I've been playing with plastic

[bronco302]

I wanted to make an IWB holster for my Wife's older Charter arms Undercover so I bought some Kydex and foam from knife kits.com. the first thing I made was a horizontal mag holder for my XD9SC.

Then I made a holster for the Charter. I add the body shield after trying it for a couple of hours.

I have a Raven Phantom coming but liked the little revolver holster so well I did one for my XD.

Even have a couple of guys I work with want some custom work

Edited May 16, 2010 by bronco302
I keep hitting the wrong buttons

[gregintenn]

They look really good. I've made leather holsters, but never worked with Kydex. Would you be so kind as to explain the basics for us? Do you jus heat it and mold it? How do you bond the edges? Is there a trick to making the belt clip? It looks like you have a business in the making right there!

[Guest Jcochran88]

Looks good.

[bronco302]

Working the Kydex is very easy, there is a ton of info on the web. This is some of the best ones I have used for info.

Forming belt loops with plywood Forming Kydex Belt Loops - Articles Para Cord Secrets - Shaping your world - Para Cord Secrets Be sure to account for the thickness of belt and waistband.

Here is a thread from right here among us. http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/firearm-accessories/19506-kydex-holster-ideas.html

This is his blog, he make some nice stuff. I really like the Bikini. H & K Holsters: January 2009

There are guys using vacuum molding Thermoforming Kydex for that perfect holster

For adding something like the body shield on the Charter this works well. Amazon.com: Henkel 1151984 Loctite 0.85-Ounce Plastix Bonder… but it seems to weaken the edges of the joint so I would not use it on something that holds weight.

Edges are held with post screws or eyelets, rivets. Belt lops and atachments are held in the same manor. Knifekits .com is a good source they are a little higher on Kydex but cheaper on shipping, but I got my first Kydex from Home - Springfield Leather Co. Inc. .

My press is just two 12" squares of 1" plywood and four clamps IRWIN QUICK-GRIP 12" Bar Clamps. I use a heatgun and gloves.

On the revolver I wraped the cylinder with blue painters tape so the Kydex would not go down in the flutes and used a pencil to form a sight channel. On the XD I filled the ejection port with folded tape add tape and pieces of craft sticks at the take down and slide lock lever so the Kydex would not form deep. Also cut pieces to fit in the trigger guard to control the depth. Try it it's fun. HTH

Joe

Edited May 18, 2010 by bronco302

[kb4ns]

Your work looks good. Thanks for sharing the info!

[daddyo]

Nice work. Are you going to offer your services to TGO members?

[bronco302]

I appreciate the complements but I'm not planning on any kind of business venture at this time. Way to many others out there doing it. I may do a holster for a couple of guys I work with to save them a bit of money and pick up a couple of boxes of practice ammo. If I lean that way I'll let you guys know. Thanks.

Joe W.