Making a 1911 Colt Shoulder Holster

I got my first Leatherwork set as a kid in the 1960's or 1970's. I played with it off and on for years, and made a lot of things for sale at the black powder Mountain Man Rendezvous. Once I starting doing ranch work, it really took off. I wanted things I couldn't afford, so I started making them myself. After awhile, other ranch hands started saying "Make me one too".....well in 1997-2002 I had a Saddle Shop in town until I got the job I have now. After doing this for so long, I'm kinda burned out on it. I've been trying to get caught up on the things I have promised to make for people, but it's a long list....anyway, I hope you will enjoy this video. There will be more like it soon....trying to get caught up!!

[@IdahoHillbilly]

DANG! THATS NICE!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! Dang I'm a long way behind on this stuff.....

[@IdahoHillbilly]

Good Morning 🌄

[@MuskratOutdoors]

GOOD MORNING!!

[@Hideskiner]

Sweet

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Ha! Thanks!

[@impalaman4546]

Good morning friend hope you have a great day 👍

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Good Morning! I hope you do also!

[@jonfoy9166]

Good morning. You sure are talented. Beautiful work. I always enjoy watching your leather work videos. Have a great day

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Good morning! Great! I'm glad to hear that! I need to get caught up, so there will probably be some more...

[@alauddina7575]

​@@MuskratOutdoorsএক্স

[@sandyc6569]

Very beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!! ❣❤❤❣

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@sandyc6569]

@@MuskratOutdoors 😊👍

[@masstrapper7645]

Amazing work as always. 👍👍

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@drtom5936]

Great work Muskrat. Beautiful.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!!

[@billiep4338]

Beautiful work ❤Have a great day ❤

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! You too! It's a lot warmer today..

[@DavidRobinson-mx6cl]

Very nice job brother!!!!!! Awesome 👍

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@garyantley]

I love that pattern. I am trying to use Al's old pattern but people were smaller in his days. I am trying to fir these 75-80 Vietnam veterans. The have grown a little bit since the come home.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Yeah, I do too! Gotta remember soldiers are kids really. 18-20 year old, mostly. They do get bigger!

[@homegrowncountryhomeplace]

I always love watching you do leatherwork. You do a really good job and I appreciate you showing the little details. I enjoy doing leatherwork and hope to get better at it as I go along. Have a Blessed Day Friend! Justin

[@MuskratOutdoors]

GREAT! Very happy to hear that! Really, it just takes practice. The other thing is not to give up when it's not looking the way you want it to look. A lot of times, when I'm making something I don't like, I finish it anyway, most of the time it turns out better than I thought it would be. Sometimes I end up throwing it away too!!!!

[@TightwadTodd]

Always like the building videos....

[@MuskratOutdoors]

GOOD! Hopefully there will be more soon.....I have got to get caught up on this stuff!

[@pauldavis6242]

Good Morning !!! Nice job on that holster.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Good Morning! Thank you!

[@richgoss6013]

I am proud to say that I own a nice piece of Muskrat leatherwork! Great looking job Gary.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you Rich....I'm not sure I like the way that turned out though.....one day you might end up with another in the mail!

[@thecamocowboyoutdoors5693]

Good morning Gary. Very nice work. Someone should be very happy with that holster. Thanks for the great video.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! I hope they will like it. Shoulder holsters are kind of heavy. I like a belt holster better really. This guy is a hound hunter chasing Mountain Lions and Bears.

[@amyeteel5379]

I could watch you for hours. Good job Muskrat. Your the man!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks Amye!

[@darreldwalton8763]

Good Morning! Very nice work, as always! Have a great day.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Good morning! Thanks!

[@swennym]

Thanks for sharing your talent!!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you for watching it!

[@shermanbarnett6456]

That looks great. Your a man of many talents.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

Beautiful work!👍🏽😀❤️🇺🇸

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@WilliamWebber-wn3zu]

Turned out beautiful.!!!!!! And great video editing as well. See you tomorrow. Have a great day . 🌻

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! You too! It's a little warmer today, 15F right now. Still cold, but much better than -8F!

[@WilliamWebber-wn3zu]

@@MuskratOutdoors I would totally agree 👍.

[@WilliamWebber-wn3zu]

So cool watching you doing your craft.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikeburke7652]

I really admire you leatherworking skills. I tried it many years ago and didn't have the artistic abilities.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you. Keep at it. It just takes practice is all.

[@jaydurtsche2569]

Love the leather work you do!!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks!!!!!!!

[@stingray8585]

Good morning Gary, very nice holster.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Good morning! Thank you!

[@curtisshippy4602]

Good morning Very well done Have a good day

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Good Morning! (Night now) I hope you had a great day.

[@PuskwaskaOutdoors]

Oooo that’s really nice 👍 I was just going thru some of your older leather working videos the other day, decided to order up some tools and leather and try my hand at it…. Need to build a couple possibles bags for black powder trail walks this summer and rebuild a couple antique shot snakes for taking my old cap lock 12ga out bird hunting in the fall. Boy they sure don’t give leather away these days, a side of Tandy’s Kodiak oil tan and a single shoulder of 6oz veg tan was about $200cdn 😑

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! No, ever since that "Mad Cow" thing back around 1999-2000 or so, the price of leather went way up and stayed there. It's hard to make much on this now. People will only pay so much....

[@royroscoe5031]

Beautiful work Gary!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you Roy!

[@johndavis2720]

Tight and right.beutiful holster.great job.hope you find some wolves soon.have a great day!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! So do I....checked on a "Wolf Kill" today......tomorrow's video....

[@2ndamendmentSam]

Very nice work. I tried to get into leatherwork recently but it didn’t go as planned. Oh well, that’s life.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

What went wrong?

[@virginia7191]

Beautiful work!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@10aurum48]

As usual, outstanding craftsmanship Gary!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you JR! I wish I could get caught up so I could enjoy this again.

[@ray5156]

Raw talent

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Ha! Thank you!

[@jimmywood7817]

That's awesome 👌

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@joysteward8785]

Have a wonderful day 😊

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you Joy! You too!

[@joshrice5894]

Hi Guys wow that is a handy holster excellent job I am always amazed at what you can turn a piece of leather into Well I hope you can get caught up on the things you promised to make for people I know I will sure enjoy seeing what you make if you do more videos Well you guys take care up there

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much! Me too....being this far behind has really taken the fun out of this.

[@johntwomey3732]

Once again awesome job.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks!!!!

[@johntwomey3732]

I’m curious about the maul you are using, is it homemade and what is it wrapped with?

[@user-de8hi5kx9m]

Amazing work

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@claytoncooper422]

Excellent Sir !!!!!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@dennyorton2430]

Awesome job.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@elkaholic338]

Good work ... very nice !

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks a lot!

[@Shastavalleyoutdoorsman]

That's gorgeous work Gary. I'm going to have to build myself one, one of these days.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

You should! It's kind of satisfying to make your own. That way also, you can make it the way you want it to be.

[@Shastavalleyoutdoorsman]

@@MuskratOutdoors I haven't done leather crafts since four h, but i've been meaning to get back to it.

[@jamesbutler5518]

Very cool !!!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@frankhengstler6101]

Awesome stuff Muskrat👍👍

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks Frank!

[@michaeldemny612]

Totally awesome

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!!!!

[@stevehamilton6070]

Nice holster. Thanks

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Good Morning Steve! Thanks!

[@paulsisco7595]

Really nice work sir looks great.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much Paul.

[@markbauman1411]

That turned out amazing! I've been looking for a shoulder holster for my 1911. Bet I won't find one that nice anywhere in a store.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!!!!

[@indycharlie]

Very nice work , as always ! Reminds me of the chest rig I carried my 45 in , in RVN . I don't recognize that fingered grip on that A1 ? I have a Colt defender that came with Hogue grips that I LOVE !! Fits like a dream in my hand . Nice looking gun , that one you have . Stay safe and warm , and Cindy away from ropes .. bg

[@MuskratOutdoors]

That rubber grip with the finger bumps came with this one. I kind of like it, fits in your hand nice, but I'd like to make some of those rattlesnake grips for it. Maybe this Summer?

[@ritasidwell8578]

Good work need one

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! I'm way behind right now....

[@georgethomas4483]

You the man - looks good

[@MuskratOutdoors]

THANKS!!

[@michaelross4041]

damn son you shore are good with that leather! nice looking holster.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@Blackpowder54]

hello, the holster really looks great, nice job

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks!!!!

[@kdseiwert7360]

Nice work! Those fingers come along ,takes dog ages to heal that black out!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! They are getting there! One fell off.....the other tried to but I Super Glued it back on! HA! Tender still under it.

[@dlansburg2673]

Nice job!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

THANK YOU!

[@JC-uq5gi]

I use the bead kniff often on things. It really makes a nice border.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Do you mean that double blade swivel? I really like that one too. I guess I haven't heard it called a bead knife, but it makes sense.

[@JC-uq5gi]

@@MuskratOutdoors that's just what came to mind. It's been a while since I've tooled anything, and I just thought that was it.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

@@JC-uq5gi It might be? I really don't know???

[@morgankruse4666]

Very cool

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks!!!

[@bigjhunter7660]

Awesome looking rig there sir ….. true craftsmanship 👍🏻

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!!

[@chriscenis4495]

Too bad you're kinda burned out on it, your so dang good at it! I treasure the things I have wit your stamp on them! Happy New Year Hoss!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Chris!!! Thank you! Hopefully if I ever get caught up, I can do some more. People have kind of ruined the fun of this... We need to get together!!!!!!

[@aardhond]

Nice job sir 😊

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@jasonaffeldt7838]

Gary, your holster reminds me of WWII GI holster or El Paso saddlery Tanker model. Yours is way cooler 👍. Hope you and Cindy had a good Christmas and a great New Year. Take care.🇺🇲🔪🌲🔥

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It's similar. This one is more old west. I've made a lot of the tanker type also. Thank you!!!! We hope your Christmas was great and that 2024 will be a great year also. I'm kind of worried about this "election" though.....

[@berniesmith8163]

More art work from the Muskrat thanks you for taking us along !!!!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you for watchig it too!

[@akelkhunter]

I’ve always been enamored with leather work both the skill it takes and the creativity for design. Very calming video.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you. I enjoy doing it. I'm so far behind now though I don't enjoy it as much as I used to though.

[@timberdrifter8225]

I always enjoy watching you do leather work. The way your hands move has the look of long practice and craftsmanship. Its apparent in the lack of hesitation once you get started.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much! I've made an awful lot of them over a lot of years. It's enjoyable, but I really have to be in the mood to do it to do a good job.

[@ImixSpb]

Your craftsmanship is something I'm enjoying. Thanks for sharing, have a nice day!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I'm glad to hear that Igor! Thank you!

[@reginaldwinsor2759]

Fine piece of work. That will put a smile on someone's face.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! I hope so!

[@user-vo8fb1yh8q]

I've got a 1911 Springfield.im in Montana still have 2 where it. Putting bait out4 woofs with the bears still raiding bait stations.getting close to the first if judge lets us start trapping.have woofs on camera hitting my bait. Got a bunch scraps from meat cutting place. Said can have all I need his business has suffered bad no wild game to butcher. I plan on helping out here directly if bears den

[@MuskratOutdoors]

The bears are still hitting you bait now? Wow! I wouldn't have expected that! I have not seen a bear track here since November. Are they black bears or grizzly? There's no wild game left here either....Good Luck on the Wolf Trapping this year! Where in Montana are you?

[@user-vo8fb1yh8q]

@@MuskratOutdoors I'm in the flathead by glacier Park. Black and grizzlys are up yet. Few years ago they were up raiseing hell January 17 I had to make cage traps for cats. They destroyed all 17 of them..woof tracks were following the grizzlys. Montana has more trapping rules than you can believe we have to be 150 feet from the road. You now what that does on roads in the mountains straight up or down to put a set in . can't use certain bait because of the lynk zone no snares. We are ham strung bad. I put a off on a place in elk city. I have 60 k invested in trapping gear bought a Nissan frontier had tracks put on 15 k. Bill we only get 500 from the ffwm looseing battle

[@MuskratOutdoors]

@@user-vo8fb1yh8q Wow....that is rough! I just looked it up, the F4WM is $750- $1,000 depending on area in Montana now. Still won't cover expenses, but it will help. I'd sure like to have a tracked Jeep.....my job pays so little, I can barely afford the gas to put in it. 150 feet from the road is a long way to try to pull a wolf. They like running those roads!

[@dw6090]

Nice job, I like a special ,different, thing and I don't want fancy. Just functional, where u get leather, . I know I don't have time to make that's for shore thought

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! I get mine from Dubois Leather & Shoe company, Dubois Idaho.

[@tomoneil3453]

😎Awesome

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@WilliamWebber-wn3zu]

Morning fine sir 🌻

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Good morning!!!!

[@JC-uq5gi]

I don't know about you, but my leather room ALWAYS accumulates clutter. No matter what. I'm always needing more room too! Lol. I'd love to make one of these for myself. If you're interested in maybe selling a copy of your pattern, let me know. I'd like to make a pancake style belt rig, and a chest rig too. If you have any time to make a chest rig for this model, I bet it'd be a popular vid? :) Strong work Mr Gary! Nicely done.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! Email me your address and I'll send you a copy of the pattern. [e-mail]

[@SanJuanMountainBob]

If a feller does any leather work, watching this is depressing! Haha You make it look so easy.....and it ain't! Anyway, nice work - fun to watch somebody who's good at this stuff. Happy New Year!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

HA! Thank you very much! It just takes practice. Don't give up, the more you do, the easier it gets.

[@danthompson1467]

Good afternoon WOW I wish I had some of your talent . Outstanding work sir . Do you sell them ? you make it look so easy I’m sure it took you years to collect all the tooling for each task 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! Some of these tools, I got when I was a kid, maybe close to 50 years ago now. I do sell holsters and things, but I'm so far behind, I don't know when I'll catch up!

[@johnnelson5659]

How did you learn such an amazing skill ?

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Ha! By being poor! I couldn't afford to buy what I wanted, so I learned to make my own. I'm self taught on all this stuff, but it's taken a lifetime to learn it.

[@rhondaandrew1764]

That is awesome ❤. I wonder how much would it cost for a regular old time gun holster and belt for a 44 mag.single action 😊

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! Believe it or not, belts are about the hardest thing to make. They never seem to fit right! Holsters, if I have the gun, are easier than the belt! Right now, as much as I hate to say it, I'm so far behind that I can't take on any more. Hopefully I'll get caught up and be able to do some! Sorry...

[@rhondaandrew1764]

That is okay I understand busy.

[@mesalyn]

Wow, What talent mixed with experience can do. Great Job, is that for you or someone else? Thanks for the view.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Ha! Thank you very much! Yes, this one is for a neighbor. I'm way, way behind....

[@davidcheverie7652]

Tell me something, how long does it take you to make something that nice.Great work.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Start to finish....maybe 3-4 hours I guess?

[@tseals5248]

Man, that's some fine leatherwork, how much for one to fit a Smith and Wesson J frame 357, 4" barrel ? I be proud to own some of your work.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! I really need to catch up again before I take on any more. Sorry.....for now at least, I can't say yes to any more.

[@j.c.curnes]

I want one for my Ruger SR9c. I don't trust modern ones that I can afford.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

One of the troubles I have with gun holsters is that I really need the gun for the best fit. If it's one I don't have, or can borrow, it's really hard to do.

[@j.c.curnes]

@@MuskratOutdoors Yea, I wouldn't ask you to make one. Seems you have plenty to do. :)

[@tnkmckenna]

Beautiful! Do you take orders?

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! I do, but I'm so far behind I can't right now. I really need to get caught up again first.....sorry...

[@staceymay2655]

Nice.. Hows that rock slab i gave you worken for leather? Gooddays?

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Hello Stacy! Merry Christmas! I want to use it as an outside bench, but there hasn't been time to make it. Cindy said she might steal it if I ever get time to make her the outdoor kitchen she has been wanting.

[@staceymay2655]

Let her steal it, you have enough stuff. Gooddays Tooya@@MuskratOutdoors

[@travisboling735]

Nice job how much you charge for making one fore Colt 911 45

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Right now, I'm too far behind to do any, but usually about $200.

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

hard to beat a 1911 far as cool factor its outdated but still pays the bills

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I still think it's the best. Personally, I'm not fond of Glock or any of the plastic guns. They are lightweight, and dishwasher safe though! Ha!

[@Kiowagoodfella]

What would charge to make a rig like that?

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Right now I'm too far behind to do any more, but about $200 depending on tooling.