Cowboy Rig For Modern Revolvers

[glockanator]

Anyone made a cowboy rig for a Smith model 29? Have an order for one but have never seen one. Let alone made a cowboy rig.

[Randy Cornelius]

I have made western rigs for a 500 S&W, 454 Casuall and 44 mags before and the process is the same as with a single action. With heavy guns like the ones mentioned I bump up the leather to 10-12 oz instead of the 8-10 I usuall use and go with 2-1/4 in wide belt with heavy buckles and line and stitch everything.

[JLSleather]

Randy's sounds pretty close to what I use, too (7/8 outside, 3/4 inside), on a 2 1/2" wide belt of the same. For those .44 target pistols (10" barrellls) I went with a 9/10 lined with 3/4.

Are you wanting this information, or were you interested in the SHAPE and SIZE of the 29?

Edited February 5, 2014 by JLSleather

[glockanator]

I have never made a western style holster. I have some of Al Stolhman's books on them. I guess my question is can I use a pattern from his book or am I going to have to draw one up. Also if y all don't mind me asking what do you charge for gunbelt/holster combo?

[camano ridge]

Glockanator, when you say cowboy rig are you thinking Buscadero/drop loop or law Dogs type or just a western flavor. If you are just looking for a western flavor the Tom Three persons style works well for modern revolvers. You can carve it any way you like to give it as much western appeal as you want. Look on Lobos web site for some good examples of a three persons holster.The 12th picture down looks like it woould be a good one for a Model 29. http://lobogunleather.com/6_classic_tom_threepersons_style . You can use any of Gohrmleys patterns and adjust the pattern to the gun. Or you are experienced enough you know how to draw your own pattern for modern style holster, just trace the outline of your gun like you would for any other holster then picture what you would like your western holster to look like and start drawing lines arounf your rvolver and refine until you have what you want.

http://lobogunleather.com/6_classic_tom_threepersons_style

Edited February 5, 2014 by camano ridge

[glockanator]

This is the picture he sent me.

[GrampaJoel]

This pattern should get you pretty close.-->> http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/leather-craft-patterns/6015-19.aspx

Do you have a blue gun to work with fit?

Joel

Edited February 5, 2014 by GrampaJoel

[glockanator]

Yes thank you

[JLSleather]

Curious, what 'blue gun' will you use? The '29' is a .44 cal, but comes in a range of lengths ...

[Eaglestroker]

I did this rig last year for a very happy customer. It was a fun rig, the holster is essentially a loose interpretation of a Threespersons'. The gun is a model 24-3 and that is what my customer had. The 24 is pretty similar to a 29 being built on the same frame.

[glockanator]

Okay so he has decided on a Dan Wesson model 715. I have made a pattern but have a couple of questions. He just wants a holster for now but may want a gun belt for it latter. What size do I make the belt slot? Should I use Chicago screws? any help is appreciated greatly

[JLSleather]

Belt slot? You mean loop for the belt? Simple version, ask him how wide a belt he wants with it. Many belts these days are 2-ply 1 1/2- 1 3/4" wide. "Cowboy" rigs are often 2 1/4" - 2 1/2" wide. While he doesn't want a belt "right now", I don't like a lot of 'room' in there. Eaglestroker's pic above looks like a pretty good fit on the belt - not a lot of room to let the holster move or "rock".

I stitch the loop down - screws are just one more thing to bang and scratch the gun. Again, pic above. He can tell you himself, but I 'guess' that the belt loop was sewn on that holster to allow for the thumb break (?). Note that if you prefer a lower riding firearm, you could just as easily sew the top of that loop first - grain side down - then fold it over the belt and stitch the bottom. Same size belt loop, but pistol rides lower.

Oh, and Eaglestroker - nice color on that rig!

[glockanator]

This is what I came up with.

[Treed]

Here is one that I made from a pattern out of the Al Stolhman's books. They are great for a lot of the early styles covering the move from single to double action and work great with the heaver guns and heavy use.