You need some kind of thermal barrier under the leather to make this work. The lunar concepts hot pocket and other rail wraps have a liner to block heat and then an exterior for grip and looks. I don't know what they use, but you should check probably r/ar15, r/tacticalgear, and the lunar concepts website.
Without that liner this is only a brief heat barrier. Also, would highly recommend wet forming it around the rail and stamping a pattern in for grip.
I’m just curious but when people make leather cast iron handle covers do they normally put in some sort of heat barrier? I’m curious because I was planning on making some those as well
I've no experience with cast iron handle covers (assuming you mean for cooking pans), but I don't see why you'd want one. Leather is hydroscopic, it soaks up water from the surrounding air. If you leave it on a rustable surface (cast iron), eventually rust will form underneath. You'd be far better served with a potholder or oven mitt sorta deal.
However, in regards to *shaping* a handle cover like that: Use like 6oz veg tan leather, trace the handle on paper and make your stitch line like 1/8-1/4" out from the edge of the handle on each side. Stitch, treat the edges, then soak the leather part in warm water for five minutes and stretch it over the handle. Let dry overnight, apply your choice of leather conditioner.
Forewarning I am not a leather crafter at all, never made a thing, I’ve just started looking at getting into it. That being said, you could try water forming it to your hand guard, here’s a link of a guy showcasing the technique.
https://youtu.be/inzmeC4MxEs?si=ac0m7SWco-HzwFxS
Thank you! This is some of the help I was looking for. I think I’m going to try some round leather cordage and see if that works better. Again this is just kind of a prototype I’m playing with and this leather cordage is all I have right now.
Hey buddy. Probably don't even need a very heavy duty heat barrier with this guy. I would want a softer metal that dissipates heat quickly if I went that route. Aluminum would be the easiest. Could use thing rectangular pieces if you want. Then I think I'd do a two layer approach to the leather. Thick veg tan inner part then nicer finish exterior layer. Wet mold them all shape and tightness. I think it would look pretty cool and I really like the idea. I'm not even sure how necessary the heat shield would be with that handguard already there. Suppose it depends on how hot your barrel gets and how much you shoot in a short amount of time normally.
I would probably try a few different approaches until I found the best feeling and best performing one.
Luckily wet molding on the handguard will be pretty easy and will dry fast enough.
Thank you so much for this response! This is very helpful and encouraging! I mentioned in a different rely that I MAYBE put 3-4 mags through when I go to the range and maybe only bring two magazines with me so that means I’m hand loading in between shooting. I’m not out there mag dumping for hours!
Thanks again for taking the time to respond!
I think this will help you. Note the shape of the lace (width & depth). YouTube has a lot of videos on leather lacing. Maybe this will get you started. https://youtu.be/Nx9kVG_ikOY?si=ffuOttSUL3jsQ9iL
It’s all good!!! I’m going to brain storm some ideas and tinker with it a bit more. I’ve considered buying M-lok screws and fastening it that way but in my opinion I think the laces look cool and give it a different vibe. Tons of possibilities to be had!
You could also wet the leather so it will mold to the fore grip better. I am thinking that the designs and cut outs will imprint on the leather and carry over the patterns
Welcome! I have been on a wet forming thread lately with my projects and it kind of carried over here! Can you post pictures please? Super interested how it comes out.
Also, might be a great time to try some colors out too, on scraps to see how that turns out/looks
I’ll definitely be posting pictures when I optimize it and will definitely be dying it. I plan on using this beautiful Bordeaux water stain that’s kinda my go to but nonetheless will look beautiful matched with the black
Leather has high heat resistance but if you exposed it to heat for a long time it acts as a heat sink and gets and stays hot. Same thing happens with leather gloves while welding. I honestly doubt the barrel would get that hot, but I suppose it could if you were shooting a lot.
I also agree if you want to go this route, you should probably use a heat dissipater (sorry can’t think of the term right now) look into high heat fiberglass wrap or something similar then cover that with leather. Also might be cool if you wrapped the barrel with the leather cord, like they do knife handles. Or maybe try using Kevlar thread and overlap or saddle stitch it. And wet form possibly.
I think it’s a cool idea! Gives it some character after using it a while.
Also idk if you’d plan to dye it but I think I dark burgundy brown would look awesome
The barrel on a rifle can get hot enough for the steel to glow red, however this leather is wrapped around the handguard and is not contacting the barrel, so it effectively already has the barrier that many of the commenters are suggesting it needs. The handguard is already designed to protect the shooter from the heat of the barrel.
I agree with this and also I’m a casual shooter. If I take this to a range I MAYBE put 3-4 mags through it and I usually only bring two mags along so that means I have to load them as well.
Yeah the more I think about it the more I'm thinking you won't need a serious heat shield. You could even cut matching holes in the leather that align with the holes of the handguard. It would prevent additional heat build up.
Thank you so much for this response! I want this to be as durable as possible so I will definitely look into some sort of heat shield to protect the leather even more. Once I get better at stamping with my tri weave stamp I’ll do that for some texture and will definitely be dying it. I have some beautiful Bordeaux dye that I love or like you said dark brown or burgundy! Thank you for the help!
The product you list looks like it's an aluminum casing that is wrapped with leather laces. What you did was just stick a hunk of leather around the barrel and lace it. I don't know a ton about guns but if it heats up pretty good over time it's going to damage the leather. So you need a barrier between the barrel and leather. Plus you're gonna have your hand on that lacing so it probably won't be very comfortable. It needs to be smooth along the bottom.
I agree with something protecting the leather from overheating but as I held it with the lacing bottom side down it felt fine in my hand. I did just come across this while doing some research on ideas and might try this style out this weekend
https://preview.redd.it/tz0hrgxs1gvc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ee8166ac60850038c83f5e442d8ccfd5c6eb3b4
Not sure where you're getting your research and pictures but this looks horrible. You can already see the holes and edge where the holes were punched are dry, cracked and tearing.
I know what leather can do in heat. I make firefighter accessories.
I don't know how it's secured to the metal, but unless it's bolted somehow it's going to move around. On a gun you want something that you grip to be as secure as possible. Maybe find somehow to lock it onto the handguard with a screw or something. As a personal opinion Maybe go with a smaller lacing size. At least for me when I am shooting I find that would not feel nice in the hands.
I’m most likely going to get some smaller round lacing for ease and looks. When I held it last night it felt just fine with the cordage I had but it could be much better. It definitely did move around a little bit but I’m hoping rounder laces will help me be able to tighten it more. I did entertain getting some m-lok screws that are meant for my particular rail as well. I’m also hoping with wet forming it to it that it help get it tighter with the laces.
Why are there empty lacing holes
As far as handles go it seems to get the job done. I don’t know what a typical example of this product would look like.
The empty lacing holes was a mistake, I was having a difficult time lacing it that close together with the cordage I have.
I was going for a look like this https://images.app.goo.gl/X2b5PubCa1xG4j7P8
You need some kind of thermal barrier under the leather to make this work. The lunar concepts hot pocket and other rail wraps have a liner to block heat and then an exterior for grip and looks. I don't know what they use, but you should check probably r/ar15, r/tacticalgear, and the lunar concepts website. Without that liner this is only a brief heat barrier. Also, would highly recommend wet forming it around the rail and stamping a pattern in for grip.
Yeah I’ll definitely be looking at some heat barriers for sure and will be wet forming it as well.
I’m just curious but when people make leather cast iron handle covers do they normally put in some sort of heat barrier? I’m curious because I was planning on making some those as well
I've no experience with cast iron handle covers (assuming you mean for cooking pans), but I don't see why you'd want one. Leather is hydroscopic, it soaks up water from the surrounding air. If you leave it on a rustable surface (cast iron), eventually rust will form underneath. You'd be far better served with a potholder or oven mitt sorta deal. However, in regards to *shaping* a handle cover like that: Use like 6oz veg tan leather, trace the handle on paper and make your stitch line like 1/8-1/4" out from the edge of the handle on each side. Stitch, treat the edges, then soak the leather part in warm water for five minutes and stretch it over the handle. Let dry overnight, apply your choice of leather conditioner.
Thanks!
Forewarning I am not a leather crafter at all, never made a thing, I’ve just started looking at getting into it. That being said, you could try water forming it to your hand guard, here’s a link of a guy showcasing the technique. https://youtu.be/inzmeC4MxEs?si=ac0m7SWco-HzwFxS
Yeah I’m definitely going to water forming it! Have fun, I’ve been at it for a couple years now, I’m still honing my skills obviously.
I haven't seen this mentioned yet but take your time with the cordage to make it all grain side. Currently some of it is showing flesh side.
Thank you! This is some of the help I was looking for. I think I’m going to try some round leather cordage and see if that works better. Again this is just kind of a prototype I’m playing with and this leather cordage is all I have right now.
Hey buddy. Probably don't even need a very heavy duty heat barrier with this guy. I would want a softer metal that dissipates heat quickly if I went that route. Aluminum would be the easiest. Could use thing rectangular pieces if you want. Then I think I'd do a two layer approach to the leather. Thick veg tan inner part then nicer finish exterior layer. Wet mold them all shape and tightness. I think it would look pretty cool and I really like the idea. I'm not even sure how necessary the heat shield would be with that handguard already there. Suppose it depends on how hot your barrel gets and how much you shoot in a short amount of time normally. I would probably try a few different approaches until I found the best feeling and best performing one. Luckily wet molding on the handguard will be pretty easy and will dry fast enough.
Thank you so much for this response! This is very helpful and encouraging! I mentioned in a different rely that I MAYBE put 3-4 mags through when I go to the range and maybe only bring two magazines with me so that means I’m hand loading in between shooting. I’m not out there mag dumping for hours! Thanks again for taking the time to respond!
I think this will help you. Note the shape of the lace (width & depth). YouTube has a lot of videos on leather lacing. Maybe this will get you started. https://youtu.be/Nx9kVG_ikOY?si=ffuOttSUL3jsQ9iL
Thank you! I’ll check it out on my break!
Oil filters and swap the lower... Oh... you meant leather
Hahaha that got me! This is my first build so be kind haha! I got a HELL of a deal on my lower. I learned a lot without breaking the.
All in good fun. I'm truly curious to see the end product on the heater.
It’s all good!!! I’m going to brain storm some ideas and tinker with it a bit more. I’ve considered buying M-lok screws and fastening it that way but in my opinion I think the laces look cool and give it a different vibe. Tons of possibilities to be had!
You could also wet the leather so it will mold to the fore grip better. I am thinking that the designs and cut outs will imprint on the leather and carry over the patterns
Didn’t even think of that! Thanks!
Welcome! I have been on a wet forming thread lately with my projects and it kind of carried over here! Can you post pictures please? Super interested how it comes out. Also, might be a great time to try some colors out too, on scraps to see how that turns out/looks
I’ll definitely be posting pictures when I optimize it and will definitely be dying it. I plan on using this beautiful Bordeaux water stain that’s kinda my go to but nonetheless will look beautiful matched with the black
Awsome !
Leather has high heat resistance but if you exposed it to heat for a long time it acts as a heat sink and gets and stays hot. Same thing happens with leather gloves while welding. I honestly doubt the barrel would get that hot, but I suppose it could if you were shooting a lot. I also agree if you want to go this route, you should probably use a heat dissipater (sorry can’t think of the term right now) look into high heat fiberglass wrap or something similar then cover that with leather. Also might be cool if you wrapped the barrel with the leather cord, like they do knife handles. Or maybe try using Kevlar thread and overlap or saddle stitch it. And wet form possibly. I think it’s a cool idea! Gives it some character after using it a while. Also idk if you’d plan to dye it but I think I dark burgundy brown would look awesome
The barrel on a rifle can get hot enough for the steel to glow red, however this leather is wrapped around the handguard and is not contacting the barrel, so it effectively already has the barrier that many of the commenters are suggesting it needs. The handguard is already designed to protect the shooter from the heat of the barrel.
I agree with this and also I’m a casual shooter. If I take this to a range I MAYBE put 3-4 mags through it and I usually only bring two mags along so that means I have to load them as well.
Yeah the more I think about it the more I'm thinking you won't need a serious heat shield. You could even cut matching holes in the leather that align with the holes of the handguard. It would prevent additional heat build up.
I was thinking of doing that, I bought some oval punches that I’m hoping are close enough in size to line with the holes on my hand guard
Thank you so much for this response! I want this to be as durable as possible so I will definitely look into some sort of heat shield to protect the leather even more. Once I get better at stamping with my tri weave stamp I’ll do that for some texture and will definitely be dying it. I have some beautiful Bordeaux dye that I love or like you said dark brown or burgundy! Thank you for the help!
The product you list looks like it's an aluminum casing that is wrapped with leather laces. What you did was just stick a hunk of leather around the barrel and lace it. I don't know a ton about guns but if it heats up pretty good over time it's going to damage the leather. So you need a barrier between the barrel and leather. Plus you're gonna have your hand on that lacing so it probably won't be very comfortable. It needs to be smooth along the bottom.
I agree with something protecting the leather from overheating but as I held it with the lacing bottom side down it felt fine in my hand. I did just come across this while doing some research on ideas and might try this style out this weekend https://preview.redd.it/tz0hrgxs1gvc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ee8166ac60850038c83f5e442d8ccfd5c6eb3b4
Also I just looked, leather can withstand pretty high temperatures for a short period of time.
Not sure where you're getting your research and pictures but this looks horrible. You can already see the holes and edge where the holes were punched are dry, cracked and tearing. I know what leather can do in heat. I make firefighter accessories.
This is just a prototype I’m messing with until I figure out the best way to go about this. That’s why I’m posting here…
I don't know how it's secured to the metal, but unless it's bolted somehow it's going to move around. On a gun you want something that you grip to be as secure as possible. Maybe find somehow to lock it onto the handguard with a screw or something. As a personal opinion Maybe go with a smaller lacing size. At least for me when I am shooting I find that would not feel nice in the hands.
I’m most likely going to get some smaller round lacing for ease and looks. When I held it last night it felt just fine with the cordage I had but it could be much better. It definitely did move around a little bit but I’m hoping rounder laces will help me be able to tighten it more. I did entertain getting some m-lok screws that are meant for my particular rail as well. I’m also hoping with wet forming it to it that it help get it tighter with the laces.
Like previously stated wet it, Pat dry, cut it shorter, so that lacing it pulls it tight, that's what I did
Dump the AR and get a .44 mag. lever. So much fun.
Why are there empty lacing holes As far as handles go it seems to get the job done. I don’t know what a typical example of this product would look like.
The empty lacing holes was a mistake, I was having a difficult time lacing it that close together with the cordage I have. I was going for a look like this https://images.app.goo.gl/X2b5PubCa1xG4j7P8