Fredo

I cant help you on how it's done right, my last attmept left a bit to be desired. However if you check out the gun, knife sheaths sub forum on here there are a lot of amazing examples over there.

Particle: I have had pretty good luck getting demensions from the guys on calguns.com. Also I have called rings blue guns, the tech dept there has been very helpful in giving me info as they are very aware that their guns are being used by many holster makers. You might give them a shout, I'm sure they will help you.

SHipping tape, the only kind I have used is the clear, seems to work best. Now I have seen one of the teachers at the local Tandy use self sticking shelf liner that seemed to work even better. It also releases a lot easier when done. I'm going to try that next.

I did a google search and I called a cpl of kydex supply houses. On average they sell it by the sheet. At least one said that for a nominal fee they will cut it into strips at whatever width I ask for. I have to buy a full sheet though. Since it is cheaper to ship in smaller containers it looks like the savings in shipping costs will wash the extra cost of cutting to my specs. The sheets are 48" X 96" so I'm thinking 48"X 1" will give me 94-95 ready to use strips. As soon as I get finnal costs I'll make sure to post the info. Oh yeah it's about 100 bucks a sheet plus custom cuts and shipping. That's not too bad, works out to less then 2 bucks a strip.

I shipp by wraping the item in that tissue paper you get in gift boxes (tie for christmas), place that in a baggie and bubble wrap. It might be a bit over kill but it works for me. No complaints from anyone yet...

Thin leather like pig skin is going to be your best bet. For fitting dont be afraid to use your wife hair drier to help "mold" the leather.

PArticle has it right. I will only leave a gun in the bag for a few minutes at most. Also I will oil the gun well before wrapping. Once the initial forming and boning is complete I take it out of the bag and clean, oil, clean and oil again. I did one last night for a friends on duty carry piece while he stood there. Of course with blue guns I tend to let them sit for as slong as I like. I'll have a cigg, go eat dinner, chalenge the wife to a game of spank and tickle....

Color me JELOUS

I have to agree, full size 1911, then onto the smaller versions. I have a ful size 1911 (real gun) I'm going to buy the officers sized S&W dummy next. Actualy dummy guns are almost as adicting as leather working so I plan to buy everyone I can before the wife sees the credit card bill

Real nice job on that holster. It fits the "era" of the S&W very well. I especialy like how you posted 3 pics of the gun and only one of the holster HA HA!

+1 what JV said:You_Rock_Emoticon:

I needed a holster for my carry piece, it's been a love hate relationship ever since. I love working, touching and smelling leather. I hate when I dont have any left to make stuff with. Also it keeps me out of the bars.

A holster I made ended up with a little bit too loose fit also. I was able to tighten it up nicely by adding a second stitch line around (slightly closer) the trigger guard. ADDED: Wow those are beautiful grips on that 1911!

WOW, your work is inspiring. Nicely done.

I want to try to make a gun belt with a insert to act as a stiffener. The problem is I cant find the right material in strips. Is anyone doing this, are you cutting your own from a sheet..Why is the sky blue? Thanks in advance for your help. Fredo

I continue to learn from the vast amount of knowledge on this site. Thank you!! So I found a new in the box food saver at a yard sale. Also even though the smart bet is on using an awl to set your stitch holes I still like drilling. So I bought a dremel-300 and the dremel workstation. The workstation is a great little divice that turns your dremel into a drill press. Anyway here is my first project using the new tools. Everything worked great, the drill is now plumb and even, the food saver makes initial forming a breeze. Posting for your always helpful critique and coments. .45 ACP IWB

My personal belt is 9-10 oz lined with 3-4 oz. Cemented and hand sewn, 1 1/2 inch wide. It can carry a full size 1911 with ease (tested it last night on a buddy's holster) When I carry my Firestar M40 it feels like it's not even there. Thats about it for my research and development,

+1 on what Dwight asked. That info makes a big difference.

Very very nice, finishes have been giving me head aches too. So everything I make is black