CrashInBlack

How do you think it would work for suspenders or shoulder holster straps? Too oily? It doesn't really feel oily to the touch but I wouldn't want it to rub off on a shirt.

Yeah, can't say I plan on making any more of those. It's very comfortable while standing, and that's about it...

Yeah, that first one would be very awkward, but that's exactly how the customer wanted it. I'm not sure how he sits with it. I've not actually used edge cote yet, just hand-burnishing.

Here's some I finished recently. Most went to customers (actually, several to the same guy...) Stingray inlay for a Security Six. I think this is the best one I've ever done.

I just picked up one of these Oily Utility Sides from Tandy at a very good price, and I'd like some suggestions for what I can make from it. I'm thinking maybe rifle slings and bags, but I'm not sure. I've done quite a few holsters and a couple belts, but this is my first non-veg tan leather. I picked it up because it was a good deal. Thoughts/Suggestions? Thanks

I also own a Taurus PT1911 and have nothing but praise for it. Here's the best holster I've made for it so far...

Too pretty to conceal

Ok, so gun belts are going to be thicker than a normal belt. What about width? Does a wider belt carry better than a thinner one? Or does the stiffness of the belt matter more?

I'd like to start making Gun belts to go with my holsters, but I'm not entirely sure what the difference is between a normal belt and a gun belt. Are gun belts thicker? Wider? Pre-curved for the waist? What would you like to see in a really good gun belt?

New one. This one is for me, so I didn't put quite as much time into the aesthetics as I would if it were for someone else. I tried to incorporate some of your critiques into the design, like with the belt loops and grip clearance. Kind of an experimental piece with the suede section showing.

Update: My customer saw the holster for the first time today and was impressed enough to ask me to make several more for his other handguns When I do those I'll update this thread with them.

Thanks for the comments everyone. The critiques are appreciated. Let me go over some of them with you... There is actually *just* enough room to get a full grip on the gun, though the next one I make will probably have a little more. The lighter tan areas are actually an Eco-Flo stain, and this is the first time I've tried it. In person it looks kinda neat to me, but I may work on that more if my customer doesn't like it. I wore this for a bit yesterday. The pocket held it's shape without the gun in it and re-holstered nicely. The belt runs over the forward half of the trigger guard, and that seems to help hold in the grip of the gun. I made the belt loops dark brown because I figured that would work best in the greatest number of situations. The mag release for this gun is actually on the side held against the body. I think this customer wanted me to surprise him, the only requests I could get out of him were that he wanted it IWB on the right side. Considering he had been carrying it in a leather sleeve with a clip on it that didn't fit the gun anyway, I think he'll be pleased. And a question for you guys: I glued the reinforcement pieces and then stitched them. The part that holds the gun though is just stitched. Should I have glued this first also?

Thank you for the comments Shorts. I'm not quite sure what size belt he uses so I sized the loops to my own. They seemed pretty tight until I put it on, but it doesn't seem to shift around much. I did end up using some sandpaper to smooth out the tops of them after I took the pictures. I went with smooth side in on the gun housing portion mainly to provide a little extra grip on the outside against the pants. Yes, it is tuckable (my first try at a tuckable design).

A buddy of mine from school found out I've been making holsters and decided he wanted one. All he told me is that he wanted it on the right side inside the waistband. I think (hope) he'll be pleased.

Those look nice. Do you have one for each side?

I've had a lot of time on my hands lately and tend to find little projects to work on while I'm bored. This is my first attempt as an IWB holster for my Sig p230. I wear this one all the time for concealed carry. This one is my first attempt at a folding style holster for my Ruger Security Six. Also the first one I tried to make look really interesting. I tend to wear this as a cross draw at about 11 o'clock on my waist. Since these pictures were taken I've trimmed it a bit near the trigger guard for a tighter fit. Here's my newest one, also for the Ruger.