Cutting a holster down for a custom fit (picture heavy)

[Ysabel Kid]

So, keeping with my other posts on customizing holsters, here is another one I did earlier this year during the winter.

The holster started off as a traditionally styled one for the 1860 Army Colt. I bought it off Etsy.



But I wanted to use it with a "sheriff's" model 1860, having a 5.5-inch barrel. Yes, I could have used it as is, but wanted to cut down the holster for a better fit.

Measure twice, cut once. Cutting was the easiest part.



Hmmm, what to do with the section left after cutting it off? Make a toe for the holster! So I made a template, and decided to double up on the toe itself.



Glued them in place with some leather glue and used the rubber bands to hold it all together while the glue dried.



Oh, and I wet-formed the holster before setting the toe.



The nice thing is the holster can be a straight drop strong-side or a cross draw.



The final product:



Another fun project!

[JBowen]

I give it two thumbs up! Looks good.

JBowen

[Grizz]

I give it two thumbs up! Looks good.

JBowen

+2

[bmtshooter]

Lookin goood. Nicely done.

[Old No7]

So, keeping with my other posts on customizing holsters, here is another one I did earlier this year during the winter.

...

Another fun project!

Nice work Jay!

It's good to hear you are making/taking time to do fun gun stuff like that. Here's another project for you...

This coming winter, mark with a punch where the threading that goes down the length of the holster would be across the bottom just above the toe (and coming out the bottom -- so you need to mark the visible bottom of the holster, and also the bottom of the toe itself). Then put a very small (1/16" is too large) drill in a drill press and drill the holes you had marked (Harbor Freight or eBay sell cheap sets that work OK on soft materials). Then get some matching black thread, and complete the threading at the very bottom. After you tie off the last knot, trim it to about 1/4" or so, and use the back end of a smaller drill to push the tag end into one of the drilled holes to hide it, and put a small drop of super glue on it. I think that will give the holster a nice complete & finished look.

Good luck!

Old No7

[samsi]

Fun project, and I like that 1860. Was it built that way or did you chop it?

[Ysabel Kid]

So, keeping with my other posts on customizing holsters, here is another one I did earlier this year during the winter.

...

Another fun project!

Nice work Jay!

It's good to hear you are making/taking time to do fun gun stuff like that. Here's another project for you...

This coming winter, mark with a punch where the threading that goes down the length of the holster would be across the bottom just above the toe (and coming out the bottom -- so you need to mark the visible bottom of the holster, and also the bottom of the toe itself). Then put a very small (1/16" is too large) drill in a drill press and drill the holes you had marked (Harbor Freight or eBay sell cheap sets that work OK on soft materials). Then get some matching black thread, and complete the threading at the very bottom. After you tie off the last knot, trim it to about 1/4" or so, and use the back end of a smaller drill to push the tag end into one of the drilled holes to hide it, and put a small drop of super glue on it. I think that will give the holster a nice complete & finished look.

Good luck!

Old No7

Great idea Darryl!

[Ysabel Kid]

Fun project, and I like that 1860. Was it built that way or did you chop it?

Back about 40 years ago I passed on a pair of 1860's, unfinished and in the white. I was toying with the idea of cutting them down. I was in college, and had no money. Always kicked myself (the seller wanted $40 each for them).

Fast forward, I saw Pietta released a "sheriff" model with a 5.5-inch barrel. I bought it, and other than the horrendous markings Pietta slaps all over their guns, I really like it. I will get around to removing those after I retire.

I still think a 4-inch model would be awfully interesting...

[RIHMFIRE]

Hey!!!!
Those are not slippers.

[Ysabel Kid]

Hey!!!!
Those are not slippers.

Not in the garage!

I must admit, I have had to give up the moccasins, after ~45 years. I need arch support, even inside the house. Really helps my back.