So I made my first holster yesterday!

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

I have been using a CrossBreed IWB Super Tuck Deluxe holster for almost a year to carry my SP101 around, it is a good holster, I usually don't even notice that I have my gun on! I find myself "checking" with my elbow to see if it is still there! But . . . I had a few complaints, first I didn't like the exposed barrel, then I noticed that the belt clips didn't always stay when I was wearing just a tad too tight pants (the furthest back one would ride up) then the last one is my fault from abuse . . . I alway wear my holster, even without a gun! Since I work at a public school, and the silly law says "no guns within 1000'"! I also do the vehicle maintenance on the buses, so rolling around buses with no gun in my holster over time allowed the kydex to crack from under the cylinder to the barrel end. I wear the same pants size all the time, so I just put my holster in to take up the space . . .

I have been interested in doing things myself, so . . . I bought some leather working tools, and some leather . . . and basically copied the CrossBreed with my modifications! I'm not sure if I like how I did the belt loops, they are kinda bulky, and a pain to make!

This is basically just a practice one anyways, I will probable end up screwing it to my bed frame so I always have my gun handy at night, and build a better one for normal use . . . also I need one for my Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan!

I used some 8oz finished leather from Leather Unlimited, and it took my almost 7.5 hours to make it! My finger are a bit sore!

Here is my poor abused CrossBreed:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/CrossBreed.jpg

My new one!
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/SP1011.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/SP1012.jpg

This is really the same, I just took a picture of myself in the mirror!
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/SP1013.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/SP1014.jpg

[smilie=s:

ETA: Yes I need a new belt! That is next!

[DLCTEX]

That belt looks like mine, just broken in good. Mine does have extra holes punched as I've lost 46 pounds. I've been thinking I'll try my hand at making a holster for my Raging hornet with a scope. It won't be an inside waist band type though. My son has been making some with kydex that work well, but I'm a leather man.

[crabo]

Nice job!

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

The nice thing about Kydex is that it holds it's shape when unholstered, but it is noisier on either holstering or un-holstering . . . and for me it ended up cracking!

I also like all leather, just learning, but happy that it actually works, I need to work out a better way to built the straps, and still make it "tuckable"

I was just thinking . . . that the next on I'll punch a few small (maybe 1/4") holes in the back piece that goes against my body to help it breath better on these warmer days! Actually I think I can try it on this one! (except for where the gun is)

[Buckshot]

.............Looks like you did a very nice job. Good workmanship.

..................Buckshot

[EMC45]

Well done Sir! And I like this new sub forum!

[Wayne Smith]

I was just thinking . . . that the next on I'll punch a few small (maybe 1/4") holes in the back piece that goes against my body to help it breath better on these warmer days! Actually I think I can try it on this one! (except for where the gun is)

Even where the gun is. Just make a wooden form roughly the size of the gun, slip it in the holster, and punch through from the backside.

[Edubya]

Shawn, you've done what many of have talked about doing and you done good!
You might consider ordering some of those Kydex belt clips that fit your needs.
Your next project is to make a good gun belt. Maybe you could line the belt with Kydex to give it the stiffness that it needs.

EW

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

Well . . . I punched some holes in it . . . 1/4"

I have lots of leather, but . . . little time! I just got a 1911 which needs a holster, and my Alaskan also needs one too!

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/Holes.jpg

[scrapcan]

Make sure you are vigilant in cleaning your gun and the ammunition in it after carrying in hot weather with the holster with the vent holes. That sweat will go everywhere on the gun, and jsut becasue it is stainless does not mean you will not have issues with the ammunition in the cylinder.

Other than that caution it looks like you did good.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

Manley,

This is basically a guiny pig holster, I won't do the hole in the next holster in the area of the gun . . .

Yesterday I worked on the belt loop clips . . . they still need some tweaking, but much better than it was . . .
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/MetalClip.jpg

I had an old road sign I found unbolted at the side of the road . . . I cut a strip off and bent it, glued on some leather, next one I'll bend the top wider, as I had to pull out the bottom for it to slide down over the waistband of my pants, I will also make the end of the loop longer . . . like the leather inside shows . . .

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/NewclipsBelt.jpg

I also tried my hand at a little belt loop cartridge holder . . . these are 38 specials . . .
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/Cartridge38.jpg

I'm still practicing, learning a lot!

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

For my SRH Alaskan in 44 mag

I reused the belt clips from my other one . . .
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/AlaskanIWB2.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/AlaskanIWB3.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/AlaskanTuckable1.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Guns/Holster/IWBAlaskan.jpg

So far it is a bit bulkier, but I don't notice the weight!

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

It is all by hand, I use tool to scoop out a little "ditch" (don't recall what it is called) and with a small three hole punch, I punch the first three stitch holes, then basically put one of the three in the last hole and make two more, so the spacing is even . . . not really hard. This took me about 2.5 hrs, although I did not make new belt clips . . . yet!

[smilie=s:

[Von Dingo]

Lookin' good. The groover is the name of the tool that you couldn't remember. You could use a couple of copper rivets to help make the loops easier to fab, rather than sewing on the inside of the loops.

[Von Dingo]

By the way check out http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?act=idx

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

By the way check out http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?act=idx

WOW! lots of info there!

I switched from the leather loops, to bending metal, and covering with thin leather, that way they are stiff and helps with the "tuckable" part . . .

[Maine1]

Nice job...but you are in trouble. As you make more holsters and get better at it, and refine your design..freinds will pester you to make them one. Before you know it you will have a side business going.

I had similar issues with the crossbreed: i liked it, but the kydex cracked, twice. They went good for it, but i felt that i could do better, having worked kydex for knife sheaths for a while. I covered my kydex with leather, as well. it makes a slightly thicker holster, but the carry is greatly improved and it lasts.

the best loops i have tried have been leather with pull the dot snaps, they do not cracxk or break, and go on and off easily.

[Von Dingo]

Shawn,

You are very welcome. Take your time, and absorb.

Marc