Holster Molds?

Realleycat · March 15th, 2007, 08:50 PM

I have a question for a Holster Maker. I'm pretty sure that you use a "Dummy" gun to form a holster. Is it possible to use a "Real" gun to do this, or is the process damaging to a real weapon?

torrejon224 · March 15th, 2007, 09:02 PM

I'm not a holster maker but yes you can use a real gun to make a holster. It is usually done when certain options are on a gun such as oversized sights or extra barrel length, compensators, etc.

Gary Brommeland · March 15th, 2007, 09:21 PM

Yes, an individual holster can certainly be made from an actual firearm. However, the process to produce holsters used by most makers involves the use of a hydraulic press, and that would destroy most firearms pretty quickly. For that reason, most of us use dummy guns.

Realleycat · March 15th, 2007, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Brommeland

Yes, an individual holster can certainly be made from an actual firearm. However, the process to produce holsters used by most makers involves the use of a hydraulic press, and that would destroy most firearms pretty quickly. For that reason, most of us use dummy guns.

That would get expensive pretty quick!!!

What are dummy guns made out of?

Eric Larsen · March 16th, 2007, 12:04 AM

Duncan Molds are made of solid Aluminum....but we use all kinds of molds......Blue, Red, Airsoft, blocks of compressed hair shavings..etc.

Shoot well and god bless

BIG E · March 16th, 2007, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Larsen

Duncan Molds are made of solid Aluminum....but we use all kinds of molds......Blue, Red, Airsoft, blocks of compressed hair shavings..etc.

Shoot well and god bless

Did you say "compressed hair shavings"? Please elaborate.

raytracer · March 16th, 2007, 01:11 AM

As I understand it, master craftsmen like Eric and Gary are the go to guys if your EDC is a Khyber Pass Special and you need top quality leather for it.

The only problem is with the mold forms. If the original gunsmiths had access to modern materials like aluminum and polymer, well... they would have used them in the gun itself!

Hence, the only available mold guns are made from compressed yak hair. At least, it's supposed to be yak hair. It might actually be Aunt Parghunda's.

That's the word on the street anyway.

Joe

plblark · March 16th, 2007, 02:07 AM

search the inernet for blue gun, red gun, training gun, gun mold, blue gun mold.. . you'll get lotsa hits but some of them should lead you in the right direction. If I have it figured right, the hydraulic press would ruin moving parts but the solid plastic / rubber molds don't have any of those so are unaffected. I don't have a press though and have never seen one in operation so I could be way off base.

Saran Wrap is your friend when using a real gun as a mold. You just want to limit the time it's being used as the mold though. The hydraulic press method by people in the business is probably incredibly time saving but it is possible to roll your own by hand with simple methods and simple tools.

The problem is, leather craft is an art. Holsters have all kinds of incredible features and performance that is affected by every little nuance of the design. Loops just off or just too far apart and it doesn't suck the gun in like it should. Stitch or form lines too tight and you can't get the gun out. Too loose and it won't stay in.

What I'd really like to see is a roll your own tutorial ;-) but that'd be like giving away free cows instead of selling milk.

I know several of the holster makers here have been very helpful in roll your own threads where someone has shown the product of their efforts and needs a little hint. I'd try Tandy Leather Factory near you... the one here offered to do a free basics class. It wasnt very good on design and etc for holsters but it was great for the fundamental steps. Then it's down to trial, error, and advice from people who have been there.

Good luck.

btw: the hair sounds like a red herring to my and the Khyber pass is notorious for back of the cave guns made by camel dung forges ....

Eric Larsen · March 16th, 2007, 11:46 AM

Well...my humble apologies. I was joking....the point being that I will stick anything in a holster to mold it as long as it is dimensionally correct for the weapon of choice.

Sorry....my sense of humor changes after being home with a sick 13 year old all week. Delirious is probably acccurate.

Great thread, God bless and shoot well.

Mtbiker · March 16th, 2007, 11:58 AM

Do they get the hair after "Yak Shaving Day"?

March 15th, 2007, 08:50 PM	#1
Realleycat Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 312	Holster Molds? I have a question for a Holster Maker. I'm pretty sure that you use a "Dummy" gun to form a holster. Is it possible to use a "Real" gun to do this, or is the process damaging to a real weapon? __________________ Tony

March 16th, 2007, 12:04 AM	#5
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: WoodsX Ut Posts: 769	Duncan Molds are made of solid Aluminum....but we use all kinds of molds......Blue, Red, Airsoft, blocks of compressed hair shavings..etc. Shoot well and god bless __________________ If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice..........Rush

March 16th, 2007, 02:07 AM	#8
plblark Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 284	search the inernet for blue gun, red gun, training gun, gun mold, blue gun mold.. . you'll get lotsa hits but some of them should lead you in the right direction. If I have it figured right, the hydraulic press would ruin moving parts but the solid plastic / rubber molds don't have any of those so are unaffected. I don't have a press though and have never seen one in operation so I could be way off base. Saran Wrap is your friend when using a real gun as a mold. You just want to limit the time it's being used as the mold though. The hydraulic press method by people in the business is probably incredibly time saving but it is possible to roll your own by hand with simple methods and simple tools. The problem is, leather craft is an art. Holsters have all kinds of incredible features and performance that is affected by every little nuance of the design. Loops just off or just too far apart and it doesn't suck the gun in like it should. Stitch or form lines too tight and you can't get the gun out. Too loose and it won't stay in. What I'd really like to see is a roll your own tutorial ;-) but that'd be like giving away free cows instead of selling milk. I know several of the holster makers here have been very helpful in roll your own threads where someone has shown the product of their efforts and needs a little hint. I'd try Tandy Leather Factory near you... the one here offered to do a free basics class. It wasnt very good on design and etc for holsters but it was great for the fundamental steps. Then it's down to trial, error, and advice from people who have been there. Good luck. btw: the hair sounds like a red herring to my and the Khyber pass is notorious for back of the cave guns made by camel dung forges .... __________________ For MN specific carry information and a great shooting community, check out forum.twincitiescarry.com

March 16th, 2007, 11:46 AM	#9
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: WoodsX Ut Posts: 769	Well...my humble apologies. I was joking....the point being that I will stick anything in a holster to mold it as long as it is dimensionally correct for the weapon of choice. Sorry....my sense of humor changes after being home with a sick 13 year old all week. Delirious is probably acccurate. Great thread, God bless and shoot well. __________________ If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice..........Rush

March 16th, 2007, 11:58 AM	#10
Mtbiker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: CT Posts: 530	Do they get the hair after "Yak Shaving Day"? __________________ -Biker

March 15th, 2007, 09:02 PM	#2
torrejon224 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 678	I'm not a holster maker but yes you can use a real gun to make a holster. It is usually done when certain options are on a gun such as oversized sights or extra barrel length, compensators, etc.

March 15th, 2007, 09:21 PM	#3
Gary Brommeland Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,426	Yes, an individual holster can certainly be made from an actual firearm. However, the process to produce holsters used by most makers involves the use of a hydraulic press, and that would destroy most firearms pretty quickly. For that reason, most of us use dummy guns.

March 16th, 2007, 01:11 AM	#7
raytracer Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kansas City Posts: 308	As I understand it, master craftsmen like Eric and Gary are the go to guys if your EDC is a Khyber Pass Special and you need top quality leather for it. The only problem is with the mold forms. If the original gunsmiths had access to modern materials like aluminum and polymer, well... they would have used them in the gun itself! Hence, the only available mold guns are made from compressed yak hair. At least, it's supposed to be yak hair. It might actually be Aunt Parghunda's. That's the word on the street anyway. Joe

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode