Need advice making a gun belt and holster

[pepin1948]

My brother in law called me today and is excited about getting into SASS in his area (NH). He knows I'm a leatherworker and asked if I'd make him a belt and holster. Call me clueless and you'd be right, because gun holster making is something I've never even considered doing. But, maybe it's a good way to start.

So I'm taking all the info/suggestions/help you can give me!

[ksshane]

Im not really sure if this will help, but I was just reading this post, and it seemed to have some really good information in it.

http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/index.p...owtopic=246&hl=

[Coyotero]

Just did my first holster about a week ago. Really was surprisingly easy. Al Stohlman's holster book has some okay patterns, but it has really great stuff on how to make a holster from scratch with no pattern, which is how I did mine, maybe I'll get a photo up here.

[Tom Katzke]

Just did my first holster about a week ago. Really was surprisingly easy. Al Stohlman's holster book has some okay patterns, but it has really great stuff on how to make a holster from scratch with no pattern, which is how I did mine, maybe I'll get a photo up here.

I can recommend Jim R Simmons patterns from Hide Crafters. I looked in my old catalog but did not see a single pattern pack for just holsters unless you are looking for a shoulder rig, I can recommend that one. I think Yeehaa may have the information you need.

Hope Jim can chime in and let us know.

Tom Katzke

Central Oregon

[Jim]

Hey guys, Hide Crafters has a new batch of patterns that are holster and belt sets. Three of them are new shoulder holster patterns that are improved versions of the Brazos Jack. All of these include patterns for three sizes of holsters from 5 1/2" to 7 1/2" barrel lengths. They also include the Cross Draw pattern. All sets show the Lining Process in great detail which demonstrates how to make a holster without having to wet mold the thing.

Making a Gun Belt has never been easier! I have created a Size Chart based on measurements taken from a variety of people of different sizes. It shows Pant Size, Buckle to Center Hole, and Belt Length so you can double check measurements while making the belt. The Belt Templates place the Billets at a specific distance from the ends to ensure the belt fits correctly every time. Sizes range from 28" to 52" Pant sizes.

For those who want to design and make one from scratch; YeeHaa has the pattern making and lining instructions in the Holster Section. I recommend the CD Gunleather along with it because it shows how to add the Liner in greater detail than the book. (It's hard to do that with pencil drawings.)

Also, George finally talked me into shooting a video.

Have fun!

Edited September 1, 2006 by Jim

[pepin1948]

Sounds perfect! Thanks!

[$$hobby]

my first holster was too tight for the pitol i made it for. If youre going to make a leather lined holster, make sure you are generous with the addional matieral thickness. I think it said to add 3/4" to the size, but i had to add about 1". Of course it will depend on the leather thickness too.

there are a couple of books out there that give great info.

[Jim]

If you have your heart set on making a holster that fits, think a bit on "how do I know how wide the leather has to be?" (And this goes for any weight of leather) Take a 1" wide by 12" long strap of the leather of choice and then, if adding a Liner, bond a piece of the Liner leather to it. Draw a line 1/2" from a squared end and then use this to measure the pistol by placing the Mark at the edge of the trigger gaurd and then wrap the Strap around the cylinder. Make a pencil mark on the other end of the strap where it meets the end of the Marked End. Measure from the Marked End to the New Mark and this is how wide the Holster leather needs to be for a Lined Holster. Allow 3/16" from the edges of the shaped leather for the stitches, and you have one that will fit.

Oh yeah, did I mention to make a pattern first?

Holler at me.

[pepin1948]

More details:

Colt SAA (Single Action ArmY) 5 ½" Barrel

Loops in 45LC (45 Long Colt)

This is Greek to me but identifies the gun my bro-in-law is getting for SASS. Recommendations on a holster pattern for it? He was admiring the 49er pattern pack.

[$$hobby]

More details:

Colt SAA (Single Action ArmY) 5 ½" Barrel

Loops in 45LC (45 Long Colt)

This is Greek to me but identifies the gun my bro-in-law is getting for SASS. Recommendations on a holster pattern for it? He was admiring the 49er pattern pack.

You may want to get a book/pattern on holsters. It wili give you an idea(s). I found a pattern/info by: Will Ghormley called the "old west collection - cartridge belts"

Colt: Brand name.

SAA: Single Action Army (type of action. like the cowboys used)

5-1/2" Barrel: the lenth of the barrel. On revolvers or SAAs. Measured from the face of the cylinder (closest to barrel) to the end of the barrel. The cylinder is where they put the bullet in.

45LC. Its the cartridge name/caliber. 45LC is approx 0.45 inches in diameter.

if you get a pattern book they will ususally give you info on what length/spacing to use for 45LC. Or you can have your BIL give you some rounds to use as patterns.

BTW, some of the holster makers use spring steel inserts to give the holster shape and to minimize binding on the gun. you will also need to know what type of "rake" he wants on the holster. The "rake" is the angle, measured from vertical of the holster. Also, there is the "cross draw" holster too.

[pepin1948]

He does want a cross draw too, yup. Thanks for mentioning the rake as well, I'll need to get that info from him.

[pepin1948]

So here it is, the first holster finished. I also completed the cross draw, but don't have pics of it. Am working on the belt now. Next he wants cowboy cuffs, at least that is a much easier project.

I baptized my head knife in blood on the belt (missed the leather, thankfully) and had to rush off to the clinic to have my finger glued/bandaged. Gosh, he's not paying me enough!

[BruceGibson]

Oh, no! How's your hand/finger? My father-in-law was checking out one of my round/head knives a while back and it made me a nervous wreck. I finally wound up taking it away from him.

For a head knife to work its best, it should be razor sharp, and polished along the edge to a mirror finish. The slicker the better, especially for heavy skirting. What works most efficiently on leather also works effectively on leatherworkers.

And the rule...the rule that you never, ever...ever...break---ALWAYS KEEP YOUR HAND BEHIND THE KNIFE. ALWAYS...there are times you'll persuade yourself to make an exception, but that's when you'll cut yourself. Awkward cut, angle cut, curves--particularly--you'll find yourself in a position to have your free hand in front of your knife. Stop immediately. Think about it. The temptation will arise, often. Just this one time, just this little cut.

ALWAYS, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, KEEP YOUR HANDS BEHIND THE KNIFE!

Stop. Think a second. Visualize your cut. Seriously. Hard spot/soft spot. They both have an effect on the knife behavior. If it jumps, or slips, where are your delicate body parts?

ALWAYS, KEEP YOUR HANDS BEHIND THE KNIFE!!!!

[pepin1948]

I had gotten the knife sharpened not long ago. I rarely use it. I chose it this time because the leather was thicker than I usually work with and the scissors were not an effective method (I thought). I did indeed have both hands behind the knife: one was next to the ruler, which I was using as a guideline...ruler slipped, hand moved, oops! :

Anyhow, it wasn't as bad as it could've been. I just couldn't get the bleeding to stop on my own. The dr put some glue (yeah, "crazy glue for doctors") and bandaged it. It's only about an inch long slice, from my finger nail to the first knuckle.

[BruceGibson]

OUCH!! Just thinking about it makes me cringe...and I've had my share of close calls, too!

I'm glad you're okay and that it wasn't TOO serious!

[pepin1948]

Not very clear pics, but here's a view. (hard to get a shot of the right first finger when that's usually the camera shutter finger!)

[BruceGibson]

You're not gonna believe this, but I have the SAME SCAR on the same finger--except I zapped myself with a single-edge razor blade several years ago.

I'm a lefty--looks like you might be too?

[bruce johnson]

Bruce,

Greetings from the other Bruce. Same finger, same scar. Another important safety tip - don't try to feed a doubled set of reins into a draw gauge. If they don't want to start, make the start cut with a knife. Yep was forewarned by my then finace/now lovely bride that what I was doing looked dangerous. It was.

Bruce Johnson

[pepin1948]

ha ha ha! Yup, I am indeed a lefty.

[pepin1948]

Here's the completed project. I begged our local Tandy manager into being a model for me! I promised him it'd just be the belt line...

My brother in law, who this is for, is in NH, but I'm hoping he'll send me pics too.

[BruceGibson]

Hi, Bruce!

Ahhh...the dreaded draw gauge. Mine always lurks on the bench, just waiting for some part of my forearm to come by so it can reach out and take a bite. Dang thing tends to flip over all by itself, too. On the one hand, I can never get the thing sharp enough--on the other, it's always TOO SHARP at the worst times.

[BruceGibson]

Wildrose,

Very nice buscadero action happening there! And you recruited the Tandy manager? I wanna hear that story! :biggrin:

Bruce

[pepin1948]

I guess 'cuz he's new to the area and wants to keep the customers happy Actually, I did the smart thing and talked to his lady love first to plead my case with her! (She works at the store there too) I said I needed someone who was around a 40" waist to try the thing before I sent it off...

[Peter Ellis]

Here's the completed project. I begged our local Tandy manager into being a model for me! I promised him it'd just be the belt line...

My brother in law, who this is for, is in NH, but I'm hoping he'll send me pics too.

Jeff's a good sport, isn't he ?

[pepin1948]

He is! He's terrific about my toddler rearranging the stock whenever we're in too :biggrin: Ethan seems to have a thing for the spools of lace and removes them all from the shelf to line up along the floor in neat color coded rows....