Sidearms & Scatterguns Well, I just made a custom holster!

[Nostradumbass]

I'll be the first to say, I'm not a professional by any means....I've made a few belts, but this is my first holster I've made. And I don't think it turned out too bad. I had trouble finding a leather holster for a fnp45-tactical that would accommodate a docter sight....much less a threaded barrel. The leather I used was super heavy, so it's holding its shape with the strength of kydex. Holster draws and re-holsters perfect....nice and smooth.

Anyways, I showed it to my wife, and she just said "meh," so I had to show it off to somebody!
Thanks,
Phillip

 

[darkarcher]

Nice!......

 

[sjeccles]

That turned out really well

 

[Unknown]

Nice work! I too often end up making things I can't buy because the for sale items do not meet what I want, or need.

 

[eli polite]

nice work!!

 

[b7tac]

Very classy! Did you buy the leather with the design already in it?

 

[Nostradumbass]

Thanks!
No, I just bought a half a side of leather, and cut out a design, and tooled it before I molded it to the gun.
After I tooled it, I sewed it together, molded the leather to fit the gun, let it dry, then dyed it and polished it.

 

[b7tac]

Thanks!
No, I just bought a half a side of leather, and cut out a design, and tooled it before I molded it to the gun.
After I tooled it, I sewed it together, molded the leather to fit the gun, let it dry, then dyed it and polished it.

Wow! Nice job.

 

[mzvarner]

That looks really nice and professional. How do you mold and tool the leather? Heat, compression, both?

 

[Nostradumbass]

That looks really nice and professional. How do you mold and tool the leather? Heat, compression, both?

Well, you've got to get some leather tooling stamps, and you wet the leather with water, and go to stamping. After you've sewed your outline, dip the holster in rubbing alcohol. Once it's saturated with alcohol, insert the gun onto the holster. (I wrapped mine in plastic.) the leather will mold and stretch like rubber.
Leave the pistol in the holster and allow the alcohol to dry. Once it's dry the holster will be hard and rigid like kydex. I didn't use a vacuum....although I guess you could, but leather molds a little easier than kydex.

 

[tpr564]

Looks great!

 

[trukreltrog]

Nice job! Did you hand sew it?

 

[Nostradumbass]

Nice job! Did you hand sew it?

Yes, I used a hand sewing awl. I found that stitching thick leather like this is easier if you dray your pattern, then use a drill with a 1/16" drill bit to drill the holes for your stitcher. That will save you some pain and blood!

 

[Sniper Uncle]

That is a beautiful job---One Classy Holster!! Thanks for sharing, and telling us how you did it. I think I just may need to make one myself. I can't seem to find what I want, and I called a guy in GA, who said he'd make me one, but when I tried to contact him to give him the specs on it, he dropped off the face of the earth. So, like they say, if you want it done right, do it yourself!

Sorry your wife didn't see the beauty there......Oh, well...

 

[Nostradumbass]

Here's a semi-step by step guide to making a leather holster. There are many ways of doing this, but this is the way I know how. If you need a holster for an oddball configuration, this will help I hope. Believe me, if I can do it, you can!!

First, draw you a patern.
Then, cut it out.

Next, glue the ends together, then tool the outside, if you like. This is obviously not a required step.

Now, you sew your ends and handgun profile. Be sure not to see it too close to the pistol profile.

Soak the holster in rubbing alcohol, and mold it around your handgun. I used a homemade vacuum with a heavy plastic ziplock, and a shop-vac to help.

Let it sit and dry, and it will form a very stiff mold of the handgun.

Finally, dye the leather your desired color, and polish it with kiwi boot polish, and now you've got a functional holster than can be relied upon, without having to wait a year!

I hope this will help someone!
Thanks
Phillip

 

[Sniper Uncle]

That is awesome, man, Thanks. Where did you get the stamping tools? Where can you find the thick leather?

 

[Nostradumbass]

That is awesome, man, Thanks. Where did you get the stamping tools? Where can you find the thick leather?

Tandy leather company is a great company to check out. They should have everything you'll need.

 

[Sniper Uncle]

Thanks again for the info. I'll be in touch with them when I can, as I can't find the holsters I want the way I want them commercially. I really appreciate your kindness in sharing this process with us. It looks a lot simpler than I would have guessed. I have done some leather work on my own, but didn't know the shaping techniques that you shared, so now I can actually make what I want here.

 

[Nostradumbass]

Thanks again for the info. I'll be in touch with them when I can, as I can't find the holsters I want the way I want them commercially. I really appreciate your kindness in sharing this process with us. It looks a lot simpler than I would have guessed. I have done some leather work on my own, but didn't know the shaping techniques that you shared, so now I can actually make what I want here.

Sure man,
Sharing is what the hide community is all about!