My First Holster & Questions

[Hilborne]

I appreciate all the helpful comments. Boomstick assumed the use of a sewing machine, mine is a Sore Pinky model with both left and right hand operation, usually running horizontally North and South. Unfortunately I read the manual after I used it and ended up with a couple of bloody fingers. I think I'll stick with my current method of stitch first then mold. I just need to perfect it a little.

Jordon you have a good point about molding too tight around the trigger and one should keep that in mind. On the other hand I haven't heard of one going bang because of it, but have heard of a police officer having an accident with a Glock. He was wearing a piece of clothing that had a toggle hanging on his strong side and it got tangled up in his trigger guard when he holster it and didn't realize it until he took the weapon out and it pulled the trigger.

Thanks for the comments everyone, I'll put a picture up as soon as I get another one done.

Andy

[WaG35]

I actually do a little of both. I do all of the stitching except fot the stitching around the trigger guard before I mold. I handstitch, so it doesn't seem to be a problem. After molding I go back and add the stitching around the trigger guard. The one flat back holster that I did, I molded then stitched. Either way works, I just don't have enough experience to say which one works better.

[Billsotx]

I appreciate all the helpful comments. Boomstick assumed the use of a sewing machine, mine is a Sore Pinky model with both left and right hand operation, usually running horizontally North and South. Unfortunately I read the manual after I used it and ended up with a couple of bloody fingers. I think I'll stick with my current method of stitch first then mold. I just need to perfect it a little.

Jordon you have a good point about molding too tight around the trigger and one should keep that in mind. On the other hand I haven't heard of one going bang because of it, but have heard of a police officer having an accident with a Glock. He was wearing a piece of clothing that had a toggle hanging on his strong side and it got tangled up in his trigger guard when he holster it and didn't realize it until he took the weapon out and it pulled the trigger.

Thanks for the comments everyone, I'll put a picture up as soon as I get another one done.

Andy

Andy,

Cut you some little strips, like small band-aids, from mole skin to make padding for your fingers. Band-aids won't last long, but the mole skin will hold up for several hours. You'll eventually get callouses and won't need to do that; it'll ease the pain in the mean time. The Art of Hand Sewing by Stohlman is the bible on stitching if you don't have a copy it's worth the dime.

[Hilborne]

WaG53

I actually do a little of both. I do all of the stitching except fot the stitching around the trigger guard before I mold. I handstitch, so it doesn't seem to be a problem. After molding I go back and add the stitching around the trigger guard.

I'm going to experiment with this idea. Taking the day off from work and think I may have to work on a new holster.

Billsotx

Cut you some little strips, like small band-aids, from mole skin to make padding for your fingers. Band-aids won't last long, but the mole skin will hold up for several hours. You'll eventually get callouses and won't need to do that; it'll ease the pain in the mean time. The Art of Hand Sewing by Stohlman is the bible on stitching if you don't have a copy it's worth the dime.

I have Stohlman's book and it is worth the dime and then some. I'll take your advice on the mole skin. I tried a pair of gloves, and although they are real thin of a man made material to act and wear like leather they are too sticky and didn't really keep from irritating the cuts on my fingers. I think part of the problem is I just get too excited about doing it and can seem to slow down. At the time of stitching I don't feel the pain.

Andy

[Srigs]

Depending on which model of holster if I lightly cold wet mold the leather or mold after it is stitched. Pancake holsters are generally stitched before and flat backed holsters are cold wet formed for the out side then stitched.

Try them out yourself and then choose what works for you.

[Hilborne]

Srigs

I'm in the West Suburbs and see on the local forum you and some of the other holster nuts get together once in awhile. You guys have a holster party in the planning? I liked to observe if I could. Thanks.

Andy