How to build a Cowboy Crossdraw Holster??

[blue duck]

Project request to me: Cowboy style holster to be carried as a cross draw, appx. cant 15* forward, for a Desert Eagle. The weight of that small cannon is what has me puzzled. I am trying to figure out how I create enough support to keep it at that angle, yet keep it in that style. He wants it for an existing belt, to carry everyday.

There may be a perfectly simple answer to this, but I am not coming up with it. 

Edited October 7, 2018 by blue duck
add carry info

[JazzBass]

For such a heavy gun, you might want to use one of the "tricks" found on fast draw holsters -

My Alphonso #1 is lined with steel (18ga, I think...not sure) that lines the holster boot, shank, and all the way up through a hip plate. It DOES NOT move or flex, and would probably support the weight of a small truck   

Since steel linings aren't allowed in CFDA shooting, many are made with a rawhide liner that's as hard as a rock.
I have no experience in executing either, and I understand that the different drying rates/shrinkage/expansion of rawhide vs. leather, can be problematic, requiring techniques of which I'm not aware. (I'm sure someone here knows how to do either or both. )

In any case, without some really hard liner, whatever you make will sag with such a big gun.

[blue duck]

Thank you so much. The weight/size is exactly the concern I am having. (Why or how he thinks he will carry it daily is beyond me.) I am pretty sure he doesn't even have the belt to support it, but may be another order. 

I hadn't thought of lining it, as you suggest. That would certainly help. Might try kydex? Hmm, now you have me thinking.

Thanks again. kat

[JazzBass]

Yes...I have heard of holsters with Kydex between the front/back layers of leather, but again, it probably takes some special techniques because the melting temp of KD is such that you wouldn't want to put the whole holster in the oven to form it.

And yes, unless you use a "hip plate" which is simply held tight by the belt instead of a standard belt loop or slots, that belt might allow it to flop around. no matter how stiff you make the shank. I gotta laugh when I hear that this is to be an "EDC" , but it's an interesting and challenging project nonetheless. Below are a few pics of the hip plate on my Alphonso #1. You could do something similar but I can think of one more option that might be ideal for that size gun -

Have you seen "cross chest" holsters? They have a shoulder strap that goes straight up from the balance point of the gun/holster, over the left shoulder, and a strap that goes around the back which attaches somewhere behind the trigger guard and the opposite (muzzle side) lateral position. It would be infinitely easier to make than the hard-lining type, and would be a hell of a lot more comfortable....ah, but it's up to the client, right?

There's one example below - you can see how easy it would be to adjust it to sit in a more hip mounted x-draw. Yep...I'd go with the shoulder strap (like a "suspender"), and think of having the waist belt itself be the "behind the back strap." Problems solved - if the client would accept it. Good luck...I GOTTA see this EDC rig when finished! ROFL

Think "standard x- draw with belt tunnel, but give him a detachable suspender if needed/desired. That might just be the ticket for this one. MUCH easier to do than anything else we've discussed, and probably a better design solution as well.

BTW, 15deg is pretty darn shallow for a cross draw. IMHO. I'd be thinking 30deg and possibly more. Ah...but then, there's the client.

Chris Gordan

Edited October 13, 2018 by JazzBass
added content

[JazzBass]

Oh...  ...and "suspender holsters" WERE used in the "old west"

[blue duck]

Thank you so much.  Think I need to talk with the client and see if I can't turn his head a bit. You have come up with a good alternative. I thought the cant was a bit shallow as well, but when I put it on him with a 30* it stuck out behind him or beside him a few inches. I will try and post a pic or two when done and we can all have a good laugh.