My last holster?

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I had enough leather left to make one more holster so I decided to make one for my Ruger Blackhawk in .357. While I think the holster turned out OK I doubt if I ever wear it because of the weight of the pistol. That thing is a tank. I just weighed it and it weighs 3LBS empty. I once owned a 357 Ruger Blackhawk that was made in the 1950s and I foolishly sold it. That pistol was a perfect frame for the 357. The current model should be restricted to the 41 Mag and larger. I have a new 45 caliber barrel for the Blackhawk but I hate to try and change the pistol to another caliber. I have done that before and it never turned out well. Some people who call themselves gunsmiths should change their name to blacksmiths

[smokeywolf]

Nice work, GS. A job to be proud of.

[Pistolero49]

That is one nice holster!

[rintinglen]

That is indeed a nice holster. The stitchline looks to be perfectly done. As for the New Model 357 Blackhawk, I have to say that I much prefer the lighter flattop models. I wish I had bought a 5.5 inch 44 Special when they were still to be had.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Thank you gentleman. I don't remember any holster giving me as much trouble as this one. I think the fact that I had not made one in many years had more to do with my trouble than anything. I have a large selection of patterns that I made years ago but I didn't have one for the new Blackhawk. If you already have the pattern you simply trace around it on leather [in reverse of course, I've been down that road also], cut out what you have traced and sew it up. I don't have a machine so mine are all sewed by hand. I did sell holsters many years ago but the leather got so expensive that I was paying almost as much for it as I got for the finished holster. Couple that with the fact that Safariland holster company used to send all their seconds to the big gun show in Pomona and sell them for twelve to fifteen bucks. When I mentioned the weight of the Blackhawk I remembered a new Vaquero in .45 Colt a man let me shoot a while back and while it was much lighter than the Blackhawk it was very pleasant to shoot. I would love to have one but since I have so many pistols now that I don't shoot, I doubt if I will ever buy one.