School me on "adjusting" Kydex

[MichiganShootist]

I just bought a Kahr P380. Since my PM-9 now wears a Crimson Trace unit I have a drawer full of PM-9 holsters I'd like to repurpose for the new smaller pistol.

I've managed to cut material or alter adjustment screws to make all of the holsters work just fine other than a Kydex Galco OWB paddle holster.

The 380 is only .75" wide while the PM-9 is .95" wide... so they are very close. I just need to "shrink" the upper end of the holster a bit... so the 380 won't rattle around.

So... what's the best method to heat and squeeze/shape the upper end of the holster "just a bit"???????

I was thinking of just using a heat gun. Safe enough??????

I appreciate your tips.

Mark

[JohnJak]

Heat gun.

[Fuel Fire Desire]

Not saying this is the right way, but this is what I did since I don’t have a heat gun.

I have a AIWB for a FNX45 and the maker molded it for a tactical with the longer threaded barrel. Mine doesn’t have that, and the extra bit of kydex would dig into me. So initially I used a torch a few inches away from the area I wanted to mold to heat it up and used a gloved hand to reshape it. Later I just took a dremel and trimmed the excess off.....but the torch worked fine when kept at a distance to heat it up without melting. A heat gun would be the proper tool though.

[esq_stu]

I've used my wife's blow dryer. Don't make it too hot, kydex gets soft real fast and can get out of shape quickly - speaking from experience.

[GreaseMonkeySRT]

I'd use a hair dryer before a heat gun. Heat guns are capable of far higher temps than needed for what you're doing.

[dirtmcgirt76239]

I have not done it but heard hair dryer on hot, its plenty hot work it back and forth, back and forth and you won't melt it like a heat gun.

[MichiganShootist]

Well I worked on it today and am somewhat disappointed in my progress. I used my wife's heat gun (a craft toy) on the medium setting.

The Kydex got hot fast but when I laid down the heater and tried to shape the Kydex... not much happened. So then I put a metal clamp on the holster before heating it. That worked better but left some marks in the material that don't please me.

Any tips are appreciated.

Mark

[Model12gunner]

Maybe mount your heat gun in a vise and snug it just enough to hold it in place. This will leave your hands free to shape the material while it is warm.

[MichiganShootist]

Thanks I'll try that.

I spent about 90 minutes searching and can't find many holsters for this little pistol... Unless I want to spend $75+... so I'll keep working on it.

I have a decent IWB and a pocket holster that fit it perfectly --- so I m not without options I spend most of my winter in sweats ... so the paddle holster carry works well for me.

Just trying to repurpose the Galco paddle rig.

Mark

[Quads]

I use/have two different types for my P380.
$30 bucks. Zero brain damage.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SQFW5OA...ing=UTF8&psc=1

I've also got a leather that works well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076KZ6NP6...ing=UTF8&psc=1

Without a mold, you've got quite a challenge on your hands to reshape the larger one.