Tac

Monica... If I wasn't married, I would ask if you had a sister and what part of the Lone Star State would I have to move to in order to meet her.....

Thats funny and sad at the same time Monica.... I can't understand it. Wonder what they would have said if you told them that you "own your own business and that you build functional leather "safety equipment" for Law Enforcement and other professionals"? Guns are tools and leather work is an art form (especially when done to the level I routinely see shown on these pages by yourself and many others). Where is the "shame" in handcrafting stylish, functional and well built holsters and accessories? I am a full time LEO and I am my department's Range Master/Lead Firearms Instructor and in charge of our armory. Everyone who knows me knows that "guns" are a part of my life, my job and my hobbies. When I tell them that I also make holsters most find it interesting and I get alot of "well that makes sense" types of comments. I don't follow the train of thought that would make my holster making hobby any more odd if I had another career... School teacher or the like. If these folks want to feel better about themselves and live in a dreamworld by thinking that "guns are bad", then they obviously have never had the need for one and have no perspective of what the "real world" is. (Soap box Rant Mode: OFF) -Tac

Thanks guys... I tried to sell him a belt to match, but he wasn't interested.... He is a Sheriff's Office Detective who wears "plain clothes" and doesn't put on a uniform unless he's going to a funeral.... but he likes his ostrich.

I recently had a customer order a holster in brown ostrich skin... It turned out nice and he was so happy that he followed up with an order for a double mag pouch and a light/baton holder... I was sceptical as to how they would turn out, but I was surprised at how nice they actually looked... Here are some pictures.... Let me know what you think. http://i83.photobuck...56/100_1049.jpg http://i83.photobuck...hOstrich001.jpg http://i83.photobuck...ouchOstrich.png -Tac

Matt, The revolver holster allows for as complete of a firing grip as can be had when drawing from a pocket holster. The one I made for the Kel Tec P3AT was a little closer to the grip and gave up some of the ability to get a complete hold on the gun, so I have some patterning adjustments to make on that version. Thanks for the feedback. -Tac

Thanks for the comments Katsass. I am not one to debate politics or religion in a public forum, but sufice it to say that this Govenor has my vote so far. As to the holster, the outer material has a soft, semi-tacky feel that is hard to describe. It definately aids in keeping the holster where you put it. As for durability, it has a nylon woven core, and seems to be pretty impervious to normal wear and tear. I am sure if you drug it down the road behind a truck or slid down a gravel embankment on it, it would be destroyed, but in and out of the pocket and normal bumps and abrasions haven't seemed to have an effect on it. Like you, I wasn't satisfied with some of the commercially available pocket holsters. Most of the versions I had purchased over the years either moved around in the pocket, came out with the gun during the draw, or were too soft and printed the outline of the gun through the clothing. The one I used the most was the DeSantis Nemisis version. I liked the outer material's rubbery texture and that spawned my idea for this version. The problem with the Nemisis was always the soft side construction. The leather core of my holster is not stiff like a wet molded/formed holster, but it is rigid enought to aid in prevention of the gun's outline from printing and it remains open in the pocket, in the event you need to reholster without removing the holster from the pocket. At any rate, thanks for the comments. Any other feed back out there? -Tac

Well, summer is almost here for us folks here in the Southwest... And that means that the offical uniform of the desert dweller is going into effect.. (AKA: Shorts and t-shirt/tank top) As a result, I decided to revisit the tried and true concept of the the pocket holster.... With my home states recent passage of "Constitutional carry" removing the requirement for obtaining a CCW to carry concealed in public, I figured this might be a staple to add to the line up of holsters that I make and direct toward concealed carry. With that being said, I have started building some prototype holsters and figured I would look to the fine folks here for some suggestions, comments, advice or other color commentary... I built this design using 6-7 oz leather, smooth side in (to the gun) with the outside being laminated with a very tacky foam/rubber material that is used to line kitchen shelfs. It's intent is to fix the holster in the pocket so that it doesn't move around, it broadens the shape of the handgun to avoid printing and it assists in keeping the holster in the pocket during the draw. So far, it limited testing, it has worked as planned. I have a couple of sample prototype holsters out there now being tested and evaluated by a couple of folks. The lining material on the outside of the holster is softer than the leather so it adds to the comfort factor of having a chunk of metal in your pocket as well. Please take a look at the prototype and let me know what you think... Concept, construction and craftsmanship are all open for discussion. http://i83.photobuck...cketHolster.jpg http://i83.photobuck...ketHolster2.jpg http://i83.photobuck...HolsterP3AT.jpg http://i83.photobuck...olsterP3AT2.jpg -Tac

Big River, If you are like me, you will be happy with your 3000. I bought mine a little over a year ago and have been very pleased with mine. Prior to this machine, I had zero experience sewing on a machine of any kind and I was able to figure it out and sort of teach myself as I went along. Once you have the basics figured out and the machine set up correctly, the only thing I can recommend is to practice. Go to the local leather store and pick up some remnant peices of leather that you can sit down and practice sewing on until you get comfortable using the machine, before you attempt to build a holster on it that you intend to sell. Once you get comfortable with how the machine works and get a little practice under your belt, you will figure out how to go about sewing different styles of holsters and you will figure out what works for you and what doesn't. Once I got my machine set up to sew the correct thickness of leather that the majority of my holsters are made from and the tention adjusted properly, I haven't had to mess with it at all, besides oiling it occasionally. When I first set it up I remembered the salesman telling me that the presser foot had a ridge in the bottom that might cause me some issues with marking the leather. He advised that if I experienced this, to simply take a flat mill file and file it down flat. I did notice that it was causing me some problems on my practice peices, so I filed off the ridge and immedeately solved the problem. (Something to keep in mind if you notice the presser foot leaving marks in your leather.) Having a sewing machine has allowed me to speed up my production, experiment with new designs that I would not have tried if I had to sew them by hand and most importantly, it has taken the pain and stress out of making holsters from my sore hands and fingers. (I have some arthritis in my fingers and sewing by hand almost ended my hobby as a result.) My machine was a dealer sample used to demo at one of the Leather expos and I bought it already set up and picked it up myself to save shipping when the show was over. So considering the savings in initial cost up front, I estimate that it will have paid for it's self in just a couple of more months. I definately do not regret it's purchase at all. -Tac

I'd be proud to wear that rig to just about any Bar-B-Que in these here 50 states..... I wish I has the time and talent to learn that skill. -Tac

Wow... I am not normally a big fan of floral carved holsters, mostly because I prefer a holster that is wet molded and well boned to the gun. You have combined the two arts to create a fantastic hoster that I would be proud to wear and show off. That is beautiful. Please continue to post your work. Your style, detail boning and photography are inspirational. -Tac

If you take a small peice of scrap leather (the thicker the better) cut it into a small circle about the diameter of the handle of your awl, then poke the awl blade through the middle and leave it on the base of the awl blade (between the collet and the material you are working on), it will act as a "sheild" and prevent the marring problem you are having.... Just my dos centavos... -Tac

Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but I made this for a buddy sort of as a joke.... it's a long story. Let's just say that his Desert Eagle is lovingly referred to as his "Pimp gun" and he needed an appropriate holster... Then I made him a mag pouch and belt to match all out of the same hide... http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Tac56/100_1041.jpg -Tac

Well executed sir. I agree with your comment about it not working with jeans, but I can see it's application in cargo pants or even loose pleated slacks. My preference is a thin auto for those occasions, but the LCR is becoming a popular CCW gun around here too. Thanks for posting your work. I would have never guessed that was #2. -Tac

WoW! I would consider purchasing that holster myself... (if is could stand to wear IWB) You sir have a very good eye for detail and talent to match. Everything about that holster looks first rate, from your stitching, edges, design and finish. I wish I could get that perfect of an edge burnish and cut to my holsters every time. Also, your photography looks very professional as well. Inspiring. -Tac

I have made numerous (probably close to 100 if I had to guess) holsters using the actual firearm, rather than a bluegun or cast mold. I do all of my molding by hand, as I do not have a press, and I use the procedure that Max outlined above. The only difference that I would add is that before I wrap the pistol in pastic wrap, I usually give it a thin coat of oil (applied with my finger), this will help prevent rust in the event that the plastic wrap tears or gets a hole in it while the gun is in the wet holster, and it also helps the plastic wrap stick to the surface of the gun. Don't get wild with the plastic wrap (one to two layers is enough) or you will loose some detail in your molding. One other word of causion when using the customer's gun.. be careful when boning around the sights or near the edge of the leather near the gun. I would hate to have to explain a gouge in the grips or finish because I slipped with a boning tool or the like and hit the gun.. (or that I broke off a thin bladed front sight because I was too aggressive with my boning/molding.) -Tac

+1 for whar Dick said... and for the request to see a still-wet holster after being pressed...

I'm with Bill on this one... you can use bleach solution to sanitize Kydex..... not so good for leather.

+1 for the suggestion of having this video pinned to the tutorial part of this page. -Tac

That is a well made and easy to follow video. Thank you! Many folks that will follow after you will benifit from your experience. -Tac

Wow! That looks fantastic! I would never have believed that this was your third holster if you hadn't told me. Your attention to detail and stitching is first rate. -Tac

Nice sheath... I like the Taurus Judge sitting next to it in the last picture as well.

Another option is to use a style similar to a Bianchi holster for this type of revolver, where the "thumb break" is actually placed over the rear of the trigger guard and snaps behind the gun. The retention strap is then released by the shooter's middle finger during the draw. Here is a link to the Bianchi web site that better illistrates the design. http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=55L -Tac

Biker... I thought about the purple, but I wanted to stay within the color range of his boots that we all give him guff about, so thay would match....

I have a close friend who I have build numerous holsters for and we had a running joke between us where he was always wanting me to make him a holster for his Desert Eagle .44 magnum... The joke evolved into me calling his Desert Eagle his "Pimp gun"... That evolved into him wanting a "Pimp holster for his Pimp gun".... Below if a pic of my first attempt at using Ostrich Skin as a laminate to Veg tan leather in order to make him a "Pimp Holster". He joked that he wanted the holster to match his favorite pair of Ostrich skin cowboy boots.... I am looking forward to seeing the expression on his face when he sees this holster.... http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Tac56/100_1041.jpg http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Tac56/100_1038.jpg For my first attempt at lining the OUTSIDE of a holster, I don't think this one turned out too bad... I am sure I will improve with practice.... If I find the need to make another one. -Tac

Well Done Sir! (Nice 1911 too!)