Blue guns

[rickybobby]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the information. I appreciate all the information. The models you guys mentioned will be the first few I will look into.

If you don't mind telling the information, 1, How did you get your holster customers?

2, How many holsters do you make in a week?

3, Are you making heavy gun belts as well?

4, Are you selling thru gunshops? and what should I look out for doing so?

5, How did you go about starting your business?

Again, thank you for all the information you have already given.

[Shorts]

I started with 1911s. Myself and my family use them, so, building them is a no brainer. You will find differences in width in the fullsize 1911 from the various Manf. Learning which molds to use comes with a little practice. I added a certain gun if I got requests for them. That'll be a decision for you to make as to how you want to schedule to buy new ones. I'd highly recommend using model specific guns for holsters due to retention concerns. I prefer the right holster for the right model, as I think the quality is in the details. There are some models that can be used for a variety of guns, Glocks are an example, 1911s very often as well. But don't short change your reputation, its going to be your name on the leather.

For the last 6 or 7 months I've sold on Ebay and gun forums. I've tailored where by measuring my costs vs profits. Options for sale include making our own website, auction websites, forums, a local gun shop, gun shows, farmer's markets, a store front you put up.

I'm currently in the transition stage moving back home to the States so I'll have to get a few more things squared away in regards to state paperwork and FFL. Quick tip, go to your state's gov website, there should be a Business section in there that will lead you through the paperwork process. An option is Legalzoom.com

Along with holsters I make mag pouches and can make belts. Though at this stage without a machine stitcher, belts are very time intensive for cost so those will wait until the reopening. You'll have to figure out on your own what kind of pace to expect from yourself. Its not a race. And if starts to become one your quality will suffer for it. I think you should go about building for a month or so and see how you settle out as far as production goes. These first couple months you need to take notes so you can evaluate yourself. Time, materials, trends, etc. This will let you see and feel your baseline.

You'll also need to decide what kind of custom orders you'll take. I think every maker gets an oddball requests here and there. You need to decide if its worth your costs and TIME to pattern it and build it. If so, I highly recommend you get your money first. Its not fun to be left holding the bag on an odd part that doesn't really fit anything else when the customer up and vanishes.

Edited November 5, 2008 by Shorts

[rickybobby]

Shorts,

Thanks for the information!! I have Glocks and some friends of mine have them but here in Az. everyone has 1911's and I get teased something fierce!! lol!!

I would rather turn out really nice pieces that are durable and safe so I am learning as much as I can and trying different things on leather and carrying them to see what works and what does not. It cost some money for materials but this way my mistakes stay with me and do not make it to a customer. I am also developing my own style of things, take off's from others ideas but not a total rip off! There are some great holster makeers on this site and the web, I do draw from these but try to make them "my own" as well.

Thanks again,

Rick Jorgenson

[Tac]

RickyBobby... I agree with K-man on the recommended models. I live in Az. as well, and I sell 90% of the hosters I make to cops ( I am one, so they seem to trust me). Find out what the PD in your area carries or authorizes for off-duty carry and start from there. In the metro-Phoenix area it's either Glock (about 80%) or Sig (about 15%) or 1911 (5%) for issued/uniform guns.... Alot of cops have to carry their duty gun when they are in plain clothes as detectives or while attending court, training, etc. and they are looking for a plain clothes (not a duty belt style) holster for that gun.... Off duty guns tend to be smaller versions of the full sized duty gun. The J-frame S&W .38 is always a popular off duty gun/back up weapon, with the Glock 26/27 being a large performer too in that area.

In Az you will NEVER go wrong building a good 1911 holster....

Outside the L.E. market, look at the XD, Glock, 1911, J-frame S&W, Kel-Tec and Kahr Arms. These guns are all popular with the CCW crowd for obvious reasons.

Good Luck.

-Tac

[hivemind]

Have you considered using airsoft guns for molds? Many of them are correct in all dimensions to the real thing, and you could pick up a broken gas pistol on many airsoft forums for a song ($20-$30).

[rickybobby]

Have you considered using airsoft guns for molds? Many of them are correct in all dimensions to the real thing, and you could pick up a broken gas pistol on many airsoft forums for a song ($20-$30).

Thanks for the tip,

I have heard of others picking up toy guns on ebay to mold off of but I worry about sizing. To get proper "draw" vs. retension for a customer I think the "blue guns" are the way to go. They are $35.00 and you can put them in a press, rub on them to mold to shape and not worry about breaking them and they are EXACT size of the guns your customer will be carrying.

I am lucky the owner of the saddleshop I work at has a friend that owns the gunshop down the street so when I need a gun to size for a customers gun I get the real thing to work with. But I am starting my own leather business from home and all the expence is mine so I need to buy blue guns a few at a time.

Rick J.

[mattsh]

Rick,

There is another alternative to the blue guns. There are two companies I know of that do aluminum molds as training aids. The guns are dimensionally correct and are nearly indestructable.

Do a Google search for Duncan Customs in Michigan and Lindell Aluminum Training in Kansas City, MO.

[Snakebyte]

If you need blue guns, I am a dealer. Also for asp red guns.

You can reach me here:

crash_man_86@hotmail.com

-or- PM me

[rickybobby]

Rick,

There is another alternative to the blue guns. There are two companies I know of that do aluminum molds as training aids. The guns are dimensionally correct and are nearly indestructable.

Do a Google search for Duncan Customs in Michigan and Lindell Aluminum Training in Kansas City, MO.

Thanks for the information. I looked into these, the website for Duncan did not give prices and Lindell did not appear to have the guns on their site. I also have read on another forum that duncan molds were not very good, I have seen pictures and they did not appear to have as good of detail as the Lindell molds.

Rick J.

[Srigs]

Here is the best place I have found for blue guns.

Blue Guns

I would recommend...

J-frame

Ruger SP101 and LCP

Kahr

Kel-tec PF9, P3xx

Glock 26, 19, 17, 20/21, 30 and 36

XD 3 and 4"

1911 3, 4, 4.25, 5

M&P full size and compact

Sigs 229, 239 and 230/2

Hope this helps.