Finally trying a holster build

[WestKentucky]

Not exactly jumping in feet first here, but I do have 2 of the “point blank holster kit” from Hobby Lobby that we’re bought a few weeks ago at 35% off which made them $10 each. I finally got them this morning as a late Father’s Day since we weren’t home from having daughter #3 until really late on Sunday and having much more important things to do getting baby girl situated at home and getting her mom squared away to recooperate.

Here’s what I have, and I have 2 of them.

I know they work well for small autos similar to what is shown in the photo, and I also know that they work well for J frame sized revolvers, possibly k frames as well, but the thing I need more than anything is a holster for my antiques, especially the top break 38 single action S&W and 32 safety hammerless as I have nothing that will even reasonably well hold those guns. I’m open to pointers on completing the basic holsters, will not be doing any stamp work on these, just need a basic holster to put them in. I do know to drill holes rather than poke them and not to expect to sew with the needles but more in the thought of just pulling stitching through with them. I think I can make a pressure sandwich with foam and leave them for a few days to take form and then make a new line for final stitching as I need to take up slack... and that’s where a lot of the visual appeal and/or fugly comes out.

 

[LoonWulf]

Firstly CONGRATULATIONS!!!

secondly.....I cant help on the holsters........but im sure folks will be along who can.

IF not, I have a leather working friend, and access to a S&W .32. Ill see if he cant make up a pattern and has any input on how to proceed.

 

[bannockburn]

WestKentucky

Congrats on you and your wife having Daughter #3! No experience with making holsters but it looks like a fun way to learn!

 

[earlthegoat2]

Kits are a great way to get started. I think you will knock these out and be hungry for more.

I got into leatherworking specifically to make holsters.

Ten years later I haven’t made one. I have done hundreds and hundreds of gun belts, as well as a few each of tool pouches, wallets, purses, handbags, and knapsacks to name a few.

There is always something more important than a holster to build it would seem....kind of like how I don’t reload very often for the same reasons.

 

[doubleh]

Congratulations on the new kid. As to leather work, kits are a great way to start. If you want to continue and do things from scratch I would recommend browsing the books on the subject found at sdtradingco.com as a beginning. Anything by Al Stholman is still revelent although some of his holster patterns would be considered unsafe by "enlghtened" shooters today.

 

[aarondhgraham]

That's a re-branded Tandy Leather kit,,,
That particular one has been around since the 1970's.

That's not to say it's a bad thing,,,
Just know that the fit is going to be "generic" rather than specific.

They will be okay for range use,,,
But not really suitable for everyday carry of a SD handgun.

Aarond

.

 

[WestKentucky]

Anything by Al Stholman is still revelent although some of his holster patterns would be considered unsafe by "enlghtened" shooters today.

Why? The open trigger On most and the ability on many DA setups for the hammer to be cocked in the holster? I had to look up photos of his designs but that seemed a common trend and was the only things I could even imagine being considered unsafe.

 

[doubleh]

Those are exactly the reasons. I have made several holsters using his patterns and was called out on a forum after posting a couple of pictures.

 

[Armored farmer]

Yes I hack out a few holsters for myself. I think you will enjoy making ir repairing your own gear.
Get yourself a dinner plate sized chunk of END GRAIN hardwood to punch and stamp and use an awl on.
Fyi I punch my holes with an awl, but what do I know?
The gear for setting snaps in leather is good to have.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Very few things are as personally satisfying then,,,
Someone at a range asking where you got that nice rig.

Then telling them that you made it yourself.

Holster making isn't a difficult thing to learn,,,
But it is expensive to get started in.

I have a friend who I taught how to design, tool, and build holsters,,,
He jokes that the first one cost him almost $500.00,,,
After that they cost around $40.00 apiece.

Aarond

.

 

[WestKentucky]

Turns out my wife’s uncle used to be a teacher and taught leather working as a shop class in the 70s and 80s. I may have an inside track on stuff and help, sadly though he is starting to have troubles that come with age.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

Not exactly jumping in feet first here, but I do have 2 of the “point blank holster kit” from Hobby Lobby that we’re bought a few weeks ago at 35% off which made them $10 each. I finally got them this morning as a late Father’s Day since we weren’t home from having daughter #3 until really late on Sunday and having much more important things to do getting baby girl situated at home and getting her mom squared away to recooperate.

Here’s what I have, and I have 2 of them.
View attachment 925362
I know they work well for small autos similar to what is shown in the photo, and I also know that they work well for J frame sized revolvers, possibly k frames as well, but the thing I need more than anything is a holster for my antiques, especially the top break 38 single action S&W and 32 safety hammerless as I have nothing that will even reasonably well hold those guns. I’m open to pointers on completing the basic holsters, will not be doing any stamp work on these, just need a basic holster to put them in. I do know to drill holes rather than poke them and not to expect to sew with the needles but more in the thought of just pulling stitching through with them. I think I can make a pressure sandwich with foam and leave them for a few days to take form and then make a new line for final stitching as I need to take up slack... and that’s where a lot of the visual appeal and/or fugly comes out.

Never drill holes for stitching. You always want to poke with an awl so the leather can close back up around the stitching. Never remove material when making holes for stitching.

Now what does work and what I've done since I've been having so much neck and shoulder trouble. When hand stitching thick material I use a drill press with a small finish nail, you can even turn on the press to make things smoother and poke pilot holes. I know it's an extra step but I do this and makes it much easier on my shoulder and neck when I push the awl through when sewing.

 

[aarondhgraham]

I agree that drilling holes should not be the standard method.

Normally I use a hand awl and a two needle saddle stitch,,,
But I have used a Dremel tool with a very fine bit to drill stitching holes in thicker seams.

I make one style of holster that has a seam over 5/8" thick,,,
I have found if the drill bit is smaller than the needle it will work just fine.

But again, its only used for that one style holster.

Kit holsters that are pre-punched work and look better with a much heavier thread than normal.

Aarond

.

 

[aarondhgraham]

To the OP,,,
I apologize if we have hi-jacked your thread..

I would like to see pictures of your finished project.

Aarond

.

 

[CraigC]

Those are exactly the reasons. I have made several holsters using his patterns and was called out on a forum after posting a couple of pictures.

I just love nonsense from so-called "enlightened" shooters who think they know something about holster design.

 

[WestKentucky]

Well... I gave it a try. Should have left well enough alone but got a bit cocky. The holster without any modification fits any beretta 92 type pistol you want to stuff into it, and that’s how it went at first... but I wasn’t wanting a holster for my 92, I wanted holsters for my antique revolvers. So I sewed in another line of stitching to close up the area under the barrel and snugged it right up. It is functionally great, but it’s not all that visually appealing. I will likely rip out the stitching along the main seam and cut the material down to make it look better. I had the bright idea of using a set of steel stamps I had laying around to mark the holster, and it worked but could be a lot better. I need to do more experimenting there.

 

[WestKentucky]

I should have left well enough alone. I trimmed it and got rid of the extra sewn seam but now it looks much more amateurish and clunky. I will round it and work it on the sander a bit tomorrow and then burnish the edges. It’s very functional, so that much is a win, but it’s not going to win any beauty contests, especially with that goofy turn in the seam near the end of the barrel.