After seeing a wolf all their tracks while Bowhunting and because bears numbers in our area are on the rise, I thought it time to buy a handgun to carry while Bowhunting. This is a Taurus chambered in .357 magnum. It came without a holster so I needed to make one. Im not excited about having another thing to carry into the woods (especially something that weighs about 2 pounds when loaded). I've never made a holster before but it can't be too much different that a knife sheath and I have made many of them. I started with a pattern I cut out of cereal box cardboard with approximate stitching lines. The holster will be made of two pieces of 8 Oz. tooling leather To hold the two pieces in place for working, I used rubber cement. Then added brass rivets in the stress areas and began punching lacing holes. I hand stitched it with a heavy , braided, brown, waxed, thread. I then added stitching around the outer edge. Then I wetted the leather for shaping to the contour of the gun. Here it is prior to molding the wet leather to the gun's details. Using a piece of bone and the back of a sharpie marker, I creased and molded the leather. After 10 minutes under a hair dryer, the shape is locked into the leather. Then it was time to cut belt loops. I punched holes at each end of the loops. And connected them with a razor knife. To smooth the lines, I used a sanding drum inside the slot. And then a larger sanding drum for the outside edge. Then I wetted the holster again and formed the hip curve and pre-shaped the belt loops as well and slicked the cut edges. Again a bit of time under a hair dryer locked in the shape. Despite rubbing the edge, its still a bit fuzzy, I will address this later.
Then its time for a deep brown stain. After Now to address those fuzzy edges. Edge kote is used on belts and billfolds and anywhere you want to protect, waterproof and smooth the cut edge of leather. After 2 coats and a bit of slicking with a bone. The wetting and heat used for drying and the alcohol base stain has really dried out the leather and made it very hard. Neatsfoot oil will restore those lost oils and be the first step in water proofing the leather. This darkens the leather even more. After letting the neatsfoot oil soak in I further seal and waterproof and conditioned the leather with warmed mink oil. The finished product. I have about 6 hours into it.
Damn fine piece of leather work my man. Mighty fine! My only objection is the Taurus. 3 of the small gun stores near me with the exception of the big stores they will not sell Tauruses. Due to some of their weapons problems. Brass swelling in revolvers, FTE's and ejections not to mention turn around time for repairs and one outfitter sent a gun to be repaired and they returned it untouched.
That's is a beautiful pancake! as far as the Taurus goes. The issues most people have had are with the semi line not the revolver line. have you been able to use the holster yet and was drawing out of it ok. Sent from my LG-E739 using Tapatalk 2
Yes, I have drawn and fired from it many times in prectice. It does not hook or snag at all. It fits like a glove.
Nice.i was only asking because i prefer the grip a little more exposed. But for going thru the woodsi think that design is really good Sent from my LG-E739 using Tapatalk 2
Because I go through some thick stuff while hunting, I designed it to ensure the hammer was not exposed.
I can't believe a manly man such as yourself is even scared about wolves and bears out in the woods. I went bear hunting in Canada and heard wolves all around me and saw bears all week. I was not scared one bit. I am however, a sissy, because I build a nest in a public bathroom. Holster looks good though
Nice leather work. I was wondering why you didn't put like a secure strap over the top. Would if it falls out on you? It would suck having to walk around the woods looking for it
You confuse "Scared" with "inconvenienced" Should I be tracking a deer, I can expect that other large mammals are also doing the same or are perhaps already there. Unholstering and sending a few rounds into the dirt to save me the grief of shouting and waving my arms is a good idea. Having it an not needing it is better than needing it and not having it. Its a cheap insurance policy. Yes, we can agree there.
I'll just go out and buy another. I would have to be standing on my head and bouncing up and down for the gun to come out. That is not likely to happen.
I think i could see you doing that id you shoot a big ol 200" :p Sent from my LG-E739 using Tapatalk 2
I don't understand why a man of your stature, not scared of poop, urine, bacteria, germs and all other things, is scared out in the woods. Just seems like overkill, you could probably just raise your hand and whatever animal coming at you would just fall over dead. No, I did not "confuse" scare. You are scared/in fear if you really think you need that to protect yourself from animals in the woods of Wisconsin. Good work again on the holster
