holster patterns?

[justin22885]

im looking for a soft, comfortable carry holster for a 4 3/4 inch single action army

since i want it to be softer, im either going to soften cow leather with saddle soap, sunlight, etc, or use a naturally softer leather like sheep skin...

anyway, i was wondering if anyone had any patterns for a snug fitting single action holster specifically for 4 3/4 length revolvers?, i want it to have enough retention to not need a hammer loop, but still be easily removed with a firm tug

purpose will be a concealed carry holster, so i will probably use some leather rivets and belt clips for IWB, or a higher riding forward angled strong side holster...

any ideas or suggestions?.. i was just thinking of buying a 4 3/4 inch galco holster to modify for my needs, but as i have the tools to work with leather, i thought this could be a fun project.. who knows, if this goes well, i have been meaning to aquire a new pair of boots.. however, im not into cowboy boots at all...

to be perfectly honest, im not even into cowboy action shooting.. i just enjoy lever actions and single action revolvers for what they truly are... the lever action being the most practical, light weight, and useful tool for hunting large game, and the colt SAA, the most well balanced, naturally feeling, most comfortable handgun ive ever handled, and after 130 years nothing has ever been made that can match those points... that to me is worth far more than a small increase in fire rate

[Major 2]

I don't normally offer the suggestion, but you wanted a soft, comfortable carry holster

In that case,  Hunter Leather makes a snug cross draw that might fill the bill.

A new Crossdraw holster (1089) has been added to the Hunter cowboy lineup. Constructed from one piece of top grain leather, this holster is available in three sizes to fit 4 5/8"- 7 1/2" barrels. This authentic style holster comes in left or right hand models with Antique Brown finish.
Suggested Retail $57.75 RH

Cabela's has them and they are a close toe made for the 4 1/2"  and bit cheaper the Hunter site (photo)

http://www.huntercompany.com/western.html

[justin22885]

well, i was thinking of making one myself as a fun project. but if you guys are sure the hunter is a quality leather holster, i could take the 1090, remove the loop piece... then use screw-rivets to fix a couple metal clips to it for IWB duty....

if anyone has a pattern such as that of the hunter 1090 without the loop section so i can cut and stitch myself, i could stitch a couple belt loops on in a forward angled high strongside style carry holster

i guess i have a few options out there

[Major 2]

Hence my {don't normally offer the suggestion"} remark

Hunter is Good as entry level... the leather supple and reasonably made for the price....
It's worth the price to remake it into the CWC you'd like.

[justin22885]

yeah, im going to have to do that.. or read more online about making one to better fit the revolver.. i guess if i wrapped the revolver well in seran rap to prevent any leather working chemicals into the metal (not sure what it would do to the finish), then i could probably soak it to make it pliable, wrap it around the revolver, and work it in to make a nice fit... then probably soften it to make it more comfortable to wear for long periods

[Slowhand Bob]

My experiences with Hunter products have not been positive, just seen to many individuals looking for solutions to their poor quality!  As for using their holsters for patterns, they are really into the one size fits all market on the products I am familiar with.  But then I can not visualize this type holster mated to a SAA size revolver either.  Sorry, just the view from a different saddle.

[Dalton Masterson]

Look at Triple K if you are going to go the cheap leather route. Much better than Hunter in my experience.
If you are wanting to make your own, even better! Get out a couple of manila file folders, and start laying out a new pattern using your gun, and make it to your specs. Its a great feeling to know you made your own gear.
Good luck!
DM

[WaddWatsonEllis]

When I bought a little 1863 conversion, it came with a "Hunter Style " holster with the usual-top-strap-and-snap ... it made a very good cross draw holster for a pocket pistol, but the unneeded strap (it holstered so deeply it would never fall out) scramed modern ...

So I cut the strap off, sutured the holster together where the strp went through, and had a saddlemaker sew and oval over where the brass snap was. He tooled it enough to make it appear at firs tna dsecond glence to be a maker's mark ...

If you like the holster, this might be the cheapest way to go ... Below is the finished holster and the small pic is as it came to me ... the next step is to get rid of that ugly snap on the leather 'ring' and have my friend the saddlemaker replace it with ring that looks more like a Mexican Loop .....

[Springfield Slim]

If you want it soft, just buy some belly leather from Tandy. And I could make you a pattern, but I will need more details on how you want to carry. mwwhyte1 AT verizon.net