Custom Leather Holster

Our son came to me and asked if I could make him a holster for his new S&W 9 Shield pistol. I don't make a lot of holsters but, as you know, I love to create new products. So, I created a pattern by drawing around the outside of the pistol along with a flap and added 1/2 inch to the portion that would surround the pistol in order to make sure that there was enough room for stitching, enough length for the flap to snap and a snug fit for the pistol in the holster.

After a good dying, with Black dye (even though the picture looks more purple, I think that was our new Flashery that did that) and about 4 coats of Acrylic Resolene to protect the holster, I attached a clip. The clip was set at the angle that he wanted so that the pistol would point back away from his feet and the handle would be forward enough for a comfortable grab to withdraw the pistol from the holster. I also, as always, cover the base of the rivets on the inside with a thin piece of pigskin to prohibit the possibility of any scratching.

Finally, I added a half inch piece of 3 ounce leather that was long enough to span the length of the stitch line so as to act as a spacer to give ample room for the trigger frame. After hand stitching the holster, measuring and attaching the snap on the holster and the flap, the pistol fit nice and snug in the holster.

I was please with it and our son said that it turned out great.

Until next time, All the best.
Frank, the Leather Guy