Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
After 45 years of making holsters and other leather items to support my shooting, hunting, trapping, and outdoor life, I wanted to make a video that passes some of that knowledge on.
This is a complete, step-by-step leathercrafting video showing how I make a custom handgun holster for my Smith & Wesson Model 629 with a 4-1/4" barrel. This handgun is part of my wilderness protection setup while working on our remote northern Alberta trapline.
At 2 hours and 33 minutes, this is a long video, but it is meant to be a lasting resource. Whether you are interested in making a holster, learning basic leatherwork, or understanding how to design and build custom gear when store-bought options just do not fit your needs, this video walks through the process in detail.
I cover the complete build, including pattern layout, cutting, shaping, stitching, forming, fitting, finishing, and the practical thinking behind the design. Along the way, I also explain a little about how I was able to legally purchase a handgun in Canada despite the handgun transfer ban, and I discuss the legal requirements for carrying a handgun in a holster in Canada.
For anyone who wants to follow along or make this holster themselves, I have also created a detailed set of plans for the holster shown in this video.
You can find the holster plans here:
buymeacoffee.com/thewaytonative/e/525972
Chapter markers are included so you can jump to the parts that interest you most.
My hope is that this video becomes a useful long-term resource for people who want to learn practical leatherworking skills and gain the confidence to make the custom gear they need.
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
If you enjoy this kind of content and would like to support The Way To Native Chronicles, here are some ways you can help:
Support the channel directly on Buy Me A Coffee:
buymeacoffee.com/TheWayToNative
Access downloadable plans and digital products:
buymeacoffee.com/thewaytonative/extras
Visit our online store for channel merchandise:
the-way-to-native-chronicles-2.myshopify.com
Music and sound effects are licensed through Epidemic Sound:
share.epidemicsound.com/k0mqx9
You can also support the channel directly through YouTube by using the Super Thanks button below the video.
And, of course, liking the video, subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with others helps more than you might think.
Thank you for watching and for being part of The Way To Native Chronicles.
00:00:00 - Opening sequence
00:00:40 - Introductory remarks
00:01:30 - The Canadian situation for handguns
00:01:40 - How Canadian handgun law works
00:02:17 - The need for a new handgun
00:04:13 - Holster design considerations
00:05:46 - What this video hopes to accomplish
00:06:14 - How to support this channel
00:07:12 - Beginning, holster making
00:07:56 - Holster plans available via this channel
00:10:52 - Thinking things through first
00:14:40 - About cutting leather
00:18:06 - Other videos available on channel
00:19:09 - The cutting begins!
00:23:11 - Adding belt and tie-down loops
00:48:45 - Holster blank edge prep
00:51:45 - Matching the pattern sides
00:53:17 - Creating fillet for trigger guard
00:55:20 - Making first stitching groove
00:55:44 - Fake stitch portion
00:57:15 - Attaching female snap
01:03:12 - Making major stitching grooves
01:09:47 - Punching holes, major seam
01:10:23 - Checking cutting fork tines
01:16:04 - Redoing the filler piece
01:19:17 - Cutting holes in filler
01:22:13 - Opening holes in filler
01:28:47 - Ornamental muzzle stitching
01:33:44 - Main seam stitch prep
01:37:00 - Stitching main seam
01:46:16 - Test fitting gun
01:48:58 - How to replace a snap that's too short
01:52:27 - Grinding snap post off
01:54:12 - Affixing snaps
02:02:30 - Trimming the trigger guard fillet
02:04:27 - Muzzle plug question
02:05:16 - Burnishing edges
02:22:19 - Adding a muzzle plug
02:25:12 - Applying leather treatment
02:27:42 - Test fitting completed holster
02:31:02 - Concluding remarks
02:32:49 - Next video suggestion
After 45 years of making holsters and other leather items to support my shooting, hunting, trapping, and outdoor life, I wanted to make a video that passes some of that knowledge on.
This is a complete, step-by-step leathercrafting video showing how I make a custom handgun holster for my Smith & Wesson Model 629 with a 4-1/4" barrel. This handgun is part of my wilderness protection setup while working on our remote northern Alberta trapline.
At 2 hours and 33 minutes, this is a long video, but it is meant to be a lasting resource. Whether you are interested in making a holster, learning basic leatherwork, or understanding how to design and build custom gear when store-bought options just do not fit your needs, this video walks through the process in detail.
I cover the complete build, including pattern layout, cutting, shaping, stitching, forming, fitting, finishing, and the practical thinking behind the design. Along the way, I also explain a little about how I was able to legally purchase a handgun in Canada despite the handgun transfer ban, and I discuss the legal requirements for carrying a handgun in a holster in Canada.
For anyone who wants to follow along or make this holster themselves, I have also created a detailed set of plans for the holster shown in this video.
You can find the holster plans here:
buymeacoffee.com/thewaytonative/e/525972
Chapter markers are included so you can jump to the parts that interest you most.
My hope is that this video becomes a useful long-term resource for people who want to learn practical leatherworking skills and gain the confidence to make the custom gear they need.
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
If you enjoy this kind of content and would like to support The Way To Native Chronicles, here are some ways you can help:
Support the channel directly on Buy Me A Coffee:
buymeacoffee.com/TheWayToNative
Access downloadable plans and digital products:
buymeacoffee.com/thewaytonative/extras
Visit our online store for channel merchandise:
the-way-to-native-chronicles-2.myshopify.com
Music and sound effects are licensed through Epidemic Sound:
share.epidemicsound.com/k0mqx9
You can also support the channel directly through YouTube by using the Super Thanks button below the video.
And, of course, liking the video, subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with others helps more than you might think.
Thank you for watching and for being part of The Way To Native Chronicles.
00:00:00 - Opening sequence
00:00:40 - Introductory remarks
00:01:30 - The Canadian situation for handguns
00:01:40 - How Canadian handgun law works
00:02:17 - The need for a new handgun
00:04:13 - Holster design considerations
00:05:46 - What this video hopes to accomplish
00:06:14 - How to support this channel
00:07:12 - Beginning, holster making
00:07:56 - Holster plans available via this channel
00:10:52 - Thinking things through first
00:14:40 - About cutting leather
00:18:06 - Other videos available on channel
00:19:09 - The cutting begins!
00:23:11 - Adding belt and tie-down loops
00:48:45 - Holster blank edge prep
00:51:45 - Matching the pattern sides
00:53:17 - Creating fillet for trigger guard
00:55:20 - Making first stitching groove
00:55:44 - Fake stitch portion
00:57:15 - Attaching female snap
01:03:12 - Making major stitching grooves
01:09:47 - Punching holes, major seam
01:10:23 - Checking cutting fork tines
01:16:04 - Redoing the filler piece
01:19:17 - Cutting holes in filler
01:22:13 - Opening holes in filler
01:28:47 - Ornamental muzzle stitching
01:33:44 - Main seam stitch prep
01:37:00 - Stitching main seam
01:46:16 - Test fitting gun
01:48:58 - How to replace a snap that's too short
01:52:27 - Grinding snap post off
01:54:12 - Affixing snaps
02:02:30 - Trimming the trigger guard fillet
02:04:27 - Muzzle plug question
02:05:16 - Burnishing edges
02:22:19 - Adding a muzzle plug
02:25:12 - Applying leather treatment
02:27:42 - Test fitting completed holster
02:31:02 - Concluding remarks
02:32:49 - Next video suggestion
