Make you own holster? Let's see it!

[Eaglestroker]

I don't want to ignore O P and other guys' work; and of course Wyatt Burp shows some great work he does, but that shoulder rig by Eaglestoker, (his first picture) is unlike any I have seen.

If I see it correctly, there is a fastening system, (button snaps), that allows vertical or horizontal carry ?? And,...if anybody does a more precise job of basket-weave, than him I have yet to see it.

Roger, I can't claim that idea as it came from a fellow worker in Arkansas ( D.WALLACE.CUSTOMS - h), based off of an older triple K of all things. I made it originally for the glock rig shown in a later post because of the customer. Short chest, long gun. If he had it horizontal it would protrude from his back a fair amount and riding vertically the draw would take your hand above your head.

It basically has a 'clam shell' that wraps around the gun with a pull the dot directional snap. When you pop the snap it allows the inside holster to pivot down for a smooth horizontal draw but keeps it nice and tidy under the shoulder while carrying.

 

[Qball]

I'm to embarrassed to show any of my selfmade holster after seeing every one here.

Impressive work have i seen here

 

[bamabiker]

I don't want to ignore O P and other guys' work; and of course Wyatt Burp shows some great work he does, but that shoulder rig by Eaglestoker, (his first picture) is unlike any I have seen.

If I see it correctly, there is a fastening system, (button snaps), that allows vertical or horizontal carry ?? And,...if anybody does a more precise job of basket-weave, than him I have yet to see it.

Just look up his other posts and you will see some fantastic basket weave work. I've been saying for a while his is as good as any!

And yes, ES, you can see your flaws but to the rest of us they just don't show up.
Great work.

 

[ckcc]

Only made a handful.... my best attempt so far.

 

[rednichols]

I read that John Bianchi started making holsters on his kitchen table..

And suitably crude, too. Here's an early strapless pair: the original Model 1 and Model 2 holsters from the beginning.



Note though that they're machine stitched. So I suggest that this kind of thread "home made holsters" is that, in the end, the difference between a factory holster and a home made holster is machinery.

For example, this holster was home made, and in a garage:



But in the garage is the 5 foot tall steel-cutting bandsaw that the leather parts were cut on, the state of the art Ferdinand stitching machine that holster was sewn on, the hydraulic press that it was moulded to the pistol in, the latest milling machine that altered the gun mould, etc.

So I suggest: when we ask for home-made holsters, we limit them to "no machines" or the average Joe can't compete with the pros who have the specialised equipment and know how to use it.

 

[rednichols]

Smith,, I video that you might find interesting...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFsXw3gabqk

Watched the video, and I don't know Mr. Andrews, but there's a lot more to learn about professionally building holsters -- and how not to -- than I see there. Those folks who have 'figured out' how to make holsters, but not worked for any of the big makers and thereby learnt all the tricks of the trade, are reinventing a wheel that was made to turn better a long, long time ago; starting with Heiser and Myers in the late 30s. Which is now nearly 100 years ago, during which time it turned from a craft into a science. The video is about the craft.

 

[rednichols]

Roger, I can't claim that idea as it came from a fellow worker in Arkansas ( D.WALLACE.CUSTOMS - h), based off of an older triple K of all things. I made it originally for the glock rig shown in a later post because of the customer. Short chest, long gun. If he had it horizontal it would protrude from his back a fair amount and riding vertically the draw would take your hand above your head.

It basically has a 'clam shell' that wraps around the gun with a pull the dot directional snap. When you pop the snap it allows the inside holster to pivot down for a smooth horizontal draw but keeps it nice and tidy under the shoulder while carrying. This is the basic idea, only the belt tie should be pointed down. You can also see how the holster rubs in the 'shell' noted by the dark spot about dead center of the holster.



The 696 rig posted was an all out. I even stamped the interior of the clamshell to see if it would work. There are plenty of folks with better weaves - when I look at that one in particular I just see a bunch of errors. Did like it enough that one will be made for myself at some point in the future

The pivoting shoulder holster was invented by none of the above; it was Ohlemeyer and Gaylord who argued over the patent rights post-WWII. It's meant to be carried only vertically, and the pivot is meant to be mounted in the holster as close to the trigger guard as possible for best ergonomics.

Both DeSantis and Alessi companies make this holster, as a field hunting holster, because the design is extremely bulky and unsuited to concealment save for very small pistols.

 

[snubbyfan]

And suitably crude, too. Here's an early strapless pair: the original Model 1 and Model 2 holsters from the beginning.

View attachment 209917 View attachment 209918

Note though that they're machine stitched. So I suggest that this kind of thread "home made holsters" is that, in the end, the difference between a factory holster and a home made holster is machinery.

For example, this holster was home made, and in a garage:

View attachment 209919

But in the garage is the 5 foot tall steel-cutting bandsaw that the leather parts were cut on, the state of the art Ferdinand stitching machine that holster was sewn on, the hydraulic press that it was moulded to the pistol in, the latest milling machine that altered the gun mould, etc.

So I suggest: when we ask for home-made holsters, we limit them to "no machines" or the average Joe can't compete with the pros who have the specialised equipment and know how to use it.

My stuff's all done by hand. I don't have the room, money or desire to use a bunch of machines.

 

[bamabiker]

My stuff's all done by hand. I don't have the room, money or desire to use a bunch of machines.

Amen brother, I'm with you.

 

[Eaglestroker]

The pivoting shoulder holster was invented by none of the above; it was Ohlemeyer and Gaylord who argued over the patent rights post-WWII. It's meant to be carried only vertically, and the pivot is meant to be mounted in the holster as close to the trigger guard as possible for best ergonomics.

Both DeSantis and Alessi companies make this holster, as a field hunting holster, because the design is extremely bulky and unsuited to concealment save for very small pistols.

Red, I'm not sure if I wrote my message unclearly or it was misread. I wasn't under the impression nor did I give the impression that either were the original designers, only that that's where I originally saw it and that's where he got the idea from. Appreciate the history lessons on it! As you can tell by a compensated 460 Rowland long slide this isn't intended as a concealment rig.

Seeing as I saved my pennies to replace harness needles with a machine I'll remove some of my posts and refrain from further posting. Keep up the good work folks!

Watched the video, and I don't know Mr. Andrews, but there's a lot more to learn about professionally building holsters -- and how not to -- than I see there. Those folks who have 'figured out' how to make holsters, but not worked for any of the big makers and thereby learnt all the tricks of the trade, are reinventing a wheel that was made to turn better a long, long time ago; starting with Heiser and Myers in the late 30s. Which is now nearly 100 years ago, during which time it turned from a craft into a science. The video is about the craft.

I can't speak for anyone else on this forum and won't try too, but it does seem poor taste to talk down on another mans livelihood based on a made for youtube video.

 

[rednichols]

I can't speak for anyone else on this forum and won't try too, but it does seem poor taste to talk down on another mans livelihood based on a made for youtube video.

Call me the Donald Trump of the holster industry. My stated goal, for all my posts on all Forums, is to increase awareness of what the state of the art is; to the level of appreciating holster design as a science not a craft; and I won't apologise for continuing to bang that drum. Holster making involves carrying deadly weapons, it is no longer a craft. And that's why I left leathercrafters.net in the second day; it is NOT a hobby.

I critique every maker's work, from the smallest to the largest. If they can't handle that from the leading expert in the world, then I'd say I've hit a nerve. Those who want to do better, listen. Those who don't want scrutiny, arc up. I'm no maker's competitor; I'm a designer with credentials from every major name-maker and pull no punches.

 

[Eaglestroker]

Call me the Donald Trump of the holster industry. My stated goal, for all my posts on all Forums, is to increase awareness of what the state of the art is; to the level of appreciating holster design as a science not a craft; and I won't apologise for continuing to bang that drum. Holster making involves carrying deadly weapons, it is no longer a craft. And that's why I left leathercrafters.net in the second day; it is NOT a hobby.

I critique every maker's work, from the smallest to the largest. If they can't handle that from the leading expert in the world, then I'd say I've hit a nerve. Those who want to do better, listen. Those who don't want scrutiny, arc up. I'm no maker's competitor; I'm a designer with credentials from every major name-maker and pull no punches.

Red, I think enough of the name I contacted you when your class was being considered back in '13, appreciation of the knowledge isn't the issue I was pointing out but tact. The Donald does seem to be popular these days though.

 

[bamabiker]

Tact, some people got it and some don't.
Red, I'm just a guy that likes to learn about other leather and holster workers and their work. Please excuse me for not recognizing your position as the world's leading holster expert.
I would love to see examples of your holster designs. Heck, I might have made some and not even known they came from you.

 

[old&slow]

I critique every maker's work, from the smallest to the largest. If they can't handle that from the leading expert in the world, then I'd say I've hit a nerve. Those who want to do better, listen. Those who don't want scrutiny, arc up. I'm no maker's competitor; I'm a designer with credentials from every major name-maker and pull no punches.

' critique every maker's work',, and yet you haven't heard of Mr. Andrews, of Andrews Custom Leather ??

Sorry some of us don't measure up to your extremely high standards.. Most of us are doing it just for fun as a Hobby and are not experts ,, or even self proclaimed experts..

 

[snubbyfan]

I deleted my pictures, I'm not too fond of the direction this thread's going. Besides, I'm infraction free and I just wanna stay that way.

 

[ChiefStealth]

I've posted this before, so I'll just show a link to a previous post. This was my first holster.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/gun-leather-carry-gear/412220-new-holster-diy.html
I've since made two other holsters and a couple of mag carriers. I'm not a pro. I don't do it as a hobby. Critique all ya want. It don't bother me none.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I'm not a professional holster maker, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night...

 

[gregintenn]

Call me the Donald Trump of the holster industry. My stated goal, for all my posts on all Forums, is to increase awareness of what the state of the art is; to the level of appreciating holster design as a science not a craft; and I won't apologise for continuing to bang that drum. Holster making involves carrying deadly weapons, it is no longer a craft. And that's why I left leathercrafters.net in the second day; it is NOT a hobby.

I critique every maker's work, from the smallest to the largest. If they can't handle that from the leading expert in the world, then I'd say I've hit a nerve. Those who want to do better, listen. Those who don't want scrutiny, arc up. I'm no maker's competitor; I'm a designer with credentials from every major name-maker and pull no punches.

Well, let's see some of your world renowned designs.

 

[rednichols]

Red, I think enough of the name I contacted you when your class was being considered back in '13, appreciation of the knowledge isn't the issue I was pointing out but tact. The Donald does seem to be popular these days though.

I work in retail and I'm the very model of tact and persuasion there. No, not commission sales. My goal there is to put DIY homeowners together with what they need to be a success in their projects: it's all about their skills, not mine.

Conversely, when I consult with holster manufacturers about design and production, my goal is to make their products world class. Again, I'm a model of diplomacy. That's just good business. Yes, I get paid for this.

But dealing with amateurs who treat holster design and production with any less awareness than top-range -- that is, they 'don't know what they don't know' -- well, I'm professionally offended and I 'get attitude'. I want these people to bring up their professionalism, and my method is to raise their buyers' awareness.

My metaphor: if a barista doesn't know how to make a good coffee, my request for a better one will get me nowhere; he simply doesn't know how to do better, or he would have got it right in the first place. So I buy my coffees elsewhere, where they already know excellence.

Unlike coffees, tho, ignoring the science of excellent holster design and manufacture has gotten people killed. And getting it right has saved lives. Have a chat with the chief executive at any major maker -- Galco or Safariland et al. -- and you'll hear the same attitude about amateur makers, because this is not a game.

 

[tattooo]

I'm not a professional holster maker, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night...

WOW .....very nice work [emoji106]