For you talented holster makers

[NorthBorder]

Were do you find good holster patterns? I have purchased some online from Tandy (I believe) and they seem pretty good for SA revolvers. Specifically, what I would like to find is a pattern for a pancake style for an N frame 44 mag with a 3" barrel. I can't find one on ETSY. Googling it up will show images of patterns but I can't seem to find a pattern that I can actually buy.
I am pretty much a complete novice at this and have made a few for my SA revolvers after I inherited some leather craft tools.
Thanks in advance

 

[gobsauce]

Well... You could always modify a pattern. The one I use is from Branson's General Store on Etsy. It was made for a Ruger SP101/ S&W 686 (i think) and can be made to fit my S&W 10-5 by simply adding another stitchline.

Maybe you could use a pattern and modify it.

 

[NorthBorder]

I actually have some questions in to Branson's General Store. He indicated he would get back to me.

 

[DT Guy]

Honestly, the only way to really step up your leatherwork is learning to draw your own patterns. I think Adams holsters had a video about how he does it.

Until you draw your own patterns, you can't really 'design' anything, and it's awfully limiting.

Larry

 

[DT Guy]

Feel free to DM me if you want to discuss; glad to hop on a call to help if I can.

Larry

 

[gobsauce]

Honestly, the only way to really step up your leatherwork is learning to draw your own patterns. I think Adams holsters had a video about how he does it.

Until you draw your own patterns, you can't really 'design' anything, and it's awfully limiting.

Larry

I'll be honest, I'm terrible at making my own patterns, but I can modify existing patterns to fit my needs.

So you said you had the Tandy Pack, I'm assuming it's the Bullseye pack? In which case, all you really have to mess with is the length, and strap locations.

If you have the Buscadero pack, same thing mostly.

 

[Miguel Loco]

I've bought a couple of patterns from Will Gormley. Great guy and the patterns that will fit most all of the old west guns.....if that's what you're looking for. Here's his website..... Will Ghormley-Maker, Holster Patterns, Will Ghormley -Maker, Quality, Authentic, Historically Accurate, Old West Cowboy Gear, Hand Crafted, Hand Carved, Old West Collection Gun Belt Buckles, Old West Buckles, Dwayne Johnson, Rampage Movie, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Walking Dead, Agent Russell's Gun Rig, Rampage Rig, Shane Rig, Old West Buckles

 

[DT Guy]

I'll be honest, I'm terrible at making my own patterns, but I can modify existing patterns to fit my needs.

So you said you had the Tandy Pack, I'm assuming it's the Bullseye pack? In which case, all you really have to mess with is the length, and strap locations.

If you have the Buscadero pack, same thing mostly.

I've only ever used a couple patterns, and that was really early in learning how to do leather. Something like this can help you do your own patterns:


Once you can do your own patterns, you'll be able to start exploring your own ideas for oddball guns and carry methods; it's the best part of holster making, IMHO. For instance, you won't find a pattern for a Davis/Gunsite style holster, or a should rig for a G43; the only way to get those is to design them (or in the case of the Davis, replicate it) yourself:



Larry


Larry

 

[NorthBorder]

[QUOTE=" So you said you had the Tandy Pack, I'm assuming it's the Bullseye pack? In which case, all you really have to mess with is the length, and strap locations.[/QUOTE]

It's the Bullseye pack. And I have modified the length on the large frame pattern to fit a 3.75" barrel on a Vaquero Sheriff's model.
I would really like to make a pancake style holster.

 

[doubleh]

Lets see if this works.

Well, no joy so go to Amazon and search for Pancake holster patterns and you will find an offering by Springfield Leather Company.

 

[NorthBorder]

Thanks @doubleh , I think that is what I am looking for.

 

[conan32120]

I know I'm new at holster making but what I've found is the best way to fit a handgun to a holster is to not use a pattern at all. I decide the kind of holster (IWB, Pancake ect.) lay out an oversize piece of leather, wet it on both sides, place the handgun in a large baggie and then mold the leather to the shape I want and cut off the excess (usually while still supple). after I'm satisfied I pull handgun and baggie and let the leather dry. after it's dry I check the fit again, round the edges and die and wax. It does waste a bit of leather but when it's sewn up I can invert the holster with the handgun in it and it always retains it.

 

[doubleh]

Glad I could help. I want to see a picture when you get one made.

 

[CraigC]

I mostly draw up my own patterns and have done so from the very beginning. I've used a few Ghormley Mexican loop patterns but usually end up tweaking them here and there. All my Threepersons, Hank Sloan, flap and Slim Jim patterns I've drawn myself.

 

[Miguel Loco]

I'm with you Craig. Once you make a few holsters and start to get a decent library of patterns, you can usually tweak them to work with a lot of things.