custom_180
Okay, I admit it: Sometimes I really like carrying a very small, very lightweight gun. Like this Kimber Micro Crimson Carry in .380. With a capacity of 6+1 and an integrated laser, it’s just the ticket to get me out of a pinch. And it hides and carries exceptionally well. [Side note: I wouldn’t carry it unless I had personally verified that it shot reliably and accurately. I had. And it does.] When I carry a small gun, sometimes I go IWB, sometimes OWB. Depends on the day and the mission. And how I’m dressed, something largely dependent on the weather, of course. Anyway, two holsters consistently in use include this Galco Pocket Protector and this Blade Tech IWB.
Here’s the rub: The Kimber’s Crimson Trace laser, integrated into the stocks, sometimes bumps into some parts of some holsters — these two holsters included. So, rather than try to find different holsters, I made some minor, custom adjustments to these. Now, before you go altering any of your holsters, just understand that each holster manufacturer designs their holsters to function a certain way and if you change something outside of the product’s design intent, there’s no guarantee … you might void any warranty … the holster may not work … at your own risk … etc., etc.
This side is fine. The Blade-Tech easily accommodates the Kimber’s manual safety…
Here you can see the reformed plastic to better accommodate the laser. Yep, I could sand that edge a bit and make it look nicer.
The Blade Tech is one of the few IWB holsters able to carry and present a small handgun very well. It has adjustable tension and a unique clip. The Kimber clicked in well enough, but I could see the laser bump into the carrier. So I heated up the plastic with a disposable lighter and reformed the carrier with a pair of needle nose pliers to better accommodate the protrusion of the laser. Took very little heat, time and effort to make this change. Once done, the Kimber fit better. And it never seemed loose or compromised in any way.
The Galco’s metal reinforced mouth and leather look bad when only half trimmed. So I trimmed all of it away…
…and here’s the laser side, now a perfect fit.
The Galco Pocket Protector usually has a metal reinforced mouth going around it. That too was interfering with the laser so, after drawing a guide line on the holster with a pencil, I used a razor knife and trimmed it down. Took about a minute and resulted in a better fitting and even more slim pocket holster for the Kimber.
This wasn’t the first customization job I’ve done to a holster and it probably won’t be the last. But I’d like to hear some of your stories, too. So chime in below and tell me and all the other readers about modifications and customizations you’ve made to your gear…
— Mark Kakkuri
