Molded by hand?

[JellyJar]

I see lots of high end holsters where the leather is shaped to the exact fit of the handgun. Are these done by hand or do these makers have special molds that they use to shape the leather?

 

[swcr]

To mold a holster to a given gun you use a mold or dummy gun, or if there isn't a dummy gun available for a given model the real gun can be used. The dummies are generally made of plastic or aluminum to the exact dimensions of the real gun.
After the holster is completely sewn together it is gotten wet and then the dummy gun inserted into it. The leather is then pressed against the dummy gun either by hand or by a press. Various hand tools can be used to help press the damp leather against the dummy gun resulting in a holster which is molded to the exact shape of the intended gun. Some holsters are molded tight enough that engraving and slide serrations, etc are plainly visible on the interior of the holster where they transferred off the dummy gun.

 

[gpr]

you need not get a dummy gun...you can use pretty much any gun...stick your gun in ziplock baggie, put it in wet leather, use fingers to push leather to mold....this works great if you have an odd ball gun, and no"blue gun" is available....gary

 

[possum]

i do not make leather holsters, however I do make kydex holsters professionally. I use a mold and a press, it would not come out to look as good as they do or have the right fit and retention if you made a kydex holster molded by hand. additionally it would be in consistent.