycus]

Good luck with your business if you decide to do it.

 

[TherealMordis]

Az rebel, How do you get the leather to mold to the shape of the gun like that? Im not looking to start a buisness, i just want to make my own holsters for my self and my family. So a good place to start is the tandy leather kit and some leather. I have a couple ideas for holsters id like to make. I have a 5" 1911 and prefere to carry owb. I dont want to wait 3+months for a holster online, so i am limited to what my local gun store has. They have Galco Fletch High ride for my gun, but IMHO it does not ride high enough, nor does it have a reinforced mouth. Id love to make my own high ride OWB holster with reinforced mouth.

Sure i could have it custom made, but I would like to take the challange and do it my self. Maybe when i get good enough i can experiment with other stuff.

Currently im about to order a Kydex/concealex mould from a company and start tinkering with holsters and sheaths made from that.

I guess, i just want to pride that comes with showing off a quality holster that you made your self for your self.

 

[Soybomb]

There are really no books out there that tell you to how to make a concealment holster. Learn to saddle stitch, I'd not use the belly at all and would suggest something more like shoulder, cut a pattern, dye some leather, stitch it together, mold it, repeat until you're good/frustrated

 

[TherealMordis]

BUT the question agains, how do you mold it. I read you have to stitch it together first then mold it? Looks like i have along road ahead of me.

 

[doubleh]

To mold a holster it has to be wet. After the holster is sewn together and before you apply any finish: Wrap your pistol in saran wrap to protect it from moisture. If it is a smooth finish, not tooled or basket stamped, wet it throughly with cool water, never hot, and put the gun in it and press the leather around it to form it to the gun. Watch your finger nails as they will form marks on the leather. You will have to press the leather around the gun several times as the leather dries as it tends to straighten out as it dries. Allow it to dry completely before removing the gun. Tandy Leather Co. has a holster kit. They also have Al Stholman's excellent book on making holsters.

 

[TherealMordis]

Thank you double. Ill be ordering there deluxe leather kit. Thanks everyone. Soon as i get done practicing making other stuff and start making holsters, ill post my work for all to see.

 

[AZ_Rebel]

I'd not use the belly at all and would suggest something more like shoulder...

The reason I suggest belly is that it is so much cheaper than any other cuts and ideal for practice. For $25. you can get a piece of Belly big enough for 6-8 holsters and as many mag pouches.

Shoulder is much better, of course, but much more expensive. In actual use I have made a number of holsters out of belly and have been pleasantly surprised at how well they molded and set up. But certainly, after you are satisfied with your ability to put together a quality holster, use better cuts.

When molding over the Saran Wrapped Gun, I use a piece of plastic cut from the handle of a serving spoon with the one end well rounded and the other end flat. I polished the ends very smooth and use that to follow the contours of the gun on the outside of the leather. That way you can form in all the lines.

Please give it a try... and do post what you have made... good or bad... I am sure that some of us will be happy to make suggestions for you.