New Holster for a 1911

[K-Man]

I can't believe ya'll would say such nice things about his holster - shame, shame, shame. I was always taught to not say anything at all unless I could say something nice.... Hmm...well....uh....let me see - the maker's stamp looks nice. Kind of looks like a billboard to me.

Bruce, it looks like you need to sign up for my all-special, how to make a real holster, class. It's a 3-day intensive training class on how to learn how to make holsters. The cost, you ask? A very reasonable $2400. I only offer one of these a year, and I only have one seat/opening left available. So you best sign up quick if'n you want to learn anything. I think you could greatly benefit from this class....

Nice holster there, my friend. Like Rhome mentioned, I also think the extra line around the edge(s) adds a nice accent. Keep up the good work.

[BruceGibson]

Thank you, sir. You had me goin' there for a couple paragraphs. I was bracin' myself for the zinger.

Keep in mind, I've spent a lot of years dealing with rodeo gear--primarily bullriding equipment. With that, you should know that there's danged few cowboys that ever spend any time with $2400 whole dollars all at once in the same place.

You jest about the holster-making class, but I think that'd be a heck of an idea. If you're serious about it, we might be able to wrangle up some students.

Edited August 12, 2008 by BruceGibson

[Rolf]

Thank you, Randy. I haven't been cutting the dye--use it full strength. I did discover that it's not just me...on the Kramer Gunleather site, in their FAQ's they talk about the tan/light brown and what a roll of the dice it is. I believe they actually charge more for it because it is unpredictable. Here's a link to them--the question/answer is #39:

Kramer Gunleather

Bruce, very nice and professional holster, I like it very much! How often did you dye it? I always get very dark results with fiebings light & medium brown and tan dye's when I dye the leather more than once.

[BruceGibson]

Bruce, very nice and professional holster, I like it very much! How often did you dye it? I always get very dark results with fiebings light & medium brown and tan dye's when I dye the leather more than once.

Thank you, Rolf. I only dyed it once. I used sheepskin to wipe the dye on back and front of the face piece (didn't dip/vat dye this one) and then molded. The wetting process for molding seems to be the factor that causes the dye changes--the "blotching." The color always looks even and "right," until after molding--then, it's anybody's game.

[Srigs]

Nice job Bruce.

Browns are always tougher to get consistent results.

About classes... A couple of our MN carry forums get together every month or so at my place or another members to have people make their own holsters with help from the folks like use who have made a few. I guess I need to charge for the class now

[K-Man]

Edited August 14, 2008 by K-Man

[okie44]

I'll be first to admit that my holster stitching is nowhere near as good as yours, and I mostly just tinker, and only make a few for my own use, but I always do my molding and forming before I dye the holster. I don't know if there is a good reason not to do that, but I've not had much problem with dye splotching. Maybe I've just been lucky. I am impressed with the design and construction of your holster.

[BruceGibson]

Thanks, Erik & Okie.

I like the color, but as I mentioned before, it's a throw of the dice for me with the light brown. Most of the time they come out okay, but once in awhile it's got a mind of its own.

I will keep the "black" solution in mind for the next dud...if the brown's too splotchy, I'll drop it in the black dye.

Problem solved. Sorta.

[badLoveLeather]

Is that what a factory slug looks like? My Pops is a retired Cop and avid gun man and hes been after me to get into the Holster business.

[BruceGibson]

Is that what a factory slug looks like? My Pops is a retired Cop and avid gun man and hes been after me to get into the Holster business.

Thanks everybody for the kind words. I've never heard them called a "slug," but if you're talking about the Blue Gun, that's what they look like. The one in the picture is some kind of plastic. You can also get them in aluminum. I prefer the Blue Guns from Rings because of the detail and closer specs. However, they will break in a press (which I discovered recently).