New Belt Completed - Need Holster Advice.

[Seth Shaw]

I recently started a new gun leather project that I thought I would post to get some insight from the pards here on The Leather Shop! The plan is to make a more "traditional" gun belt and holster combination - i.e. no drop loop or fancy speed rig setup, just a traditional gun belt, no cartridge loops and 2 traditional style holsters. Here is the belt I completed - 2 1/2 wide Ranger Belt with border tooling;

http://www.iammercy.net/dace/Cowboy/RangerBelt1.jpg
http://www.iammercy.net/dace/Cowboy/RangerBelt2.jpg

So pards! Any advice on a style choice for the holsters? I want to border tool them only, no carving. Should I go with Mexican Loop? Double or Single? Crossdraw or Double Strong Side?

My plan is to try and sell this rig. I want to keep the price low as to offer it as an entry level setup, maybe for a new shooter to SASS. If I can make a little money doing this, I would be real happy as I would be thrilled to be able to fund my next pistol conversion project by selling gun leather!

Thanks for looking, much obliged!

Seth

[Dalton Masterson]

Seth, I would go with a Cheyenne style loop holster. The little bit of flair in the body will make it look a little flashier with border stamping in my opinion. As far as loops, 2 always looks good. I would tend to make 2 strong side but, I think crossdraw would work just as well. Good luck. DM

[knucklehead]

mexian double loop would look great on this belt.

you can make crossdraw or straight draw holsters.
depends on which way your comfortable drawing 2nd gun.

both styles of holsters will look good on this belt.

also suggest that you use same or similar border stamping on holsters. i wouldn't tool anything else but a border on both holsters

[outrider]

Howdy Seth:

Nice looking belt.  Where do you hail from?

[Seth Shaw]

Thanks  for the great advice. I will definitely a couple of double loop holsters to go with the belt. I'll be sure to just repeat the same border stamping that I used on the belt.

I'll be sure to post an update once it's completed.

Outrider - I hail from Canada originally, but for the last 5 1/2 years I have called the San Fernando Valley in Southern California my home.

[cowboywc]

Howdy Seth
Where in the S.F.?
Stop in and visit. We are in Reseda.....
WC

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I think Dalton is right that the Cheyenne style would look good with that belt. Dodge City holsters would also be a good choice

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

hOWDY sETH

                  I agree with Dalton and Marshall Will  on this, Cheyenne, or the Dodge City, there both great looking holsters and they function, well ta boot, you really can't wrong with either one, Will Ghormely puts out some real nice period correct patterns on these holsters , I know you would be happy with. and Seth your belt LOOKS GREAT Pard 



                                                         tEN wOLVES 

[Seth Shaw]

Howdy Seth
Where in the S.F.?
Stop in and visit. We are in Reseda.....
WC

I'm in Winnetka, kinda around the Canoga Park / Chatsworth area. I live just off Corbin street, not to far from Reseda actually

I'll look into the Cheyenne & Dodge City type holsters to match up with the belt. I have some good pictures I should be able to base everything off of and template up some patterns.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and critiques, they are very helpful! Hopefully I'll have a finished holster to take pics of by late next week. I have some new lining material I am looking to try out, they should really look great with the more traditional holster styles.

[cowboywc]

Howdy Seth
Stop by the store some time. I have some of Will's patterns in stock.
7624 Tampa Ave
Reseda,Ca
818-342-9120
WC

[Seth Shaw]

Howdy Seth
Stop by the store some time. I have some of Will's patterns in stock.
7624 Tampa Ave
Reseda,Ca
818-342-9120
WC

I'll definitely have to stop by the store this week! Having a shop just around the corner will be great for getting supplies. Would be nice to have people to talk shop with as well

[Seth Shaw]

I recently completed the 1st holster to go with the new belt I completed. I went with a Mexican Double Loop style holster and plan to make a 2nd one for the left hand side. I used some filler along the seam/trigger guard section this time to allow more space for the pistol. It took ALOT of molding and shaping to get this one to work I had to wet the holster a second time, add a bit more extra blocking around the cylinder and barrel of the pistol, thread the belt through the holster and wrap the whole rig around a spare boxing heavy-bag I had lying around. I set the whole mess outside in the sun so that the holster could bake into the shape it needed to be to work with the curve of the belt. The finished shape perfectly cradles the pistol but also holds it securely (I can jump around with it on and the pistol doesn't even move.

http://www.iammercy.net/dace/Cowboy/Loop%20Holster%20001.jpg
http://www.iammercy.net/dace/Cowboy/Loop%20Holster%20002.jpg
http://www.iammercy.net/dace/Cowboy/Loop%20Holster%20003.jpg
http://www.iammercy.net/dace/Cowboy/Loop%20Holster%20004.jpg

I just have a few little cosmetic touch ups to do and then it should be complete. I'm looking forward to finishing the 2nd holster and also making a matching shotgun/cartridge belt to go with the gun rig. With any luck, I can find a buyer for the whole setup and then get to work on a new project ... as long as I can find the time between all the leather work I have backlogged for the movie my wife and I are doing work on (she is doing the costumes haha).

Best regards,

Seth

[cowboywc]

Howdy Seth
Not a bad job.
A couple of things on the next on. Widen your pattern a bit and bring the down a bit on the seam side
before to start the curve under the trigger guard. It will drop the gun down and fit nicer.
WC

[Seth Shaw]

Howdy Seth
Not a bad job.
A couple of things on the next on. Widen your pattern a bit and bring the down a bit on the seam side
before to start the curve under the trigger guard. It will drop the gun down and fit nicer.
WC

I'll give widening pattern a bit and dropping the trigger guard curve a try WC thanks! That should definitely help with the overall fit of the holster.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That's lookin' good, pard. You did a good job on them. That clean, simple border accents them nicely, too. Another thing you may want to try is rounding the tip of the holster just a slight bit so it doesn't stick too far forward when you sew it closed. Here's one I did basically the same as yours. I also did the same pattern without sewing the tip closed and got the same look.

[Dalton Masterson]

Hey, that looks pretty good! Keep it up!
Those are some good tips there gents!
Marshall, what is that border on that one? DM

[Seth Shaw]

That's lookin' good, pard. You did a good job on them. That clean, simple border accents them nicely, too. Another thing you may want to try is rounding the tip of the holster just a slight bit so it doesn't stick too far forward when you sew it closed. Here's one I did basically the same as yours. I also did the same pattern without sewing the tip closed and got the same look.

That looks great Marshal! I'll factor that into my next holster. I can drop the end of the holster down slightly to allow for enough room to seal the end of the holster closed with a complete stitch.

Thanks for the advice everyone! Here's to hoping the shotgun belt comes out great to match the rig

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Marshall, what is that border on that one?

It's just a simple bead with a teardrop starburst stamp repeated along it. Tandy lists it as an N300.

[Dalton Masterson]

Aww shucks Marshall! I see that now. You just leaned it back and used the rear of the tool. Couldnt make it out on my screen. Thanks. DM

[Seth Shaw]

The more I think about it, the more I want to hold off on starting another major project until I have purchased a quality swivel knife with some special purpose blades. I really want to be able to work on some elaborate carving and I really want a beader blade so that my borders look more professional and detailed.

Any recommendations?