More Kydex

HotGuns · January 14th, 2008, 12:42 AM

Awhile back, I orderd some .090 Kydex sheets from Ebay. Cost was 12 bucks for 3ea. 8"x10" sheets.

I had read some threads here about using Kydex to make some things like holsters and kbife sheaths and thought I'd try it out.

I did'nt use a pattern, I kind of did it on the fly, using my Sig P239 .40 to form it up after heating.

My other IWB holster was a padded nylon one that was actually pretty bulky, so I thought I'd try Kydex in order to see if I could make something a bit slimmer in the waistband.

I used a pair of shears to cut it, and used a Dremel tool with a drum sander to finish the edges. If I was going to keep on making sheaths, I think that I would invest in a jig saw rather than using the shears, you just can control the cut very well.

Anyhow,I think that anyone that wanted a custom fit holster could make one without much of a problem. I used a heat gun that I bought at Lowes and ordered the rivets from Texas Knife Supply.

The gun fits suprisingly well with plenty of retention. Its nice and snug but not so tight that it is an issue to pull it out. I think I could run with it without any problems.

I am thinking seriously of making one for my .44 Colt Ananconda,some sort of a shoulder holster rig for hunting. It'll probably take two sheets though, but it might be just the thing for carrying in the deer woods.

some pictures.

P95Carry · January 14th, 2008, 12:48 AM

Looks like that has formed very well Bob - good result!

Rocky has done quite a bit with this material and must admit it has been in my mind to give it a try one day too. The clip appears to be all part of the whole I am thinking ...... enough belt grip?

HotGuns · January 14th, 2008, 01:01 AM

Quote:

enough belt grip?

Seems to be.

I formed it over an 1/8" parallel. I put the retainer on it thinking that if the gun was tight it would help the holster stay in my waistband without pulling it out with the gun. Thats a problem that I've had with some clipped IWB holsters that I never was fond of.

The clip is a part of the original sheet. I rough cut the holster and then formed it to the gun. Once I got a satisfactory fit, I riveted it. Then I trimmed it up some and then formed the clip.Although the clip has an 1/8" gap to accomodate a leather belt, the end of it actually touchs the holster when its out. This sort of gives it a bit of "spring" tension. Its actually tight enough that it may not have needed the retainer, but I figured it'd be better safe than sorry.

A press would have been nice. As it was, I just used my hands, with leather gloves of course. Even with the gloves on, it was a bit warm. The thing is, you dont really need a press, I just kept pressing with my fingers over the gun, so anyone could do it as really the only thing needed is a heat source and a way to cut it and and a drill for the holes.

You ought to try it. A man of your talent will have no problems.

Ram Rod · January 14th, 2008, 01:55 AM

Very nice indeed!

mhm2a · January 14th, 2008, 01:39 PM

You should call it the "lowrider". How about some pictures of the holster in use. I like the clip built into the holster.

friesepferd · January 14th, 2008, 03:39 PM

well done.

rocky · January 14th, 2008, 04:15 PM

Great job. The thicker .09 kydex should help for the life of the clip. (the clip attachment point tends to wear out eventually). I have started attaching clips separate, so I can install new as needed.

sass20485 · January 14th, 2008, 05:18 PM

Nice job !!

Ragin Cajun · January 14th, 2008, 06:47 PM

You are getting good! Looks nice! How does it feel when carrying in it?

stmcelroy · January 14th, 2008, 08:05 PM

Looks really good. Nice job.

January 14th, 2008, 12:42 AM	#1
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,505	More Kydex Awhile back, I orderd some .090 Kydex sheets from Ebay. Cost was 12 bucks for 3ea. 8"x10" sheets. I had read some threads here about using Kydex to make some things like holsters and kbife sheaths and thought I'd try it out. I did'nt use a pattern, I kind of did it on the fly, using my Sig P239 .40 to form it up after heating. My other IWB holster was a padded nylon one that was actually pretty bulky, so I thought I'd try Kydex in order to see if I could make something a bit slimmer in the waistband. I used a pair of shears to cut it, and used a Dremel tool with a drum sander to finish the edges. If I was going to keep on making sheaths, I think that I would invest in a jig saw rather than using the shears, you just can control the cut very well. Anyhow,I think that anyone that wanted a custom fit holster could make one without much of a problem. I used a heat gun that I bought at Lowes and ordered the rivets from Texas Knife Supply. The gun fits suprisingly well with plenty of retention. Its nice and snug but not so tight that it is an issue to pull it out. I think I could run with it without any problems. I am thinking seriously of making one for my .44 Colt Ananconda,some sort of a shoulder holster rig for hunting. It'll probably take two sheets though, but it might be just the thing for carrying in the deer woods. some pictures. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

January 14th, 2008, 12:48 AM	#2
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,468	Looks like that has formed very well Bob - good result! Rocky has done quite a bit with this material and must admit it has been in my mind to give it a try one day too. The clip appears to be all part of the whole I am thinking ...... enough belt grip? __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

January 14th, 2008, 01:55 AM	#4
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 8,637	Very nice indeed! __________________ RamRod-----sans remords live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

January 14th, 2008, 04:15 PM	#7
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 13,053	Great job. The thicker .09 kydex should help for the life of the clip. (the clip attachment point tends to wear out eventually). I have started attaching clips separate, so I can install new as needed. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

January 14th, 2008, 08:05 PM	#10
stmcelroy Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 238	Looks really good. Nice job. __________________ www.RKBAholsters.com Check it out for quality reasonably priced leather *Pocket Holsters*......

January 14th, 2008, 01:39 PM	#5
mhm2a Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 82	You should call it the "lowrider". How about some pictures of the holster in use. I like the clip built into the holster.

January 14th, 2008, 03:39 PM	#6
friesepferd Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: what used to be the state of Franklin (look it up) Posts: 1,719	well done.

January 14th, 2008, 05:18 PM	#8
sass20485 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,933	Nice job !!

January 14th, 2008, 06:47 PM	#9
Ragin Cajun Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 665	You are getting good! Looks nice! How does it feel when carrying in it?

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