Making a holster without having a reference gun

[bennadatto]

I have a customer who wants a holster to store a snubnose revolver in their purse. I don't have the model of the gun available, so i have asked the customer for a few measurements. I have enough information from them to make out a profile of the gun and holster, but I am not sure how much space I should allow between the actual holster profile and the mirror image to make a good pattern.

For clarity.

|

|____ (mirror of gun profile)

{How much space goes here?}

_____ (holster profile)

|

|

Since I don't have the pistol available to wet mold, in addition to adding a retention strap, I want to ensure the holster fits pretty snug. I was going to have the profile and mirror image flush for the pattern, but I figured I would see if anyone has had previous experience.

Thanks in advance!

[okie44]

Many times you can get profile photos and thickness dimensions from ads on the internet. This should allow you to calculate how much to allow for thickness. On pistols, I usually allow the thickness of the gun at the spine of the holster, then allow a little for stitching. This makes a very tight fitting holster, that will need to be wet and the gun inserted for the final fit. Hope this helps. John

[Lobo]

Like shooting in the dark, without night sights! The best you can possibly do under these circumstances will be a generic leather sack for the pistol in question. If you undertake this job I recommend getting payment in advance, since the customer is likely to be rather unhappy with the results.

Best regards.

[Randyc]

Okie

If it's a Smith & Wesson J Frame you can order a Blue Gun mold and build the holster around the Blue Gun. Without the actual pistol or a correct model mold, I would not attempt to build a holster. Rather then take a chance on having an unhappy customer, I'd refer them to another holster maker.

Randy

[TwinOaks]

If you go ahead and make a 'sorta-shaped-like-a-J-frame' holster, and use a pic of the pistol from the internet for a profile, get a good sized spool of thread to simulate the cylinder. You might even check at a local gun stores and see if they have something similar you can trace/wrap with a piece of paper for a pattern.

[Shorts]

Honestly, I wouldn't build a holster without the mold. If the customer is a friend and/or nearby, ask to use the pistol for a custom fit.

[bennadatto]

Thanks all for your responses. I too was concerned about making a holster to fit a gun I don't have access to. I have explained to the customer in writing that the holster will by no means be form fitting, and will be more like a leather case rather than a holster. Since I can't wetmold the holster, I will also be adding a retention strap to ensure the gun doesn't fall out.

With the proper measurements, do you think making a holster like the attached image would really be that disastrous?

[Shorts]

Thanks all for your responses. I too was concerned about making a holster to fit a gun I don't have access to. I have explained to the customer in writing that the holster will by no means be form fitting, and will be more like a leather case rather than a holster. Since I can't wetmold the holster, I will also be adding a retention strap to ensure the gun doesn't fall out.

With the proper measurements, do you think making a holster like the attached image would really be that disastrous?

Depends on the required function of the holster. If the retention strap sits right where it needs to do on the gun, it should stay put.

[K-Man]

I personally would not attempt it. With the use of veg tanned leather, and the basic shaping, dyeing, and finish, I just don't see how the gun is even going to come close to fitting. IMO, the only way it would work is if you made the holster out of a soft, fabric-type, material. What gun are you trying to make the holster for?

[TwinOaks]

I went back and read the OP....for an in-purse-holster, a non molded pouch style is what you're gonna have to do. You mentioned snubbie revolver, and that could be anything from a NAA 5 shot .22 derringer to a Taurus Judge, and since you haven't specified what it is, we're a little in the dark. The cylinder size is what's going to get you, b/c if you make it for a 5 shot cylinder, a 6 shot won't fit into it well, and if you make for a 6 shot, the 5 shot will fall out. You're also using measurements given to you by the customer- take that as you will.

Be sure to make attachment points for some type of clip to hold the holster in the purse.

Edited January 7, 2009 by TwinOaks