Is there any danger to the frame of the gun from overheating if a real Glock is used as a mold for a Kydex/Boltaron holster?
Thanks
Is there any danger to the frame of the gun from overheating if a real Glock is used as a mold for a Kydex/Boltaron holster?
Thanks
I think the real danger is making a crummy holster. It's nowhere near as easy to get a good result as many would have you believe. Makers like Dark Star Gear, Tenicor or JM Custom Kydex are very good at what they do and AFAIK the actually go so far as to design a custom mold for each firearm with the appropriate blocking, etc., to allow for proper function.Originally Posted by Le Français
I'd call Glock and ask. The internet says around 280 degrees is the temperature at which you can deform a Glock frame. I believe you take Kydex higher than that to form it.
Adding nothing to the conversation since 2015....
TLDR: Yes.
Considerations:
1. The permanent deflection temperature for the Glock frame material, which is a glass reinforced polyamide. This is dependent on temperature, time, and pressure. The higher the pressure and/or temperature, the faster/greater amount of deformation will take place. For example, polyamide will permanently deflect at 419º F at a pressure of 66 PSI, but only 158º at 265 PSI.
2. The correct temperature, time, and pressure to shape the Boltaron or Kydex sheet at the sheet thickness needed to have the core within 10% of the surface temperature, not exceeding ~350ºF. We can generally consider Boltaron and Kydex to have similar characteristics for this purpose at the sheet thicknesses common in holsters.
So, yes, there is a potential danger to the frame of a Glock if you overheat, OR apply too much pressure at a lower temperature. There's a reason reputable holster makers prefer to use aluminum gun forms.
I have molded dozens of Kydex holsters on my various G21, 30, 17s, 19s, 26 and 43x. At least 2 or 3 holsters per gun if not more, in a homemade press made out of wood and foam padding, with 200+ lbs of me standing on it.
No issues.
Although if you are going into high volume production you may want to use what others have recommended.
Hope this helps!
Dennis.
Last edited by Dennis; 01-12-2024 at 01:00 AM.
Thanks everyone!
Late to the thread here, but, PLEASE don't do it.
I was just speaking to a teacher from a gunsmith school the other day. He had a student use a pistol to mold a holster and now mags won't drop free(and hard to insert).
If you are wanting to "roll your own" a couple of tips. Way back in 2009/2010 when I first started, I made these mistakes.
1, if using a polymer gun, ALWAYS insert a mag (metal lined, not the older non metal lined Glock mags) as the heat will deform the grip and you will most likely have ruined the pistol (yep, ruined a Glock 19 this way)
2, fill in the ejection port with a piece of wood, plastic etc., the more precise you are the better
3, get some good painters tape and put a couple pieces of tape on the slide to help against drag
4, get a 1/4" or 3/8" dowel and cut to fit for a sight channel, preferably notching the front so it goes over the front sight and sticks out past the slide a half inch or so.
Hope that helps.
sales@jmcustomkydex.com
Thanks! I’m not looking to make my own. I was considering having a local place make a G24/G17L holster to my specifications, and they don’t have a form for the long slide. I have completely abandoned that idea thanks to the good folks in this thread.
You wouldn’t know of anyone with a G24 form, would you?
Last edited by Le Français; 01-12-2024 at 02:21 PM.
I used my wife's G48 once and forgot to insert a mag before I pressed it and it warped the grip enough to make the mags need to be pushed and pulled in and out.
After much cussing and sweating over how I was gonna tell her I decided to put the Glock into the toaster oven at 300° for about 10 minutes and the grip flexed back into its proper shape. Apparently it has a memory.
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