Colt Hammerless

Thanks Dwight. I was planning on putting the strap around the back of the slide between the slide and hammer, like you mentioned. It sounds like after stretching for the ambi safety, it won't be as tight on the single safety gun. Don't see any way around that, so guess I don't have a choice. I'll make sure he's aware of that. Paul

I have a customer who wants a thumb break holster for a 1911. I know he wants to use the holster for a couple of his 1911s. The problem is the main gun that the holster will be carrying has a single sided thumb safety. The other guns he wants to carry in there have ambi safeties. If I make the strap to fit the ambi safety, I wonder how loose the strap will be when he's carrying the gun with the single safety. Is it loose enough to matter? This will be the first thumb break holster I've made. Paul

Thanks for the picture zoomer56. I'm pretty sure that Toro 3000 sitting next to the Cobra 3 is mine! Steve picked it up at the Denver show, and just got back into town with it this week. Paul

I use a wood dowel (likely 1/4 inch diameter) with sandpaper wrapped around it. I tape the sandpaper at the top and the bottom. I then stick it in the drill press. Works pretty fast. Paul

Here's one Eric Adams, aka "Particle" did a little while back. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=45875&hl=crossdraw Paul

Sorry for your loss tanda4. Curious as to what type of exotic wood you had in mind.

Thanks guys!

That is a pretty good idea tnawrot2. Ran, another option would be a used 9 inch 441 clone from one of the dealers. I just bought a used Toro 3000 from Cobra Steve. Contact your favorite/closest dealer and see what they have in stock on used ones. Paul

I have dummy guns for traditional 1911 slides both with and without rails, so I should be good for those. I might even be able to insert my traditonal slide/railed 1911 in the holster first, then put the Sig dummy in to open it up for the slide, to make railed Sig 1911 holsters. Just thinking for the future, I'm not ordering the dummy just yet. Soon though. Lobo, That SUCKS! Oh well, you can buy a dummy now, and put less wear and tear on your shooter. The only time you have too many good guns, is when there's no more room in the safe, and no room for a new safe! Paul

Rob at Bluegunstore.com announced over a week ago that Ring's is making a dummy for the Sig Nitron 1911, which has the proprietary Sig slide profile. Sig has so many different models of 1911s, I was wondering if any of you know if the slide dimensions (thickness, and radius, not length of course,) are the same for all of their models that have the "Sig Profile." Not speaking of the "Traditional" models, which have standard 1911 profiled slides. Paul

Haven't posted any of my work in a little while. Here's one I sent out not too long ago for a railed 1911 ( a Dan Wesson Specialist.) 8oz. W&C saddle skirting with Fiebing's Pro Oil Black. Finish is Angelus 600. Paul

You might want to contact some of the vendors on Etsy to see if they have something you can use. I did a quick search for "green webbing" and there were close to 900 results. I looked at a couple and they were heavy weight, but only 1.25 inch wide. You could ask them if they have any 1.5 inch though. Paul

I like that stamping pattern Robert! It makes it look strong, like some sort of linked armour. Sort of a modern chain mail look. Paul

Springfield also sells that latigo in several different weights as a side. As well, if you are just looking to make one or two belts, they sell it as belt strips in different weights (depending on what width of belt strip you buy.) Their 1.5 inch belt straps in this leather are cut from 9-10 oz. RJF sales, who is an advertiser on this site, also sells burgundy latigo in several weights. Here's a link to the Springfield belt strips: http://springfieldleather.com/30392/Strap%2CLatigo%2CBurg%2C1-1-2%22x84%22/ Paul

I've thought about that too, after looking at the single stage press mounted to my loading bench. I'm pretty certain nobody makes a "die and shellholder" for this purpose, but I figured a machine shop or a welder could make something up pretty easily. I never did anything about it, as I've been using the drill press as an arbor press for that purpose. I bet the reloading press would be a bit easier to use though. Paul

That's really cool Josh! Paul

Bunkhouse Tools has this one: http://www.shop.bunkhousetools.com/Magnum-4-Barrel-929.htm Kind of generic in the description but I'm assuming it's an N Frame. They give the dimensions there. If you e-mail them, they'll tell you what it's a mould for. I would think the Duncan's aluminum dummy will last longer if you're using a press to wet form though. Paul

Particle, I saw that you had been using them a bit, and I guess I assumed that you had airbrushed them. Angelus makes great dyes and finishes. They have a lot of colors, and I think their Angelus 600 series of finishes are easier to apply than Resolene, at least when using a brush, or sponge. Less chance of bubbles. Paul

That's a really nice holster Matt! I like the brown, and you did a great job with the airbrushing. I haven't airbrushed edges in a while because of the smell. It just lingers in the shop for the rest of the day. Eric Adams (Particle) has airbrushed with the Tandy Pro Waterstains. I'm wondering if that might solve your and my problem with the fumes. Paul

Nice collection Bruce! There's a couple of makers I had not heard of in there. I've seen a couple of Wm Brown round knives for sale recently but didn't snag any. While at the trade show in Wickenburg in Feb. I was rumaging through Bob Douglas' bargain bin and found a J.English and H.Hubers round knife for 3 dollars. He came over and we talked about it for a bit. I think he was surprised that I'd heard of them and knew the general timeline they were in business. It's certainly a bit worn, as are the markings, and doesn't have the original handle, but it should be neat to sharpen up and use on occasion. Paul

I wish I had seen this earlier. I could have hijacked the truck as it was passing through. ARGHHH! Oh well, next time! And congrats! Paul

Yeah, I got an email from them about the surcharge back in April. You have me a bit worried about that shipping quote. I've only bought two backs from them so far, and only had one of them shipped. The other one they brought with them to the trade show in Wickenburg (which will be in Prescott next year.) Paul

Jeff L, I'm surprised W&C quoted you that much for shipping. I bought an 8/10 oz. skirting back (20 sq. ft.) and they shipped it to me in AZ for right about $20 if memory serves. It certainly wasn't $40-50. Springfield's very good about shipping as inexpensively as possible. Paul

Duncan's makes dummies for the EMP. At least they used to, I would assume they still do. I looked at their updated inventory the other day, and didn't see one. You might contact them and see if they'll make you one on their next production run. Be advised, they mold them with the safety OFF (dang it!!!) I still need to modify mine by grinding off the safety and putting a different one on in the proper position. Paul

SooperJake, If you put it on really thick it can be tacky for a few days. I only seem to get it thick like that if I'm brushing it on. If I use an airbrush, or dip it, it doesn't stay tacky very long. Now that it's summer it feels like it's ready to head out the door only a few hours afterward, although I still wait at least a day. I like the Angelus 600 series better than Resolene if I'm going to brush it on, as it seems far less likely to have little bubbles pop up. If I'm airbrushing, then Resolene (also cut 50 percent with water) works just as well. Thanks Southernbeau! My stitching was a bit too close on this one as I had to pound the dummy gun in pretty hard with a rubber mallet. I'll need to loosen it a touch on the next one. Paul