Making a Leather Bandolier for SHTF -- Leathercraft ASMR

This is the second half of my scoped pistol holster build. In this leather working video, I make a cross-body shoulder bandolier rig; complete with pouches / bags for ammo boxes and magazine sheaths. I'm particularly happy with the way it came out; and as a bonus, it's very comfortable to wear even when fully loaded.
Is .22 LR too small a caliber for the zombie apocalypse? Maybe. Shot placement will be paramount. But that's what the optic on the Ruger MKIIl is for!
For the traditionalists, this is a laser-heavy video out of necessity. To be honest, without my xTool P2, I probably wouldn't have even attempted it. I also use my Prusa 3D printer for creating the wet molds for the magazine sheaths. This is another piece of tech that has loads of applications for leatherwork. Once I had the patterns nailed down and converted to gcode, it's just a matter of letting the machine do the precision cutting and me following up with all the handwork.
Although they didn't sponsor this video, below is a link to save my viewers a few bucks on purchasing a P2 direct from xTool:
www.xtool.com/...
follow me on instagram @roadagentleather

[@Wonky-Donkey]

This has to be the most pointless thing you could ever get for your Ruger mark series pistol. I love it and I want it. Awesome work.❤

[@littlehills739]

vet grip tape -- search term flea bay about 1.50c i wrap it around the barrel so i can hold it while i adjust right hand shooting grip. good for rifles shotguns too

[@snakeghost00]

Watching this video was very therapeutic after working a long shift. The ASMR was great to listen to. Now if only I could get one of those for my glock 17! Lol.

[@MegaCyberleader]

me too

[@TheTyrial86]

I did not know that these laser machines could be used for leather. I learn something new every day.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@narref04]

I'm with you! Now I want one 😅

[@MegaCyberleader]

welp it is a lazer

[@BUZZKILLJRJR]

You're my wife has a cricket and a xtool for her business and she's going to start cutting out the leather sheath design that I designed Myself by drawing and we're going to put it into the program and have it laser cut for me for my knife I make and then all I do is sew them together

[@andersonnorton1990]

@@RoadAgentLeather Do you have the laser and 3D files somewhere for purchase? If not can you point me to where you got them

[@jw8901]

This is the coolest way to carry .22 I've ever seen. Great work! Truly amazing craftsmanship!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@reddawn2001]

that would be an awesome rig for someone with a revolver and rifle combo in .22 nice work

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@sgtslaughter54]

I've got a 38/357 rifle and revolver combo that I take hunting and hiking all the time. I'm curious if I could convince my wife to let me pick up another hobby to try and make a cartridge belt for them.

[@mattrickard3716]

@@sgtslaughter54 Just tell her that it was cheaper than buying it already made. As long as she never finds the receipt for the laser cutter, you might just get away with it!

[@asmith7876]

The skills, techniques, the tools, the attention to detail for something so personal and frivolous...YOU'RE A MANIAC! I love it! 😂😂😂 Absolutely amazing, and you're certainly guaranteed to have the only one! Beautiful work.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Awesome! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@gtj2020]

Just amazing, from the master craftsman mind to his tools and to his hands... hand sculpted and functional. True artisan

[@dadbudgetadventures]

This is absolutely brilliant and so well thought out. I feel like you could make a living just selling the laser cuts for this project alone. Beautiful work.

[@carr869]

Every time I see one of your builds it just reaffirms my belief that you are an F-N wizard. Love your work. Thanks for sharing with us. Tom

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Wow, thank you!

[@donaldmatthies6026]

That turned out awesome! Thank you for taking time to build, film, edit and post this video.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@JoeL-on9lg]

i absolutely Love the color scheme, the dark main body contrasted beautifully with the bright tan and browns. overall a beautiful and creative holstering system

[@minerblue9641]

Definately a thumbs up on everything! Absolutely great work and great caliber and pistol! Those pistols will take down a rabbit with a head shot at 50+ yds/w open sights. Now for a chest rig for .223/556 magazines that can be carried on your belt or chest rig. I made one with single mag carriers that will handle different capacity magazines. And added a soft bag for storing empty mags. A small box thats attached to the sling that holds a speed loader spoon for speed strips. A leather box on the stock that can carry a 20 round box of 223 ammo on speed strips. These sure add weight but they give me the ability to reach out a few hundred yards. Then a a horse type rifle scabbard for the E-Bike....... ok thats enough, I'm getting carried away.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Sounds like you're ready! Thanks for watching!

[@minerblue9641]

Minuteman style! Just pick it up and go.......or stay.

[@darrell3391]

Walking around a wasteland with 5000 rounds of ammunition on your person cannot be a bad idea. Unless you encounter someone with a scoped rifle that shoots you before you get in range of your .22lr out of a pistol. If actually considering this for shtf I’d recommend a silencer and copious amounts of stealth. Else that sweet looking rig will be another’s trophy.

[@mattimatkalainen]

Zombies don´t shoot.

[@excalligator5529]

@@mattimatkalainenScumbag survivors do, though.

[@RighteousJ]

Walking loot box.

[@unclesam9591]

It does make you a Target I would prefer the gray man approach

[@darrell3391]

@@mattimatkalainen There will be other survivors, I am not suggesting a zombie would shoot you from distance with a scoped rifle. Maybe you didn’t read the whole comment or missed something in the reading of it.

[@intergalacticchicano]

Reminds me of my grandpa and some of my uncles working on shoes back in Leon Guanajuato the capital of shoe making, at least back in the 80s. Good memories

[@RighteousJ]

If any of you have yet to come across the "Jetfire Jim" story, things like this will remind you of it, and you're seriously missing out.

[@twinhillscreations1525]

That is an awesome carry rig! Outstanding design and function.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Glad you like it!

[@adrewilder6299]

​@@RoadAgentLeather do you have PDFs?

[@gunsitescout5535]

My father in law was a leather worker he passed 2/2/24, I sat and watched him make holsters /belts/ shotgun bags you name it . we were lucky enough to get the industrial Singer sewing machine for leather as a gift from him as well as some of the leather tools. He will be missed.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Sorry for your loss. Do you plan to take up the craft yourself?

[@gunsitescout5535]

@@RoadAgentLeather after watching your channel, most likely.

[@mstrwoodley694]

@@gunsitescout5535 sorry for your loss. Similar scenario with mine…but with woodworks. Crafting is blissful.

[@AstroVanTribe]

Picking up a lot of tips, thanks for that. Decades ago I started using plastic aspirin containers to hold .22LR, they hold more and they're water proof. This system designed to hold them instead would add a third more rounds and the plastic containers hold up better...

[@SoloClone]

Remarkable, what a great way to satisfy the mind and hands. I had a couple of questions going in, and saw you did what i did when i made mine, almost identical, until you got to the different caliber part.... So ya set my brain on fire and i made another sling to go the other side with a sort of saddle pouch, or a drop bag to hold the extra loads not of the same caliber, to give to my team mates if i had any or to sell or use as trade currency at outposts in that far away idea of a place. Great video man, i really enjoyed it. Thanks

[@RoadAgentLeather]

All good ideas. Thanks for watching!

[@ikocher]

That’s pretty cool! Add a cleaning kit and you’re set!

[@shughes4113]

Beautiful work again! Another amazing result. Couldn’t help but think of Chewbacca’s bandolier in Star Wars. Love to see you do your interpretation of any kind of Star Wars inspired item. Keep up the great vids!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Great suggestion! Thanks for watching!

[@stendorkken5873]

it's so wild, once I saw the wildcat boxes I could smell the sulfur from days at the range 🤤 great video! I cant wait to make my own SHTF belt or bandolier

[@robgrey6183]

-A mixture of old school tools and new equipment. -A man who knows how to sharpen his tools. -Sure hands. I could watch this stuff all day.

[@wilemelliott]

Okay, now I need a rig like this for my 10mm rechambered Rhino...that just looks AWESOME

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@naturesbest7977]

Zombie head shots, mark 4 Ruger tactical suppressed with a nice scope like that. Perfect setup.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

thanks!

[@jwilliams3170]

Yeah that’s just plain cool. Feels Han Solo meets SHTF gunslinger. I also like that you printed those boxes for different calibers, I’ve always said that if I was stuck with one gun for the rest of time that it would be my Glock 17. Obviously you wouldn’t be able to carry as much ammo but it’s cool to see you could adjust the kit to carry something with a little bit more pop.

[@jessejamesjdubb8914]

That's a really nice machine It saves your hands so much work

[@RoadAgentLeather]

For sure! Thanks for watching!

[@jwgbmp40]

My goodness beautiful! love the way the holster attached and hung to the bandoleer

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for the comment and for subscribing to the channel!

[@Cyborg2101]

While I don’t expect the zombie apocalypse I do have larger toys that could use something like this. Thanks for the adjustable idea

[@RoadAgentLeather]

No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@ryanwatcher3747]

True modern artisan! Absolutely fantastic! And your video skills are top notch. And me being a huge fan of the MkIII I need one of these!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@trashpandanews5714]

Could that be any better. I’ll take 2. True craftsmanship.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@temetka]

This is just gorgeous.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@lcg3816]

Nice and really not necessary 😂 perfect for movie! Now we need a leather tactical vest!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Exactly! Thanks for watching!

[@agustafson76]

Amazing craftsmanship!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@oldtimerden]

I always look forward to seeing what you do next. You give me great inspiration.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrNemonic13]

Thank you for sharing this!!! VERY nice work and a beautiful product.

[@carr869]

Ignore all others. The 22lr is an awesome round. My EDC pistol is a Walther 22 WMP. the 22 mag being my favorite

[@RoadAgentLeather]

agreed! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@rimfirejunkie7427]

Awesome work! Ive said for decades my choice for an 'only' gun would be a quality .22 pistol.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Same here. You can carry so much of it . . . and it's cheaper too.

[@giacomo8875]

@rimfirejunkie7427 exactly

[@nuclearthreat545]

357/38

[@crazygamerkasten9748]

username checks out

[@saleembarmania5295]

That's just about the awesomest thing ever.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@ericbruening7645]

That's a beautiful piece of work!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@sourcelee3539]

wow!! amazing project, looks so freaking cool and wild!! LOVE IT

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks so much!

[@neilthecowboy]

Brilliant work given me idea's for more leather work 👏

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@redrusso9836]

Love the set up. I agree with you on what your reasoning is 100%. .22 is great for accuracy and handling. You could probably place 3rds of .22 in a face faster than your opponent with a 9mm. Hold off a lot of people with .22. I'm sure even with body armor you could squeeze a few rounds in between.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Very good points. Thanks for watching!

[@michaeldavis8249]

That is awesome. I want one from my Mark three Hunter and one for my 2245 Ruger.

[@gregorypennell1755]

That is an absolutely EPIC rig! Awesome work! 🙌🏼

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Glad you like it! Thanks for watching!

[@gunsbuns3532]

Very impressive. Every step

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@NomadShadow1]

Neat. I do like me a good bandolier, they're classic. 500 rds of 22lr sounds like a good day at the range, and to answer your question at the beginning, 500 rds of 22lr or 50 rds of 12ga is a false dichotomy because *everyone* knows that crossbows are ideal for the zombies lol

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Lol. Valid point . . . until you're trying to cock your crossbow while the hoards of undead are attacking! Thanks for watching!

[@666toysoldier]

Beautiful work, great concept.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@TinMan0555]

I have no leather crafting skills. But that is a beautiful piece of kit. 🫡

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@TheBubbaMan]

Beauty! That is an absolutely magnificent piece of work there! Outstanding!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@payne540]

Whoa, I subbed just based on the thumbnail. Badass project!!!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Awesome! Thanks for subscribing!

[@InvincibleExtremes]

love it. beautiful work

[@ericpacurari6779]

Looking Good 💯!!! Functional and fashionable 🤘🤘👍

[@223rocks]

Absolutely well done. And excellent choice in American iron.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@CarvertheTiefling]

FANTASTIC DESIGN!! Absolutely love it!! Only real "tactical" issue is, well if we're talking zombies. It's the noise you'd make walking around wearing that thing. "I got rounds that jingle jingle jangle~"

[@RoadAgentLeather]

If they're in the original paper boxes, they shouldn't make that much noise.

[@keithrobicheux4749]

I love a good leather rig. Synthetics are better in a lot of ways, but leather still has an amazing feel

[@marcoscaba3846]

Now that is great work!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words!

[@1924ab]

You really do some nice work.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I appreciate that!

[@jerome_dangelo]

Amazing work! If the zombie apocalypse does hit make sure you build yourself a harness for a melee wepon because ammunition will run out fast.

[@minerblue9641]

@jeromedangelo I think zombies are a thing of the past now! Its aliens we need to keep an eye out for. LOL.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I've built a few bowie knife sheaths in previous videos. I could throw one of those on as well.

[@darrylheavrin]

Elegant work, truly

[@carr869]

For those of you who don’t know what a .22 cal. Is let’s call it what it is 5.56. That’s right. The military loves it.

[@mymagi1]

great craftsmanship

[@allanburt5250]

That's very impressive 👏 beautiful work

[@scotttitus7479]

Awesome you do beautiful work a true craftsman I want one we need more talented people in America like you and best of all not made in China

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@dickeywalt]

Awesome looking rig. Your creativity is amazing.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@BlackPowder99590]

I love the idea, but it would probably be awkward to reload. Magazines are typically placed on the weak side because they are easy to grab with your off hand. In your current configuration you’d have to reach across your torso to grab the magazine. I would suggest adding a belt with the mag pouches placed at the 10 or 11 o’clock position. A belt would also ensure that your gun is always in the same position if you ever have to draw it under stress.

[@brightargyle8950]

I've never wanted a laser cutter more than now. Hand cutting so many pieces can be a real nightmare! (Had to make a batch of puukko knives with sheaths this last christmas, 10 of them and man my hands were sore.)

[@RoadAgentLeather]

A laser will completely change your construction process. It's no different than if you used a traditional clicker press; except that it's much cheaper and infinitely more versatile.

[@NonyaDamnbusiness]

I didn't know laser engravers/cutters could be used like this on leathercraft. Thanks for showing us! While this does indeed seem "pointless" I want one too - or something similar - for my suppressed 10-22 Takedown & SR-22 combo with a mix of mag holders for Ruger BX-110, BX-25, and SR-22 magazines, LOL!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching! Yes, pretty much any laser engraver/cutter will cut leather. It's just a matter of adjusting settings.

[@Dynamytguy]

Always awesome. I like the weathered look. It's important to look like your stuff is well used when facing down a hoard of zombies. I think I would go with a shotgun, though. If they're coming in 3 deep, you can take out more in one shot. 😂

[@RoadAgentLeather]

good point! Thanks for watching!

[@archangel20031]

I need this for my PMR-30. Right now I have a belly pouch that holds the gun, gun lube, a clip on holster, 4 magazines and just over 500 rounds. For my 1911 magazine pouch that holds 3 magazines, I applied wax to get it stiff then soaked it in near boiling water before molding it.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@Lorddanielrushton371]

Nice rig. Thank you for the ideas.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@concernedpatriot.2221]

Wow ! Super cool. Great talent. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jamesappel8747]

Incredibly beautiful work. When I first saw the boxes, I thought they were for Ruger 10/22 magazines.

[@shonuffisthemaster]

nice work! i like the look and the design

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you!

[@marxula555]

both this piece and the video of making the holster are really nice. Making the small 3D printed boxes is handy, especially since ive noticed all of your holsters are the same loop attachment type so any of them would fit on this piece.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks or watching!

[@zfgnerdlife]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@PhillipFelix-kw3zi]

That is a great rig for the Ruger. Good way to carry lots of ammo

[@elimorris2273]

That is gorgeous

[@TheUnclefester13]

When I build things, I always try to do a proof of concept. I carry knives. And I’ve learned that until I’ve worn a rig for at least six months to a year. It’s not a proven product. The problem I would foresee with this rig is the holster coming up if you were drawing in a hurry. It looks as if it needs to be tied to your pants belt. I would also turn the mag pouches upside down. Your reaching across to pull the mag away from you the way you have them. You’d have to switch hands for it to work smoothly. Up side down you pull them out and down them right into the mag well. Other than that very well made rig sir.

[@user-vm9bx9nm6b]

Great Job !!!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks

[@robertrootz1851]

That is awesome great work.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@robertrootz1851]

@@RoadAgentLeather only thing, I'm a little jealous I don't have one.

[@Blawa-ti4xp]

Very cool - you do nice work

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@Blawa-ti4xp]

@@RoadAgentLeather i would totally buy - and there is probably a market for a ruger 10/22 bandolier - minus the pistol holster - or maybe with the holster if it fit any of the mark 2,3,4,5 pistols - a bandolier that held loaded 10/22 rotary mags - a few boxes of .22 lr and a few mark pistol mags would be EPIC! Love your taste in the color scheme and the pistol in general!

[@billsummy2412]

WOW ! This is AMAZING..... Great job pard .

[@michaeldavis8249]

You’ve got to get you a set of those Guggenheim scissors. They are bad ass for leather.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

The Tandy Pro scissors are pretty sweet. The WUTA scissors are good also.

[@2of2DCH]

22LR with a can is the zombie apocalypse GOAT. Quiet enough to probably not bring attention to yourself while clearing out zombies. lol

[@RoadAgentLeather]

great point. My thoughts exactly.

[@nathanking1110]

This probably make you a target in shtf scenario. Hide what you have don’t flaunt it . But looks really well made and impressive skill!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Good point. Thanks for watching!

[@maclemaster5966]

That’s outstanding 👍

[@appey67]

Great job! That is too cool. Thanks for the inspiration. I once read a post apocalyptic book where a guy was super-prepped with all the top-tier gear, vehicles, etc. He got everything set, put on his gear, walked out his front door and...BAM!!...got hit in the head by an arrow by someone who took all of his gear! I always figured that would be my luck:( Lol!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

lol. That would probably be my luck as well.

[@jeffallen3382]

So cool! Love the multi caliber ability.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@lokiwartooth1138]

I would love something like this for my Glock 19 with a sheath for my tops operator 7. Man this is Slick as hell. Great job.

[@Stuingtion]

I really like this design here! I myself have been thinking of making myself a bandolier rig for my Colt Single Action Revolvers in 45LC but also use it with a lever repeater too.

[@artwebb6939]

For the zombie apocalypse definitely a 22 I am loving that bandelier, although I think in my case thw cases to hold the boxes of ammo might need to be slightly larger, as most of my 22 is federal punch and it comes in those plastic boxes like CCI stingers

[@nathanwebb3371]

I’d love to see some footage of you training with it on the range or just moving about in it. Great work

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@LibertysTeeth83]

Pretty cool man. Edit:after watching the whole video amazing work. Also viable zombie setup for sure

[@P-12]

Amazing, really well done. This should be in a movie. But, I would upgrade to a Ruger MK IV, because they are much easier to take apart for cleaning, if you are planning to be running around a post-apocalyptic waste land your gun should be easy to clean.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Yeah, I purchased my MkIII a long time ago. The trick is just to never take it apart because it's too much of a pain to put back together! :)

[@antoniojosetorrespena3240]

Excelente hermoso el trabajo gracias por compartir y enseñar sus ideas para beneficio del mundo saludos desde Venezuela.

[@djthechef8975]

Its beautiful

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you!

[@AdamWeber-pi1gs]

Very nice rig, Sir, definitely something one does not see everyday. I admit to having made several purchases since becoming a fan of the zombie genre many years ago......just for fun. As long as that rig does not flop around and beat you half to death while moving, you are GTG.

[@darcydormaier8411]

Such beautiful craftsmanship! I was serious before, would you PM me with a budget? I've been looking for this for 6-7 years but didn't know it could be this beautiful. Also I greatly prefer 50rd Card board boxes for round management, when you've used them they can be used as tinder or for writing notes and there is no plastic rattle or empty box to carry out. Also if your buddy wants shells when out plinking you know exactly many you are lending and expect replaced! Once again, beautiful work!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Good points. Thanks for watching! I don't currently offer this for sale unfortunately.

[@russellcraven251]

What a beautiful job..!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@Juronumo]

That's an amazing rig you did and I would probably go with 556/223 240 rounds

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Always a good choice :) Thanks for watching!