getting a holster for an "odd" revolver

[skidmark]

How does one deal with a "wierd" (odd make, odd shape) revolver and custom makers? Can you ship the gun to them like you do to a gunsmith for repairs?

One NEF Lady Ultra (.32 Magnum) with barrel rib & adjustable rear sight), and one NEF R-73 .32 Magnum (no rib, no underlug, fixed sight). Both are in need of a good OWB home, and will consider a second home in IWB. In order of preference is leather, kydex, and all others.

If anybody knows of off-the-shelf holsters that will fit these two former orphans now residing in my safe, please let me know. They want to go outside to play, but cannot for lack of a holster.

Left is the Lady Ultra, right is the R-73.

TIA.

stay safe.

skidmark

 

[wcwhitey]

Try putting them next to a known gun, for instance J Frame or K Frame Smith, Det Special or other known frame. Most generic holster maker offer their holsters in a small, medium or large plus barrel length. For instance a J frame would be a small up to 2" or 4" barrel. You should be able to find a generic nylon holster that will fit both guns securely to get them into the woods or to the range. Try Uncle Mikes, etc. Bill

 

[MCgunner]

That's why I got me some leather working tools a while back in the form of a Tandy starter kit. Due to space considerations, my leather working is on hold, but I'll get back into it soon as my kid graduates this spring and moves the HECK out of my house! Until then, I'm living in squaller with little room for such things in a small house. It's pretty easy to make a nice little holster, though, and I have ideas I wanna do for that personalized flap style outdoor leather among other things.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I agree -- I make all my own holsters. I have a lot of guns (like my 1938 Colt Woodsman, or my 1906 Colt New Service) that no one makes holsters for.

 

[wcwhitey]

Something I always wanted to try. I have done some stitching and snap fixing. How hard is leatherwork? Bill

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Piece of cake. All it takes is cutting, stitching, and forming.

Make a pattern and cut it out -- I often make patterns of scrap cloth, plastic, or what-have-you so I can try then before I cut the leather. Cut the leather with scissors or tin snips -- it makes the job easy.

For stitching, I like to mark the holes with a toothed wheel, and then punch or drill them. I use a large needle and waxed threat and make a lock stitch -- that is, I stitch the complete holster and then keep stitching, coming back through each hole to produce a continuous line of thread on each side.

For forming, wrap the gun in saran wrap or something similar, dampen the leather with alcohol, and force the gun in. Use a toothbrush handle to form the leather around it.

For fancy, I use a bench sander to smooth the edges afterwards, and there is an edge die you can put on so it looks professional.

 

[tinygnat219]

Sometimes you have to take it to someone who does custom work. I just took my Nagant revolver to a guy I know who does custom Kydex holsters. This will be my obligatory "Open Carry" gun when I work gunshows.