Finding Model Guns

[TheSensei]

I have a friend who wants me to make him a couple holsters.Unfortunately, he lives on the east coast, and I don't have his guns! Ihave a friend who has the same Sig Sauer that will let me model on it,so that's taken care of. But the other gun is a Kimber Pro Carry, whichI don't have, or know anyone who has it. I've already looked atblueguns.com, but they don't have that gun, and I'm not too keen onspending $50 on a fake gun anyway unless I know I'll be doing at leasta few more with it!

Anybody have any other ideas? Is there another gun that is identicalthat I could try to find (maybe a generic blue gun that would be worthbuying)? Or is there a cheap BB/AirSoft gun that would match it and beappropriate for modeling?

[BigRiverLeather]

You can use the Blue guns 4.25" commander sized 1911, it does not have to be the Kimber specifically. Most 1911's are the same platform so you won't have any problems with that. So if you know someone that has a commander sized 1911, you can use it.

IF you get the blue gun, understand that it is not cocked and locked which is how he will likely want to carry it. This means the safety is in the on (up) position. I ground mine off, drilled a hole and installed a real mil-spec safety in the cocked and locked position. The other option is to just form it the way it is and form another postion by hand for the safety to rest in the on position.

You can also get one from www.duncansoutdoor.com. They have aluminum molds for about the same cost as the blue guns. Blue gun molds can be had for less money than you pay right from the manufacturer (Rings) but you may wait quite a while. Try www.midway.com.

[dickf]

Also note that the Pro Carry's are 4" guns, not 4.25" like true Commanders.

[TheSensei]

Also note that the Pro Carry's are 4" guns, not 4.25" like true Commanders.

That's what I thought, which is why I didn't' think it would work real well unless I did a "slide" holster, which is not what I want to do in this case. Any ideas on adjusting it for the 4" barrel?

[gregintenn]

Leave the bottom open and use any 1911 as a mold.

[particle]

That's what I thought, which is why I didn't' think it would work real well unless I did a "slide" holster, which is not what I want to do in this case. Any ideas on adjusting it for the 4" barrel?

A 4.25" barrel can easily be made to fit a 4" gun. Just trim the bottom a little shorter - flush with the 4.25" barrel so when the 4" gun is in the holster, it'll still have a little protection from the extra leather at the bottom. Here is a photo I took a little while back to demonstrate the different frame lengths to a customer.

Left to right:

Duncan's 5"

My Dan Wesson CBOB 4.25"

Ring's 3"

[dickf]

Leave the bottom open and use any 1911 as a mold.

This is not what you want to do.

Particle just recently made a beautiful rig for a 4" Crimson Carry, so I take his advice as solid.

Note the difference in the dust covers between those 3 sizes he illustrates with his photo. This is exactly why you don't want to do what gregintenn suggested.

It's always best to use the right tools for the job.

[particle]

For grins, here is a holster I just completed for a 4" that was built with my 4.25" gun. I used my standard 4.25" template then sliced off .25" from the bottom of the holster body piece before assembly. Mine sits a little proud of the surface, but a 4" gun should fit nicely with plenty of protection around the muzzle.

[Denster]

Particle you just get better and better. Your stitching is flawless. You should send some photos of your work to Tippmann I'll bet they would feature you in their monthly newsletter as a Boss user. Free advertising never hurts.

[particle]

Particle you just get better and better. Your stitching is flawless. You should send some photos of your work to Tippmann I'll bet they would feature you in their monthly newsletter as a Boss user. Free advertising never hurts.

Thanks! I actually had to rip the stitches out of one tonight - it was natural. I'm wondering if the natural, un-dyed leather affects tension? I sewed another holster without any problems, but the natural all the sudden wasn't pulling the top thread down into the leather very well. So frustrating getting tension adjusted sometimes.