Tree Reaper Posted June 25, 2013 Report Posted June 25, 2013 One aesthetic method for total leather construction would be to line the entire leather scabbard with suede and sandwich the bolt support between the suede and the leather. Quote
Members oltoot Posted June 25, 2013 Members Report Posted June 25, 2013 Years ago, I used an old GI scabbard with a Garand I sure wish I still had and the bolt handle channel was very unobtrusive ( didn't use words like that in those days) I'll bet a good sheet metal shop could make you one from your choice of materials, maybe you could have it made from ~ 20 ga and then glue a pigskin cover over it and the rivet it on. Quote
Members camano ridge Posted June 25, 2013 Members Report Posted June 25, 2013 Something along these lines (see picture). The channel could be painted or covered with leather. Kydex could also be used to form the channel and left natural or covered with leather. If you go for kydex and don't have the experience with or are not set up for kydex PM me and I can mold the channel for you. Scott Quote https://www.facebook.com/CamanoRidgeCustomLeather?fref=ts
Members oltoot Posted June 26, 2013 Members Report Posted June 26, 2013 YEEEESSSS! talk about nostalgic (another word I didn't use in the 'good' old days) Quote
Members medsar Posted June 26, 2013 Members Report Posted June 26, 2013 When I think of a charging handle on a shotgun, I think of this: (attached image) Is that what you mean? I have to agree with the above posters -- stainless steel in 18 to 20g will work well and hold up to the elements. You don't need to go to a metal shop if you don't want to. Make a mold of the channel out of wood and then use auto body dollies to form the metal. (see attached picture). Aluminum is alluring to have because it is light, but it is not as easy to work with without more specialized metal shop tools. If you need light as well as easy to form at home, think titanium (expensive) or Kydex. Kydex will also work well (.8 or .92) but Kydex does have the problem that it gets brittle at cold temperatures. That does not mean Kydex is a bad choice, rather it means that you should use caution if you want to use the charging handle as a retention point in the scabard (didn't sound you wanted to anyway). If you have troubles or questions about forming Kydex, give me a PM. I might even have scrap around. One piece of advice that I learned the hard way from making holsters for people who abuse them: flare out the end of the charging channel holder. When the user throws the gun into the holster/scabard (literally) the charging handle gets guided into the channel. Quote
Members reuben cogburn Posted June 27, 2013 Author Members Report Posted June 27, 2013 Good points made.... Lots of things get brittle up here!...... Kolpins cases, totes and many plastics crack in temperature extremes. As me how I know! Yes, the bolt handle is like the ones pictured. I'd post pics but my digital went kablooie, during my raft ride back to town this spring.... Thanks for the offer to beld some metal. I have 11 years experience in press operation so I know the drill... I may use some tin I have lying around. Old rolled roofing that has come in handy for stuff. I'm still wanting simple.. for assembly, and potential repairs.... Thanks y'all.... Quote Quando omni flunkus moritati
Members silverwingit Posted June 27, 2013 Members Report Posted June 27, 2013 +1 on the Kydex! It's very easy to work with. It would be a snap to make a wooden mold for your bolt channel around which to form the hot Kydex. Kydex also comes in different colors. You could get creative if you want to with the available color schemes. Plus, you can stitch Kydex right into the surrounding leather with the appropriate machine or by hand. It could be the difference between something slapped together versus something designed right in. Quote
Members reuben cogburn Posted June 30, 2013 Author Members Report Posted June 30, 2013 Here is another interesting development... He wants the scabbard to serve both as rifle and shotgun... Shotgun has 21" barrel, ghost ring sights, and extended mag tube.. Rifle has 24" barrel and a scope.. bolt action... Now I'm thinking the contour for the scope is the main issue for the moment.... Maybe run the seam along the top rather than the bottom. That would make the pattern easier to lay out. I cut out a tiny rifle out of leather, and I'm gonna do a small mock-up, out of some 3oz I have.... It must look good as well as function, as it will have my name on it... Quote Quando omni flunkus moritati
Members camano ridge Posted June 30, 2013 Members Report Posted June 30, 2013 (edited) You might want to check out Alstohlmans Volume three case making. See attached picture there are two examples of rifle scabards withe scope. Also I have attatched a picture of a scbard for scoped rifle I made some time ago. Edited June 30, 2013 by camano ridge Quote https://www.facebook.com/CamanoRidgeCustomLeather?fref=ts
Members reuben cogburn Posted July 7, 2013 Author Members Report Posted July 7, 2013 I actually have the book! But it is up at my homestead at the moment and I have no access. However much of the problems have been eliminated... Now there will be two scabbards.. One for rifle.. one for shotgun... I think I've got it figured out! Thanks!! Quote Quando omni flunkus moritati
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