Modern 1911 holster

[Slowhand Bob]

For anyone who might be new to leather work lurking about looking for a simple project, this can become literally a cut and rivet job through the use of heavy leather.  Something in a good 10 to 12 ounce leather should be about right for making the holster without the gluing and stitching.  The one exception on your leather needs will be the belt loop, which needs something a little lighter weight like eight to nine ounce leather.  Eight nine oz leather is always a handy project size but there is not much use for the left over heavier leather, unless you like really heavy belts.

[MontanaSlick]

Bro. Slick, I like the Glock holster you made for your friend.

Thanks Bro. Tex, just wished I'd saved the pattern, might just get and old Army holster and go from there.

Got a buscelero pattern today, looks kinda like a level 10

[Slowhand Bob]

Montana, it is pretty simple to make a pattern from an existing photo of your desired holster, even for someone like me without any artistic ability (thank God for computers).  The main requirement is that the picture be a relatively straight on front image and autos are generally easier than revolvers to boot.  Normally the hard part of copying photos, such as in PACKING IRON lies in the fact that most illustrators never think about giving us a view of the back.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

What's the fuss about patterns?  

A photo or drawn image will give you the style. Draw around your pistol, or revolver, for the profile and a second line 3/4 inch out.  Fold and cut for the body shape on the outer line.

Get a strip of leather the same weight as your holster material.  Wrap it around critical spots requiring a specific dimension and pinch the ends of the strap with 3/4 inch the spare.  Measure the length and that will be about right.  Add the same 3/4 inch to the length for the muzzle finish.

I use heavy target paper to make a more substantial pattern.  It will be about the right firmness with pliability to fold over the gun to verify if the pattern is about right.

For a Mexican loop pattern, the angle of the back flap is a bit of a trick.  Shape it one way for a forward cant, and the other way for a crossdraw rake.  Paper is cheap to figure it out.

After a while, experience will tell you how to get it right the first time.

[MontanaSlick]

Thanks Pard fer the info.
I made the Glock Western from the measurements of the gun, turned out great, that was 5 yrs.go.

Here's a shoulda: Made a template, dang my hide

[Marshal Cy Clone]

How hard do you think it would be to modify this for a sig p225?  It would make an awesome off duty holster!!!!  Concelement isnt a big thing round here as everyone is used to seeing me with a gun on and off duty.......

Marshal Cy Clone

[Slowhand Bob]

Cy, it shouldn't be hard for you to do at all.  This is not fitted in the traditional sense anyway.  Basically the screws govern what gun will slide down in the channel with a close enough fit for the screws to do the final tension desired.  Some of these guys use a strap to get their sizes zoomed in, perhaps someone will splain it to us OR perhaps the video from Jim Simmons would be in order.   

[Marshal Cy Clone]

Slowhand Bob, I modified it for my sig P6 / P225 off duty gun. I love that little surplus west german pistol and carry it all the time over my other guns, but hate nylon holsters. Its not quite finished and this was made with scrap leather, and not very good quality leather either. I did line it with 4oz and I am going to make another with better leather, when I can afford to buy some leather. This was all I had left, some Tandy inport leather.  I used the t-nuts, and I used auto Vaccum hose to cover the tension screw its heavier and I was worried about the frame from getting damaged by the threads. Its a slick little design Bob, and I even tried carving a badge in the leather. It worked pretty good and looks better than in the picture. I learned alot from making this one. I've never used a quality leather and am wondering does it dye better than this cheap stuff? Hold up better? just curious...... Sorry the picture isn't better quality, Im just kinda excited about this one n wated someone to see it..........  Thanks again for providing us with this pattern.........I love it!!!

[Slowhand Bob]

I think you turned out a really good looking little holster there Cy.  I found a good source for buying the parts in stainless but still have not found just the right stainless screw yet.  It may not even exist but I wish that a Phillips pan head with threads only on the end 1/2" to 1/3" and the rest of the shank unturned.  It would make for a pretty screw head, since it must show, and be very professional looking rather than a hardware store contraption.

In times past we have had some pretty in depth discussions appear on here concerning black leather dye, of a military or police quality (deep and shiny).  I think everyone has problems with it remaining steadfast now days and requires special techniques and sealing but I am definitely not the one to address this.  I like to use one coat of dark blue followed by at least two or three coats of black with lots of hard and heavy handed (to the point of burnishing) buffing between coats.  If I had to do much black you can bet that I would look for something better than I use but I simply avoid it on the outside whenever possible!  (call me chicken) 

[cowboywc]

Howdy MCC
Nice job.
Some import leathers work better than others but not as good as the 2 tanned in the USA.
WC

[Slowhand Bob]

PS:  Cy this old holster thread is getting a bit worn and you might do better with a new thread on black leather dye.  At worst we might get some links to past information.

[JD Alan]

I'm gonna kick this thread back up to the top. I'm trying to print out the pattern in the program Bob suggested, but it's coming out about one inch square.

If anyone has printed out this pattern with success I would appreciate hearing about it. Thanks!   

[Slowhand Bob]

JD, from this forum, I first click on the image (I guess it is a thumbnail?) to get it to expand/enlarge.  When it does enlarge I right click on the mouse to get a drop down menu.  From this menue I left click on the 'Save As' selection.This allows me to save it under the file of my choice, on my pc, and in the jpeg format.  Since this was actually uploaded in this format it comes back to my computer the same way and I can open it with PSP or Adobe for a real size print out.  One thing to look at is the print size that shows up when you are ready to send the image to the printer, it should read 100%.  At the outset I had hoped we would be able to work out a method by which patterns could be easily exchanged between our various computers and their programs but I fear that I am not puter knowledgeable enough to make that work.  I am still playing with the idea of a competitive 1911 Wild Bunch rig as time and chores permeit and hope to get a chance to finish another working model tomorrow.  If it is anywhere close to the right lines and fit I will take some pictures.

[JD Alan]

I finally got the thing to print. I was sending the thumnail to my wife to print through one of her computer programs

Thanks Bob!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Glad you got it, JD. You have to admit, though, a one-inch pattern would save a lot of leather.

[JD Alan]

 

[Slowhand Bob]

This picture purty much shows the evolution of this holster from the earlier pattern I posted here.  The one on the left being a nice pattern on its own merit but I wanted to try something with heavier leather and a cut down pattern, it is lined though.  The next two are the actual Darwinian versions.  Kinda looks like I was hitting the brandy when I stamped the Southern Pride version!  The items sticking up are mag pouches.