Here is what I am calling my finished product. I christen thee CCK-C1 (Cslingers Custom Kydex - Creation 1)

-Cut off some extraneous material at the bottom of the holster.

-Sanded the new cut as and a few other areas

-Used a little Flitz and ran a polishing wheel over the edges.

-Wiped it down in CLP and wiped it off you get rid of most of the particulates etc.

You can plainly see all my imperfections, and.....we will call it hand made charm but at the end of the day I set out to build a kydex holster for a specific gun set up a specific way and by God I did it and I am happy with my result. I carried with a bit last night before some of the fixes and it carries very well for me.

So this experiment I am calling a success. Once again I really do appreciate all the kind words and encouragement.

Take care, shoot safe,
Chris

That's great! Especially working around the TLR-7A. Love the carbon fiber.

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
-I need more of a channel for the light as it sometimes hits the switch on drawing.

I generally don't run lights on my weapons, but somebody might see that as a neat feature. You should patent!

Really cool!

How did you build your press?

quote:

Originally posted by AUTiger89:
Really cool!

How did you build your press?

Couple pieces of wood, some “weight room/gym flooring from Lowe’s, 4 1/2 bolts and nuts. Clamp.

Truth be told it’s really not up to the task. The wood is too thin. I was working on another holster for a USP Compact today and I “broke the mold”. . The wood snapped. I still got an ok press out of it but since I am going to be doing this for several other pistols over time I will probably just buy a press, even though I am just doing this for fun/the ability to bust out some holsters for guns that are a little more difficult to get what I want.

I will suggest if building your own, use 2 thick/substantial pieces of lumber 1/2 to 1 inch doesn’t cut it.

Now keep in mind I have NO IDEA what I am doing and I am only passing along what I have seen in two presses.

Very interesting! This is a skill I'd like to learn this year.

Looks fine,just fine.

Dandy work.

I see a new venture in your future and user name change....

GunSlingers Holsters!

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
I see a new venture in your future and user name change....

GunSlingers Holsters!

HA! That requires tools, talent and skill. I believe I will stick to cobbling together my own half ass creations for the time being.

I did do one for a USPc and it does carry very nicely and while I am not happy with the finishing I am very happy with the practical use.

Go to Harbor Freight and get a press, good for a new press, outside of a used one on craigslist or facebook marketplace.

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=press

Looking good, nice work.

Well Chris, you inspired me. I've been wanting to put something together for a WML-equipped gun for a while and I had some free time today and gave it a try. I don't normally carry it like that, but it's nice to have the option, and I had all the stuff in the garage so the price was right.

I have the same original TLR-7 that you have on your G45, with the pressure-style buttons. It took some taping, re-working with a heat gun, and hand-molding to keep it from actuating the light every time I put it in and out of the holster, but I finally got it figured out to where it holds the gun securely and doesn't do that anymore. It's definitely more of a challenge working around the light!

So what I did was use either a popsicle stick or part of paint stirring stick to create a channel for the light to ride in. I start the channel right at the switches because I do want he head of the light to get formed around. So far that has been working for me. You can see what I mean on this third attempt. The below is an HK45C with TLR7 Sub.

I did screw up the sight channel fold because I was trying some dowl work (Just cuz, it wasn't necessary) and I got a little wave in top of right sight side of the holster. Works perfectly just looks like shit.



I also used a newer/different press build that I am very happy with.

Like you these are not necessarily guns I carry all the time or hardly at all, but I wanted the ability to do so and my USP45/HK45C are my "50 state" guns if you will.

Your holster looks great but it must have been maddening to work around the light without some kind of channel "built in to it" so to speak. I have a professional holster that didn't use a channel and I had to work at getting the light to not trigger on it and it was a PITA.

I ended up doing pretty much what you described with the popsicle stick, but with folded and taped cardboard that was cut to fit (because I didn't have any Popsicle sticks, lol). Most of my retention on this one is happening around the light, so I had to keep the bottom corners nice and tight. I've had problems in the past with the whole thing loosening up when I try to spot re-work with a heat gun, but I was able to pull it off this time.

That one you made for your H&K looks really good! You're definitely getting the cosmetics figured out! It's nice to be able to make whatever you need and not have to be dependent on some of the "professional" stuff out there that either doesn't properly retain the gun, protect the trigger, or is just downright expensive. There are some companies that make good stuff, but often they don't have the options I need, or it's not worth the sticker price for something I rarely carry.

My next project is going to be a chest rig for the 329PD. I already have the shell mostly done and have some straps coming...we'll see how it goes. I've never tried anything like that before.

quote:

There are some companies that make good stuff, but often they don't have the options I need,

Besides the hobby aspect that was my primary driver. I know I can get any holster under the sun for my Glocks and given the choice I will buy from somebody like vedder for my primary stuff but being a DA/SA Luddite at heart it’s not always easy to find a decent holster for … say an HK45C with a TLR7 sub on board.

I am thinking of doing a revolver or mag/flashlight pouch next.

quote:

I am thinking of doing a revolver or mag/flashlight pouch next.

Other than holsters, I've done a few trigger-guard covers for various guns, and a low-profile knife sheath for my backpacking fixed-blade. I've been meaning to try a mag carrier, but haven't figured out a good way to do the belt clip. I really would like to mold it out of one piece of kydex to keep the whole thing slim and low profile, and save on buying belt clips. I'll be interested to see what you come up with!

I took the P320 WML holster to the range today for the postal match and it did well. Gun came out and re-holstered clean, and there were no inadvertent flashlight activations (wish I could blame my shooting on the holster, but that's a separate issue altogether ). The drive to and from with it on my belt was comfortable, and I also walked the dog 3 miles while wearing it, without issue. I'm gonna call this one a success.

cslinger, did you ever get hose mag carriers or flashlight holsters done?

I got my grommets and pliers in the mail today, and finished my first attempt at a chest holster for the 329. It's rudimentary and kinda ugly, but it's comfortable, easy to take on and off, and doesn't interfere with my pack straps. I used scrap kydex left over from some sheets I'd cut for other holsters since this was a first go at it. As a result it doesn't cover the gun quite as completely as I'd like. I may end up making a new shell, but I should be able to just take out the screws and re-use the straps.

]

Wow that looks awesome.

No I’ve been wrestling with a wicked case of tendinitis that just doesn’t want to go away. I haven’t worked on anything, or shot, or shot the airguns or done anything fun. But at least the searing pain lets me know God hasn’t forgotten me.

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
Wow that looks awesome.

No I’ve been wrestling with a wicked case of tendinitis that just doesn’t want to go away. I haven’t worked on anything, or shot, or shot the airguns or done anything fun. But at least the searing pain lets me know God hasn’t forgotten me.

Ouch sorry to hear that . Between defensive tactics at work the last 2 weeks and shooting the 329, I'm lucky to not be in the same boat. And even at 39, I don't recover as fast as I did at 25 .

.44 mag hurts me just to think about it. I’ve never been recoil sensitive and I’ve shot much worse but something about .44 mag just always bothered me.

I just turned 50 and 46 was my it all started breaking and all those injuries from my youth were just sort of laying dormant and suddenly popped up saying “hey buddy, remember us, we missed you.”