Just ordered a Raiders holster!

[IndianaBogart]

Hey everybody, nothing big here, but I just ordered one of Todds Raiders, holsters now that they're finally back in stock. Looking forward to getting it in the next week or so, and then distressing it. And I'll have it in time for Halloween! If anybody who has one of these wants to post pics of theirs (preferably distressed), that'd be great; it would tide me over until mine comes.

Thanks,
IndianaBogart

[nicktheguy]

And as you know we all would love to see pics when it arrives.

[IndianaBogart]

"Oh, oh most certainly...."

[Zombie Jones]

I received mine last week. IMO it's a very durable holster, not a cheap, flimsy "costume" item, and my Airsoft FBI .38 Special fits perfectly. A few comments...

I tried the "water forming" technique outlined on Todd's website--twice--and the leather barely budged. The shape of the front edge of the cylinder is slightly visible, but that's about it. And a minor amount (very minor) of dye rubbed off of this surface in the process, but that only adds to the "worn and well-used" look.

Out of the box, the color IMO is too light to be screen accurate. As far as I can tell the Raiders holster is supposed to be slightly lighter than the gunbelt, but the holster I received is definitely lighter than the one in the photos on Todd's website; more of a "caramel" color. "Dirtying it up" might help, but I have very little experience working with leather so I don't want to do anything that might screw it up. I may simply dye it, but I like the color and the contrast between the holster and my gunbelt even though it's not screen accurate (my gunbelt isn't screen accurate either, so...).

Also, Todd's website says the holster will fit belts up to 2"; I don't see how. My gunbelt is 1-1/2" and, between the width of the belt loop and the nice tight stitching, it was a bit of a struggle to thread it through the belt loop. The benefit is, this will keep the holster from shifting positions on the gunbelt.

That said, I'm very satisfied with the holster I received, but the color could be closer to the screen used item. Please pardon my poor photography skills. On my monitor the color is reasonably accurate; your mileage may vary.

[IndianaBogart]

Thanks for the pic Zombie Jones. That's a great looking holster. I plan on trying the water technique, but since it doesn't sound like that's gonna work....(?) I dunno. I am planning on applying leather conditioner to darken the color some, and then some natural distressing: light sanding, pocket knife, steel wool, lighter, etc. All with a gun in it of course, to give it an authentic look.

So, needless to say, I'm excited for my new purchase to arrive!

[scot2525]

Here is a pic of my Coyle standard holster with a little distrtessing. I have done the water forming twice and it seems to be holding okay.

[IndianaBogart]

Thats some good looking gear, scot2525. Is all of that Todd's stuff?

[Zombie Jones]

Here is a pic of my Coyle standard holster with a little distrtessing. I have done the water forming twice and it seems to be holding okay.

If I may, what did you do to distress your holster? I like it--just enough to remove the "new" look without making it look too old. I'd like mine to look like that!

[Indiana Williams]

Thats a nice looking holster. when I was originally in the market for a holster I tried to order one of Todds deluxe ones but he discontinued them so I went with an AB from a member on here. I also owned a Keppler briefly but simply couldnt justify having two high quality holster so I had to let it go. Todds wares a top qaulity so Im sure this recent batch pf holsters hes offering are just that.

[scot2525]

Thats some good looking gear, scot2525. Is all of that Todd's stuff?

Thanks Indy Bogart, the only piece of gear in the photo I didn't acquire from Todd Coyle is the "piece". I purchased the gun from www.speedytoys.com, the .38 FBI special.

Zombie I will send you a PM to avoid derailing Indy Bogarts thread.

[IndianaBogart]

I thought it looked wfully familiar. A lot of my stuff came from Todd. He's a great guy and he has some great stuff! Especially for the money! I can't wait to see what my holster is like; I'm sure it will be great. And even better once distressed!

[Zombie Jones]

Zombie I will send you a PM to avoid derailing Indy Bogarts thread.

Thanks, I'd appreciate it!

[IndianaBogart]

Hey, I wouldn't consider it "derailing" my thread if you posted about distressing. I'd really like to know as well.

[scot2525]

I haven't done anything complicated to the holster. The leather is very stiff so I bent and twisted it to help loosen it up some. I applied a tanning "bronzer",I borrowed from the wife, to it several times and set it in direct sunlight for hours at at a time over the course of a few days. I personally feel this helped darken the leather to a more desireable color. I am sure Pecards or another type of leather treatment would work just as well if not better.

Once I was happy with the color I put the holster with the gun inside it, into a pillowcase with some rocks, mulch, and unused kitty litter and drug it around on the garage floor and driveway for a few minutes. This put a few scratches in the leather here and there and really took off the sheen. If the holster had an area that I didn't like the look of the distressing I put on "bronzer" and it returned the color. I also used a scotchbrite pad on the brass stud.

I then did the water forming procedure twice to get the desired look. I have also taken the flap and curled it up on itself to get the little flip/curl the flap has.

Before image.



After image.





I am still not happy that the stitching is still so prominent. I may need to use a lighter and get some soot on the stiching.[/img]

[Indiana Jake]

To age the stiching, add a few drops of black india ink to some denatured or rubbing alchohol. Use a tiny brush to stain over the threads. Try a scrap or the back area first. You don't want to over do it. Give the stiching and leather around it a good buff with a rag. You will be much happier with the dulled down stitching.

Indiana Jake

[backstagejack]

has any one purchased his Last Crusade holster? I'm gonna be Last Crusade Indy for next Halloween and wondered about the LC holster?

[191145]

'The benefit is, this will keep the holster from shifting positions on the gunbelt.'

Extremely important in the real world. There's hardly anything more distracting than a loaded holster that travels while carrying. I've been known to punch a hole in the belt on each side of the belt loop, then tie the holster in place with a piece of rawhide lace.

[Zombie Jones]

'The benefit is, this will keep the holster from shifting positions on the gunbelt.'

Extremely important in the real world. There's hardly anything more distracting than a loaded holster that travels while carrying. I've been known to punch a hole in the belt on each side of the belt loop, then tie the holster in place with a piece of rawhide lace.

And it worked like a charm--the holster didn't move at all when I wore the rig for Halloween. That there Todd feller really knows what he's doin'. ;-)

[RaiderZee]

Howdy,

Kinda off-topic, but how did you "age" your Todd's bag?

RaiderZee