My homemade CM9 IWB holster

[BEARDOG]

I made a custom leather IWB holster for my new Kahr CM9/ctc laser this past weekend. I usually pocket carry it in a super fly, but wanted to also have a IWB option for it. So after looking for a holster just like I wanted and not finding one, I made this from some scrap leather that I had saved. (the holes you see where already there)

I thought about all the features I wanted in a single clip IWB holster, and made it that way.
It is made rough side out, tuckable, has adj. cant, the clip is offset so it is very thin. I molded it to have good retention, and most of the shape on the front and have a flat back for comfort. It covers the end of the barrel and trigger completely, clears the mag release,has a sweat guard,has a molded sight channel, and It stays open after drawing, and the high front makes re-holstering easy.

It cost $0, and is my first time making a holster from scratch. I am real happy with it considering it is made from scrap leather and sewed together with dental floss and using extra parts from other holsters I have.

Now that I have a design that seems to work well, I have the itch to order some good leather and a few tools/supplies and make a few more like this, but better and prettier. I think my LCP,CW9 and G26 would ride real nice in a single clip like this.

Here are a few pics. for your amusement

[jocko]

thats just super nice work. well excuted. u have some damn good talent.

[Mr. S]

Very nice work.

[G3709]

Terrific looking holster. Holes can be used for ventilation though.

[bonjorno2]

so when can we place our orders? I have a glock 27/p380 i'd be interested in getting a new suit.

[Willieboy]

Very nice. I like your creative use of dental floss. Who wouldn't accept some dental plaque in exchange for a nice new holster.

[garyb]

Good job. I love to see people do creative things like this with their own hands. I'd be interested to hear your steps to shaping the leather like that. I have made deer antler handle knives with custom fit leather sheaths. I wet the leather and let it dry and shrink around the handle to take a custom shape. Are you willing to share your how you shaped the leather like that? Nice job. Thanks.

[TucsonMTB]

Impressively well molded. The Galco horsehide pocket holster for my PM40, of which I am proud thanks to Ljutic, has similarly impressive wet-molded internal detail.

A couple of minutes with a black permanent marker would probably make the dental floss nearly invisible.

[BEARDOG]

Thank you all for the nice compliments

It encourages me, and I intend to buy some leather/supplies so hopefully I will have another one or two to show you soon.

[BEARDOG]

Good job. I love to see people do creative things like this with their own hands. I'd be interested to hear your steps to shaping the leather like that. I have made deer antler handle knives with custom fit leather sheaths. I wet the leather and let it dry and shrink around the handle to take a custom shape. Are you willing to share your how you shaped the leather like that? Nice job. Thanks.

The way I molded it is by wetting the leather, then folding it over the gun, Then with it on a table keeping the gun and the back leather flat, I took a folded up towel and pressed down hard to get started and then with my fingers and some rounded end "tools"(mostly used the rounded back end of a highlighter) and a good bit of grunting! I followed the shapes of the gun pressing down on/around/in them. It would have been easier to have the molding 50/50 front and back, but I wanted it to have a mostly flat back similar to how a crossbreed feels(that is one reason why people think they are so comfy)
I did the molding at the counter in the kitchen as my wife was in the living room and she said "I don't know what you are doing out there but it sure sounds like you are working hard at it"

[slowpoke]

That's real nice work.
I have a similar holster for my CW40 and love it.

[BEARDOG]

Thats a nice holster slowpoke. Does the smooth leather cause any problems with the holster sliding/turning forward?

I made mine rough-out so it had more traction inside the pants. But of coarse they look much better smooth-out. I am going to get some more leather soon and make a smooth-out to see how it works. I have a feeling the pants and belt and steel clip will keep it in place just fine.

[slowpoke]

Thats a nice holster slowpoke. Does the smooth leather cause any problems with the holster sliding/turning forward?

I made mine rough-out so it had more traction inside the pants. But of coarse they look much better smooth-out. I am going to get some more leather soon and make a smooth-out to see how it works. I have a feeling the pants and belt and steel clip will keep it in place just fine.

I'm having no trouble at all with it but like most rear loop/clip holsters it's better pulled with a slight forward motion to keep the holster from turning upward while drawing. I use it with a double layer belt otherwise the clip doesn't get a good hold on the belt. The advantage of the slick side out is that I was able to buff it with bees wax to slow down perspiration moisture. I live in a hot sticky climate.

[garyb]

The way I molded it is by wetting the leather, then folding it over the gun, Then with it on a table keeping the gun and the back leather flat, I took a folded up towel and pressed down hard to get started and then with my fingers and some rounded end "tools"(mostly used the rounded back end of a highlighter) and a good bit of grunting! I followed the shapes of the gun pressing down on/around/in them.

Yep...sounds like the wet down process is the same one I was using. I could not think of any other way other than an elaborate press of some type. Thanks for sharing. I just finished making a mag pouch for my wife's new S&W Bodyguard 380. I could not find anything on the market because the gun is so new. I do my share of leather work and this was a small project. I wet it down to shape and work it to fit the mag precisely. It is drying as I write this. She needs it for a beginner's tactical course she is taking in a couple of weeks. I have a spare mag on order and am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be here in time.

Again, thanks for sharing the info, nice work, and good luck with your future leather projects. It is a fun hobby.

[SCNick]

Real nice job.....good looking holster..... definitely a talent for it !!!