holster patterns

[Kayak15]

I hope this doesn't post twice. I tried once before and don't know what happened to it.

Anyway, I am new to this forum and have not done leather work for about 30 years. I think I am ready to take it up again and would like to make a holster for my Kel Tec P3AT. Can anyone tell me where I might find patterns for holsters or how do you design yours?

Thanks,

Kayak15

[Randyc]

Kayak,

I use regular file folders available in any office supply store. I picked up a box of 100 today for under 7 dollors. Any way,

I stand the weapon up with the front site on the center crease of the file folder and the rear site centered on the center crease.

I carefully lay the weapon on it's side and trace around the weapon onto the folder.

I then move the weapon back to the front and rear sites on the center crease position and carefully lay the weapon onto it's other side and trace around the weapon.

I now draw out my holster style over the tracing I just made and allowing additions for leather thickness and stitch lines.

I then cut my pattern out, following my trace lines but cutting out side of the trace lines making the pattern a little larger then needed. You can always trim your leather down, but once you have removed too much, it's gone.

The next part is more trial and error. You need to lay out your pattern onto your leather. I use a silver pen for this part. I always trace a little outside of the pattern to be sure I have enough leather for the holster.

Hope this helped. It's easier to do then to explain.

Randy

[Kayak15]

Thanks for the tip Randy. I'll give it a try. Now I just need to get to a Tandy and resupply myself with leather, etc. I think I can find a file folder around here some place. Thanks again.

Kayak15

[Hidemechanic]

There are so many different styles of weapons that it's hard to use a pat in a genaric sence unless you're doing commercial contract type work. You wind up making your own. Once you do a couple you get it down and you make alterations as you go. Next thing you know you're a patern maker.

Randy's idea is a good one, using the spine of the folder to maintain the center of the baral. I used to run into trouble, when I didn't pay attention to the center line when I fold the front to mate with the back and I'd wind up with a twist. If you do what I did you'll know what I'm talking about. The old addage, measure twice cut once. I measure a lot before I cut. Good luck. GH

[Kayak15]

Thanks GH. I am using the method Randy outlined and I think it will work well. I got a book from Tandy Leather called How to Make Holsters, on sale right now for $7.99 and it has a really good description with photo's etc. for making holsters for your own specific gun using methods much as Randy had stated. It does go into more detail and is really answering my questions. It has several patterns for different guns, but the part that is of interest to me is how to make a holster for any gun - not one of their prefab patterns. It also goes into how to stitch, hand sew, etc. and is really worth the $7.99, at least to me! Thanks again.

Kayak15

[Hidemechanic]

Good deal, we lok forward to seeing your work.GH