The JDL Fast-Draw Rig

Anyone who follows this blog knows I'm a hobbyist leatherworker. For about a year now, I have been making "cowboy" holsters. They all have basically been me looking at rigs made by others, and trying to make something that functioned as well and looked as good as the types of cowboy rigs I saw. I've had successes and failures.

My biggest initial obstacle was tightness. For a concealed holster, you want the holster to hold tightly to the weapon. Not so in a Fast-Draw Rig. They need to fit the gun well, but have NO RETENTION, so that the gun can be snatched quickly and get on target. After 4 or so attempts, I finally got a well-fitted design with no retention.

Next, I figured out the correct stiffener for the leather. That was basically just some trial and error.

Then came cant. In fast-draw, you want just a slight forward cant, so that took some serious thought.

After figuring all this out, I settled on a basic pattern that I liked, similar to one of the holsters made by Mernickle. I extended the bottom of the holster slightly, because in the Mernicles, the gun can ride low, and the barrel will slightly poke out the bottom.

I also make it out of one layer of leather, rough-side in, unlike the Mernickle which uses 2 layers, lined with metal between, for a stiffener. Because of the decision to make it one layer, I attached the Chicago screws holding the back flap on differently, too. I use a leather billet that grabs the bottom of the belt.

And lastly, I designed a wax-bullet deflector that is made entirely out of leather, rather than a leather-sheathed piece of steel.

Overall, I like the design, and do feel as if it is the final evolution of this Fast-Draw Rig. As such, I am naming it the JDL Fast-Draw Rig (short for J. D. Leather).

Now, when someone wants one, they can order, for example, by saying something like " I'd like a JDL Fast-Draw Rig, black, with border stamping. I'd like the right-hand cut, and my belt measurement is 42 inches."

At any rate, this is the second of this design, with 2 others that had *almost* all the same features.

Boosting the Signal

Anyone interested in a German Shepard mix? He's a very cool neutered guy that's at a local (ish) shelter. He's heartworm positive, but it's still treatable.

With 2 dogs and a cat in a rental, I can't take him on. He could go on to have a happy, healthy life for many years for the right human.

They keep taking him off the kill list, because he has such a great personality, but he's been at the shelter for 7 months, so finding him a home is critical, now.

If anyone is interested, let me know via email at j(dot)dezendorf001(at)gmail(dot)com

Lee Pro 1000

So surfing around the other day, I came across a post on a local forum from a guy wanting to sell his reloading setup. I clicked through, and damned if it wasn't a progressive press! It came with the press, a powder measure with the auto-disc setup, 3 quick-change turrets, brass feeder, a complete shell holder assembly for .223, .44 mag/spl, and .38/.357. Also, it came with a small loading bench. The guy was asking $125.

So I texted him, and pulled the trigger, so to speak. I need to buy a 9mm shell holder assembly, and a powder-through expanding die for .38spl  (my .38/.357 dies are RCBS), and I will be setup to load my 2 favorite handgun cartridges quickly!

I have been unhappy with my reloading setup for a while, due to it being outside. It is on the back porch, but if strong winds come along, it can still blow rain onto my old Rockcrusher Jr. press, not to mention the naturally high humidity that encourages rust here in southern Louisiana. Since getting the new press, I went ahead and mounted my old single-stage press and powder measure on the back of my new reloading bench, so I can just turn the table around, and I am good to go with either the progressive or single-stage press.

And I can now reload in the comfort of my dining room! I'm pretty excited about this purchase.

Fast Draw!

Finished up a cowboy fast draw holster for a guy. He wanted a bullet deflector, and I wasn't happy with the type I had made in the past. I re-engineered the design, and was pleased with the way it turned out.

Since I had all the stuff out last weekend, I went ahead and made me a fast draw rig for myself! I like it!

Yard Sale

Yard Sales held by .mil types are WAYYYYY cooler than soccer mom yard sales. 2 tourniquets for 10 bucks? Yes, please!