Holsters, holsters everywhere ... None fit.

[Obturation]

Hey all,
Hope everyone's feeling good.

You're probably like me and have a cabinet full of holsters. Times change, people change and carry needs are ever evolving . I haven't needed a holster for a couple years I've easily got 30+. Been really happy with the few I bought from black rhino and just haven't needed another, until now.

This is a struggle I've brought on to myself. Started by watching the latest video from Mark serbu, near the end of the video he showed a weapon light from thrunight on a full sized glock. Weapon lights have interested me for a while but typically they're expensive and I just never pulled the trigger. The one he was showing was $35 and had marks stamp of approval, good enough for me. Even if it was a lemon, $35 isn't the end of the world. I hopped on Amazon and 2 days later it showed up.

Looks really good, bright, fits well and isn't bulky at all. Sweet! I use my g20 for general outdoors use and like it for camping in the Midwest where 10mm auto is more than enough for anything that's roaming around, a light is a welcome addition for bumps in the night. This is the black scout model light.

Then reality struck, in my deep hoard of holsters I don't have a single one that will fit with the light. Noooooo! Now time to spend more on a holster than I did on the light... But maybe there's another way?

Has anyone modified a holster to accept a light too? If so what type- I've some of every kind.

If you've had to buy a new one, what do you do if your specific light isn't listed?

I can bring the gun & light over to black rhino and have a custom made but that'll be $75+ and if I decide I want a different light I'll need to do it again. I'd rather chop up something I've already got and get a feel for the thing before I go all in again.

I'm not a guy who complains about buying gear but for this situation I'd be a lot happier if I could get it thoroughly figured out before I spend the money.

I have a couple what I call "hybrid" holsters- kydex thing screwed or riveted to a leather backing that holds the belt clips. Ya know, kingtuk, crossbreed looking things. Of them, I've got an alien gear cloaktuck fit for a g30 that I ordered, immediately hated and never used that I don't mind mutilating. I've heard they have free she'll replacement in case you change your gun but haven't been able to determine if they make a shell for a light bearing g20 for that platform and if they do, which would be closest as the specific light isn't listed.

I was thinking it could be possible to cut the shell open enough to let me get the g20 in there but still have retension. Kind of just putting it out there for ideas before I just go have one made.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Mauser lover]

Have you thought about just making your own holster? Check out knifekits for holster kits to start, and you can go from there. I’ve done a couple of kydex holsters. It can be a fun project if projects are your thing.

 

[Obturation]

Have you thought about just making your own holster? Check out knifekits for holster kits to start, and you can go from there. I’ve done a couple of kydex holsters. It can be a fun project if projects are your thing.

Ive thought about it in the past, I've just always got a lot going on and it's one more thing. I may do it in the future but if I can't get something together from what I've got on hand, I'll probably just end up buying something.

 

[mokin]

I bought a couple lights two years ago in a BOGO deal and faced a similar situation. I ended up buying a new holster from Wilde Custom. It is a one-size-fits-most OWB holster for a full size handgun. A G20 fits that description. I don't know what you have in mind but I don't think you are looking for something concealable.

You might try cutting and modifying the Kydex on an existing holster. My dad made a nice holster with Kydex. He cut the nylon backing, the Kydex to a rough fit over his handgun, heated it, pressed it to a more exact fit, trimmed it, etc... There are plenty of videos showing how to make a holster and most of the parts are available at a hardware or ranch supply store.

I was thinking about - and still am, making my own. I have shopped for materials and it's hard to find parts that cost less than a completed product. Even so, the idea of making my own sounds fun. I have a G29 I'd like to make a holster for that I might do something along the lines of a hybrid you describe. I am not too worried about "retention" by friction, I much prefer a strap just because I feel like I face a possibility of swimming while I'm out in the woods.

 

[WrongHanded]

My input is that if you have decided you like having a light on your G20 (as I do), you might consider keeping that one as a backup and buying something very popular that every holster manufacturer knows. This is why my lights are TLR-1s.

Another option is to find a holster manufacturer you like and email them to ask if they have a version of your light. If they don't, they might buy one (especially at $35). Or you could send yours to them for custom fitting. I like Red River Tactical btw, and have one of their light-bearing Duty holster for a G22, and a more concealable OWB holster that is also light-bearing for my G20. Both are very good, but be aware that retention is designed on the light more than the gun. Hence me buying the ubiquitous TLR-1.

Yet another option is to buy a Wilderness Safepacker, which can take a light-bearing pistol. I have several, one of which is the Government size and can accommodate the G20 w/light, 5" barrel, and the medium beavertail backstrap.

 

[Obturation]

I gave the alien gear the old angry squirrel with a dremel treatment...

Goes in just fine, a little tight on the draw though .
I can clean it up some but I do notice another issue, the on/off button stays depressed . hadn't thought about that. Figured I'd cut a relief hole for the button. Uhhhhh, this alien gear thing has a metal sheet inside. What the heck, THATS why I remember hating the thing, felt like a 3 ring binder in my pants. Well so much for that.
Anyone wanna buy a beautiful customized g30/21 holster , worn once and brutally mutilated once?

I'm gonna keep trying today, home with the rona but feeling fine, not much else to do.

 

[herrwalther]

I mostly use hybrid style holsters: kydex shell screwed to a leather backer. None of the holsters have needed to be altered to fit my setup. But I have made a few of my own holsters, just to see if I could. It isn't very hard. The hardest part about holster making is figuring out the "blocking" part. Building up areas of the gun + accessories so they glide through the holster without hanging up on the kydex. This video explains it a little better than I can



Kydex doesn't take much heat to be malleable. If you have a close enough holster, something that already fits a gun you own, you can mold it around a gun + light etc with some heat. Depending on the holster maker, you might not be able to separate the holster shell from the rest. It is much easier if you can take them apart, and not ruin whatever backing the hybrid is made out of. Use a toaster oven if you have one, regular oven if you don't to heat up the kydex. The kydex will have to be between 330 and 400 degrees, depending on the thickness.

https://kydex.com/wp-content/upload...B_Thermoforming_KYDEX_Thermoplastic_Sheet.pdf

The kydex will curl up at the corners slightly and have a glossy appearance when it gets around the forming temperature. Then, it can be formed around the firearm. If you are modifying an existing holster, use as little heat as possible to keep the company form as intact as possible. Once it is in the right spot, it has to be clamped down. And tight. Between some thick foam in order to keep the kydex the right shape as it cools.

https://holsterbuilder.com/product-...by=rating&product_view=list&product_count=100

Another method worth trying that isn't as intensive as reshaping the whole kydex. You can try heating up just the light bearing area of the holster with a heat gun that can reach the above temperature. Then forming it around the gun/light.

The last method I can think of is the one I personally would use. You can contact a holster maker and have them make a holster for you. Most that do very custom work will ask to send your light in to make a form from. I recommend going to Tony Farrah at White Hat holsters.

https://www.whitehatholsters.com/contact-us/

 

[a2x4bbl]

Kydex is easy to work with . I added a light rail and light to my Para P-14 and of course nobody makes a holster for it . Called holster companies and none of them wanted anything to do with it . So , I picked out the STI that most closely matched it with the light I had . Ordered and got it . 15 minutes with a heat gun and holster and mag holders both work just fine . Tight fit and good retention.