Latest project: Custom ABS holster For P30 w/ rail laser

[radioflyer]

I wanted a holster for my P30 that would also fit the Armalaser RSS rail-laser. I thermoformed a custom body for my Comp-Tac Minotaur that worked well for IWB carry, but i wanted one for OWB as well. I have a lot of experience with ABS and using MEK solution and my thermoformer, this is what i came up wth.

The Body is .093" Haircell ABS in a full wrap chem-welded together with a seperate welded on section for the inside portion with cutout belt-loops. I formed a much larger front sight channel than normel to ease re-holstering. Using the heat gun, i was able to get perfect retention. Took it to my tactical class and it functions as smoothly as i expected. The only downside is the hidious finish that resulted from sanding the entire piece in preperation for a texture-coat I ran out of earlier that week.
This is a prototype proof of concept. I will probably make a second one with a better cut and finish possibly using Kydex instead of ABS due to it's lower melting point.

 

[espnazi]

Cool, I'm in the process of making one for my p30 out of kydex. I'm still not very good at making them but it is certainly fun.

Here a is of the only one I've made so far.

 

[radioflyer]

Are you using a press technique or vaccum forming?

 

[espnazi]

I'm using a press with some cheap harbor freight ratchet clamps.

I first heat the kydex in a small toaster oven. Place a piece of kydex then the gun at the angle I want it. followed by the second piece of hot kydex and put on the clamps. I use foam on both sides to give a sandwich effect similar to Raven holsters.

 

[radioflyer]

Looks good.

Helpful hints:

- If for some reason your retention is too tight or loose, you can address a specific area using a hot-hair dryer as a heat gun.
- I like to attach a 1/4" dowel rod to the centerline top of the slide to ensure a good clean sight channel.

 

[espnazi]

Thanks.

When i start making different designs I'll start using a dowel/pencil for a channel. The thing I like about the Raven design is you dont need one since one is naturally created.

 

[radioflyer]

Hmm. I think i'm going to try a couple sheets of Kydex to see what i can come up with.

From what i've read, a 50/50 mixture of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and methylethylketone (MEK) along with combined with 10% Kydex shavings will bond kydex to itself using a similar procedure to my ABS method.

I'd really like to build a holster for my HK45 to accomidate a rail tac light. It's proving to be a complete pain in the ass. Perhaps A modified clay mold would be better suited to making the holster than the actual weapon itself.

 

[SIG_Fiend]

Cool, good progress. I just got some materials and started doing some kydex stuff. I'll post pics in the next few days. Just for fun I built kind of a Raven style holster out of the .125 kydex and it is pretty darn thick. I'll say this much, it's cool how easily this stuff thermo-forms.

 

[cougartex]

Very nice.

 

[jcrntx]

Agreed, that is downright cool!