My First Home Made Holster

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Otis

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Mar 15, 2008
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Vancouver, WA
I just completed my first holster. I have had one heck of a time finding a holster that suits my needs that I didn’t have to pay an arm and a leg for. I would say I spend around $8 in materials. Obviously I have modeled this one after the crossbreed holsters that cost 10 times what I paid.
Would love to know what you all think of it. In all I am really impressed especially for my first time. It is really comfortable and came out much better than I had hoped for.

Otis
 

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That is impressive! I should try an IWB holster. The OWB are too visible for my likes, especially with a "shorter" cut shirt.

Nice work!
 
Wow, that look incredibly professional. Did you follow any kind of directions or have you seen this done before? (curious about the molded part) I've never worn a IWB holster - but they incredibly uncomfortable - are they?
 
Otis:

How much do you want to make me one for a 5" 1911?

Doc2005
 
I did not use a pattern, I have just been thinking about it for quite some time. I got a picture off the Crossbreed website and just eyeballed it till it looked good around my gun. The molding was way easier than I imagined it to be. Put the kydex in the oven at 350 degrees for about 4 minuets or until it is soft and pliable then put your gun on a cutting board a take a thicker oven mitt and press and form it around your gun. Then I took my heat gun and did some detail work.

This was my first attempt at anything like this and I must say if I can do it any one can.
 
How much would you pay Doc?? keep in mind I am in no way shape or form a holster maker. This is my first and only attempt.
 
Here's my first one, from about 1968. Design goal was 100% leather, all one piece including the retention strap and the belt loop. I screwed up on the one-piece idea, had to use another hunk for the belt loop, but it is all leather. No threaded sewing, all done with thong.

One hundred percent leather.

Oh, and wax.

Never used it for concealed carry --it's strictly a field holster.

The retention system, a slot in the strap and a knotted thong, works darned well. Don't knock it. The strap also fits nicely under the hammer for cocked and locked carry.

Made a couple of others since then, but this was my first.

Many miles on it. Many, many miles. It got kind of beat up over the years.

Like me.

holster.jpg


Terry, 230RN
 
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Good jobs, guys. I like seeing people make their own stuff; I think people should do that more often. It's good to be able to know how, since you can't always find just what you want on a shelf somewhere.

BTW, Otis, where do you get the Kydex?
 
www.knifekits.com

FYI they charge a butt ton in shipping, $10, so i ordered 4 sheets and it was the same in shipping as 1 sheet. And go to the boneyard and get the defective sheets. I ordered one 12 x 24 from there and there were no visible defects that i could tell except on corner was barely chipped. You will save a couple of bucks if you find a color you like.
 
Excellent work Otis! I especially like the high back on it, it looks really comfortable to wear. Have you carried with it yet? Any issues?
 
I wore it for about 2 hours today. No issues as of yet and it was real comfortable. The nice thing about the leather with the kydex is that the leather will form you your body while the kydex will keep it from closing on you which makes it easier to re-holster. Also went through some jumping and rolling around on the floor and it stayed secure, didn’t even budge. Just had a sweatshirt to conceal, only time it was visible was when bent over or sitting while leaning forward. Mind you this is a full size XDm. .40 so some printing is to be expected.

I really do recommend everyone attempt to do this. You really don’t need any special tools although the heat gun did help but I bet a hair dryer will work as well.
 
What did you use for the belt loops? Are those just regular pop type rivets? Looks great, I now have a new project! Holsters for my Beretta 90-two just don't exist.
 
curious about the molded part
Click to expand...

You can make a mold like Otis did, or you can use a more old school method. I form my leather by soaking the piece in hot water and then carefully forming it around the gun. (wrap the gun in cling wrap first). Once I'm happy with the shape, I set the work piece on top of a space heater grille (the tip-over safety disabled) until dry. This method, if you take your time, wil give you the vague outlines of ejection ports and such that you see on many commercial holsters.

After assembly, my holsters are usually extremely tight, so I'll soak the outside formed piece again and place the gun in it overnight or longer.

I don't have any photo's of my formed pieces on hand, but I'll try to remember to snap a couple tonight.
 
thats nice work Otis. made for self to fit self--don't get much better

mine started life as a full size drop/swivel 1911 holster probably from a police department:



its now a IWB and sorry about the pic size


 
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ThrottleJockey,

The loops are kydex that i molded to fit my belt. I used the .06 thickness instead of the .08 that i used on the rest of the holster. I figured it would give a bit more, make it easier to put on my belt.

I actually didnt use rivits they are Stainless Steel binding post barrels with button head socket cap screws in the front. If you go to www.fastenal.com and type in part number 11103557 you will see what i used. I work there so i didnt pay that much for them, but they are working great.

Claude Clay,
That is a solid looking holster. I purchased a whole belly of leather, eventhough i just found out it might not be the best leather to use for molding i am going to attempt an all leather one next.

Otis
 
The first two pics will show you what its like form the back. The third is a zoom of the front side.

And no they dont rub, as long as you get them the right length.

Otis
 

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Nice work! I would like to try out the kydex. I've been dabbling with some simple leather holsters. Need to break down and get some decent leather. The craft type stores around here don't carry much. Where did you find the leather?
 
We have a Tandy Leather Factory local here. If they don’t have one local there I would check online for it. The down side is you have to buy the entire hide which can be expensive. I just purchased a belly hide which was only about 15 bucks for 5 to 6 square feet of it. The only thing about the belly is that I have been told they don’t make good leather for molding because they don’t hold the mold well.
 
looks very VERY impressive. i say as long as those belt loops are stitched well enough to ensure durability over long term wear and the occasional extreme condition, then you may have a future request from me, and many many more people on this forum. good job!
 
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