Pistol Holster IWB Frame (Ruger EC9S / Left & Right)

thingiverse

<p>Update: 6/21/2020 Still testing, but nothing has broken as of yet. Still using the clips made at the date of this post</p> <p><strong>Description:</strong></p> <p>I wanted to make a 3D printed inside-the-waistband (IWB) pistol holster. I was reluctant to attempt this project because a holster needs to be thin, strong, and durable. Where FDM 3D printing normally does not align to those needs. However, I think I managed to find a viable middle ground.</p> <p>The most common materials for holsters in leather (<em>comfort</em>) and kydex (<em>strength</em>). I would not be able to design a plastic holster that matched the qualities those materials. Instead, I designed it to be customizable and flex in areas where needs to form fit to the holder. Durability was the biggest challenge. I tested the longevity of the clips for 3 months without issue or signs of wear for everyday carry... Even though the durability was not a huge factor for me, even the highest quality pistol holsters fail with time. So I designed this system to be self-serviceable with replaceable parts. That being said, if you make one of these, you need to accept that you should consider replacing parts after months of usage. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Do not wait for a part to fail</span>. Luckily for us, these parts are quick prints.</p> <p><strong>Overall Dimensions:</strong></p> <p>210mm x 143mm x 30mm</p> <p><strong>Materials needed:</strong></p> <p>Nut & Bolts: x6 #8 32x 1 3/4" Machine screws (Bulldog MA-531, Walmart)</p> <p>Pins: 18 ga stainless steel wire (1mm diameter)</p> <p>Interior Lining: This is where to pistol sits inside the housing. This material provides friction and prevents the pistol from falling out or rattling around. I recommend leather or sticky velcro (soft side) Be creative.</p> <p>Filament needed: Aprox. 150g.</p> <p><strong>Tools needed:</strong></p> <p>Pliers for running the wire. Locking pliers recommended.</p> <p>Sand paper. Fine and course. A dremel on the lowest speed setting is recommended.</p> <p>A way to cut and shorten bolts. There are x4 bolts (7mm) on the housing which are different size than the bolts for the clips (11mm). Bolt cutters work a treat.</p> <p><strong>Instructions:</strong></p> <p>At first glance, you would simply print this out and slap it together using the wire as pins and the bolts to secure the housing and clips. But that would be a mistake.</p> <p>Firstly, there are left and right handed versions. Some parts will work for both. But you need to use the files provided for your desired side.<br /><br />Filament choice. I used ABS. Feel free to use whatever filament you prefer. Though PLA would not be my first choice.</p> <p>Strengthen the linkages. If you fail to do this I'm positive the areas where the wire is ran will split when you try to insert it or later down the road. In Cura, use "per model settings" on the "frame filler" model provided. Scale the filler parts as needed. Make it a solid and insert it to every linkage arm. Multiply the filler part to avoid the tedious. This makes parts where wire is ran through a solid piece of plastic and helps with durability. Sanding the linkages where they meet will be required. They should not move freely. With a tight alignment, prevent wobble and reduces the chances of them breaking because they resist forces together.<br /><br />Pins. When you align all the linkages, insert the wire and slowly push it through with pliers. The holes in the linkage's arms are straight and will cause the wire to follow in the same manner. If there are even small kinks in the wire, trying to press it through the hole will break open the plastic hinges. When finished running the wire through, create a U shape on one end to rest in the hole above the other. Flush cut the other side. <br /><br /><strong>Other pistols:</strong></p> <p>Use this design as a frame for another pistol. The only part of this holster which is Ruger EC9S specific is the housing which the pistol rests in. Maybe the backplate as well depending on the model. For a $10 tip I could make one for you.</p> .