Mounted Shooter Holsters Question

[Luge Boy]

Hello there,

I am a mounted shooter and trying to get holsters made and find everyone is so backed up I will be waiting months before seeing them.

I want to take up making my own but I have a couple questions,

Do I just follow a typical holster pattern? And if so how do I get the angle put in to go on the belt.

I want to build very basic holsters as we are wanting to make a few sets for the club to use so new people can try the sport out.

Any help would be awesome

Thanks

Rob

[D Fingers]

Start by reading all the sticky post at the top of this forum then read the 170+/- pages of the rest of this forum. Every question you might possibly have will be answered some where on this site:)

[katsass]

Hello there,

I am a mounted shooter and trying to get holsters made and find everyone is so backed up I will be waiting months before seeing them.

I want to take up making my own but I have a couple questions,

Do I just follow a typical holster pattern? And if so how do I get the angle put in to go on the belt.

I want to build very basic holsters as we are wanting to make a few sets for the club to use so new people can try the sport out.

Any help would be awesome

Thanks

Rob

FWIW from the grumpy old guy; first, get Al Stohlman's book "How to Make Holsters". Second, read it, don't just look at the pictures. That will give you the basic 'need-to-know' stuff --- such as how to make a basic pattern, how to set the cant angle, how to stitch, etc. Then --- take your time. Mike

[Luke Hatley]

Yes to what Katass said...

[Josh Ashman]

Mike (Katsass) nailed it. In addition to showing you how to make your own patterns and giving a brief rundown on assemply there are a number of patterns in the book complete with carving patterns if you decide to try your hand at that. This holster for a Ruger Single Six is straight out of the Stohlman book and my first attempt at carving

Once you have the basics down Will Ghormley's patterns are also very good, either for following "step by step" or for using as a "starting point".

Good luck and have fun,

Josh

[Luge Boy]

Thanks guys!! I am getting the books tommorow when I head into Calgary, I just wasnt sure if the mounted shooting holsters are covered in the books. I know the typical angle is around 20 to 30 but it is all personal choice. I am super excited to try this so I am able to help others. One hopefully quick question do most of you hand sew or machine? I am thinking hand sew as I dont think the money is worth it yet to buy a machine.

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Simply put, hand sewing is a talent you will always be able to use. (as long as you are getting the book for holster making, get the book on hand sewing also) There are parts of a saddle that I hand sew because I can't get a sewing machine "in there" and get the look that I want unless I hand sew it. I am sure that you will find that it will serve you well in making holsters also.

Bob

[Josh Ashman]

Thanks guys!! I am getting the books tommorow when I head into Calgary, I just wasnt sure if the mounted shooting holsters are covered in the books. I know the typical angle is around 20 to 30 but it is all personal choice. I am super excited to try this so I am able to help others. One hopefully quick question do most of you hand sew or machine? I am thinking hand sew as I dont think the money is worth it yet to buy a machine.

The Stohlman book won't have any "mounted shooting" holster patterns but it will guide you through how to make your own patterns. If you're already familiar with mounted shooting it should be relatively easy to use what he shows to get you started.

There was some information a short time ago about "sight locks" used for retention. Basicaly a leather ramp glued inside the toe of the holster that the front sight slides up then locks behind. You might want to search this out if you're not familiar with them.

FWIW I hand sew everything, that works fine for me.

Good luck,

Josh

[katsass]

FWIW from the grump: BondoBob has it right. I learned to stitch from a WWI cavalry soldier who told me that the U.S. Army would not accept any horse tack that was machine sewn, back when he was an enlisted man. It had to be hand stitched with waxed linen thread. On all of my stuff I use only waxed linen, and and hand stitch everything --- never have even tried to use a machine. Mike

Edited May 26, 2012 by katsass

[goodfella]

Mike (Katsass) nailed it. In addition to showing you how to make your own patterns and giving a brief rundown on assemply there are a number of patterns in the book complete with carving patterns if you decide to try your hand at that. This holster for a Ruger Single Six is straight out of the Stohlman book and my first attempt at carving

Once you have the basics down Will Ghormley's patterns are also very good, either for following "step by step" or for using as a "starting point".

Good luck and have fun,

Josh

WHAT A NICE LOOKING HOLSTER VERY VERY SHARP I ALSO LOVE MAKING WESTERN THINGS

[SooperJake]

I've learned a lot in just a few short weeks...read read read the forums.

Also, particle's videos on youtube are informative.

http://www.youtube.com/user/particlerealities

Listen to these guys around here as many of them have been making holsters longer than I have been alive. ...anyway....

Once you get a little information and are a little more dangerous, start making stuff. It may turn out awesome, or it may look like crap. Either way you will learn what to do and what not to do. Or, you'll figure out what questions to ask here.

The trick, I think, is to begin.

I found the forum after I started, and bought some tools and such that I didn't need, or were the wrong things to work with. Looks like you are money ahead already, if you came here first.

And then you' ll be hooked, I'll wager.

Jake