Some pics of my homemade holsters

[BEARDOG]

Hey guys I have been playing with leather holster making this summer, thought since I took some pics for another member of some of my holsters I would make a pic thread of my work so far. First my Kahr stuff.

Here is the one that I made first, CM9 IWB and Mag holder.
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/P104073033.jpg

My CM9 Pocket holster + mag holder.
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/P1040727.jpg

CM9 Front pocket mode.
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/P1040711.jpg

CW/CM9 OWB (Not finished yet)
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/cwowb33.jpg
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/cmowb33.jpg

Continued...

[BEARDOG]

Some more....

Glock 26 IWB.
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/P1040734g26iwb33.jpg

Glock 26 OWB.
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/P104068733.jpg

LCP Pocket + mag holder.
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/P1040725lcp33.jpg

LCP front pocket mode (shows the dark brown color better)
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/P1040683lcp33.jpg
Actually made another LCP holster, in black no laser, as a gift for my Bother in law. He seemed pleased :D
I think Slowpoke was right... I am hooked and need to buy more leather now!:o

[jocko]

lots of talent on the forum.

nice work beardog, as good as I have seen anywhere..

[Cornhusker]

Nice work! That would be a little over my ability.

[BEARDOG]

Thank"s a lot Jocko! I really enjoy doing too!

[Bawanna]

Gosh darn that is some nice looking stuff. I really like that Glock OWB. Is that some exotic leather dressing on the front or something you did to it. Really dresses it up nice.

Everyone of them is first class looking workmanship.

Be proud, you done excellent work there for sure.

Wanna make me a knife sheath? I think I posted pics long ago of my own botched attempt, it looked like it was put together in a kindergarten clase and cut out with a chain saw. It works but it sure ain't no thing of beauty like your stuff.

[BEARDOG]

Gosh darn that is some nice looking stuff. I really like that Glock OWB. Is that some exotic leather dressing on the front or something you did to it. Really dresses it up nice.

Everyone of them is first class looking workmanship.

Be proud, you done excellent work there for sure.

Wanna make me a knife sheath? I think I posted pics long ago of my own botched attempt, it looked like it was put together in a kindergarten clase and cut out with a chain saw. It works but it sure ain't no thing of beauty like your stuff.

Thank's Bawanna and cornhusker, That G26 OWB is my first attempt at a "Avenger Type holster" The front wrap is just another layer of Veg tanned Cow. It is just tooled to give it a different look, I like it a lot too. I will be working my way up to exotics someday$$ :)

[SkeletonSlinky]

Looks great BEARDOG...impressive! I really like the "convertable" design of the pocket holsters and that Glock OWB is very cool. What weight leather do you like to use on your holsters?

[mr surveyor]

BEARDOG

very nice work

now details.... what weight leather? how/what tools did you stitch with?

did you oil up the gun and wrap it in saran wrap to case and bone the leather? did you do that prior to final stitching and trimming?

where are you buying your leather?

more questions to come:D


surv

[eklipto101]

Beardog....Buddy, you can now quit your day time job. $$$?

[BEARDOG]

Looks great BEARDOG...impressive! I really like the "convertable" design of the pocket holsters and that Glock OWB is very cool. What weight leather do you like to use on your holsters?
Thank's SkeletonSlinky It is 6-7 oz shoulder. Did you try making any other holsters yet?

BEARDOG

very nice work

now details.... what weight leather? how/what tools did you stitch with?

did you oil up the gun and wrap it in saran wrap to case and bone the leather? did you do that prior to final stitching and trimming?

where are you buying your leather?

more questions to come:D


surv
Thanks Surv, leather is 6-7 oz veg tanned shoulder from Tandy, they seem to run a sale on the single shoulders in this weight monthly for about $20ish for 6 or so sq/ft. I found a nice piece the first time I went that looked good and was over 8 sq/ft, The second time I went there (1 hr drive) I came home with none, it looked too crappy???

Stitching was done with; A overstitch wheel and either a 1/16 drill bit or a awl/hammer to make the holes. I do the saddle stitch=2 needles and my hands:D.

Yes a little saran wrap around the gun and then insert it into the wet leather for boning.
I have done it both ways, before and after stitching actually, most of them after stitching. As I am still learning.So I keep trying different ways to do things and I keep making different holsters for different guns so I have not really got a set procedure yet.
But it Basically it is;
Make a pattern, Transfer, cut leather, sand if needed.
Glue
Trim, sand, Round edges ,burnish, groove, lay out stitch pattern, make holes, stitch, case+bone, burnish some more, dry and apply finish.

[BEARDOG]

Beardog....Buddy, you can now quit your day time job. $$$?

Thanks eklipto, I may work up to that. :D

[Ol'coot]

Really Nice work , beautiful holsters you are very talented indeed

[J4Cub]

Some great looking work there Beardog, you should be proud! Leatherwork is somethng that I want to get into but alas, no time!

[SkeletonSlinky]

BEARDOG...yeah, I've made a couple pancake OWB's...one for my PM9 so I can use it for IDPA and another for my Beretta 92fs...also a couple magazine holders. They're functional but don't have the nice finished look that your's do. The PM9 one is 4/5 oz...light, but it seems to work good...I'll see how it holds up once I start IDPA. The other is 9/10 oz. and came out ok but it was a much tougher to work with...I think the weight is a little overkill but it worked fine in a steel plate competition I tried. Like you, I'm learning new things all the time and each one seems to be a little better. Thanks again for sharing your photos and methods. I'm hooked too and now my family is starting to look at me funny..."you're not going to the leather place again, are you"!

[mr surveyor]

Thank's SkeletonSlinky It is 6-7 oz shoulder. Did you try making any other holsters yet?

Thanks Surv, leather is 6-7 oz veg tanned shoulder from Tandy, they seem to run a sale on the single shoulders in this weight monthly for about $20ish for 6 or so sq/ft. I found a nice piece the first time I went that looked good and was over 8 sq/ft, The second time I went there (1 hr drive) I came home with none, it looked too crappy???

Stitching was done with; A overstitch wheel and either a 1/16 drill bit or a awl/hammer to make the holes. I do the saddle stitch=2 needles and my hands:D.

Yes a little saran wrap around the gun and then insert it into the wet leather for boning.
I have done it both ways, before and after stitching actually, most of them after stitching. As I am still learning.So I keep trying different ways to do things and I keep making different holsters for different guns so I have not really got a set procedure yet.
But it Basically it is;
Make a pattern, Transfer, cut leather, sand if needed.
Glue
Trim, sand, Round edges ,burnish, groove, lay out stitch pattern, make holes, stitch, case+bone, burnish some more, dry and apply finish.


Thanks for the info. Does Tandy still have walk-in store fronts or are they strictly on-line order now. Back in the mid 70's I tinkered with some western belts, purses, billfolds and a couple of western holsters/gun belts. Bought everything from Tandy, but back then there was a store in Shreveport, LA, about 70 miles away that I could buy from. I still have some 10-12 oz leather somewhere in my box of leather tools from making tooled pictures for gifts. Thought about using it for backing and trying the kydex thing, but I just don't like tupperware that much.

Another technical question... do you rig up something along the "sight line" of the handgun to let you bone in a "sight tunnel" to keep the front sight from snagging?

Thanks for the tips.

surv

[BEARDOG]

Really Nice work , beautiful holsters you are very talented indeed
Thank you!


Some great looking work there Beardog, you should be proud! Leatherwork is somethng that I want to get into but alas, no time! Thank's, I recommend you give it a try if you can.


BEARDOG...yeah, I've made a couple pancake OWB's...one for my PM9 so I can use it for IDPA and another for my Beretta 92fs...also a couple magazine holders. They're functional but don't have the nice finished look that your's do. The PM9 one is 4/5 oz...light, but it seems to work good...I'll see how it holds up once I start IDPA. The other is 9/10 oz. and came out ok but it was a much tougher to work with...I think the weight is a little overkill but it worked fine in a steel plate competition I tried. Like you, I'm learning new things all the time and each one seems to be a little better. Thanks again for sharing your photos and methods. I'm hooked too and now my family is starting to look at me funny..."you're not going to the leather place again, are you"!
LOL, I am planning on another trip to the "leather place" myself soon.


Thanks for the info. Does Tandy still have walk-in store fronts or are they strictly on-line order now. Back in the mid 70's I tinkered with some western belts, purses, billfolds and a couple of western holsters/gun belts. Bought everything from Tandy, but back then there was a store in Shreveport, LA, about 70 miles away that I could buy from. I still have some 10-12 oz leather somewhere in my box of leather tools from making tooled pictures for gifts. Thought about using it for backing and trying the kydex thing, but I just don't like tupperware that much.

Another technical question... do you rig up something along the "sight line" of the handgun to let you bone in a "sight tunnel" to keep the front sight from snagging?

Thanks for the tips.

surv

Yes Tandy still has stores, You can check here for the closest one to you.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/locations/storesearch.aspx
Yes sir, all my holsters have a molded in full length sight channel. (except the LCP's because they have no sights LOL). I make dowels that fit over or up against the front sight and extend to rear sight, a piece of tape or two holds it in place. I think they are a necessary part of holster making.

[mr surveyor]

BEARDOG.... you da man:)

[Bill K]

Wow! Very impressive work. Sure looks pro to me.

[Mattkcc]

I'm curious why you work the leather inside the trigger guard? When I make a pocket holster I want the gun to pull out smoothly and not hang-up in the holster. I started making my own due to problems with commercial models. They make them so they will fit in any pocket, so they are to small for some pants. My store bought pocket holster would often flop onto its side in my pocket. I now make three size holsters for each gun, the largest for my cargo pants. Another thing I didn't like about, store bought, is the gun is positioned to low in the pocket, mainly a problem with my Ruger 380. I don't want to have to dig deep in my pocket to reach my gun.

[JFootin]

I'm curious why you work the leather inside the trigger guard? When I make a pocket holster I want the gun to pull out smoothly and not hang-up in the holster. I started making my own due to problems with commercial models. They make them so they will fit in any pocket, so they are to small for some pants. My store bought pocket holster would often flop onto its side in my pocket. I now make three size holsters for each gun, the largest for my cargo pants. Another thing I didn't like about, store bought, is the gun is positioned to low in the pocket, mainly a problem with my Ruger 380. I don't want to have to dig deep in my pocket to reach my gun.

I have been researching and window shopping holsters for about 3 months, and I just placed an order for the El Paso Horsehide Pocket Holster (http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-163-22-pocket-max-horsehide-holster.aspx). I got a good deal on it HERE (http://gunholstersunlimited.com/el-paso-pocket-max-pocket-holster-ambidextrous-natural-kahr-pm9-pm40-mk9-mk40-pmpm9-1.html?cat_id=79). I like it because it is made to perfectly fill the front pocket of standard blue jeans, from the curved shape along the bottom to the hook at the top. It extends above the back of the slide, yet leaves clear combat grip access all the way to the bottom of the trigger guard. It is rough side out to keep it in the pocket, and smooth side in for an easy draw. It is made of horsehide, which is naturally moisture resistant. And, as you mentioned, it is not worked into the trigger guard or formed around any part of the gun that would interfere with the draw.

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/Miscellanious%20Guns%20and%20Holsters/ElPasoPocketMaxHolster.jpg
I know I spent a little more, but I think I got the right one! :D

[apdturbo]

dang nice leather work!!! i'd buy one?

[BEARDOG]

I'm curious why you work the leather inside the trigger guard? When I make a pocket holster I want the gun to pull out smoothly and not hang-up in the holster. I started making my own due to problems with commercial models. They make them so they will fit in any pocket, so they are to small for some pants. My store bought pocket holster would often flop onto its side in my pocket. I now make three size holsters for each gun, the largest for my cargo pants. Another thing I didn't like about, store bought, is the gun is positioned to low in the pocket, mainly a problem with my Ruger 380. I don't want to have to dig deep in my pocket to reach my gun.

Retention is why I do the boning on all of my holsters. It also looks nice IMO.
I incorporated thumb push off's on the pocket holsters shown here. If I sit down I don't want the pistol to fall out of the holster.That has happened to me using nemesis type pocket holsters. With the two pocket holsters shown all you need to do is grab the gun with a normal firing grip, and sweep the push off with your thumb, it then is further made to stay in the pocket by the "hook" catching the rear of the pocket as it is pulled out.
I adjust the amount of retention till it works reliably for me.
Being able to roll your own holsters allows endless variations in designs.;)

[.45fan]

Do you sell these, if so where can we find prices and guns you make them for?

[BEARDOG]

Do you sell these, if so where can we find prices and guns you make them for?

I have not started selling them yet, but I may in the future. I will be sure to let you guys know that have inquired when I do. Thank you!

Out of curiosity, what type holster /gun are you looking for?

[O'Dell]

I can testify to the quality of the mag holder. Bear was kind enough to send me one for my PM9 a few weeks ago and it is truly great work.

[BEARDOG]

I can testify to the quality of the mag holder. Bear was kind enough to send me one for my PM9 a few weeks ago and it is truly great work.

Thank's a lot O'Dell! I hope that you are getting some use out of it...And as you can see from my pictures the magazine is working for me :)

[jlottmc]

Just out of curiosity, how are you cutting that and finishing your edges? I do some of my own stuff for my multi-tool and compared to you my stuff looks horrible.

[BEARDOG]

Just out of curiosity, how are you cutting that and finishing your edges? I do some of my own stuff for my multi-tool and compared to you my stuff looks horrible.

For cutting I use a pair of strong scissors mostly.

For finishing the edges I first sand them, then after casing and molding I burnish them with my homemade wooden burnisher, A piece of hardwood dowel rod that I turned a few different size grooves in, then with it chucked up in my drill I run the leather edges against it till a smooth rounded edge is formed.
I love to do the burnishing, I have other makers holsters like Crossbreeds, etc. that come not burnished at all, and have done those as well:)

[gb6491]

Darn BEARDOG, you are a handy fellow to have about. That is some fine leather work you've done there!:yo:
Regards,
Greg

[SBRGuy]

Nice work!! Fingers Sore? Thats a lot of stitchin!

[.45fan]

I have not started selling them yet, but I may in the future. I will be sure to let you guys know that have inquired when I do. Thank you!

Out of curiosity, what type holster /gun are you looking for?

PM9 with CT
I would be interested in a pocket holster, a cross draw holster and possibly an ankle holster. 2 of those 3 will happen as soon as I find them.

[BEARDOG]

Darn BEARDOG, you are a handy fellow to have about. That is some fine leather work you've done there!:yo:
Regards,
Greg

Thank's much Greg!:D

[BEARDOG]

Nice work!! Fingers Sore? Thats a lot of stitchin!

Thank you SBRGuy! Yeah the hand stitching is a bit of a pain:o, A leather sewing machine would be great, but cost too much $$$.

[BEARDOG]

PM9 with CT
I would be interested in a pocket holster, a cross draw holster and possibly an ankle holster. 2 of those 3 will happen as soon as I find them.

Gotch ya, Thank's!

[SBRGuy]

Thank you SBRGuy! Yeah the hand stitching is a bit of a pain:o, A leather sewing machine would be great, but cost too much $$$.

I hear that! My Saddle Stitcher cost over $3,000!! Ouch... but my fingers feel so much better! ha ha

[BEARDOG]

I hear that! My Saddle Stitcher cost over $3,000!! Ouch... but my fingers feel so much better! ha ha

Hey SBRGuy, I sent you a PM.:)

[jlottmc]

For cutting I use a pair of strong scissors mostly.

For finishing the edges I first sand them, then after casing and molding I burnish them with my homemade wooden burnisher, A piece of hardwood dowel rod that I turned a few different size grooves in, then with it chucked up in my drill I run the leather edges against it till a smooth rounded edge is formed.
I love to do the burnishing, I have other makers holsters like Crossbreeds, etc. that come not burnished at all, and have done those as well:)
Ahhh thanks, for that. I have lightly sanded them before, but never have burnished. I do case my leather, but haven't done the rest. I've found that sheet metal shears work pretty well on getting things rough cut. Thanks again.

[Laetus1]

Wow, Beardog, those are beautifully done. No kidding!

[goforbroke]

Nice quality work!

[BEARDOG]

I made a new pocket holster for the CM9 and tried some new things, First I textured the whole thing except the push off. I also mixed up a new lighter shade of brown.
What do you think???
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/P9020218.jpg
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/P9020217.jpg