With all of the propositions for concealed and open carry, and the myriad of holsters on the market, I was curious if anybody else made their own gear instead of buying them.
When I got my CCW I just made my own leather IWB holster so I could not only personalize the holster, but incorporate features that I like and nix ones that I did not. Leather, while not cheap is nowhere near the cost of some of the holsters on the market. With a little bit of know how, time, and a couple bucks in tools, you can end up with some nice personalized, functional holsters.
Tools used:
Exacto Knife
8 hole, 4 hole, and 1 hole punches
Leather needles
Wax coated thread
Leather dye
The holsters were wet formed, (leather ran under the faucet and formed on the gun) this gives the inside of the holster a precise fit to the gun. Fits like a glove.
My daily carry rig G19. So comfortable that at times, that I have to reach down to make sure I am carrying. The rough side of the leather facing out creates more surface area, thus more positive and stable holster. It also allows the smooth side of the leather to be on the inside of the holster for a smoother draw. I see this is now becoming vogue with such companies as Galco, so I guess I was doing it before it was cool.
As a handmade , oneoff, it takes some time to make sure to get it right. This one took 6 hours to make. (The picture below with the CCW qualify target and G19)
My girlfriend will be getting her CCW soon and prefers the G19. She likes the Galco "Royal Guard", but instead of forking over $80-G103, I forked out $80 for a side of leather at Tandy Leather. I made a "Royal Guard" knock off for the cost of about $6 plus my time. After making her holster, I have enough leather left over to make 10 more holsters. Production time 8hrs. Needs one more dye job.
You can't carry without magazine pouches. Using a wood form that I made in about 10 minutes and a heat gun, I formed some Kydex and mated it with some leather.
Vertical pouch for G26,G19,G17
Horizontal carry pouch. I am really digging this type of horizontal style. Very low profile.
Last, but not least. The snubbie pocket holster. I used a piece of textured scrap and another piece of leather for a stiffener for the mouth.
Now lets see what you have made! papa
When I got my CCW I just made my own leather IWB holster so I could not only personalize the holster, but incorporate features that I like and nix ones that I did not. Leather, while not cheap is nowhere near the cost of some of the holsters on the market. With a little bit of know how, time, and a couple bucks in tools, you can end up with some nice personalized, functional holsters.
Tools used:
Exacto Knife
8 hole, 4 hole, and 1 hole punches
Leather needles
Wax coated thread
Leather dye
The holsters were wet formed, (leather ran under the faucet and formed on the gun) this gives the inside of the holster a precise fit to the gun. Fits like a glove.
My daily carry rig G19. So comfortable that at times, that I have to reach down to make sure I am carrying. The rough side of the leather facing out creates more surface area, thus more positive and stable holster. It also allows the smooth side of the leather to be on the inside of the holster for a smoother draw. I see this is now becoming vogue with such companies as Galco, so I guess I was doing it before it was cool.
As a handmade , oneoff, it takes some time to make sure to get it right. This one took 6 hours to make. (The picture below with the CCW qualify target and G19)
My girlfriend will be getting her CCW soon and prefers the G19. She likes the Galco "Royal Guard", but instead of forking over $80-G103, I forked out $80 for a side of leather at Tandy Leather. I made a "Royal Guard" knock off for the cost of about $6 plus my time. After making her holster, I have enough leather left over to make 10 more holsters. Production time 8hrs. Needs one more dye job.
You can't carry without magazine pouches. Using a wood form that I made in about 10 minutes and a heat gun, I formed some Kydex and mated it with some leather.
Vertical pouch for G26,G19,G17
Horizontal carry pouch. I am really digging this type of horizontal style. Very low profile.
Last, but not least. The snubbie pocket holster. I used a piece of textured scrap and another piece of leather for a stiffener for the mouth.
Now lets see what you have made! papa
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