need chest holster template

[jnsloth]

My son has asked me to make a chest holster for his Springfield Armory XDM 10mm pistol with 4.5" barrel.  I have made holsters before but have always had the pistol available so that I could wet the leather and mold it around the shape of the pistol.  I don't have access to this particular pistol (son lives in Montana and I'm in Oregon) and I can't seem to find a similar size pistol or a template to use.   Anyone have any suggestions about how to proceed?

[Dwight]

Just depends on how talented you are in the wood shop.

I've had success getting the dimensions of a gun off the internet . . . 

Gluing a couple pieces of yellow pine (my preferred) together . . . getting out the band saw, drill press, table saw, router, sander, grinder . . . etc . . . and coming up with a suitable copy for a holster.

If you really want a serious model . . . holster training guns are available for around 75 . . . usually can sell them on Ebay for a tad over half price . . . just a thought

May God bless,

Dwight

[chiefjason]

The Xdm 45 mold will work.  Or there is a 5.25" 10mm mold out too.  Check holstersmith.  

[chuck123wapati]

On 11/11/2023 at 11:42 AM, jnsloth said:

My son has asked me to make a chest holster for his Springfield Armory XDM 10mm pistol with 4.5" barrel.  I have made holsters before but have always had the pistol available so that I could wet the leather and mold it around the shape of the pistol.  I don't have access to this particular pistol (son lives in Montana and I'm in Oregon) and I can't seem to find a similar size pistol or a template to use.   Anyone have any suggestions about how to proceed?

yea go buy one for your self LOL. then make two holsters . if I had a pattern for that I would send it to you.

[Frodo]

This is my process  

go online and find dimensions. take a screen shot of the gun

enlarge the image till it matches the deminsions 

Print.   Clue to a 2x6. And cut by using a jig saw

 

Question for you 

is that gun a medium or large frame semi auto? 

[purplefox66]

Buy a blue gun from makers leather supply 

[bladegrinder]

I just bought a blue gun, Glock 19 generation 5 from holstersmith. $62.00 to my door. I’m in the process of making a holster with it now. a workable holster can be made without one but for a wet-vacuum formed holster you really need a blue gun or the real thing. I’m not big on Glocks so buying one wasn’t going to happen and I figure selling one holster will make up the cost of a blue gun. If it’s for your son, and Christmas is coming you could buy the blue gun, use it, then list it for sale here.

[jnsloth]

Thanks to all for responding.  Some very good suggestions.  I really appreciate Hags sending me a template which I plan to use.  I think I'm going to purchase a mold, use it to shape the leather and then offer if for sale as has been suggested.  I would go the "make your own with wood" route but I don't have the woodworking tools for that.