I recently picked up a used 5-1/2" Ruger Single-Six which prooved to be a great shooter. I started pricing leather holsters for it but did not like the prices they are going for. I have done a little leather work so I decided to try making one myself.

I liked the looks of the holster in the Mag-Na-Port Custom Super Blackhawk article on this site http://www.handgunhunt.com/readArticle.php?letter_id=31 . Being cheap, I would rather spend the $80 (which is a great deal) on reloading supplies than a holster. I modeled mine after that holster which allows either standard carry or cross draw. I made this one left handed. I plan to make a right handed holster for my 5-1/2" .45 Colt Blackhawk and carry both crossdraw. I made several mistakes on this holster that hopefully I will learn from and do a better job on the next one. Anybody else making their own holsters?

Way to go. I can do wonders with wood but sewing ain't my cup-o-t. I have modified existing products to allow for accessories, but not from scratch.

Good job. I like working with leather but I have never tried a holster. What thickness and type did you use?

Thanks guys! I forget the ounce measurments of the leather I have. I used two pieces of shoulder leather, one .057" and one .082" with the thinner leather as the liner.

Here are the finished holsters. The Single-Six is on the left and the .45 Colt Blackhawk is on the right. The best part is I only have about $10-$12 in materials for each holster. I think I'll try a cross-draw holster for my scoped SBH next.

They turned out great, nice job.

Good Job!!! I wish I had the talent and know how to make one of those.

Pab you did an excellent job. Those are very nice. TJMCO, have of the battle is not being afraid of getting your feet wet. The other is having all of the right leather working tools which can be costly.

nice job pab, I can't do stuff like that, basicly if it aint made of metal and held together with bolts I don't even try anymore.

Thanks guys!


If you are interested in doing some leather work, jump in and try it. I have never had any training (and I'm sure to those who have, it shows) but I keep trying to challenge myself with each project. I don't consider myself too talented either compared to a lot of the work I see out there. When I look at anything I make, the mistakes are what I tend to focus on, but I try to improve on it the next time.

It does not cost too much to get started, especially when you consider the money you save not buying gear someone else made. Below is an arm guard I made with elk antler buttons and deerskin backing. I made the knife sheath for a friend using deer skin fringe and a deer antler button. Both are stitched with artificial sinew. Start out with basic projects like an arm guard, ammo case or knife sheath and go from there. You'll like the sense of satisfaction you get making your own one of a kind gear.

Your work looks great.What kind of sewing machine you use.Just curious as to how much they cost.

pab1, very nice!! Keep us updated on future projects

Leather work has always interested me, but just never had the time. I have helped the scouts with small leather projects and it's fun. I like the paw print you put on each holster. The lady that comes to scouts has a huge collection of stamps, so the boys can really create a neat wrist band or wallet.

On the knife sheaths that I've made I sew by hand and on a rifle scabberd I made I used just a regular sewing machine. Broke a few needles because I didn't want to go buy a heavier needle. The rifle scabbered was soft Elk hide with wool blanket lining. Made for a Hawkens style muzzle loader. A regular sewing machine can handle the soft stuff, but I never try it on the thicker stuff like Pab 1's holsters.

Thanks guys! I think I am my own worst critic because I usually focus on the mistakes I made on each project.

Tig, the wolf paw print is about the only leather tooling I do. I put it on most the projects I make for my son and I. I prefer the look of smooth leather but I have a lot of respect the guys who do tooling.

Ezmerf, I do all the stitching by hand. I mark the hole locations and punch them with an awl, a leather chisel or dremel depending on the project.

every nice work pab1 if you ever do custom orders let me know
i could never do anything like that all thumbs.
larry

I like how you molded the leather. Do you have a trick to doing that, so you don't hurt the finish?

Larry223, I don't think I'm quite to that level yet. You also need the gun the holster is being made for in order to make a pattern and mold the holster to it. They look similar, but the Single-Six holster was a little too small for the Blackhawk due to the larger frame. I had to make a new pattern with a little more space around the trigger guard to fit it. It's really not that difficult to make. I think anybody could make one with a little practice. Send a PM if you want my self taught technique.

TCMan, I do the molding as the final step. I soak the holster in warm water for about two minutes, remove it, wipe off excess water, then put the gun in a plastic bag and form the leather to the contours of the gun. When I'm happy with the fit, I remove the gun and check the fit with the bagged gun throughout the day as the leather dries.

Thanks Pab!!!!