My homemade CM9 IWB holster

[slowpoke]

Thank you all for the very nice compliments,

Bawanna,
The draw seems good now, but it was a bit tighter then I wanted it after I got done stitching it up. It just took some repeated drawing last night to get it "broken in". I think maybe the dye and fininsh may have shrunken it a little???

Slowpoke you are right,
I am just like that too!...I want to make another one soon. I also want to do some OWB and pocket holsters too but have to design them first. Also want to try making some Kydex holsters sometime.
I really have to get back to my reloading first though... I have the all the brass ready, but still have 1000 FMJ 9mm heads that need loaded in it, so I can actually shoot my Kahrs

TusconMTB,
Thank you, but I am no pro. I still have much to learn and try my hand at making, but do really like doing stuff like this.

When you start working with kydex be mindful of the fit. Kydex can be hard on polymer guns.
I messed around with it a little just to experiment but don't see my guns in it. It seems to be the material of choice for a lot of people because it does make for a thinner holster and anyone with a heat gun or hair dryer can get good results. .

[slowpoke]

Everybody does black, so that's probably a safe choice for anyone but me.

Here are two of my favorites. One is un-dyed horsehide. The other is brown leather. I wear them both proudly.

I forgot to say:
Those are some really sharp 1911s.
One of theses days I need to go through my old clunker. It's a dam good shooter but it looks like it been through hell.

[TucsonMTB]

I forgot to say:
Those are some really sharp 1911s.
One of theses days I need to go through my old clunker. It's a dam good shooter but it looks like it been through hell.

It helps that they are stainless steel. They get more than enough banging around and handling marks, but a few minutes with fine wet-or-dry paper and small scratches and rub marks get healed.

Both the Dan Wesson CBOB and Kimber Stainless Target II pictured were used guns purchased from local sellers. Otherwise, I could never have justified the cost.

If yours is a blued gun, most people feel the inevitable holster and handling marks give the gun a nice character. At my age, I look a little beat-up myself, but my heart is still in the right place, or so I am told. Your faithful sidearm has undoubtedly earned the same affection. Life is good.

Thanks again for the kind words!

[Bawanna]

That Cbob should be even prettier about this time tomorrow. I have a feeling.

I'm fortunate at my age I'm not beat up or worn at all. Still the same old modest handsome devil I always was. I expect time to throw a slam dunk on me any minute though. Handsome and good looking just can't last forever.

I do agree that a little genuine wear on a fine old gun just adds tons of character. Genuine honest wear can't be applied as a finish. Many have tried.

[slowpoke]

It helps that they are stainless steel. They get more than enough banging around and handling marks, but a few minutes with fine wet-or-dry paper and small scratches and rub marks get healed.

Both the Dan Wesson CBOB and Kimber Stainless Target II pictured were used guns purchased from local sellers. Otherwise, I could never have justified the cost.

If yours is a blued gun, most people feel the inevitable holster and handling marks give the gun a nice character. At my age, I look a little beat-up myself, but my heart is still in the right place, or so I am told. Your faithful sidearm has undoubtedly earned the same affection. Life is good.

Thanks again for the kind words!

Mine is old and stainless, it is a series 80 tho.
And yes it has a "whole lota" character.

[slowpoke]

That Cbob should be even prettier about this time tomorrow. I have a feeling.

I'm fortunate at my age I'm not beat up or worn at all. Still the same old modest handsome devil I always was. I expect time to throw a slam dunk on me any minute though. Handsome and good looking just can't last forever.

I do agree that a little genuine wear on a fine old gun just adds tons of character. Genuine honest wear can't be applied as a finish. Many have tried.

Suppose anybody would pay me to give there 1911 character? ..

I was going to put some money into it but now there's this whole new CM9 thing nagging at me. ..

[Bawanna]

I do know the feeling. So many toys, so little time. Prioritys change in a moments notice. Wants and desires change with the tides.

I simply expanded my horizons and now I just want them all. Crap that makes me like the anti gunners cept I got different plans.

[jlottmc]

I stayed pretty well quiet on this thread, but I have to say nice hardware. your leather work makes mine look like an abortion. I made a sheath for my multi-tool, crescent wrench, and flashlight, but it just doesn't look good. Works well, but looks not so much. In my defense though, it was the second piece of leather I have ever worked, and I did learn a bunch doing it. Again nice work.
As to the character, as long as it comes honestly, I like some character.

[SkeletonSlinky]

BEARDOG, amazing job on your IWBs...like I said before, you've inspired me! Here's my 1st homemade pocket holster I've been carrying around now for a week or so (after following your lead!). No printing and is very comfortable. Got some great advice for my next one / improve this one from this thread. Question, how do you "finish" the edge like you did? Any suggestions / improvements I should incorporate? Thanks.

[BEARDOG]

That look's fantastic SS! I am impressed...

The way I get the edge rounded and smooth, "Burnished" is with a combination of things.

First I use my bench grinder and sandpaper to even and smooth the edges. I put a slight chamfered edge all the way around.

Then I used a burnishing wheel I bought from tandy, It is nylon and basically its a pully. It can be used by hand or put it in a drill... I have to tell you though, I put mine in my 1/4" drill that has a very high RPM, When I got to the double leather edges I actually melted the burnisher LOL! ...I just re-dressed it with files and sand paper and then used it by hand and it worked fine.

I used a piece of hardwood dowel rod that really worked well also, I just rubbed it briskly along the edge making that rounded shape on all edges. It is cheap and worked very well for me. You could also chuck a piece up in a drill and with round file make a groove and try that... I may do that next time and see how it works, at least it won't melt

I didn't use it yet because I didn't get out to buy any yet... but a little beeswax on the edge as you work it would also be good to try...next time I will use some to see how it works as well.

[SkeletonSlinky]

Thanks for the info and the encouragement, BEARDOG...do you need to wet it before you burnish it or just go over it dry? I think I'll give the dowel idea a try. I think my next one will be and OWB (probably similar to the Desantis Mini Slide) for use in IDPA. I hope to try that in August so I've got some time. I like the beeswax idea so I'll have to go find some of that (at the store, of course, I'm not DIY enough to go raid a beehive!). Thanks again.

[SkeletonSlinky]

By the way, the "washers" I used to put the back panel on are actually cut off 9mm case ends...the primer pocket was pretty much just the right size opening for the bolt...and looks kind-of cool.

[BEARDOG]

Thanks for the info and the encouragement, BEARDOG...do you need to wet it before you burnish it or just go over it dry? I think I'll give the dowel idea a try. I think my next one will be and OWB (probably similar to the Desantis Mini Slide) for use in IDPA. I hope to try that in August so I've got some time. I like the beeswax idea so I'll have to go find some of that (at the store, of course, I'm not DIY enough to go raid a beehive!). Thanks again.

I do the burnishing dry.

I also will be making some OWB holsters for a few of my guns, as well as a front/rear pocket holster for my CM9. I want to get a little thinner leather for my pocket holster before I make it.
I am also working on some other designs but they are all just on paper as of now.

Ahhh... cool use of the brass, I couldn't see exactly what it was, but now I do, nice!

I am told that beeswax is available for candle making at the local craft store.

[SkeletonSlinky]

Yeah, I think the leather I used was maybe 5/6 or 6/7 for my pocket holster...I wanted thin too...cuts down on the bulk. What do you think you'll use for your OWB?

[BEARDOG]

Yeah, I think the leather I used was maybe 5/6 or 6/7 for my pocket holster...I wanted thin too...cuts down on the bulk. What do you think you'll use for your OWB?

I bought a nice size (8+ sq/ft) 6/7 oz.- single shoulder from Tandy and will use it. It makes for a nice stiff holster when molded and finished. I will probable make a "pancake" type OWB so the belt slots/holes will be double leather glued and stitched.