cheapest way to build a holster?

[slickest]

I want to build a holster for my Taurus .44 mag and my browning buck mark. Looks are not that important as long as it handles the abuse. Whats the cheapest way to do this and what types of tools will I need? I bought some leather craft books from the local leather store but it seems i would need some where over around 100-150 dollars worth of tools to make a nice holster with a pattern. I'm just looking for cheap and efficient.

thanks for any info.

[hillbill]

what i have done in the past is, get some good quality leather, wet it and form it around the pistol and hold it tightly around the pistol with some spring loaded clamps. then let it dry enough to kinda hold its shape. mark your outline with a scribe or pencil.cut away your excess to obtain the proper shape you want.sew on your belt loop then punch holes along the edge where you want to sew it shut.for this you will need a sewing punch, which looks like a punch except it will have 3 or 4 prongs punching multiple slots or holes at one time.then with 2 large needles and some heavy waxed thread sew the edge together with a interlocking stiche.yu will need a needle nose pliers to insert the needles and pull them thru the heavy leather.you could make a single hole punch from a old small screw driver i guess.i like to sew on a strap that goes over the hammer and then snaps down to the holster. for this you will need some snaps and a snap setter tool.you can get a ton of money tied up in tools for working leather!you could make the holster and take it to a local shoe repair shop or a guy that makes biker leather stuff and have them sew it and set the snaps.if your just going to make a couple holsters it might be easier just to buy them. but if your handy and like doing it yourself it can be done fairly cheap.your first holster will be pretty crude but they will improve as you go.let us know how it works out!

[corbanzo]

If you want tough and dont want to worry about breaking stitches, rivets are excellent.  - and much much faster than sewing.  All you need is rivets, a mallet, a punch, rivet setter, a knife and some leather.  Then you got a holster. 

So rubber mallet: $5
Punch and setter: $5
A knife:  I'm sure you have one.  Use a utility knife. 
Rivets:  About 50 cents for the 12 you would need for one holster.
You can get half a cows worth of cheap tooling leather for not too bad a price.  Look for something minimum weight of about 8-10 oz.  I usually do 12oz, but its a little stiff to work with.  But if you buy just a piece big enogh for a holster you are only talkin $20.

So you are in about 30 bucks for a holster.  My recommendation:  spend the $100 to get half the cow and make a bunch of cool stuff. 

The fold around style that hill is talking about is good, or you can do pancake style.  You can do that same for the belt loop, either have a portion of leather you fold down and connect, or a difference piece you connect to the side. 

Im up at work so I dont have any pictures handy...  I have both styles of holster made up... if i think of it next week Ill look around.  might check the computer if i have any already.  Here is one is have that isnt guns, but it still shows you that having a little extra leather handy is good.

[slickest]

thanks for the info guys.

[corbanzo]

I'll try and get some simple holsters I've made up when I get into town.  Maybe I should buy a new revolver and do a tutorial..... hhhmmmmmm....  hahahaha.  If I find a good deal that might happen.

but until then.... explore... all kinds of stuff to look at.

www.tandyleatherfactory.com

[houndsnmules]

Tandy leather sells holster kits. Its very easy to make a holster pattern. just one quick way trace pistol on heavy paper from trigger guard mark out 13/8" do same at muzzle ,draw straight line between too. On the out side of holster mark out for trigger guard. While pistol is paper draw a straight line between sights. remove pistol cut angled line fold at straight line trace angled line and cut other side this will make basic pattern for semi tight holster . Sew belt loop to leathe holster before folding leather. fold leather sew buy very easy look on line for leather sewing you can use a modified nail as an awl. soak folded and sewn leather until there is no bubles coming. let it set in a plastic bag over night (casing) wrap your pistol 5 to 6 times in cling wrap. Allow leather to dry with pistol in holster, that's a real quick explanation but should get you started

[kid buckskin]

Seems to me there's more ways to skin a cat then a guy could shake a stick at.
Everything aside , we all know that easy is sometimes not so rewarding and nets the goods in dew time, however with a skilfull hand and a little patients something extraordinary could come ofyour labors, not olny is there room for reward but a sence of accomplishment you get  done. Hard to beat home bulit  stuff

[Rickk]

Zack White leather sells holster kits as well.