I really like carrying this .45 XDM compact, and Betty loves to shoot it too.


Ocassionally I have to go to the door and don't know whos there (unexpected 
knock) so I usually pick up the .45 XDM and put it in my pocket.
I felt like a holster I could quickly put on my belt and take off would come 
in handy.
The metal clip allows you to just snap the holster on and then later twist it 
off.


To put it on put the top against you just below your belt, push in and twist 
the front toward your belly, then push up.
The clip slips up under your belt then when it high enough it snaps over the 
top and its secure.


To remove it grab hold of the holster, push up, twist the front  of it toward 
your belly, then push down and forward at an angle.

Just as I did for the sunglasses, I made 
a wooden model the same dimensions as the pistol.
Cut the leather to fit the model, soak the leather in water, and clamp it 
tightly around the model while the leather drys and it sets into shape.

How to Make a Holster for an Automatic Pistol

The Wooden Model
When I have to make something out of leather and more or less form fitting, I 
make a wooden model and form the leather around it. 
I took the measurements of the .45 XDM and drew an outline on a 1-1/2" 
thick board, then bandsawed it out and began carving to get the final shape.


An alternative for making a wooden model is to wrap the pistol in a zip 
lock (squeezing out the air) then clamp the wet leather around the actual 
pistol (in the ziplock bag).

The Leather Work
After I had a wooden model, I laid it on a piece of leather and folded the 
leather to be a holster, then drew the outline of what I wanted.
I cut the leather out leaving a little extra for sewing and soaked it in water.
Then I folded the leather around the wooden model and clamped it tightly and 
let it dry for a day.
I marked where the lacings would go and punched holes every 1/4" in two 
rows, spaced 1-1/4" apart.


The Bracket:
The bracket is the key to quick attachment and removal.
It is made of aluminum or steel and bent so it reached up under the belt and 
hooked over the top then down behind the belt and curved back up until its 
even with the top of the helt hook.
Another curve back down and a flat part drilled with holes, in two rows, 
1-1/4" apart and every 1/4".
These holes match the holes in the back of the leather holster.
Either aluminum or steel may be bent using my flat metal bending tool.



Putting It Together:
I sewed the leather to the clip, then sewed up the edges.




Wooden Model







First I needed a wooden model to form the leather around.
 
I measured the XDM .45 and bandsawed out the general shape. 
 
Next I carved the little groves and indentations.
 
Finally, I rounded the curves with a sander and generally smoothed it a little.










The wooden model is just a tiny bit larger than the actual pistol.
 










You don't have to bother with all the dents and recesses, the holster doens't go there.
 










In fact I really didn't need to do the back of the grip at all, but I did, just in case I made a flap on the top of the holster.
 
You can see the TruGlo sights clearly.










I did try to get the general shape of the trigger guard, and top of the grip.
 










I didn't follow all the little indentations, etc.
 










Note the model is the height of the sight on the pistol. 
 
I might model the sight better next time I do a pistol.
 







Leather Work







I cut out a piece of leather, soaked it in water, then clamped it tightly on the model.
 










I left the muzzle open but the holster protects it.
 










You'll note, the holster protects the trigger so the gun can't be fired while in the holster.
 










Here it is without the clamps, I left about 1/4" to sew.
 
You can just see the sewing holes I punched.







Putting It Together







Heres the back side after sewing the clip on and the edge.
 










A little closer look at the back.
 










Inside the holster.
 










Showing the clip shape as it relates to the holster leather.
 










With the XDM inserted.
 
You can see how it protects the trigger.










How it looks clipped on my belt.
 










You can see as I draw the pistol the clip moves up and stops against the bottom edge of my belt.
 










Comfortable while sitting.
 
I wear my sunglass holster while sitting and this feels the same.
 
You'll note I have a gut and the clip moves the pistol grip out so it doesn't dig in to me.
 










From the side of the chair.
 










Standing from the side.
 










Standing from the front.
 
You get an idea here of how the angles of the clip position the pistol, and how a little change can affect it.
 
You could move it in toward me a little by changing the angle at the bottom of the clip.
 
I could adjust how far out the handle is by bending the clip.










Its not really noticable with my shirt untucked. 
 










Under the shirt.