Open Fire

[Steve Lowe]

Okay, gang... Fire at will, and I don't mean shoot a guy named Will.

I am a newbie to the leather craft.

I have been messing around with leather for only a couple of years and been making Conceal-Carry type holsters for about four to six to eight months and have sold a few. I have always wanted a "Cowboy" holster for my .357 revolver but could not see my self paying the price. So a few weeks ago I bought the pattern from Tandy and made my belt. I also found a PDF -not here- from Jim Simmons. His PDF was instrumental in my making the holster for my Ruger.

So, Jim Simmons, if you happen to run across this thread i want to offer a huge Thank You for the PDF instructions.

Below are a few pictures of my rig. I also have a couple of questions that I am confused about and am hopeful I will be able to get them answered here.

My question is belt sizing. The instructions with the pattern i got from Tandy was a bit confusing. I have the Billet, and the Buckle Strap placement down, but the belt length to go with a specific waist size baffles me.

Is there a general rule on how long to make the belt, for a waist size. the instructions said to add or subtract per the waist size, but my math didn't add up and make sense to me.

Any and all comments regarding my work are welcomed. I have a thick skin (my real job is customer service for software in the construction industry) so I can take negative feedback as well as positive. please be brutally honest as I want to improve to the level of a master craftsman.

So, FIRE AT WILL...

Thanks ahead of time

-Steve

Hang on gang.... let me make the pictures smaller.... they are tooooooooo big

PS I should also mention that I have not added the Guntraq (sp) to the back or the EdgeKote to the edges yet. And you will see some sewing mistakes. that goes along with my sizing questions... DOH! it was too big at first and I had to redo the buckle and the Billet.

Edited June 14, 2012 by Custom Holsters

[jmkjmk2]

Looks great! I really like it!!!

[MBOGO]

I'm not a belt making guy, but the rule of thumb for a gunbelt of this style is five inches longer than the waist size. So a 38 waist, size it for a 43 waist. how's that sound.

Looks good, I'd cut a little lower at the back ot the trigger guard, closer to the metal in other words.

[mcn]

I had the same problem when I made my first holster belt. My pant size and my measured waist size are not the same Kind of disappointing actually . I can wear my holster but it has to be on the last hole,

[Jimbob]

Nice work, heck of a rig you made there....few things to point out...

It needs a liner, liner makes it look, feel and last better.....also your finish on the edges needs a little more...burnish and wax, then dye in a contras color....neat cartridge loops....looks good!

Second the issue with the trigger guard....

Keep it coming and you will see....the next one will be even better than this one!!

ood work!!

Aloha...

Jimbob

[renegadelizard]

+1 on the liner...if you are not going to line, then dye the inside and rub it down with gum trag..(this is the only use i have found for the stuff...i would do your edges with either dye then finish when wet from the dyde, or just plain water..i did a holster last night damp from the dye and wow...try it, you will love it...glass smooth..finish the edges of your belt pieces before you sew it on...anything you cant get to when the holster is assembled should be done before you pick up a needle...these places are often overlooked, i still make that mistake frequently...+2 on the trigger guard area..expose that trigger ..lol....also, you might want to round off the botton edge a little...leather corners like to lift...all in all, you have just completed a monumental project, and for a first it turned out quite nice...cant wait to see the next one..