I have a leather holster for my Ruger SP101
the top hammer strap is really tight, and i want to just trim it off
the holster itself fits the gun really snug, so i think it'll be ok to just take off the hammer strap off the top

my question is, is there somewhere that can do this for me, or can i do this myself
the thing is i dont know anything about working with leather and i dont want to screw it up
i think trimming it off is easy, but making it look good is another thing.

is there a leather shop locally that can do this for me?
or can you give me tips to make the edge of the leather look good?

Hey Stang.

  If you don't mind teh strap ( good for retention) you can try to strectch the leather starp with saddle soap, leather conditioner and such.
Depends on the leather itself as well as it's finish.

   Leather workers are getting to be a rare breed. Best bets are...
1) Old time shoe sotre guys (they usually also make/sell keys  ).
2) Check with horse people. They are always getting saddles, reigns, bits and spurs repaired. 
3) Or you can alway's check with your local BDSM types. 

   For the do it your self, is the strap integrated into the holster body  or is the strap sewn to it ?
Photo ?

strap is integrated into the holster
it is a triple k, similar to the one in the pic
although in the pic it is a bianchi holster, but it looks very similar to the triple k one i have



I'll try stretching it like how you described
but i just dont like the button and metal on the strap
i dont like how it rubs on the gun as i draw it and re-holster it
i might try to put a hammer thong on it instead for retention

Yeah, that looks tough to cut and keep looking good.
Thongs are nice. 

Heres another opinion.
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=76858

Would be nice if you could just hole punch the existing strap.
Then there would be no need to "cut" anything and it would look original.

Yeah, that looks tough to cut and keep looking good.
Thongs are nice. 

Heres another opinion.
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=76858

Would be nice if you could just hole punch the existing strap.
Then there would be no need to "cut" anything and it would look original.

thanks for the link
put this project on hold for a while, not in a rush
I may start to get into leather working.  custom knife sheaths, holsters.
but we'll see, I'm not a crafter, but if it turns out to look and function good, i may continue with the leather working.

Who's gonna teach you the leather work? I'm interested in learning too.

Who's gonna teach you the leather work? I'm interested in learning too.

I'm going to learn as i go. 
or what i can find online.
so far I am a real newbie.

I think you just need to break it in.  I have leather for my K-frame and i just let it sit in there for a few days.  It worked out just fine, and after a few draws it fits perfect now, and as it works in more it'll conform even better to the shape of the pistol. That is the beauty of leather, such as a broken in pair of boots.   If we ever get CC the thumb snap would be invaluable.

I'm going to learn as i go. 
or what i can find online.
so far I am a real newbie.

Oh ok thanks. I guess i should probably learn how to tan hides first. Lol

I think you just need to break it in.  I have leather for my K-frame and i just let it sit in there for a few days.  It worked out just fine, and after a few draws it fits perfect now, and as it works in more it'll conform even better to the shape of the pistol. That is the beauty of leather, such as a broken in pair of boots.   If we ever get CC the thumb snap would be invaluable.

you're probably right with the breaking in of the holster and leather.

I'm still going to try my hand at making a custom leather knife sheath.  might turn out good.  we'll see.

Look into leather tooling and stuff like that.  I got stuff from Tandy leather company before, and did some tooling and work doing my chopper seat.  It is not all that hard, but maybe more time consuming than anything else.  pretty fun