How I make a hybrid holster

Tactical Gear Tactical Gear
1

I thought I’d add to the holster making knowledge around here. This is how I make a hybrid-style holster. Caveat: I’m just a guy screwing around in the garage.

Tool list:
Eyelet setter
Sharp knife
Kydex Press
Heat gun
Screw driver
Fine sandpaper
Edge beveler
Griddle or toaster oven
Drill or drill press
1/4" Brad point drill bit
Dremel with cutoff wheel and sanding drum
1/4" leather hole punch

Material list:
Kydex
9 oz leather
6 x #8-8 eyelets
8 x #8 screws
2 x Belt spring clips

Source for tools and material:
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com
http://www.knifekits.com

I started with a large piece of pre-dyed 9 oz leather from my local Tandy Leather Factory. This piece cost about $90 I think.

I used a holster I already had to trace the shape I wanted. This is a Galco King-tuk.

I cut out the shape with a utility knife

Then I sand the edges smooth with a block of fine sandpaper

I bevel both sides with an edge beveling tool

Then I burnish the edges with saddle soap and a piece of scrap leather. This makes the edges smooth.


I punch holes for the spring clips with the 1/4" leather hole punch

The leather piece is done for now

IMG]http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc447/bprice01/059_zpse25175e8.jpg[/IMG]

2

I cut out the kydex to fit the gun I’m making a holster for. I’ve begun to prefer .06 for hybrids due to it’s flexibility.

I heat up the kydex on a griddle.

I pulled the foam off the bottom of my press and use two pieces on the top to press the kydex. I put the leather backer in there on this one but it would work fine without it. The
blue tape is holding a small dowel that I use for a sight channel.


Wait a few minutes.

I trim up the kydex with the cutoff wheel and the sanding drum on the Dremel.


I drill my holes in the kydex piece and set the eyelets with this arbor press and dies. Knifekits.com sells a hand eyelet setter for pretty cheap.

After I set my eyelets I use the kydex piece to mark the holes in the leather backer. I use the leather punch again to make the holes to fasten the kydex.


3

How do you accommodate handguns with safeties such as 1911s? When I’ve tried this the safety offset the gun and caused the mold to be angled away from the backer.

4

Very nice post thank you for sharing

5

Great Job! That looks really nice. Thanks for sharing.

6

For a 1911 I take off the stock on the leather side. I also cut a groove in my press for the safety. The gun lays pretty flat.

7

Thank you for taking the time to illustrated, outstanding job.

8

Thanks!