Tac

Very "clean" looking. Great stitching and color. For a simple rig set up, it shouts "attention to detail" and "hand crafted".... I'd like a rig like that for my Ruger Blackhawk. Perfect for when I'm hunting.... Damn.... now I have another project to get around to... -Tac

I love the color and style of the Ruger Single Six holster and belt combo. Beautiful!

Matt hit the nail on the head. A Govt (5 inch), Commander (4.25 inch) and a Officers (3.5 inch) cover the majority of slide sizes for the vast majority of makers.... The next big change is if the frame has a rail or not. Also, keep in mind the Sig series of 1911s have a stylized slide profile and that can cause issue with tightly molded and boned 1911 holsters. With the three standard size blue guns (govt, commander, officers), I have not ran into a 1911 I haven't been able to pattern a holster for. Hope that helps with your question. -Tac

I've never made a paddle holster, mostly because I've never been asked to build one and I don't use them much myself anymore. Before I retired, when I worked a plain clothes assignment that didn't require concealing my duty pistol, I tried a Blackhawk Serpa paddle holster for a while. Like others have previously stated, I did not like the belt movement and lack of stability that the holster provided and it wasn't long before I swapped the back plate paddle attachement to the belt slide version. I never looked at a paddle design as a "CCW" holster, but more as an open carry option for folks who frequently need to remove their holstered handgun. I know a lot of detectives that wear paddle holsters for that reason. They are often in and out of court and the jail, where they can't carry a gun, so the paddle makes it easier to take on and off. Most of these same folk are not "Gun People", and some of them only carry a gun because they have to, not because they think they will ever need it...(sadly). -Tac

Wow! Just as I expected, fantastic! The belt/holster combo is beautiful. Very professionally constructed and detailed. I'd be proud to call that rig my own. I really like the draw angle. Muzzle forward for fast draw just looks fast, lol. -Tac

Renegade... Can I ask where you get your belt clips from? I like the style of those. -Tac

It's a shame that that beautiful work is going to be covered up by the wearer's pants....

Wow! Can't wait to see it on a belt! Great job! -Tac

Chris, that holster is down right gorgeous! I LOVE the tan color. I wish I could get my tan to come out that even and glowing. -Tac

This may go without saying, because it is so obvious, but it really pays to make sure your tools are very sharp. A dull beveler will pull and drag on the leather, causing the leather to "bunch up", rather than cut. I am constantly sharpening my beveler to help make sure it cuts cleanly. -Tac

Wow! Shooter, that is gorgeous! I've never been a big fan of Ostrich quill, but that is beautiful and my have just changed my mind... Now I'm going to have to try a version of that on one of my pancakes... -Tac

Does anyone know why Rings doesn't just cast these type pistols with the safety in the "correct" position and save us all the trouble? Between the 1911, the Browning Hi Power, the other various "cocked and locked" guns, you would think this would be the norm, rather than the exception...

I picked up a "Dealer Sample" Artisan/Toro 3000 a few years back at the Wickenburg leather expo, and since the dealer didn't want to tote it back to California, I got it for a very decent price, all set up. He even helped me load it into my truck! LOL. I am now retired (23 years in Law Enforcement) and holstermaking was my hobby, but it is becoming more of a business now. I avarage about 5-6 holsters a month on it right now, and have really only used it for holsters. I think in the last 4 years, I've maybe made one belt on it. It has been a great machine so far. I have only broken one needle in the last 4 years and haven't had to adjust it since it was set up. Just a little oil every now and then and make sure the bobbin is loaded before I start and off I go... I could not believe how much faster it made my production routine, and how much more "professional" looking my peices came out, after I got the machine. It was definately worth every penny. -Tac

WOW!!! That is a great looking holster considering it's purpose.. I have not yet had the desire to frustrate myself by attempting a light mounted holster... Very Nice Eric. Thanks for sharing. -Tac

Big River... You need to keep that guys number handy! He did a fantastic job from what I can see from the pictures. Having someone around who can make you molds like that should seriously improve your ability to keep pace with the firearms market. That's and advantage that few custom holster maker shops have. Good on you! -Tac