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04-23-2018, 08:29 AM
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My First Holster Attempt
I got in my head that I needed to make my own IWB holster w/ adjustable cant for my Sheild like Cover 6 Gear makes.
I bought some 8-9 oz veg tanned leather off the web here we go.
My pattern, only took 11 trys
Cut the leather. A little nervous.
A quick test fit
Punched holes with my high end stitcher
I taped a dowel to the top of the rail to make room for the front sight
Make my own slicker / burnisher form a dowel.
I hope to install the belt clip this week and get to stitching.
Any suggestions are welcome
More to follow
Mals
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04-23-2018, 09:12 AM
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If you must do this project, BE WARNED! Do not let any of your friends know that you can make a holster. Do not show your holster to anyone at your range or gun club. Don't tell your buddies at work what you have been doing with your spare time.
Made my first holster for myself in 1972. A couple of weeks later I was working on orders for other cops I worked with. Before long guys from other LE agencies started asking me to make gear for them. 24 years later I retired and started a business, but was still making holsters on the side. Economy started circling the toilet bowl, business was slowing down, so I started selling on-line in an effort to keep the bills paid. Before long I had a website running, leased shop space, hired help, and worked 7 days per week trying to keep up with orders. In 2015 I arranged sale of the business so I could retire. People are still asking me to make gear for them, but now I can truthfully say that I am bound by a ten year non-compete agreement as part of the business sale agreement.
So BE VERY CAREFUL, otherwise you may never be able to stop!
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04-23-2018, 09:22 AM
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Now, more seriously, a couple of suggestions:
1. Try to eliminate sharp corners and edges (toe-end of holster at stitch-line, upper edge of slide shield). These can cause serious comfort issues in use.
2. For IWB carry you may want to consider reversing your pattern and making the holster with the rough (flesh-side) out and top (smooth-side) in. The rough texture can help maintain carry position in the waistband, and the smooth side is easier on the handgun finish during use.
3. You probably already understand that the attachment point(s) for your belt clip will have to be completed prior to final assembly and stitching of the holster body.
4. IWB carry always exposes the holster to moisture (perspiration from the body). The leather should be thoroughly sealed to minimize moisture absorption (water-based acrylic lacquer, such as Resolene brand, will do a pretty good job).
5. Because of the moisture issue be sure to remove the handgun from the holster after each day of use, wipe the gun down with an oily rag, store the holster separately in an area having good air flow to permit evaporation of residual moisture.
Best regards.
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04-23-2018, 09:48 AM
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I'm looking forward to the updates.
__________________
Keep on Chooglin'
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04-23-2018, 01:10 PM
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Lobo thank you for the advise. You are a craftsman, I am using a child's fork for a stitcher. There is no danger of my being to good at this. I have since rounded the corners and am waiting on the belt clip so I can get on with the stitching. I am using a Chicago screw from the inside and it well be recessed slightly into the leather and covered with a piece of suede. I have enough leather left over to make on more if the IWB retention is a problem.
Snubby I have watched your videos and they are very helpful.
Mals
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04-24-2018, 11:24 PM
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So you think you invented the idea of using a child's fork as a stitching tool? Most of my tools were adapted from some other use before they ended up in the leather shop. I spent a couple of thousand evenings and late nights pounding away at the kitchen table before I ever thought about having a leather shop. Actually, the "leather shop" only became a reality when my wife put her foot down and demanded that I get all the **** out of her house!
By the way, John Bianchi (Bianchi International) started out as a young police officer making holsters on his kitchen table. Best estimate I have heard is that his company produced about 40 million products before his retirement (he also served as a Brigadier General in the US Air Force Reserve).
You have been warned! I can do no more! You are on your own now!
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04-24-2018, 11:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mals9
Lobo thank you for the advise. You are a craftsman, I am using a child's fork for a stitcher. There is no danger of my being to good at this. I have since rounded the corners and am waiting on the belt clip so I can get on with the stitching. I am using a Chicago screw from the inside and it well be recessed slightly into the leather and covered with a piece of suede. I have enough leather left over to make on more if the IWB retention is a problem.
Snubby I have watched your videos and they are very helpful.
Mals
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Don't underestimate your abilities. There's a huge difference between my first holster and my last.
I'm glad my videos are helpful. They show how I do stuff. There's lotsa different ways out there to get pretty much the same results.
The only thing I'm really a stickler on is not drilling my stitch holes.
I don't do leather work as a business. I don't advertise but I always seem to have something to make for somebody.
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Keep on Chooglin'
Last edited by snubbyfan; 04-24-2018 at 11:56 PM.
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04-24-2018, 11:59 PM
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Nice work. I tried my hand at it too - when I couldn't find a holster exactly like I wanted. Here's my pocket holster for my little Bauer 25acp
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04-27-2018, 07:30 PM
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I have both Roy's( orig. Lobo) and Wayne's ( Snubbyfan) work and both are first rate. I wear Lobo holster and spare ammo carriers every day with my 19-4 snub and Snubby made a BBQ gun belt for me.
Be careful..... you might end up like them
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04-27-2018, 09:00 PM
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I should be so lucky as to end up with their talents. I stitched it last night and will be wet forming in the morning. I hope to be finished by Sunday night. I will post pics on Monday.
Mals
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04-27-2018, 09:11 PM
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practice makes it perfect...passion makes it possible
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04-27-2018, 09:16 PM
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I, too, am the proud owner of a Snubbyfan original.
Beautiful work and the videos of the work-in-progress are an added bonus.
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04-30-2018, 07:32 AM
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I am finished. Not the best holster, but not a bad first attempt.
I did not stain the leather and my edge treatment needs some work but I think the stitching came out well. The adjustable cant clip moves with moderate tension and holds very well on the belt.
The retention is good, I can hold it upside down and it will not come loose with a light shake. The pistol draws well with moderate effort. It feels very comfortable. I am happy with it for now.
Mals
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04-30-2018, 08:55 AM
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Looks very serviceable and usable. Great job. A quick question, what treatment did you do to protect your gun from the screw holding the clip?
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04-30-2018, 10:19 AM
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Thank you. I recessed the screw into the back of the leather and glued a piece of thin leather over it. Works well so far.
Mals
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04-30-2018, 11:57 AM
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Very nice. Great job. I like it.
Last edited by BC38; 05-26-2018 at 12:55 AM.
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04-30-2018, 12:12 PM
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Absent Comrade
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoboGunLeather
If you must do this project, BE WARNED! Do not let any of your friends know that you can make a holster. Do not show your holster to anyone at your range or gun club. Don't tell your buddies at work what you have been doing with your spare time.
Made my first holster for myself in 1972. A couple of weeks later I was working on orders for other cops I worked with. Before long guys from other LE agencies started asking me to make gear for them. 24 years later I retired and started a business, but was still making holsters on the side. Economy started circling the toilet bowl, business was slowing down, so I started selling on-line in an effort to keep the bills paid. Before long I had a website running, leased shop space, hired help, and worked 7 days per week trying to keep up with orders. In 2015 I arranged sale of the business so I could retire. People are still asking me to make gear for them, but now I can truthfully say that I am bound by a ten year non-compete agreement as part of the business sale agreement.
So BE VERY CAREFUL, otherwise you may never be able to stop!
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Spoken like a man who knows! :-)
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05-25-2018, 11:37 PM
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Just starting my 1st holster, Looking forward to the learning curve, Want to make a R handed copy of my pops Lawerance 100 4" N frame with sight and hammer cover
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