Mounted Shooting Holsters

[Tree Reaper]

Stitch a good earth magnet to the back of the holster.

[Craig44]

I know the original discussion was settled a year ago but it seems to me that steel linings are used in fast draw where retention is a long distant second to drawing speed. Where the holster is just a bucket to grab from. In 30yrs of using leather holsters, most good designs will retain the gun they're fitted to without retention straps or thongs. The last Slim Jim I made, for a Colt 1860, will hold the sixgun in place even upside down. I almost never use the retention on my Slim Jims, Threepersons, Austin or Mexican loop holsters or the Mernickle PS6 concealment holster but they're only used with the guns they're fitted for. Although the aforementioned sight lock or a sticky lining like pigskin might be a good idea. Definitely wouldn't want to use a smooth lining.

Edited March 18, 2013 by Craig44

[Russ]

We are just getting started in the mounted shooting. We are also novice leather workers. Am interested in making our own holster sets and belts. As metioned above they join two layers of leather together. We are curious as to how this is done. Is the tooling and staining done first and then joined?

Are the layers glued and stitched? Also, we would like to find a pattern for the holsters. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The tooling is done before the holsters are molded, and before the lining is put in. If you are staining the holsters, I usually do it before the holsters are lined and sewn closed, to get a more even staining across the holsters. However, in a pinch I have stained after they were closed up. You just have to be more careful in the staining.

That said, 95% of my holsters are just oiled and suntanned, with white thread to show off the stitching. I tan the leather before sewing the holster together, and then tan it some more once it's put together as some touch up. Obviously, if you are staining and using white (or a different color thread than the stain) then you must stain then sew...no choice.

I don't like to stain and do a lot of colors in my gun rigs, so most of my work is oil tanned.

And yes, you install the lining with glue and stitch the edges, no matter if it's thin lining for mounted shooting or thick(er) veg tanned lining for other holsters. If you don't stitch, the edges will peel back with use. If you don't glue, the lining will wrinkle or bind in the middle of the piece.

I would suggest seeking out a holster maker in one of your local clubs and getting face to face tips. If you ask around your club who made their holsters, you will no doubt find someone close to help you out. There's some art to it, and of course experience helps. You don't need problems with your holsters when you are getting started mounted shooting.

Good luck!

Russ

Edited March 18, 2013 by Russ