[ritepath]

Here is a holster I cooked up using a bladetech paddle that I've found the most comfortable so far. I've been wearing this about 3 months now without any problems. Compared to my Bladetech and Fobus it sits about 1/2-3/4" closer to my side. I wore it most of the summer with only an untucked tee.

 

[chains1240]

I have seen links on how to make Kydex holsters in the past. Yours is a great example. It looks store bought to me. Maybe someday I will have to give it a try.

 

[searcher 45]

Holster looks great, question is how did you do it?

 

[HotGuns]

Looks great.

 

[jwhite75]

Wow looks "storebought" ...very nice, does not look homemade at all.

 

[TerriLi]

That looks sweet, can we get a few picks of it by itself to see how you got it to stay so close to the body?

 

[tmizzi]

Holster looks great, question is how did you do it?

Do tell please. I have wanted to do something like this for an IWB mag/flashlight carrier. I can't find anything commercial that works for what I want to do.

 

[QKShooter]

Nice neat job. :yup:

 

[C9H13NO3]

Nice work...I'd like to dabble in kydex some day.

 

[ritepath]

Some more pics of the Bladetech and mine side by side. You'll notice I didn't counter sink the chicago screws as deep as they did, just enough to where they don't contact the 9c. I also used a thinner Kydex. You'll notice mine is somewhat more narrow than BT's.

 

[ritepath]

First thing you have to get over is sacrificing the money for a LCP or CT grip in order to save 60 bucks. With some simple hand tools, a toaster oven, table top band saw, and heat gun, and some form sanding device. I use a sanding block and 3 or 4 different grits of paper and a dermal with a polishing wheel you’re ready to get started. The biggest thing is learning how not to overheat or underheat the Kydex. I found that you preheat the oven toss in your sheet and stare at it, you’ll eventually pickup hints from the sheet when it’s getting close to being ready to remove. I use a pair of machanix gloves reach in and pull it out and “test” how close it is to being ready, maybe toss it back in for a half minute more or less. It’s really a learned art, I ruined many sheets that ended up tossed out in the driveway or against the wall. Some of my first attempts were actually beat with a baseball bat, it will not break. I set my little toaster oven to 350F. The thinner the sheet the easier it is to work with. The best I’ve used so far is some I found in a X-ray room we removed from service but I’m starting to run out of that and will have to source some off the net soon. The .08 stuff off e-bay is really hard IMHO to work with and get right, it drove me so crazy I haven’t tried my last remaining sheet.

 

[PastorPack]

well done. I love a good DIY project.

 

[adaman04]

I'm actually about to drop an order for some kydex gear. Holsters down the road maybe, but first some knife sheaths, mag pouches, etc.

Holster looks nice, did you use your M&P as the mold I assume? Can't see, do you have any kind of a press with foam you use or did you work the kydex with your hands around the gun?

 

[ritepath]

right in front of the saw are two pieces of foam I use, just that gray foam you receive new products in. These two pieces are a little denser than most, and seem to hold up to the temps pretty good. I've thought about making a press but I've only made holsters for myself and a few people at work so it's really not worth the time to put into making a press. I fine tune the kydex with the heatgun. Yeah I use the M&P, I'd say I've wrapped it at least 100 times now and there's no damage to the poly.

 

[NY27]

Looks awesome. That is the one thing that I don't like about kydex paddles. They sit too far away from your body.

Looks like you solved that problem. Good job!

 

[nedrgr21]

I've used a $5 camping mat from WW for foam, glued it to some 2x6's, and used C-clamps for a press. I also took a piece of wood about .3" wide, cut a groove lengthwise down the center for the sight, and affixed it to the top of the slide with rubber bands to form a sight channel.

 

[ritepath]

camping mat foam....great idea. I've wanted a little firmer foam.
I take blue painters tape apply it to the slide then duct tape the half dowel along the top of the slide. I notch it to wedge on the front site.