North American Arms mini-revolver holster

[Doktor]

I would first like to do the intro thing, I did a little leather work 33 years ago as diversional therapy. But haven't done anything really too constructive other than a purse I gave to my Mom probably 32 years ago.

I retired from the military back in '88, am currently retired and living in South Carolina.

I had an accidental discharge with one of my NAA revolvers, and accidently shot myself in the finger because the hammer had come off the safety notch, I had the revolver loose in my pocket, the finger survived but it has placed a DEEP desire in me to not shoot myself again!!!

I would like to make something a little more decorative than the rough-out pocket holster, or the slippery nylon one that they list on their website. I am kind of thinking something in the idea of a western style rig, but with the hammer protected, (to prevent shooting myself again) That would sort of mount as a weak side parallel with the belt. My dilemma is they are very small and most of the basket weave stamps that Tandy had seemed to be way too huge, like 6 repetitions, and then the next row.

I am left handed as well, which severely limits the amount of "big" holsters, and reducing it on a copier. I have little tooling experience, and 6 of those little revolvers in different configurations, barrel lengths, long rifle, magnum, black-powder long rifle, and magnum, and so I really don't want to use a generic style, they are all individuals,and I'd like to individualize holsters for them. They have a flapped holster similar to the style used during the Civil War (War of Northern Aggression) and that would be appropriate for the black-powder revolvers, except they only make it RIGHT HANDED.

HALF THE HANDS IN THE WORLD ARE LEFT ONES, why are we left out??????

Has any one taken on one of those little guys?

Is there anyone that knows if there is a "small" basket-weave stamp, small enough to not look incorrect on a 4 1/2 inch long revolver?

Help

Doc

Edited June 11, 2008 by Doktor

[tazzmann]

Have you looked into something like this...

This fit a small deringer at the last gun show I was at. Overall height of the holster is 4 1/2".

[indypbear]

Hey Doc,

Welcome to the forum and glad you're "getting back on the bike". There are a great bunch of craftsmen & women here with a wealth of knowledge and skill. Show us a picture of the firearm(s). Left hand is easy just flip the pattern over and do everything in your right mind. Is it a 4 1/2" barrel or overall length? What size basketweave do you want? I have access to several that will do the job. With guidance and a little practice and you can make any of them work.

Let me know how I can help you further.

Indy

PS-No ADs OK. They hurt and are embarrassing to explain too! Had a policeman here that had an AD when he placed his Taurus .45 auto in the back of is pants and they lovingly (yeah right) call him "crack shot" now. Whew, that hurts just thinking about it!!!!!!!!

Edited June 11, 2008 by indypbear

[indypbear]

Have you looked into something like this...

This fit a small deringer at the last gun show I was at. Overall height of the holster is 4 1/2".

Mike,

Did you make this one?

Indy

[Doktor]

That is pretty much what I was thinking of except the mount would be horizontal, crossdraw style, with the hammer forward, and retained, with a small snap similar to many in-the-waistband style nylon holsters, for a fast release.

I have attached from the manufacturer's website, to give perspective, the cylinder is just long enough to contain the average .22 long-rifle cartridge without scraping the end of the bullet.

The magnum adds another 1 1/4" overall

I guess I don't really know what size basketweave I need, but the one on the knife sheath looks pretty much like what I am looking for. I am not real sure what sizes that the Tandy shop here had, but that is about the biggest I would like to go with, and if there were a smaller one it may be even better.

I appreciate your prompt responses, this really seems to be a very friendly forum, and forgiving of newbies and the many, many, questions.

By the way, I LOVE how much easier this website is to get pictures uploaded than some other sites.

• 
  Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
  
• 
  Capacity: 5
  
• 
  Material: 17-4 pH stainless steel
  
• 
  Barrel Length: 1 1/8"
  
• 
  Overall Length: 4"
  
• 
  Overall Height: 2 3/8"
  
• 
  Width: 13/16"
  
• 
  Weight: 4.5 oz. unloaded
  
  
• Long Rifle Magnum
  
  
• 
  
  

Edited June 11, 2008 by Doktor

[indypbear]

That is pretty much what I was thinking of except the mount would be horizontal, crossdraw style, with the hammer forward, and retained, with a small snap similar to many in-the-waistband style nylon holsters, for a fast release.

I have attached from the manufacturer's website, to give perspective, the cylinder is just long enough to contain the average .22 long-rifle cartridge without scraping the end of the bullet.

The magnum adds another 1 1/4" overall

I guess I don't really know what size basketweave I need, but the one on the knife sheath looks pretty much like what I am looking for. I am not real sure what sizes that the Tandy shop here had, but that is about the biggest I would like to go with, and if there were a smaller one it may be even better.

I appreciate your prompt responses, this really seems to be a very friendly forum, and forgiving of newbies and the many, many, questions.

By the way, I LOVE how much easier this website is to get pictures uploaded than some other sites.

• Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

• Capacity: 5

• Material: 17-4 pH stainless steel

• Barrel Length: 1 1/8"

• Overall Length: 4"

• Overall Height: 2 3/8"

• Width: 13/16"

• Weight: 4.5 oz. unloaded

• Long Rifle Magnum

• 

Dok,

What models are those examples? Get back with me at <front_line42@yahoo.com>. I can't upload the file with a couple of holster pictures since it is 2.7MB in .pdf and my .jpg won't load. I'll send it by direct email if that this doesn't work.

Indy

Edited June 11, 2008 by indypbear

[Doktor]

Email sent, thanks alot.

This is one of the friendliest forums on the net

Doc

[icdux1]

this might give you some ideas. i made this pocket holster in 1997, belive it or not one of the 2 guns shown has ridden in that holster in my left frt pocket EVERYDAY since then. the great thing about the naa is it`s so small you forget it`s there. the holster keeps the gun right side up and from banging around in the pocket. be advised that you will have to clean the lint out of it every month or so. i have had to restich it 1 time , but still thats pretty good service. also note i carry nothing else in that pocket, and have never had any problems.

[Doktor]

this might give you some ideas. i made this pocket holster in 1997, belive it or not one of the 2 guns shown has ridden in that holster in my left frt pocket EVERYDAY since then. the great thing about the naa is it`s so small you forget it`s there. the holster keeps the gun right side up and from banging around in the pocket. be advised that you will have to clean the lint out of it every month or so. i have had to restich it 1 time , but still thats pretty good service. also note i carry nothing else in that pocket, and have never had any problems.

I have one of that type, the one that NAA sells on their website. I was more looking at something that could be belt mounted and parallel with the belt. I have a lot of stuff that winds up in my pockets, that is how I wound up shooting myself, somehow the hammer came off the "safety" notch while in my pocket. Admittedly, I didn't have it holstered, but I have become a little paranoid about carrying the little guy in my pocket, don't want anymore AD's, they hurt!!!

I have seen some sheaths where it opens horizontally, that is what I am kind of looking for. I have sort of been considering combining a tooled holster as a covering for a formed kydex retention, and avoid having to put a snap on the leather portion, with the holster being held on the belt with leather.

I have got some great ideas from from perusing this forum, and I can't wait to get to the point where I can be of assistance to other folks. Thanks

Doc

[TwinOaks]

Hi Doktor,

Welcome to LW.net! As far as any holster pattern you want to do, regardless of size, you can do it on your computer. If you can get the image, you can resize it however you like, and if it's RH holster....just flip/mirror the image. Almost any graphics/photo program has this ability, and if you don't have one of the high dollar programs, don't worry, there's lots of free ones that will do it.

For the holster design, have you considered something like a horizontal sunglass case that's attached via belt clip? Maybe a PDA/cell case? Not that you should use one of these per se, but what a concealment job that would be! Worn openly and it looks like a pair of sunglasses on your belt. Of course, you'd attach with a loop, instead of a clip.

[Hammerhead]

heres my little basketweave lefty

[Doktor]

That is a good looking holster, Hammerhead, a little more open than I am looking for, but very nice. I just got an email from Tandy, I now have a better idea about their basketweave stamps, as they were all together on one screen, I was having a hard time with the stamps all having their own item picture on their website. It don't hurt that they are all half price, (break my heart, lol) on the advertisement, either.

Just FYI, it will be worn under an untucked shirt, but I still want it to look good!

Thanks for your help, everyone.

Doc

Edited June 13, 2008 by Doktor

[Doktor]

That is a good looking holster, Hammerhead, a little more open than I am looking for, but very nice. I just got an email from Tandy, I now have a better idea about their basketweave stamps, as they were all together on one screen, I was having a hard time with the stamps all having their own item picture on their website. It don't hurt that they are all half price, (break my heart, lol) on the advertisement, either.

Just FYI, it will be worn under an untucked shirt, but I still want it to look good!

Thanks for your help, everyone.

Doc

Went by the Tandy store on the way back from the flea market, came out about $60 poorer, but Craft-tool richer, I will probably get started on the first attempt Tuesday or Wednesday. I got the smallest Basketweave stamp they had, I think it is #801, so the stamping may take forever. I had a thought about doing some swivelknife work around the cylinder area, to get a little break from that little stamp, and put some individuality on the holster. The first will be for my Limited Edition NAA gold plated black-powder revolver, so I am hoping that it is at least acceptable, will post some pictures as it progresses, assuming the Kydex comes in Monday.

Doc

[tazzmann]

Sorry I didn't get back to this thread earlier. My contract ended,so I have spent my time job searching. Anyway, indy, yes I did make that holster. It works great for the guns that Doktor is trying to get holsters for. I have a gun shop locally that has them and I tried a couple out. The guy said he may have me make some for his shop to sell with the guns. Could be a good part time deal! If you want the pattern, send me a pm with your email address.

Mike

[Doktor]

Dok,

What models are those examples? Get back with me at <front_line42@yahoo.com>. I can't upload the file with a couple of holster pictures since it is 2.7MB in .pdf and my .jpg won't load. I'll send it by direct email if that this doesn't work.

Indy

Indy,

Thanks alot for your care package in the mailbox this afternoon, I am very sure that I can make it work for my purposes, that was WAY ABOVE AND BEYOND just helping out with a problem on the internet, as soon as you get online, there will be alot of "free advertising" to my various and sundry contacts, internet and through my contacts through the Veteran's hospital, and onpost.

Thank you, also, for your acknowledgement. Your welcome.

God bless

Doc

[indypbear]

Indy,

Thanks alot for your care package in the mailbox this afternoon, I am very sure that I can make it work for my purposes, that was WAY ABOVE AND BEYOND just helping out with a problem on the internet, as soon as you get online, there will be alot of "free advertising" to my various and sundry contacts, internet and through my contacts through the Veteran's hospital, and onpost.

Thank you, also, for your acknowledgement. Your welcome.

God bless

Doc

Your welcome. That pattern has become really popular with the pocket knife set. There are a couple of stores in NM near Philmont Scout Ranch that sell as many as I can make during the Summer camping season. Goes good with our Fleur de Leis 1 1/4" concho! If you have any challenges with the assembly I can take some pictures to show the way. Post a picture of what you make with it if you use it. I'd like to see your project.

We can always use more good customers and good advertising. Our motto is "If you don't see it-Ask anyway. We'll help you find your answer".

Best regards,

Indy

Edited June 18, 2008 by indypbear