1St Holster - Feedback Much Appreciated!

[hobbihorse]

Well...here are pics of my first holster. I made a paper pattern of the pistol, then transferred it to leather.

I could not fit the holster while I was making it cause the pistol is in Nevada, and I reside in California.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will fit!

[Dan28]

Looks nice to me. I hope the gun fits nicely. I've only made two holsters, both for myself and rather plain, but I don't think I could have gotten them to work if I didn't have the pistol in hand to do it.

[hobbihorse]

Thanks Dan!
Yeah, I think it was a bit ambitious of me to make my 1st holster without the pistol to fit along the way.

Did you line your holster? I lined mine with a 2-3oz chrome tanned leather, and I'm thinking that may not have been such a good idea, fit wise.

I'll know soon enough...after send it off - but since it is not a Christmas present, no need to hurry if off to the post office.

[camano ridge]

I would warn the person you are giving it to that it is lined with chrome tanned. leather. Veg tan lining is best. Chrome tanned hides contain chormium salts that may very well harm the guns finish. All though the holster looks good for the first one, you may want to just call it a prototype and redo with a different lining.

This is a qoute from a post TwinOaks made on another thread a few years back.

"Chrome tanned leather is used in a LOT of things, and about the only things you shouldn't use it on is holsters, sheathes, or anything that'll be in contact with oxidizable (rustable) metal.

The reason is that chrome tanned leather is made using chromium salts. Those salts are still present in small amounts even in the finished product and can damage the finish on metal. So, for something like a very nice pistol, or a custom knife, it'd be a bad thing to have a holster or sheath that eats the metal.
Also, chrome tanned leather does not mold, carve, stamp, etc. as well. For something like a jacket or a purse, that's okay. It isn't unusual to see a nice piece of veg tan with a beautiful carving sewn onto chrome tan in the case of a purse. "

Edited December 18, 2014 by camano ridge

[jdmracer12]

was gonna say the same thing about the chrome tanned leather. make sure they don't store the pistol in the holster for any period of time and to oil the pistol regularly.

[hobbihorse]

Camano and Racer, Thanks soooo much for your comments. This is the best darn place to learn and make mistakes. I appreciate your schooling. Next time I will line with a thin veg tanned leather...or none at all. Thanks again!!!

[Dan28]

Thanks Dan!

Yeah, I think it was a bit ambitious of me to make my 1st holster without the pistol to fit along the way.

Did you line your holster? I lined mine with a 2-3oz chrome tanned leather, and I'm thinking that may not have been such a good idea, fit wise.

I'll know soon enough...after send it off - but since it is not a Christmas present, no need to hurry if off to the post office.

I lined both my holsters with veg tanned pig skin that I dyed. My first holster was made from 10 oz leather and was probably my 3rd or 4th project. There's a picture of it in my gallery.

I didn't know about the chrome tanned leather w/ metal, so that's good to know. Although so far all I've worked with has been veg tanned leather and pig skin. Although I do have some pre colored glazed pig skin I have got from Springfield leather that I'm not sure of its tanning method.

[hobbihorse]

Hi Dan, I'll need to be more careful lining my next holsters and sheaths, cause I have lots of nice scraps, but like you don't know their tanning method!

Next time I'll have to stick to what I definitely know is veg tanned.

Thank you fellow Leathercrafters for all of your encouragement and tutoring!!

I sure love this web site. I've learned soooo much in the short time I've been reading and posting.

Hobbihorse

[snubbyfan]

Nicely dyed, tooled, designed and finished.

Only thing I can recommend other that to use veg tan for lining is the stitching.

I like to keep my stitching consistent both front and back. Just seems a bit neater.

Holsters need to be fitted precisely to the firearm. That ensures that it's held securely and doesn't move around once holstered. If I don't have the firearm, I'll get a Blue Gun to ensure a proper fit.

It'll cut into your profits but it'll ensure a proper fit and gun people notice this and are more likely to do future business with you.

[hobbihorse]

Snubby, that is some fine advice! Thank you so much!!

Fortunately, the recipient of this 1st holster is a family member, and I made it for free. I also ensured him that being my first attempt, to expect as much...HaHa.

I love the idea of getting a form - that is, if I attempt a holster again. I have to admit that it's a bit tricky for someone who does not have much firearm experience. Give me a shotgun and some clay pigeons and I'm good to go. Give me a side arm, and I'm puzzled!