Ruger Mark II bull barrel holster - my way

BConklin · January 31, 2011, 09:54 AM

I'm new to holster making and carrying sidearms in holsters - this is my second attempt at holster making and I'd appreciate feedback from those with more experience as to whether they think this design would be practical in the field.

This one gave me lots of challenges - with both the designing and the execution.
I wanted a mag sheath that could piggyback on the holster - OR ride on my belt. Once I figured out a design I liked on paper I set about making it up.

Got the main seam stitched on the holster and the gun barely fit. Pulled all the hand stitches and put a thick strip of leather between the two sides at the seam as a filler - then the gun didn't fit at all because the filler was too wide. So I pulled the stitches again, trimmed the filler and stitched it up again....then I didn't like the safety strap. I'd used a thinner leather and the color didn't match nicely so I pulled the stitches again, made new straps and stitched it up again. The I cut the friggin hole for the brass Sam Browne post wrong - putting the little slot below the hole instead of above...No way was I gonna sew that main seam again so I just made the hole oblong and went with it.

The front sight would have presented a problem if it hadn't been rounded over. Otherwise, that reverse chisel effect on the stock front sight would probably slice this holster in half pretty quickly.

After all was said and done this is what I came up with - custom fitted, hand stitched and calf skin lined..

BConklin · January 31, 2011, 09:56 AM

and...

By the way - this one below is my first holster..and my first attempt at leatherworking - made for my Ruger Old Army.

Pahoo · January 31, 2011, 11:27 AM

Excellent work and nice way you finished your edges. I can usually tell the difference between machine stitching and hand stitching. Your looks to be all hand stitched, correct me if I am wrong. I also like the way you double-stitched weak areas. Some Leather Workers who have been at this for a time, don't do this good of work. My compliments. .....

BE Safe !!!

38superhero · January 31, 2011, 12:05 PM

nice

Delaware_Dan · January 31, 2011, 02:14 PM

That is superb work.

Magnum Wheel Man · January 31, 2011, 04:41 PM

agree... awesome rigs... a budding hobby holster maker myself, & yours look very nice...

BConklin · January 31, 2011, 06:57 PM

Thanks folks

Pahoo - yes, the holsters are hand sewn using a saddle stitch ...one thread and two needles.

fm2 · February 8, 2011, 10:53 AM

Very good looking rig!

Cowboy_mo · February 8, 2011, 04:48 PM

That's a very nice looking rig..... You did an excellent job with the stitching and the fit looks great..

hornetguy · February 8, 2011, 05:40 PM

EXCELLENT work.
I hope you took copious notes, so when you make MINE you won't have all the same problems..

I've made a couple of cheesy knife holsters, but have never attempted a handgun holster.
Those show great attention to detail and finish.

BUENO!

scud · February 9, 2011, 12:55 PM

looks good to me.

everragenepa · February 9, 2011, 01:21 PM

Wow very nice

MOshooter65202 · February 17, 2011, 06:19 PM

Those are some great looking holsters!! Excellent workmanship

joehorner · March 15, 2011, 10:43 PM

Really nice looking work. I bought a holster for my Mark ll bull barrell. Keep in mind that the front sight has a sharp pointed edge pointing towards the rear. That sight snagged the leather inside and plowed into it. By the time I got the pistol out it left a very deep gash inside. Just a "heads up". I hate to see that happen to your fine work. I ended up filing the point down in the back as you have, then cold blued the sight again........................Joe

January 31, 2011, 09:54 AM	#1
BConklin Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Posts: 136	Ruger Mark II bull barrel holster - my way I'm new to holster making and carrying sidearms in holsters - this is my second attempt at holster making and I'd appreciate feedback from those with more experience as to whether they think this design would be practical in the field. This one gave me lots of challenges - with both the designing and the execution. I wanted a mag sheath that could piggyback on the holster - OR ride on my belt. Once I figured out a design I liked on paper I set about making it up. Got the main seam stitched on the holster and the gun barely fit. Pulled all the hand stitches and put a thick strip of leather between the two sides at the seam as a filler - then the gun didn't fit at all because the filler was too wide. So I pulled the stitches again, trimmed the filler and stitched it up again....then I didn't like the safety strap. I'd used a thinner leather and the color didn't match nicely so I pulled the stitches again, made new straps and stitched it up again. The I cut the friggin hole for the brass Sam Browne post wrong - putting the little slot below the hole instead of above...No way was I gonna sew that main seam again so I just made the hole oblong and went with it. The front sight would have presented a problem if it hadn't been rounded over. Otherwise, that reverse chisel effect on the stock front sight would probably slice this holster in half pretty quickly. After all was said and done this is what I came up with - custom fitted, hand stitched and calf skin lined.. Last edited by BConklin; January 31, 2011 at 09:59 AM.

January 31, 2011, 09:56 AM	#2
BConklin Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Posts: 136	and... By the way - this one below is my first holster..and my first attempt at leatherworking - made for my Ruger Old Army. Last edited by BConklin; January 31, 2011 at 10:24 AM.

January 31, 2011, 02:14 PM	#5
Delaware_Dan Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2008 Posts: 1,304	That is superb work. __________________ To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities. -Bruce Lee

January 31, 2011, 04:41 PM	#6
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	agree... awesome rigs... a budding hobby holster maker myself, & yours look very nice... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

January 31, 2011, 11:27 AM	#3
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Excellent work and nice way you finished your edges. I can usually tell the difference between machine stitching and hand stitching. Your looks to be all hand stitched, correct me if I am wrong. I also like the way you double-stitched weak areas. Some Leather Workers who have been at this for a time, don't do this good of work. My compliments. ..... BE Safe !!!

January 31, 2011, 12:05 PM	#4
38superhero Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2007 Posts: 561	nice

January 31, 2011, 06:57 PM	#7
BConklin Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Posts: 136	Thanks folks Pahoo - yes, the holsters are hand sewn using a saddle stitch ...one thread and two needles.

February 8, 2011, 10:53 AM	#8
fm2 Member Join Date: September 25, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 47	Very good looking rig!

February 8, 2011, 04:48 PM	#9
Cowboy_mo Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,039	That's a very nice looking rig..... You did an excellent job with the stitching and the fit looks great..

February 8, 2011, 05:40 PM	#10
hornetguy Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Location: on the north side of DFW Posts: 970	EXCELLENT work. I hope you took copious notes, so when you make MINE you won't have all the same problems.. I've made a couple of cheesy knife holsters, but have never attempted a handgun holster. Those show great attention to detail and finish. BUENO!

February 9, 2011, 12:55 PM	#11
scud Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2000 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 1,094	looks good to me.

February 9, 2011, 01:21 PM	#12
everragenepa Junior member Join Date: January 28, 2011 Posts: 58	Wow very nice

February 17, 2011, 06:19 PM	#13
MOshooter65202 Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2011 Posts: 471	Those are some great looking holsters!! Excellent workmanship

March 15, 2011, 10:43 PM	#14
joehorner Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Location: WNC Posts: 66	Really nice looking work. I bought a holster for my Mark ll bull barrell. Keep in mind that the front sight has a sharp pointed edge pointing towards the rear. That sight snagged the leather inside and plowed into it. By the time I got the pistol out it left a very deep gash inside. Just a "heads up". I hate to see that happen to your fine work. I ended up filing the point down in the back as you have, then cold blued the sight again........................Joe