If you are a firearm enthusiast and love to shoot, chances are you have been on the hunt for the perfect holster in the past.

You may also have just settled for something that is functional and comfortable, but not exactly what you were looking for.

Luckily, building your own holster isn’t as difficult or unobtainable as it might sound. You can easily custom make your own to fit your firearm and preference for carry from a variety of different materials. All you need is a vision and some time to learn a few new, but simple, skills. 

Figure Out Which Style Suits You Best

No more staring at your gun wall and having to pass by favorite choices due to a poor holster fit for either you, or the gun. It’s time to take control of your own carry style, and sometimes that means you need to step in to make that happen. Everything from body shape and size to needing a very specific feel or fit for a specialized gun can be a reason to try and make your own.

First off, before you can even get started, you need to consider your firearm use and personal preferences pertaining to what you want. If you want to model a holster after something you already have, but make it more customized- then you most likely have a great model to start from. For example, if you want a holster for a Taurus Judge, but you don’t like the angle of draw for the one you own, you can use the measurements and alter the design to get what you need. 

But if you really want to start from scratch, then you have some research to do and find out the style, shape, and design that you feel fits you best. You might want to visit a gun store or two also and try a few things on to get a feel for what it is you want to create. You don’t want to waste time, money, and raw materials with trial and error. Quality holsters are made from quality products, and you’ll need to more or less perfect your techniques to avoid having to scrap your efforts. 

Pick Your Materials

Holsters are usually either made from leather, nylon, or Kydex and each has its own set of quality to consider. You also need to think about the cost of each and the cost of what it takes to shape them into what you need. 

Leather

Flexible and comfortable, leather will form to your body over time, and will also be protective of your firearm. They also can begin to stretch if poorly formed or if you work with thinner materials, and in time even the best can become sweat stained and less supportive. They also provide more friction when you draw. However, leather is easy to work with and can be formed and stitched without much effort and the right tools if you are willing to invest in a quality piece.  

Nylon

Nylon is by far the least expensive option that can be made into a more universal holster fit that will work well with more than one type of firearm. The material is also easy to work with and the structure of your holster will be less specialized overall, but the payoff is cost and basic functionality The downsize is they do wear faster than other materials and are not usually as secure in their fit with your gun. They also have less structural integrity, and might not be as protective. 

Kydex

Kydex is quickly becoming a holster material of choice for both concealed carry and open carry holster needs. These are durable, long lasting options that are molded via a heat process to provide a customized fit to your gun, and personal comfort. Cheaper than leather, they are also more lightweight. They do make a little noise and can wear against the finish of your gun over time.

Plus, to work with it you’ll need to get familiar with a heat gun. 

Watch Videos on Techniques and Material Use

Once you know what you are going to make, you need to really get involved with learning the technique so you end up with a final product you are happy with. This is when you do your homework through internet searches and online tutorials. Of course, you may have somebody local that can give you a hand, such as a leatherworker or gunsmith; watching them work might be all the inspiration you need. 

Gather Your Materials

Once you are comfortable in the techniques concerning putting together the holster you desire, you need to get your materials gathered. First, start with the main material of choice. Be sure to get a bit more than what you think  you need in case you make a mistake. Then get together the rest of the supplies, whether it be nylon thread, eyelets, molding forms, patterns, or screws. 

Once you have everything you know you will need in terms of raw materials, get a plan in place to use the means of making your design dream a reality. Sometimes you can rent or borrow leather working machines or heat guns, but often it is worth investing in these if you want to use them more than once. 

Conclusion

Making your own holster isn’t a hard venture at all. All of the above suggestions are doable with a minimal amount of skill and some basic motivation to learn something new. Plus, once you get one made it will be one of a kind and specific to your needs.