First Holster

[freetrapper]

Hello all. I am new to the site as I just stumbled on it today. I made my first holster a week ago and haves sense completed a second and now on to a third. I wish I had found this site first at it has a world of ideas and advice that would have helped. Here is a couple shots of my first holster (poor pictures) and my second. After reading on here I think I can greatly improve on my next ones. You will see me on here quite a bit now that I found the place.

[rdb]

First off, Welcome! Obviously you've looked around before posting, and it sure looks like you've learned a lot!

For first holsters, those look great. The pros will jump in, I'm sure, but in my eyes you done good.

[MADMAX22]

Very nice looking IMO. I cant add much since Iv e only done one holster myself. The only thing I noticed is that some people like to stitch around the belt holes in your first holster. Still this is optional. I think they look really good.

Welcome to the forums as well ... and

I think there are atleast 3 of us here who have a PT145 or 140 pro guns lol.

[8thsinner]

Looks to me like you started this with the right tools, plan and mindset. And in my opinion that's a great example of flawless execution.

Whats next on the books?

And what other crafts have you done before, I would guess something where extreme patience is needed?

[TwinOaks]

to leatherworker.net!

You've got a good handle on how that holster thing is done, that's for sure. The thing that jumps out the most to me is that you did a superb job on dyeing the leather on all three holsters. On the first two holsters, your belt loops are at some really strange angles. I can't help but wonder if the extreme angles cause the belt to twist or bind under the holster.

Very good job on the IWB holster. We really can't see from the pics, but when you stitch in the reinforcing piece on the mouth, make sure you leave a stitch groove on the inside of the holster as well as the outside. This will help protect the thread from abrasion when drawing or holstering.

[freetrapper]

Thanks guys for all the compliments. I had never touched a piece of leather (as far as making something) prior to this. I had not seen this site either but I did find a few articles on line to help get me started. I just finished another last night and it works great but not my best work as I maid it a bit small and had to really work to get it to fit right. I am now starting on a fourth that is a complet new design for me (it has several aspects I like from other holsters all rolled into one) so it might be a challenge.

As for the other questions I do have a stitch groove on the back side, or inside in some cases, on all of my stitching. As for the extreme angle on the belt slots on the first holster I copied that design from a Brommeland holster I purchased. It works great as it really pulls the top of the gun into the body. It does however need to be placed where you want it prior to tightening the belt as it does not slide around very well.

[freetrapper]

Sorry for signing in and then being gone for a month or so. Work has kept me busy and away from the computer there and the two kids at home have kept my home computer busy at nights. I have made a few more tries at holster making over the past month or so. Learning alot but no where near where I need to be yet.

First I got a strange request for a holster for a single action 45 LC cowboy gun. Only thing is he wanted it to be a pancake with a slight FBI cant similar to the holster he carries his Glock in daily. He wanted this for a weekend or woods gun so to speak. The reqest was from my dad so I could not really say NO.

Here is my attempt to fit the bill.

Edited January 2, 2009 by freetrapper

[freetrapper]

Next I was setting around thinking of deer season coming up and how I was going to carry my own woods gun (Glock 20). Belt carry is hard with bib overalls and such so it seams that some type of bandolier holster would fit the bill. So I gave it a shot.

I am using nylon webbing for straps to get all of the lengths worked out before making leather ones.

It was field tested heavily over the 2 weeks of deer season and proved to work great however a couple of small changes in the design could be made. Here are a few pictures, sorry for my lack of photo taking talent.

It proved to work great on both my 180# son and my "much larger" frame as well.

[freetrapper]

I also made an attempt at a double mag holder:

I then tried my luck at a couple new OWB designs. Both have features I likes from others designs. The first was this one for a Sig 225 for my boss.

The other I just finished for a Glock 19 for a good friend:

The last design is probably my favorite but I have a long ways to go on my edges and finsihing work.

Edited January 2, 2009 by freetrapper

[Luke Hatley]

FROM ONE "FREETRAPPER" TO ANOTHER....."YOU DONE GOOD PRILGRIM"

keep on posting. what other leather items do you do?

[freetrapper]

FROM ONE "FREETRAPPER" TO ANOTHER....."YOU DONE GOOD PRILGRIM"

keep on posting. what other leather items do you do?

What you see is all I have ever done. I did not even make my own buckskins or possibles bag. I had a friend do them for me. Actually it was the guy I made that last holster for.

[CodeJockey]

I really like your work. I do have a question pertaining to the holster tensioner screw. How do you keep it from coming lose? do you have a thick rubber washer or spring in there, to add resistance? I've really been wanting to put one of these on one of my holsters, so that as time wears on and the leather stretches I can tension it back to a more snug fit, but I can't think of a way to add sufficient resistance to the screw. TIA!

[freetrapper]

I really like your work. I do have a question pertaining to the holster tensioner screw. How do you keep it from coming lose? do you have a thick rubber washer or spring in there, to add resistance? I've really been wanting to put one of these on one of my holsters, so that as time wears on and the leather stretches I can tension it back to a more snug fit, but I can't think of a way to add sufficient resistance to the screw. TIA!

I am new to this so I do not know if it was the best or not but it worked. I used a short section of black rubber hose. I got it at the hardware store and it was made to be used for auto winshield washer fluid line. It seams to work well.

[Shorts]

freetrapper, I love your look - nice work! I dig the mag pouches.

btw, the hose for the tension screws is about what I use as well. I use the clear line as its what I have around for the brake work on the bikes/trucks :D

Edited January 3, 2009 by Shorts

[Jaymo]

Nice work. You look to be a southpaw like me.

[freetrapper]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I am learning as I go.

And yes I am a southpaw...............

[freetrapper]

Here is my latest attempt. I really like the style I have been doing with the wrap around sweat shield / mouth reinforcing.

[harley45]

I like the bandolier holster. (glad to see another 10mm Whitetail hunter.) Would you happen to have a photo of that rig from the back. I'm curious about the strap set up.

Thanks