Break from the ordinary

HandyDave

HandyDave

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Oct 9, 2023
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645
Location
Pilot Mtn
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While I enjoy every build I do. After so many black and brown projects I have to stretch my legs or I guess stretch my fingers and do something with more punch and wow factor. So I decided to make a western style rig for my ruger wrangler in between customer projects. Working on the belt first. 2 1/2 inch wide ranger style belt and doing some classic old west style Sheridan designs mixed with some wicked skulls. Not doing ammo loops so I could have more design area and I plan on making a matching pouch to hold my rimfire ammo. Here's belt blank when I was doing my stencils for carving/tooling.Screenshot_20240127_095629_Gallery.jpgand here's a pic of the carving and tooling in progress.Screenshot_20240127_164601_Gallery.jpgI'll add more pics as project progresses.
 
HandyDave said:
While I enjoy every build I do. After so many black and brown projects I have to stretch my legs or I guess stretch my fingers and do something with more punch and wow factor. So I decided to make a western style rig for my ruger wrangler in between customer projects. Working on the belt first. 2 1/2 inch wide ranger style belt and doing some classic old west style Sheridan designs mixed with some wicked skulls. Not doing ammo loops so I could have more design area and I plan on making a matching pouch to hold my rimfire ammo. Here's belt blank when I was doing my stencils for carving/tooling.View attachment 733652and here's a pic of the carving and tooling in progress.View attachment 733653I'll add more pics as project progresses.
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You are a belt maker? That pattern is bad to the bone.
 
Shady Grady said:
You are a belt maker? That pattern is bad to the bone.
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I'm a leatherworker. Primarily gun leather holsters, belts and other kit. But if it can be made from leather I can make it. If it can't be made from leather I just need more time to figure out how to make it work with leather lol. Started in the Cub scouts as a kid and just got more and more serious about it over the years. And since I had to hang up my toolbelt several years back to be home looking after my aunt I've built me a shop and now my leatherwork is my job.
 
HandyDave said:
While I enjoy every build I do. After so many black and brown projects I have to stretch my legs or I guess stretch my fingers and do something with more punch and wow factor. So I decided to make a western style rig for my ruger wrangler in between customer projects. Working on the belt first. 2 1/2 inch wide ranger style belt and doing some classic old west style Sheridan designs mixed with some wicked skulls. Not doing ammo loops so I could have more design area and I plan on making a matching pouch to hold my rimfire ammo. Here's belt blank when I was doing my stencils for carving/tooling.View attachment 733652and here's a pic of the carving and tooling in progress.View attachment 733653I'll add more pics as project progresses.
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Pair the leather up with something like this
 
HandyDave said:
Here's my wrangler. She's been slicked up a bit inside and out but no major mods. Single six wood grips with ruger medallion. She shoots like a dream and gets more range time then about everything else I got. View attachment 733698
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Did you have to do any fitting on the single six grips or do they match up well?
 
CITYPUNS said:
Did you have to do any fitting on the single six grips or do they match up well?
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They fit right on and look good. But if you zoom on pic you can see where they don't set quite flush with grip frame. And just the slightest of piece of paper size gap at front where grips meet rest of frame. They still feel so much better and shoot so much better then the plastic panels that came with the wrangler. I've got me some rough blanks cut out of some old walnut to make a custom set for her just haven't had the time to finish them yet.
 
HandyDave said:
They fit right on and look good. But if you zoom on pic you can see where they don't set quite flush with grip frame. And just the slightest of piece of paper size gap at front where grips meet rest of frame. They still feel so much better and shoot so much better then the plastic panels that came with the wrangler. I've got me some rough blanks cut out of some old walnut to make a custom set for her just haven't had the time to finish them yet.
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Drop us an update photo when they’re finished 👍
 
@HandyDave lives in NC, I live in Texas. Never met the man. Though he has custom made several holsters, 1911 grip panels, EDC belts, and misc (surprise) items for me and several friends. He is a humble man of God and has a gifted talent. Here are just a few of the things he has created for me...

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There are more then this. Have known him for several years as my leather guy and also as my friend. I highly recommend him.
 
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Jperr said:
Damn, that's a thing of beauty.

And you did this in your spare time. Wish I had talent like that. My Rough Rider would fit in that nicely. But it's not really worthy.
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Thanks for the kind words brother. My wrangler ain't much worth such a rig either that's why I planned ahead and made my holster pattern so it will fit a blackhawk down the road.
 
Looks good. I don't have time to learn tooling. I like it though. And my style of making holsters does not work well with tooling anyway.
 
chiefjason said:
Looks good. I don't have time to learn tooling. I like it though. And my style of making holsters does not work well with tooling anyway.
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Thank you sir. About 75% of builds I do are more low key edc gear. And I enjoy making every piece but really get into complete custom pieces either by using some exotics to dress things up or with custom carving/tooling.
 
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