How to Build a Pistol Holster

Build a customized pistol holster at home.

A holster is the perfect accessory for carrying a pistol and can easily be attached to a gun belt, giving your pistol a custom touch. The holster that fits best is often the one that you make yourself, since it can be difficult to find a ready-made holster that meets your pistol´s exact specifications. Learn how to make a custom pistol holster with supplies that can be found at any leather or crafts store.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Scalpel / Razor knife
• Leather (2 square feet)
• Leather needle
• Thread (Heavy duty)

Instructions

1. Trace two outlines of your pistol (one outline for each side of the pistol) on a piece of cardboard. When tracing the outlines, leave a space of 3 mm between the gun and the outlines (the outlines will be slightly larger than the actual pistol). These outlines must be identical so that they fit together.

2. Cut out both outlines from the cardboard. Make sure that they fit exactly together.

3. Trace both outlines onto the backside of the leather sheet. Cut out leather outlines identical to the cardboard outlines - these leather outlines must fit together, as in the previous step.

4. Sew the leather pieces together. Hold the outlines against each other (make sure that the backsides of the leather are facing in) and use the leather needle and thread to sew the outlines together. Keep the stitches evenly spaced and 2 mm away from the edges of the leather.

5. Attach the holster to a gun belt by making two slits at the top of the back end of the holster. The size of the slits will depend on the gun belt -- make the appropriate measurements before cutting the leather.

Tips & Warnings

• As you´re sewing the leather pieces together, periodically stop to make sure that the pistol fits into the holster snugly.

References

• Holster.org: Holsters and Hints on Gun Leather Selection for Firearms