New Style Holster For Me, Need Feedback

[Shooter McGavin]

I like it Mike. Thanks for the help!

I sold him the 457 about 16 years ago because I didnt like the recoil of a 45 lol. When he brought it over for me to make the holster, I couldnt believe he still had it! Memories.

[Cannon]

This is my basic pattern for DA revovers (and the occasional SA as well). It includes a Hank Sloan-esque hammer shroud, and a tab to cover the rear sight.

[katsass]

I like it Mike. Thanks for the help!

I sold him the 457 about 16 years ago because I didnt like the recoil of a 45 lol. When he brought it over for me to make the holster, I couldnt believe he still had it! Memories.

Shooter, along those lines, I gave my son my first M-39-2 when I bought my 539, (which I immediately modified). That was about '73. A pic of my old 'war horse' The kid (kid hell, he's 37 years old now) still has the old 39-2, shoots it and loves it...... for a 9mm. For wheelguns, he and I both carry .44 Spls.

Cannon, that's a very nice looking piece of work, I personally like a modified 'Threeperson' style for my personal open carry holsters, but they aren't too good for concealed work. Mike

Edited September 3, 2011 by katsass

[Cannon]

I tend to agree, and find myself using a Threepersons style more than anything else. The pattern above, however, is what got me in the holster business, and is what the majority of my customers want. It does make a nice field holster for use under a coat, or heavy shirt -- nothing to snag, yet nothing in the way of getting a good firm grip on the gun, either.

[katsass]

I tend to agree, and find myself using a Threepersons style more than anything else. The pattern above, however, is what got me in the holster business, and is what the majority of my customers want. It does make a nice field holster for use under a coat, or heavy shirt -- nothing to snag, yet nothing in the way of getting a good firm grip on the gun, either.

I agree, Shortly after I started in law enforcement we began to carry the old S&W M-19 wheel guns, and a lot of us carried the Hank Sloan style holsters off duty. We then went to the S&W auto's. Some despised them for their departure from the 1911 works... but once you got onto them, they were pretty decent shooters. My son has my original M-39-2, and I still have my M-539. Mike

[Ferg]

Dan,

I like your holster work. The stitching needs some work. I suppose someone will get on my tail for bringing this up, it is hot and I am sick of perspiring all the time.

Your needle foot is pressing too hard on the leather. Don't know what machine you are using but they can all be adjusted. If that foot isn't so dad gummed tight on the leather you won't get the "Tracks" as bad and you can make the turns and stay off the close edges. Obviously there is more to it than just this but trust me it is worth the time and effort to get rid of those damn tracks.

ferg

So, I have an uncle who wants a crossdraw holster for his Colt Lawman .357 Magnum. He also doesnt like the "fancy" holsters I typically make.

So i opened up the Al Stohlman "Holsters" book and followed the instructions that pertain to making a holster for your particular revolver.

And this is what I came up with. It's 8/9oz Hermann Oak hand rubbed with a mixture of 100% neatsfoot oil, Fiebings Oil Mahogany, and Fiebings Oil Saddle Tan. I warmed it up with a heat gun and applied Fiebings Snow-Proof.

It's semi-unfinished.. I need to polish up the edges a bit still.

But before I do that, I just wanted to see if you all think I have a solid, safe, functional design going on here? If not, what areas are of concern, where do I need to pay more attention, whats going to break first? Anything you can offer up, please do so. I handle criticism well.

Also, assuming this one is good to go, can I apply a sealant over the Snow-Proof, or should that in itself be the final finish? I'm still getting a bit of dye rub off.

Thanks a bunch!

Dan

[katsass]

Dan, as a sideline....listen to Ferg on the use of a stitching machine. I see the track he mentions, but I know absolutely nothing about those infernal machines .... I hand stitch everything. Kinda go into auto mode as I watch the History channel or Nat. Geo.. Mike

[Shooter McGavin]

Ya I stitched the toe closed when the leather was pretty wet. The side stitching is doubled up and the dang welt was moving around on me causing some shift. I like the look of a heavy thread on these holsters but my 277 needed to be doubled back to get that thick look. I know it sounds like excuses, but.... I'll try to have more patience next time.

Thanks all!

[Eaglestroker]

I can't add anything that hasn't been said, but I like the look.

[Shooter McGavin]

So I took some of the feedback from this thread and proceeded on to the next project which was for a S&W 457. I'm not sure what you call this tooling style though. I wanted 2 different color dyes so I carved a "window", then thought it looked to plain so I stole the wifes camo stamp and put a border around the window. I used oil mahogany on the outer portion and the interior, and a couple coats of oil saddle tan inside the window. Finished with a few airbrushed coats of my sealant mixture. I had a difficult time taking the pics outside, but heres the best of the bunch anyway.

Then I redid the Colt Lawman holster. I ended up making a sewed on belt loop because I couldnt get the flap fold in the right position. Finish is a mixture of neatsfoot oil, and mahogany, saddle tan, and light brown oil dyes, applied haphazardly with a wool dauber to leather that was wetter in some areas than others. I think it came out pretty cool, looks like it's been around awhile. I also decided to try carving his initials in there, you can see I need plenty of practice. I do see where I could have taken some leather away from the area behind the trigger guard. Will adjust this pattern for future reference. Again, pictures came out bad but I salvaged a few.

Feedback, thought, opinions, yell at me, etc..

Thanks!

Dan