First Homemade Holster

[squigz]

I always wanted to make my own holster but I just never had the time so I always purchased them. Now, I don't really have expendable money, so I decided to give this a try again. I forced myself to give up an hour or two on nights I had available; I wish I documented the process a little more, but I only have the end results. Maybe next one I'll document start to finish. I don't know the exact time it took for a start to finish, but I would say that this was around a 8-10 hours process from start to finish.

Anyways; holster for a Ruger Single Six in 32 H&R mag with Fermin's front sight. I tailored the design to this specifically because the front sight was gouging holsters that were rounded over, so I decided on putting an extra piece of leather roughly the same width as his sight to alleviate that issue. 

I'll take all criticism and any design notes! I'm my biggest critic and I can find so many things I did wrong on the holster. 

[ezekiel38]

Looks like a worthy start. Wearing it will be the ultimate test. Out in the field carrying that firearm will let you know where the design needs tweaking. But it looks good and I applaud you for going after it. Building your own rig, I should be more resourceful.

[squigz]

Jul 22, 2019 9:02:24 GMT -5 ezekiel38 said:

Looks like a worthy start. Wearing it will be the ultimate test. Out in the field carrying that firearm will let you know where the design needs tweaking. But it looks good and I applaud you for going after it. Building your own rig, I should be more resourceful.

Thanks!

I based it off a current holster design with my own twist. Since being built I've worn it around the house doing normal chores, honey do lists, etc. and found it to be comfortable. Being in the woods is going to be a totally different test, but so far I'm happy with it!

[clintsfolly]

Now make a LH one for a 51/2 barrel. Then send to me for further testing! Looks good and a interesting cure for a problem.

[z1r]

When I was about 11 or so, my Grandpa suffered a stroke. Soon after, he gifted me a Sears & Roebuck .22 Revolver. A rebadged High Standard Double 9. My Grandma took me to the leather shop on base and she proceeded to tell me to make myself a holster. It turned out nice but I misread the instructions (if I read them at all) and instead of folding the flap over to make the belt loop, I affixed it to the belt using a couple of brass Chicago screws. In the end, it worked to may advantage because I have gorilla arms and the extra length let the holster hang lower. I proceeded to wear that gunbelt almost every weekend for the next 7 years while working my friends ranch. Shot a ton of small game with that revolver until I shot it loose. I still have that holster somewhere.

Anyway, nice job. You will be your own best critic as you use it and discover what you like and what you wish you would have done differently. I need something similar for my SSM.

[coldtriggerfinger]

Squigz;
That is Very very good for your first holster. The front sight channel came out very good ! You double stitched that which is perfect imo. Your stitching is VERY good. Did you use a double needle single thread ?
It looks like you didn't use a skiver on your edges. I recommend skiving all edges. It helps them to not get little dings , curls and chips . Your cuts look very nice. Do you use a head knife ?
You got me hooked on your holster work when I saw the belt loop flap instead of a patch ! Imo that's the very best way to make a belt loop !
The colors are very attractive ! Looks like a quality leather.

This last isn't a criticism of your work at all as it looks very well done ! But rather a concept flaw that is imho rampant.

I have never liked a retention (strap), thong or thumb break for a woods and fields holster.
A holster must keep the gun where you put it on your body. And for my use it MUST protect the gun. I build and wear full flap holsters. Most have a single snap. Some have a double snap. All of them keep the gun clean and dry . And they keep it secure .
I've got more crap, ( dirt, rain , salt water, snow, ice, sawdust, bark , needles and leaves and twigs) down in and on handguns from using strap retention holsters. And have dinged lots of rifle stocks , scopes, pistol grips and dinged the finish on rifles and handguns when using open top , strap , thong, thumb break holsters . From carrying rifles slung over my shoulder.
With a full flap holster all those problems are solved. And the gun is just as fast out of the holster when needed.





This illustrates what and why I like full flap holsters for outdoor carry.
And the reason why I carry when outdoors.
Had an unwelcome visitor hanging around my most recent "project"
As you can see in the pic with with me running the powersaw the 480 is protected, and right where its needed to be.


So again , your holster work is imo VERY good .
I just hate seeing all these nice handguns exposed to the elements and things . Granted , they aren't mine. But I know how much stuff seems to get funneled into a bolstered gun.

P.S. if you look close, you will see that your stitching is straighter and nicer than mine 👍

[45MAN]

RETENTION STRAPS OFTEN HANDICAP A HOLSTER TO 1 PARTICULAR REVOLVER MODEL, SO I PREFER HAMMER THONGS. LOOKS LIKE YOU TOOK CARE OF "IT", THE PROBLEM WITH SIGHT DEPRESSION ON RUGER REAR SIGHTS FROM THE HOLSTER PRESSING DOWN ON IT. FUNCTION TRUMPS FORM.

[45MAN]

SQUIZG: RETENTION STRAPS OFTEN HANDICAP A HOLSTER TO 1 PARTICULAR REVOLVER MODEL, SO I PREFER HAMMER THONGS. LOOKS LIKE YOU TOOK CARE OF "IT", THE PROBLEM WITH SIGHT DEPRESSION ON RUGER REAR SIGHTS FROM THE HOLSTER PRESSING DOWN ON IT. FUNCTION TRUMPS FORM.

[squigz]

Jul 22, 2019 12:51:38 GMT -5 coldtriggerfinger said:

Squigz;
That is Very very good for your first holster. The front sight channel came out very good ! You double stitched that which is perfect imo. Your stitching is VERY good. Did you use a double needle single thread ?
It looks like you didn't use a skiver on your edges. I recommend skiving all edges. It helps them to not get little dings , curls and chips . Your cuts look very nice. Do you use a head knife ?
You got me hooked on your holster work when I saw the belt loop flap instead of a patch ! Imo that's the very best way to make a belt loop !
The colors are very attractive ! Looks like a quality leather.

This last isn't a criticism of your work at all as it looks very well done ! But rather a concept flaw that is imho rampant.

I have never liked a retention (strap), thong or thumb break for a woods and fields holster.
A holster must keep the gun where you put it on your body. And for my use it MUST protect the gun. I build and wear full flap holsters. Most have a single snap. Some have a double snap. All of them keep the gun clean and dry . And they keep it secure .
I've got more crap, ( dirt, rain , salt water, snow, ice, sawdust, bark , needles and leaves and twigs) down in and on handguns from using strap retention holsters. And have dinged lots of rifle stocks , scopes, pistol grips and dinged the finish on rifles and handguns when using open top , strap , thong, thumb break holsters . From carrying rifles slung over my shoulder.
With a full flap holster all those problems are solved. And the gun is just as fast out of the holster when needed.

This illustrates what and why I like full flap holsters for outdoor carry.
And the reason why I carry when outdoors.

Had an unwelcome visitor hanging around my most recent "project"
As you can see in the pic with with me running the powersaw the 480 is protected, and right where its needed to be.


So again , your holster work is imo VERY good .
I just hate seeing all these nice handguns exposed to the elements and things . Granted , they aren't mine. But I know how much stuff seems to get funneled into a bolstered gun.

P.S. if you look close, you will see that your stitching is straighter and nicer than mine 👍

I'll try to answer everything as I can, as well as why I did what I did on this project.

I used a double needle single thread and I created all the holes, made sure they were through and through with a awl and then saddle stitched everything.

I didn't skive the edges, honestly still so new to everything not sure what the quite entails. I did burnish the edges with a burnishing tool (dowel?) and beeswax. It made the edges night and clean and gave them a nice finish.

I used a x-aco knife with a rule for the straight lines, #11 blade I believe? I used about 3 of them for all cuts in this process.

The leather is from Springfield Leather. They had a "flash" sale and I was able to pick up two 1 sqft pieces for $8 total just to try things out. I figured if I messed up, it was only a $4 mistake.

I went with the strap I did because it's going to be used for light hunting and general walking purposes. I'm not doing much on the chainsawing etc. in NorthEast PA as you obviously do. The full flap is great for the full protection and I love the concept! It just wasn't necessary in my particular use case. I also went with the "button stud" rather than a regular snap since again, I'm not getting extremely rough with my practical use for the holster, it retains it very well, and I'm sure over time it'll become loose and I'll regret the decision; but for now it's perfect.

[squigz]

Jul 22, 2019 19:19:21 GMT -5 45MAN said:

SQUIZG: RETENTION STRAPS OFTEN HANDICAP A HOLSTER TO 1 PARTICULAR REVOLVER MODEL, SO I PREFER HAMMER THONGS. LOOKS LIKE YOU TOOK CARE OF "IT", THE PROBLEM WITH SIGHT DEPRESSION ON RUGER REAR SIGHTS FROM THE HOLSTER PRESSING DOWN ON IT. FUNCTION TRUMPS FORM.

This was actually an afterthought, the main part of the holster was up much higher on the revolver after I glued the three rear sections together. Once I test holstered the gun, I realized exactly what you're explaining, the depression of the rear sight and I was uncomfortable with that.

So I set the gun and re-drew some lines to make it work so the rear sight would sit outside the holster, without interference from the leather itself. not pictured, on the bottom in-front of the trigger guard; there's actually three pieces of leather sewn in there as well, but only on the rounded area. I then lessen the thickness of the leather so that it transitioned better to the main two pieces. This also helped with retention and keeping the rear sight from coming into contact with any part of the holster. 

All in all, it works. I'm not a fan of hammer thongs (personal preference, never got use to them), and that's why i set out specifically to utilize a strap instead. 

[bradshaw]

squigz.... see DB Photos, Vol. 17 (XVII), for notes on a front-sewn holster.

Note
* A belt loop which runs the width of the holster pulls the front toward your leg, which cants the butt outward. Works against concealment, which may not be an issue. The outcast butt makes gun easy to find, yet gets in the way when handling tools. An excessively long belt loop tends also to flatten the holster when the gun is drawn.

* Better to have leather cover cylinder than have it swing low over cylinder. Holds shape, holds gun, helps keep out dirt & snow.

Otherwise, you’re off to a good start. I like the ball-post strap retainer. It is elemental, handsome, silent.
David Bradshaw

[z1r]

Jul 23, 2019 14:04:05 GMT -5 bradshaw said:

... I like the ball-post strap retainer. It is elemental, handsome, silent.
David Bradshaw

I like the way you stated that.

[coldtriggerfinger]

Sounds good !
There are many different things we do and enjoy while packin.
I've made probably half a dozen holsters for my G20 for different purposes. From iwb with a metal waist band clip , canted, open top . To shoulder rigs and full flap woods holsters.
One nice thing about doing your own leather work . When you get an idea of , hey I wonder how this would work , you can build it and see.
I've had some ideas that absolutely did not accomplish what I thot they would when I made the patterns and cut the leather.
But the process was fun. Kept my hands busy at the time. And the majority of my projects did actually become useful objects.