SLIM JIM HOLSTER FOR A COLT WALKER

[Django]

Hi i've been asked to make a slim jim for a Colt Walker, i havn't got the gun with me but drew around it as in chucks DVD and measured the full length of the gun and it came out at a massive 15 1/4"!!!

Q/ Is this the standard length? if anyone has one, will you measure it for me to confirm this please.

I downloaded some pic's and resized the pic's to 15 1/4" and printed off a full size copy.

I am going to make the holster from 10 oz veg tan so that the thickness of the leather suits the size of the holster.

Q/ Is 10 oz leather ok for standard size holsters?

Q/ Is the method of pattern cutting the same as in chucks DVD ie: roll the gun over on the sight and hammer , draw round the gun to show the parts covered by the holster and work from that?

Q/ do i need to leave more leather on the main seam as i am using thicker leather?

Any advice would be very welcome.
Thanks.
Django.

[amin ledbetter]

I read in a holster making post on another forum ( I think it was on leatherworker.net ) that you adjust the pattern to the leather thickness. I have been using this technique since I read it, and it does work. I usually start with my piece of paper folded in half. I measure out half the thickness of the leather I am going to use from the center fold. I lay the gun on its side with the top of the frame and front sight on that mark and trace around it. I add at least 1/2" past the end of the barrel, and allow at least 3/4 of an inch around all parts of the lower profile of the gun. This has worked for me pretty well.

Hope that helped a little. Keep us posted on how it turns out!

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Django,

I sent you an email on this subject ... but Chuck Burrows has a wonderful DVD on making holsters ... and one of the holsters he makes on the DVD is a California Slim Jim ... but he follows pretty much the steps that Amin has laid out ...but if you can get one quickly, it might be worth the wait ....

[Slowhand Bob]

Take a look at the first picture shown on the page, it is a Walker gun and holster.  If you like this style or just think it would help to kick start a newer pattern let me know and I will try to scan something in and email it to you.  http://home.comcast.net/~gakracker/site/?/page/MY_PERSONAL_LEATHER_/&PHPSESSID=7f659b651d0ffca10487db318add6df5

[Django]

Django,

I sent you an email on this subject ... but Chuck Burrows has a wonderful DVD on making holsters ... and one of the holsters he makes on the DVD is a California Slim Jim ... but he follows pretty much the steps that Amin has laid out ...but if you can get one quickly, it might be worth the wait ....

Thanks for the advise guys,there are other questions on my original post, any idears?

Wadd , i have got Chucks DVD, i posted a pic of the Mex' Loop i made.
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,228.msg430946.html#msg430946

Amin, that sounds good to me, i'll do a test pattern.

Bob, thanks for the pattern offer please mail it to me.

Django

[Slowhand Bob]

Just sent an email and will also scan the pattern tonight and try to upload it.  What I done was a half pattern tracing which cand be traced to a folded manilla folder to render a full size pattern.  The oal is close to 15" so this is a monster Slim Jim and my pattern indicates that I used 10/12oz leather for my version.  I did not see the belt loop with it so you will need to add your own.  As stated in the email, send me your address and I will also get the tracing in the mail just in case things do not come together right on the computer thang!!!!!  Check back here shortly.

[Slowhand Bob]

Let me know how this works.  They should print out actual size.

[amin ledbetter]

Thanks for the advise guys,there are other questions on my original post, any idears?

Wadd , i have got Chucks DVD, i posted a pic of the Mex' Loop i made.
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,228.msg430946.html#msg430946

Amin, that sounds good to me, i'll do a test pattern.

Bob, thanks for the pattern offer please mail it to me.

Django

As far as I know Djamgo, the reproduction Walkers are all a standard length. They are only offered in one barrel length of 9" and all have a standard over all length of about 15.7"

Are you going to be getting the gun to fit the holster after you get it cut out of the leather?

10oz will work fine for this holster. In fact I would almost recommend it since the walkers weigh a hefty 4.5 pounds. I would even suggest a double stitch along the seamed edge if not a long double stitch at the top and bottom of the seam. The bigger and more important issue is the leather weight on the belt that will hold the heavy Walker! May consider a hefty 10-12 oz for it as well.

I would add an additional 1/4" of leather on the seam edge. It can always be cut off once you finalize the where the stitch seam needs to be. I did that recently with the two holsters I made for both my son's holsters for there 22 heritage pistols. I trimmed off about 3/16 after making the stitch seam. You will need the gun to determine were the seam will go though!

Looks like Bob set you up with a pretty nice pattern. Keep us posted Django. Let us know if you have any more questions.