Han Solo gunbelt/holster - fully functional.

Hey everyone, I got a question that maybe you have had before, maybe not, but I figured I would throw it out there.

I just applied for my carry permit, shortly I will have my license to carry. Due to my size, carry is uncomfortable with what I plan to carry and with the standard holsters available.... I'm sure you know where I'm going with this.

Han Solo has the perfect gun belt/holster. From the way it looks, it will balance the weight evenly across the waist and leg so the gun will not hang on you. I would like to commission someone to build a functional version of this gun belt, with a few modifications. It has to be as light and as thin as possible. It also has to be durable enough to be worn daily. Instead of the weird things on the belt, it has to be able to carry extra magazines.... and the biggest thing is that it has to be able to have interchangeable holsters.

I imagine a belt like this will cost a bit to make, so I want it to last years. The gun I currently use is a 1911 w/ 4.25 inch barrel. I would like the belt to be built so that the holster can be easily removable, but would NEVER come off at the wrong time, and provides enough tension to allow for an easy draw of a weapon.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, that would be great. I figured I would start here, where people might understand, rather than at a gun shop where I will be laughed out the door

 

aw man, I really thought someone might know... is this the largest star wars forum?

 

For Star Wars, yes.

For Star Wars COSTUMING, no.

I'd try asking at the Rebel Legion

 

So you plan on open-carrying a firearm in a low slung, HSLD holster? What middle eastern country do you do contract work in?

(Carry concealed!)

 

Yes, I plan on carrying this way. I've only seen it done a few times--- and I probably won't do it every day, but I've always wanted a han solo costume for Halloween, so why not make the gun belt serve a dual purpose?

it's not like it is illegal... at least I haven't seen any laws saying that your holster has to be in a location so that it is most difficult for you to reach your weapon O_O in my opinion, most holsters ride too high, and for me, belt holsters end up pulling my pants up with the gun.... I would literally have to kill myself with my belt to get it tight enough for the gun to not pull up my pants.

I, of course, will have to explore other modes of carry, but this has always been a want of mine anyway... now I just have the proper excuse.

Besides, its just cool hah

 

hell, I might even get me a scoped mauser c96 with a large flash suppressor at the end........ ahhah

 

While it is legal to openly carry a firearm in most public places (outside that is), it's generally known (and is really just common sense) that's it's not a good idea to do so. It makes people nervous, especially law enforcement. Now if it's halloween and you're outside, no one will think twice but you really shouldn't go to a party, into public establishments or a convention while openly wearing a real firearm. That's just not a good idea at all and could get you arrested (depending on where you are at the time).

I have a modern Colt .45 revolver replica (Uberti 1873 Cattleman) and a nice holster for it. I think it's cool too... but you won't see me wearing it anywhere except the gun range.

 

you're more than correct. I hardly see myself parading around the grocery store with my gun like that.... I would likely be banned from the store. I would wear it around the house and stuff like that... i honestly don't know if I have the balls or want to take the risk to wear it in public places. However, if I buy something, I want it to be fully functional as if I were going to wear it every day.


although I do believe that we should not be afraid to exercise our rights. But I don't have the required war chest to finance the possible legal problems associated with doing as such. Kind of sad, actually, that a citizen has to worry about legal repercussions of doing something perfectly legal :/ There are few armed and dangerous criminals that walk around open carrying..... same goes for my theory on campus carry... very few school shooters bother to take a carry course, apply for a permit, get finger printed, wait 3 months, pay $115, etc, etc. Gun laws really harm honest citizens who are willing to follow the laws,,,, not the criminals that break them ((isn't that the definition of 'criminal' )

 

Good to hear.

To help with your original question... when you commission someone to make a gun holster and belt, regardless if the gun is Nerf, airsoft or real, the holster will be made to fit that specific gun as long as that is what you request. Also, if the person making said holster or belt is at all worth their salt, that belt and holster will work fine with a real gun as long as the holster is designed to fit that gun. That said, I don't think you getting a functional Star Wars based holster and belt will be an issue.

Now the maker of said holster will most likely need the gun to make the holster properly. Your best bet would be to buy an airsoft version and ship it to the leatherworker.

Now all you have to do is find someone to make it for ya. Good luck in your endeavors. I look forward to seeing your finished belt and holster.

 

Very true.

Close enough, I suppose.

I've done a lot of leatherwork. Including custom holsters. The best fits were around custom molds that I made out of wood, slightly larger than the original fire-arm.

Your best bet is to find a saddlemaker (or motorcycle-saddlebag maker) in your area. Whoever you commission for this MUST be easily accessable to you locally or you take a serious chance on being ripped off. And considderring how expensive leather is, you could easily lose hundreds just in making a "good-faith deposit" to some one outside your area.

 

It also depends on where you live. For example here in Montana no one even looks twice at my husband when he goes out carrying. Even cops don't care, some cops have even told him that they like to see people carrying. He goes into stores and everything. My step-dad too. As long as it's not loaded it's fine. Of course avoid the obvious like post offices and banks.

Otherwise, good luck, that would be something awesome to have! I can't help you with that though.

 

true, any molded holster should work... however, I have run across those that get hung up for whatever reason. the purpose for me saying that it should be usable is so that the leather worker does not think "oh, it's just a prop" and get low quality buckles and what not that will end up failing. I want to make sure that the build quality is top notch, even if its not entirely screen accurate.

it would be nice to find someone local--- but id like someone who has had experience with this holster/gunbelt

as for open carry...carry unloaded? no way! whats the point of taking along the extra baggage?

 

And most States (like Oregon) that have concealed weapons permits REQUIRE that the fire arm be concealed. Any delineation of that and the individual is subject to arrest and forfeiture of his/her gun permits. So be careful that you are following the law very closely, especially since all that money for the right to carry permit has been doled out.

I, myself, have a Springfield 1911. The only time that I have ever worn it publicly was when I was out in the field, hunting. In Oregon, it is completely legal to open-carry to and from hunting. The obvious common sense applies, of course. I've even walked into a gas station once, with my pistol, unloaded, so that it set the people inside more at ease.... that and I didn't want someone stealing my handgun out of the car while we were gassing up.

For what you are looking for, having a drop leg holster like Han has seems really unpractical. Especially for this kind of firearm. It isn't like this is an Old West gunslinger type of firearm.

If you are wanting a Han Solo style gun belt that has a removable holster so that you can switch from your real-world gun to a blaster prop, well that could pose problems right there. Especially since you are putting in the demand that it be easily removable, without it coming loose in an inopportune time. Something has to give, either aesthetics or functionality. Sometimes both can't be achieved.

Just some thoughts from a novice leather worker...

- Bill

 

I am aware of the laws pertaining to my state. My permit is not a "concealed carry" permit... that would suck. Hell, i've heard of people getting in trouble for having their jacket blow open in CC states.

I would never open carry without ammunition... I'm not lugging this thing around for show

My idea of removable is to have maybe 5 strong snaps (or whatever you call those things ) across the bottom of the strap that the holster hangs from. This way, I can pull it off (probably with some difficulty) to change holsters. Also, from the design of the holster and belt, it looks like the holster is actually removable at the metal buckles... this would call for an EXPENSIVE second holster, but that could be done also.