View Full Version : $10 pocket holster anyone?
PigButtons
03-18-2010, 10:19 PM
Sometimes I just have an urge to create. I was thinking of making a kydex pocket holster for my PM9 and needed to make a template. I grabbed some of this PVC sheet stock that I have laying around and started to work.
Cut to the point. This stuff is tuff, super thin, and super light. I liked the template so much that I'm now using it to carry everyday that I carry my PM9.
The holster weighs just one ounce, does a great job of disguising the outline of the gun, and is extremely comfortable. And if you are a clean freak, you can clean it with soap and water as often as you wish. I've had some of this stuff out in the weather and the sun for six years with no side effects.
The stuff is so cheap to me that I can sell them for $10 plus the cost of the postage.
Right now I'm trying to see if anyone is interested. I am not selling them, or taking orders yet. Just some market research.
PigButtons
03-19-2010, 12:33 AM
Please respond guys. I've been married 4 times. I can take the rejection. If you think it looks cheap, POS, whatever. I'm just looking for feedback.
Vinikahr
03-19-2010, 02:52 AM
Please respond guys. I've been married 4 times. I can take the rejection. If you think it looks cheap, POS, whatever. I'm just looking for feedback.
OK I'll bite: To me not the best looking holster, it would help if was molded to the actual firearm, I bought an ACE holster for my PM9 from CTD for $5.97 plus about $6 shipped (of course it was not the only thing order) so it came out for less than $10. I like that holster, better made than the Uncle Mike. It grabs the pocket and hide the profile of the gun.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/lgprod/ZAA-917.jpg
a.squibload
03-19-2010, 04:51 AM
I'm no expert and I don't play one on TV, but here goes:
Who cares how it looks, it's in your pocket, but molding at least
the inside piece to the gun might hold it better.
Smooth plastic on both sides, what keeps it in the pocket?
I noticed it looks like the grips are covered. Guess it's
easy enough to trim for a specific gun, for clearance to get a grip.
First thing I thought of was plastic from milk bottles, might give it a try.
You might have started ME into a side hobby. Heck, people have been
making their own scabbards, sheaths, & holsters forever.
Then when I give up I'll buy someone's product!
"Wimmings, fooey!" - Popeye the Sailor Man, 1932.
Dietrich
03-19-2010, 05:07 AM
I agree with Squibload,it don`t matter what it looks like if it`s a pocket holster.The question is,does it work well,as in does it stay in your pocket if you draw the gun? It would be nice to see a picture of the holster with the PM9 in it. Hint,hint.
medezyner
03-19-2010, 05:13 AM
Vinikahr was being nice; it’s downright fugly, but I applaud your effort. I’m wondering what the edges of that pvc feel like when you try to get your fingers into the holster and around the gun. I’d cut back some of that pvc on the front to reveal a little more grab area. Don’t fold-up the bottom, it adds another layer. Dump the big binder screws and use small pop rivets, or find smaller binder screws. Make sure you Loctite them, they will back-out eventually. That was prototype #1…keep going.
a.squibload
03-19-2010, 05:23 AM
Yo, Vinney:
Sorry, it sounded funny at first.
I checked the ACE on CTD, still $6. Don't think it will fit a PM40, but from
the reviews it might fit a snubby 38? Wife has a Ladysmith.
If I drop PM40 in my back pocket it doesn't print like a gun anyway, big pocket I guess.
Slide down with grip vertical. Even works in front pocket
of cargo pants or warmups. 2-stage draw though, pull up while rotating
out of pocket, then shift grip. Can't grip while in pocket, like a nut in a
coconut makes a monkey trap.
Short term only, like around house. Don't like gun in cargo pocket on leg,
swings too much & bangs knee.
Saw a news report on internet addiction, what are the symptoms? :)
Vinikahr
03-19-2010, 10:22 AM
Yo, Vinney:
Sorry, it sounded funny at first.
I checked the ACE on CTD, still $6. Don't think it will fit a PM40, but from
the reviews it might fit a snubby 38? Wife has a Ladysmith.
If I drop PM40 in my back pocket it doesn't print like a gun anyway, big pocket I guess.
Slide down with grip vertical. Even works in front pocket
of cargo pants or warmups. 2-stage draw though, pull up while rotating
out of pocket, then shift grip. Can't grip while in pocket, like a nut in a
coconut makes a monkey trap.
Short term only, like around house. Don't like gun in cargo pocket on leg,
swings too much & bangs knee.
Saw a news report on internet addiction, what are the symptoms? :)
Options, options, and options, if you do not have a box full of holster you have no game, the PM40 is about the same size of the PM9 and it should fit the in the ACE holster. I have some many holster for every occasion I can think of(except water diving or swimming).
jeepster09
03-19-2010, 04:17 PM
Great idea....I can take some old linolium from the basement and make holsters....:w00t:
PigButtons
03-19-2010, 07:26 PM
Thank you, thank you, thank you...
I greatly appreciate the comments.
The PM9 is in the holster in pic #3. The pvc is so flexible that you can easily reach into the holster and grip the pistol. Depending on the opening size of the pocket you can draw the gun in firing position.
The gun stays in place because of the small pocket that is formed around the slide at the bottom. the inside, which is hard to see is slicker than glass and allows a friction free draw so that the holster does not want to come out.
I didn't form it to the shape of the gun, or trim it to reveal the grip, because to me it always looks like the grip of a gun is in my pocket. I really didn't want it to look like there is a gun in my pocket. Now it looks like the pocket was starched with extra starch.
I've had the nylon/ fabric holsters and the kydex that are shaped to the gun. The nylon eventually wears to the outline of the gun and begins to print. The kydex prints from the first day in my opinion.
What if the holster cost $2 plus shipping?
Thanks again!!!!
P.S. I tried the Taco thing (LOL) but my dogs kept eating the pockets out of my pants afterward because of the grease.
Vinikahr
03-19-2010, 10:04 PM
Thank you, thank you, thank you...
I greatly appreciate the comments.
The PM9 is in the holster in pic #3. The pvc is so flexible that you can easily reach into the holster and grip the pistol. Depending on the opening size of the pocket you can draw the gun in firing position.
The gun stays in place because of the small pocket that is formed around the slide at the bottom. the inside, which is hard to see is slicker than glass and allows a friction free draw so that the holster does not want to come out.
I didn't form it to the shape of the gun, or trim it to reveal the grip, because to me it always looks like the grip of a gun is in my pocket. I really didn't want it to look like there is a gun in my pocket. Now it looks like the pocket was starched with extra starch.
I've had the nylon/ fabric holsters and the kydex that are shaped to the gun. The nylon eventually wears to the outline of the gun and begins to print. The kydex prints from the first day in my opinion.
What if the holster cost $2 plus shipping?
Thanks again!!!!
P.S. I tried the Taco thing (LOL) but my dogs kept eating the pockets out of my pants afterward because of the grease.
Thanks for taking our criticisms in a kind way! :smile:
If you carry a big gun in your pocket, you need a really thin holster. I think you are on the right track. The closer the holster is molded, the less room it takes in the pocket. Here is what I use for a PM45:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/vmo111/Picture014.jpg
Vmo
medezyner
03-20-2010, 06:37 PM
If you carry a big gun in your pocket, you need a really thin holster. I think you are on the right track. The closer the holster is molded, the less room it takes in the pocket. Here is what I use for a PM45:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/vmo111/Picture014.jpg
Vmo
Vmo, did u make that? Whats the material?
jbaker
03-20-2010, 08:21 PM
id try 1 ill give ya 5 i have a bulldog leather now but it never hurts to try
jbaker
03-20-2010, 08:22 PM
this would be for a pm45
Vmo, did u make that? Whats the material?
It's a Fist K-5 for a K-40 Covert that I had in the holster drawer. The kydex is really thin, maybe 1/16th inch. It has a thumb push on the body side of the holster. This is a left handed holster for the BUG pocket gun. I think it cost me about $35.
Vmo
medezyner
03-22-2010, 04:56 AM
It's a Fist K-5 for a K-40 Covert that I had in the holster drawer. The kydex is really thin, maybe 1/16th inch. It has a thumb push on the body side of the holster. This is a left handed holster for the BUG pocket gun. I think it cost me about $35.
Vmo
Ya, I thought it looked like Kydex, but the stiching threw me. I like the idea of using "ultra-thin" Kydex and I bet its thinner than 1/16". Interesting design. Thanks
Pender1
03-22-2010, 09:16 AM
looks like a good first try, but my suggestions would be to mold the side that will be on your leg to the gun, trim the top(gun sits too low in it) and add one more rivet on the seam at the bottom and one under the trigger guard to keep the gun from rocking that way.
I'm not trying to sound like a jerk by critiquing, I've made a few holsters myself and I'm just throwing in what I found worked better.
jeep45238
03-22-2010, 09:31 AM
This may be of some help for ya'll. I started looking around for a new OWB competition holster, and I'm simply not willing to spend $90 plus shipping and wait 2 months for a holster. I'll be making my own soon.
Kydex Press made at home - Articles Para Cord Secrets - Shaping your world - Para Cord Secrets (http://www.paracordsecrets.com/articles/26/article.html)
Cutting Kydex - different methods detailed and discussed - Articles Para Cord Secrets - Shaping your world - Para Cord Secrets (http://www.paracordsecrets.com/articles/30/article.html)
Toaster Oven - Even heat - Articles Para Cord Secrets - Shaping your world - Para Cord Secrets (http://www.paracordsecrets.com/articles/13/article.html)
1911 Magazine Holster - Articles Para Cord Secrets - Shaping your world - Para Cord Secrets (http://www.paracordsecrets.com/articles/12/article.html)
Finish Sanding - Making your kydex project look professional - Articles Para Cord Secrets - Shaping your world - Para Cord Secrets (http://www.paracordsecrets.com/articles/24/article.html)
You can buy kydex in a 1 square foot sheet for 4 bucks. It's a thermoplastic, so you heat it, mold it, and it retains it's shape when it cools. You can warm it up again and change the shape as needed, just don't get it too hot.
Finnbear
03-22-2010, 10:13 AM
I carry in a pocket holster nearly every day. Here are my observations concerning pocket holsters:
1) MUST be smooth inside so the gun can be drawn easily
2) MUST stay in place in your pocket which means it has to be "grippy" on the outside.
I don't believe yours will achieve the second condition. I'm not sure how well I'd like that hard edge of the plastic material when reaching into my pocket to draw my weapon. Uncle Mike's makes some with a "sharkskin" feel on the outside that work pretty well. DeSantis has a "sticky" material used on the outside of their "Nemesis" holster which stays in place very well in your pocket. DeSantis has grippy rubber dots applied to the outside of their Super Fly and although I have not tried one, I have a friend who uses one with an LCP and he swears it is the best on the market. A good pocket holster also should be fairly flexible so it is comfortable and prints less. There are also a number of leather pocket holsters on the market that are similar to your design and in my experience, the best ones are rough-out leather on the outside (to help stay in place) and smooth leather on the inside. They do not stay in place in your pocket as well as the fabric holsters (Uncle Mike's, DeSantis) especially after they are well worn on the outside and conformed to your gun and pocket. They also take considerably longer to "break-in" than the fabric holsters. I like the leather holsters better for back pocket carry than front. As someone who carries everywhere the law allows, I am much less concerned about the cost of a holster than I am about its function. Just a few observations from someone who carries all the time...
Finnbear
PigButtons
03-22-2010, 04:59 PM
I really do read and take your comments into consideration. More advise is always better. Thanks again for bothering to take time to respond.
The material is only 1/32 thick and is very flexible, yet rigid enough to keep the gun from shifting in my pocket. I'll continue to use it for a couple of months to see how much it ends up conforming to the gun, which would lead to more printing.
Good comments all, thanks again.
woodman
03-22-2010, 06:56 PM
I just noticed, if you dump the meat & stuff out of a Taco Bell crunchy Taco. It makes a wonderful pocket holster for a PM9.
AND, the left over grease keeps your gun lubed nicely.
PLUS if you are ever stranded out in the wilderness, you can eat your holster!!!!!
SORRY ! ....I JUST HAD TO DO IT.:p:D:):der:
You are killing me!!........ROFLMAO
Popeye
03-22-2010, 08:55 PM
If you like it and it works for you then go with it. Pretty and functional are two different things and when you talking about pocket holsters, function is always best. I have a pocket holster I made from a cheap piece of leather from a craft store. I wrapped my P3at in aluminum foil folded the leather over the barrel and frame, put some glue on it and clamped to match the outline of the trigger guard . Let it dry for for a few hours. Then removed the gun from it and trimmed it up to fit the pocket and the grip of the gun. It ain't pretty but it works like a charm and is kind to the finish on the pistol. total cost was about $6 for everything.
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