Hi folks,

I am tooling up to make holsters and the one main reason I am even doing it is that I have a S&W 645. Finding a holster or even a custom holster maker to do one for it is almost impossible. I finally found a guy to do one and it was a hack job. Sorry but I grew up in a boot and harness shop and know how leather is supposed to be done and this wasn't it. So since I am close to retiring I thought that maybe I should go back to my roots and start working with leather again.

While the blue gun list is large the lack of availability of a particular model is one of the reasons it can be hard to find a holster. Another is simply demand. I would appreciate it if anyone could share with me a particular gun that they have had issues getting a holster for and I will endeavor to find some of these models and make holsters for them so the next guy can get a quality holster at a reasonable price. I am not advertising here as it will be several months before I will be able to sell to the public. I am just looking for some insight into a niche area and hopefully helping the safe queen come out again into service. You all are a great group here on this site and I hope you all can help me.

P.S. Please share any other advice you may have like what you like in a holster and what chaps your hide. All advice is welcome.

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Jason Adams

While I have never personally used him, Lobo Leather (Leather Holster Maker) on this site should be able to make you anything you need or desire. His posts are all over and will be easily contacted. Members who have bought holsters from him have posted them and raved about his work, so unless you are just gearing up to do this as a hobby, I'd give him a shout before spending any serious money. If it IS the hobby that is calling you then by all means - go for it!

Here is a very general response.

1. Most holster making is done using "dummy guns", cast replicas of the originals. Dummies are usually available only for current production handguns that have achieved a significant market share. Most handgun models are never available as dummies. As soon as a handgun model's sales start dropping off, or the model is discontinued, production of dummies stops. New handgun models may be on the market for a year or more before dummies might become available.

2. There are many millions of older, vintage, and out of production handguns in private hands, and many of those people want to use them. So, holster demand may be sufficient for a niche market producer while not being of any interest to the large manufacturers.

3. The larger manufacturers concentrate their production on those lines that are most in demand. This will typically be current production models with large market shares. This leaves some significant niche market opportunities.

4. Development of a specific holster design requires multiple steps, repeatedly patterning and producing prototypes, testing, and modifying the pattern into final production form. This can take anywhere from several weeks to many months before a design is ready for marketing.

5. Each holster design must be modified to some degree for each handgun model to be accomodated. Again, this requires hours of work in patterning, prototype production and testing, and refinement before the pattern is ready for production.

6. New handgun models may result in significant holster demand for a period of time. But that period will taper off, or end abruptly, in most cases. Since new handgun models are seldom, if ever, available as dummy guns this leaves the holster maker with a decision to make about purchasing the actual handgun. Such investments require a significant and ongoing demand in order to justify the expense, so a cautious approach is called for.

7. As with any business endeavor, the entrepreneur is wise to separate the business entity from personal finances. A corporate structure can provide significant protections for your home, savings, retirement funds, etc, in the event of claims against the business. A good business insurance policy should be considered, providing further protections in our litigious society.

8. Good tools and equipment are expensive, but necessary in keeping production going and maintaining the quality level of products. Good materials (especially leather) can make a huge difference in the final product, so you should not hesitate to spend the additional costs for the better products.

I offer 11 holster designs, with or without 4 common options, in 4 finish colors, left-hand and right-hand, for 140 different handguns. This results in over 60,000 possible variations, allowing each customer to "customize" a holster to individual needs and preferences. It also requires thousands of patterns in file, each of which represents several hours of work before ready for production.

My shop is currently completing about 2,000 orders per year for customers in all 50 US states and 32 other countries so far. There is a very good market open to producers at all levels, but only if the designs are good, the product quality is good, and delivery times are consistently met.

Best regards.

Exactly why many of us patronize Lobo. Thank you, Ray.

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I'm with the banned ...

I make and sell leatherwork as a self sustaining hobby. I've got a couple of dummy guns that I make holsters for. Mostly I do custom stuff.
Lately people have been asking for rifle slings and belts. I just finished a 3" wide tool belt made from 13 ounce vegetable tan leather and now I'm thinkin' of making custom gun belts out of 13 ounce leather.
Since it's just me, I don't do volume work but I can usually get stuff out in a couple of weeks.

One of the things that bugs me is when somebody takes the time and effort to do a beautiful carving job then leave the edges unfinished or a sloppy stitch line.

Attached Images

Belt05.jpg (59.3 KB, 35 views)

Yeah I noted that when everybody at the local Tandy shop raved about my burnishing. I never gave it much thought other than smooth and shiny like we did in my uncles boot shop when I was a kid. But that seems to be what the leather experts all look at first. My biggest concern is fit and finish and with a holster. draw and comfort in that order. You would be surprised at how much difference 5 degrees of cant can make. Thanks for the input.

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Jason Adams

Yeah this isn't my first rodeo... After owning and operating 3 past businesses the story still remains the same doesn't it. There are always dues to pay I am ready for that.

Three grand for a Cowboy or Cobra and 2 more for odds and ends is not that bad of an investment. The rest is patterns/designs, molds, and expendables.

If you think that is a lot just ask a machinist what a CNC mill costs. That'll cause a wallet pucker.

The real test is customer satisfaction and being able to deliver.

Thanks for the advice!

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Jason Adams

Interesting thread. If your seeking advice, which seems unlikely based upon your response to Ray's generous reply to your initial post, this may not be the best venue to that end. I agree with every remark Ray (Lobo Gun Leather) offered. We have never met, I do not know him personally.

Your post seems to be an announcement, less than a subject for discussion.

I make and sell significantly more gun leather, for many more handguns than Ray, based upon his own account. Were that not the case, I'd be doing something else. If you intend to invest in tools, equipment, materials and all the other things which make a $4.00 cost pizza retail for $18.00 out the door, "Blue Guns" aren't even going to scratch the surface for a startup.

I was trained as a saddler as a child, still make harness and tack locally. I was apprenticed to THE premier combat holster designer of the 20th. Century in New York City. I have well over 40 years in the bucket as a leather bender and as a policeman, so I feel confident that I can offer some advice. Buy a Hot Dog Wagon in New York, L.A. or Chicago, if you go broke, at least you won't be hungry.

Cheers;
Lefty