johnggrg

Hi everyone. I have a few questions. I had an old army 1911 shoulder holster (not a collectable). It's worn out and I wanted to get a new one so I decided to make one. Ok this would be my first real project using good leather. I have the old holster unstitched and getting ready to make a pattern out of it. I got to thinking about it and thought I could make a double one for each side. But would need a differant shoulder strap or rig that will take one holster on each side. Not sure how to do that with out changing the original design. Any thoughts on how it could be done? The only thing is I don't want to change the shape of the holster itself. Second what thickness would you recommend making everything out of 8-9 oz veg tan leather? Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. John

Rickybobby thanks for the information. I looked up John Bianchi's "cowboy western gun holster making" Just don't have the money for that right now. But thank you for the information. Denster thanks for the reply. I went to the link you posted and looked up the video. Nothing found for those video. I didn't see anything online that explained how to make them. Just the video you have to buy. Anyone else have anything they could add to this? Thank you. John

Hi everyone! I have been reading everything I can on holsters lately amongst other things on the forum. But I haven't read to much about the Buscadero style gun belts. I was wondering how are these belts being made? Are they cut on a curve or does that happen over time? Has anyone ever made a "How to" on these belts? I have looked for that and never found anything on how to make them. Except a book but was looking for something online. May be a good one if someone was about to make one to share the how to on them. Just a thought. Any and all info appreciated. Thank you. john

Shorts thanks for the reply. Yes I have NO plans on storing ANY of my guns in holsters or cases. I might be just getting into leather working but my real hobby is collecting antique firearms. I've been a collector for years. My father sold guns for a living and I grew up with them. So I know all about that. But as far as my practice holster. I beleive it is 6-7 oz. Like I said if this one works out I will use it as a template to make one from veg tan leather. It is all just practice at this point. John

Thanks for the reply. Well I'm making a drop leg holster. To use when I am hunting (private land). So it would be used only for a few hours out of the day 3-4 days out of the year. That's all. Not to store it in. Like I said it is really just to practice on. I will use it but it is more practice then anything. If this one turns out I will make another just like it with the Veg tan leather. So in a way it's like a prototype for the real one to come. I really just stumbled in to the hobby and found that I liked it and wanted to learn more. So a friend hooked me up with ALOT of the chrome tanned leather. His grandfather was in to leather working and had passed away. So I ended up with it. John

Have a picture?

Twinoaks thank you for the reply. I have used it before and it molded good for what I used it for. I have not started to tool leather yet. Still lots to learn before I go there. I have a lot of the chrome tan right now that a buddy gave me. Want to use it up. I am only just starting out in leather work and it's all a learning experiance right now. That was why I asked if it could be sealed somehow. Better to learn on something free then to learn on something that costs money. Till I get better to the point of not messing up what I am doing. I know the veg tan leather is way better then the chrome tan. I was thinking of getting some veg tan scrap to start learning tooling on. But for now need to use this stuff I have on hand for first few projects. thanks again. John

I read somewhere here in the forum that using chrome tan leather for holsters would not be a good idea. Because of the salt that can come out of the leather can and will affect the bluing on your pistol. My question is can you still use chrome tan leather and seal it somehow? Maybe a waterproofing or something? Please let me know what you think. I started to make one from this material and now need to know. Thank you. John

Thank you for all the replies and links. You've been very helpfull. John

I was thinking of a direct link. I went there and went threw about 6 pages and stopped didn't see anything on them. A normal belt yes. A holster yes. Western gun belt and how it is made no. Just the belt not the holster is what I was talking about. The other link that was a whole other forum to search threw to find it. Lots to read which a good thing. Just not finding anything on the western gun belt that is made for the holster to attach to. Thanks for your replies. I hope someone knows a direct link to something like it. John

I have seen and read alot on making holsters but have not seen anything on making gun belts or western gun belts and cartidge belts. Does anyone know if there is a tutorial on this somewhere? Or a place on the net to see how this is done? Not wanting to make one but thought it would be nice to know or see how it is done. Anything you can add would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. John

I like to see a picture of that. Sounds interesting. You have the Mauser broomhandle? Luxky dog. Always wanted one of those but cost to much. If you find a picture post it sounds cool. Thanks for the replies. John

Deanimator thank you for the reply. I don't have any idea what you mean but it sounds really cool. Have a picture? John

Twinoaks thank you for the reply. Your right it is just Nagant but it is a model 1895. But thank you for the information and reply. Mattsh thank you for your reply. Drop from the belt and strap to thigh. Yes that is what I wanted to make. And I have never made a holster but as long as it works for me it will be fine. John

Mosel 1895 Mosin Nagant Revolver holster. I wanted to make a leather holster for the revolver that is not like the originals. For one I would want it to be open at the top no flap. Second I want it to be a mid leg rig. Like the ones that hook to the belt and strap around the leg. Don't know what style that would be but I hope you know what I mean. Like a military style I guess. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. John

Beven and bdt46 thank you for the replies complements. Sorry about the pictures. I wasn't sure how to resize them. But yes I am happy with it. The sheepskin fur made a really comfortable pad with no slide at all. I think it will last a long time and that's good enough for me. I did learn a few things making this and that was good. So here's hoping the next project turns out better. Thanks again. John

Dirtclod thanks for the reply. Yes it is attached there. But I have the string going up threw the sling ring on both sides. (going threw the same loop as the sling). Yes I was thinking of rapping it a little to take up some slack. So far the way it sets on the shoulder is perfect no digging in anywhere. It was my first project like this and have not learned enough to go round yet but get your point on that. As for the pad it is alot of pad for me. Seems to take the weight off or just feels better. Thanks again for your comments. Next time it will be better. John

People keep looking and no comment. This was my first project. I guess it's not to good. John

So how did I do? It was my first real leather project. John

Victi thanks for the reply. That bag is not big enough for what I had in mind but appreciate the info. I want one big enough to fit my thermos in laying down in the bottom. Which would need about 15 1/2 inches on the inside. Thanks again. John

Or you could find a jacket you like at a thrift store and use that as a pattern after taking it apart. It's a thought.John

Ok I have a question. I have never made a bag before but really want to try and make one. My question is this. If I make the back piece and flap all one piece. How do I judge or measure for where the end of the flap is going to end up on the front of the bag? I want about 5 inches on the inside of the bag. So would I measure 1.the back + opening for inside + where I want it to lay on the front? That's what I am thinking but would like to ask some professionals to make sure. Also would one row of stitching be good enough? I know two rows of stitching look better and is stronger but there won't be that much weight in it. Please let me know. Thank you. John

ok hard to load them. notall there but hope you like. john

Is the link working? trying to upload a pic.