Close molded holsters

[Bugscuffle]

The consensus for single layer holster leather seems to be about 8-9 oz. Is this also true of close molded holsters.I really like the Cheyenne pattern holster and would like to make up a pair for my 7 1/2" SAA's. Is 8-9 oz. leather too heavy to close mold or would two layers of 4-5 oz. work better?

[Cliff Fendley]

Depends on the quality of leather you use and how it's finished but yes for the most part it is plenty heavy for a molded holster. My personal carry molded holsters are single 8-9 oz. and the guns snap into the holster.

[Slowhand Bob]

I have never molded and boned holsters for that skeletal outline of the gun but from talking with some of the guys who are big into this with the modern style guns do use lighter leathers and some specialized techniques to get that look you seek.  In one case I was seeing it discussed they were attacking it from two directions, first they were vacuum forming and then actually boning through the vacuum bag.  I would definitely ask Trailboss about his specialized fitting methods for such a tightly fitted holster as you do not want the gun to have areas that lock it into the holster.  Look over this  http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?board=38.0

[Bugscuffle]

Thanks for the information Pards. I don't have a vaccuum pump and i wouldn't want to go to the expense of buying one for just one pair of holsters, so I'll just stick to the "elbow grease" method. What I'm thinking is to use a 5-6 oz, leather inner layer that is very closely formed to the outline of the guns and then another  layer on top of that and sewn together at the edges. Hey why not? Columbus took a chance.