Gentle Re-Shape of Kydex Anyone?

[FranklyTodd]

I think I've got a kydex holster coming that may not quite fit. I ordered a CTAC for a PX-4 full size - with an inch cut off - to use with a Sub-Compact. Now I've read somewhere that the take-down lever on the SC is different, and sticks out a tiny bit, causing problems with pure kydex holsters (hybrid, like MTAC, no problem of course).

I've googled and found a bit of info about shaping kydex, and it seems pretty easy.

Anyone done this with a pre-formed holster? I'm thinking I can heat up that area, and jam the gun in. Could it really be that simple? If so, then I'm going to squish down where the decock/safety is, as I'm installing slim levers.

 

[whatbrick]

Yes, it can be as easy as heating up the area and jamming the gun in, however, you have to have good control over where the heat is applied (and how much heat is applied)...if it gets in the wrong area it can cause a loss of definition that could make your gun drag along the inside of the holster.

First thing to do is to make sure that the take-down lever is actually going to be an issue. Most of the time, the kydex is not riding right against the entire firearm, just at certain contact points.

Where is the take-down lever on the sub-compact anyway? If it's inline with any other controls, there maybe enough clearance that it won't be a problem.

Oh, and I'd advise against squishing the kydex down for the slimmer controls. More than likely it won't be necessary and you run the risk of squishing too much. Remember, the holster is going to be compressed by your pants/belt, so the fit out of your pants is going to be different than when it's stuffed in 'em.

 

[FranklyTodd]

Thanks for the good tips, whatbrick.

I need to just chill about it until it gets here. As you said, maybe it will slide right in...

On the Beretta forum a guy couldn't fit an SC into a Comp-Tac Pro Undercover. I haven't found anyone whose tried a CTAC.

I called earlier today and tried to switch to an MTAC - these definitely work, as the slightly different parts are all on the left (leather) side. No luck - too late. CTAC on the way...

 

[ev239]

I've had good experience reshaping kydex in the past. The trick to directing the heat to the exact location is the use of wet towels on top of whatever parts you don't want softened. That way the heat only gets on where you want it. I've used torches in the past but I would caution how close you put a torch to it as you can easily over heat kydex and cause it to get all shiny (brittle) or even bubble up. My rule of thumb is to keep it about 4 inches away from the tip of the blue flame. It'll get plenty hot enough to soften the kydex after about 20 seconds or so.

 

[Norinco982lover]

what kind of torch do you use? I'm trying to fit a CZ-75b into an Uncle Mike's Kydex IWB for a Sig 220/226. Its close but the gun moves forward and backwards.

 

[ev239]

I don't know how much luck you'll have reshaping an Uncle Mike's because if I'm not wrong those holsters are actually injection molded plastic and not formed with a sheet of kydex. The torch I use is just a simple butane torch I picked up from REI. To reshape a holster to make it fit a pistol more tightly I'd probably use a heat gun before a torch since it can heat up a much larger area more evenly.