How hot is too hot for an all-steel gun?

Pond, James Pond · January 26, 2021, 02:33 PM

I have a SmartCarry. It's been in service now for some time and works well except for a hole the front ramp has worn through it facing forwards.

I want to fabricate a plastic insert that can simply sit in the holster and cradled the muzzle.

In the US, I imagine that buying a sheet of Kydex would be the answer but no one, but no one sells Kydex by the sheet here.

And I'm not paying $100 where 80% is shipping and import taxes and 20% is a sheet of plastic that I'll be cutting up.

So, I intend to find some household product that is sold in a plastic container that is relatively thick, yet the plastic is still flexible and unlikely to split with time.

I can't say what type that is, but I'll recognise the texture and look when I see it.

So, my question: lacking a hot air gun, can I just use the oven to soften the plastic.

The idea is to just put my empty, blued, all-steel revolver on a baking tray minus the wooden grips.

Place the plastic over the area I want to protect in the holster and let the heat do the rest.

In principle, the plastic will soften and drape itself over the gun. I can then trim it once cool.

However, I don't want to harm the gun.

Would temperatures of 200 Celsius damage the finish, or the springs inside etc?

If there's any risk, I'll leave the idea there and look for alternatives.

If the risks are negligible I might consider it further.

ballardw · January 26, 2021, 03:35 PM

You might check out: https://www.tandyleatherfactory.uk/c...lies_materials

They have small pieces Kydex starting at about 300x300mm in a couple of weights.
I hope sort of local enough.

Local hobby shops or materials places may have ABS that works about as well.

And https://www.tngun.com/kydex-press/ how to make a not too difficult press. The plastic is heated and then placed over the gun and pressed. So less heat exposure than placing the gun in the oven.

Pond, James Pond · January 26, 2021, 04:02 PM

Those are very good suggestions! I'll look into them.

Thanks for the links.

Scorch · January 26, 2021, 04:33 PM

Whatever plastic you use, do not heat it to the point that it droops all over the gun, the results will not be very satisfactory. Rather, heat the plastic until it starts to soften, then form it with your hands (gloves needed) so that it conforms to the shape of the gun.

Ricklin · January 26, 2021, 07:26 PM

It would take a little fabrication but vacuum forming is not real difficult.

A frame to hold the sheet plastic, a means to suspend a heating element just above the sheet.
A shop vac and a small tabletop with a couple hundred small holes. Box in the bottom seal and attach vacuum cleaner hose. Window weatherstrip works well to seal the edges of the frame that holds the plastic sheet. Weatherstrip on bottom edges of frame, it must seal on the tabletop at the edges all the way around.

Heat from above cause your plastic to "sag" pistol on above tabletop. Turn on the heat, plastic sags, Quickly drop the frame on the tabletop over the pistol and turn on the vacuum.

ABS plastic sheet is tough and cheap. Get on you tube I'm sure there are some videos of vacuum forming. I've seen 4X8 sheets used as above, can easily be scaled way down.
It is not very difficult.

January 26, 2021, 02:33 PM	#1
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	How hot is too hot for an all-steel gun? I have a SmartCarry. It's been in service now for some time and works well except for a hole the front ramp has worn through it facing forwards. I want to fabricate a plastic insert that can simply sit in the holster and cradled the muzzle. In the US, I imagine that buying a sheet of Kydex would be the answer but no one, but no one sells Kydex by the sheet here. And I'm not paying $100 where 80% is shipping and import taxes and 20% is a sheet of plastic that I'll be cutting up. So, I intend to find some household product that is sold in a plastic container that is relatively thick, yet the plastic is still flexible and unlikely to split with time. I can't say what type that is, but I'll recognise the texture and look when I see it. So, my question: lacking a hot air gun, can I just use the oven to soften the plastic. The idea is to just put my empty, blued, all-steel revolver on a baking tray minus the wooden grips. Place the plastic over the area I want to protect in the holster and let the heat do the rest. In principle, the plastic will soften and drape itself over the gun. I can then trim it once cool. However, I don't want to harm the gun. Would temperatures of 200 Celsius damage the finish, or the springs inside etc? If there's any risk, I'll leave the idea there and look for alternatives. If the risks are negligible I might consider it further. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

January 26, 2021, 03:35 PM	#2
ballardw Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 1,411	You might check out: https://www.tandyleatherfactory.uk/c...lies_materials They have small pieces Kydex starting at about 300x300mm in a couple of weights. I hope sort of local enough. Local hobby shops or materials places may have ABS that works about as well. And https://www.tngun.com/kydex-press/ how to make a not too difficult press. The plastic is heated and then placed over the gun and pressed. So less heat exposure than placing the gun in the oven. __________________ -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ All data is flawed, some just less so.

January 26, 2021, 04:02 PM	#3
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Those are very good suggestions! I'll look into them. Thanks for the links. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

January 26, 2021, 04:33 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Whatever plastic you use, do not heat it to the point that it droops all over the gun, the results will not be very satisfactory. Rather, heat the plastic until it starts to soften, then form it with your hands (gloves needed) so that it conforms to the shape of the gun. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 26, 2021, 07:26 PM	#5
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,013	Vacuum form? It would take a little fabrication but vacuum forming is not real difficult. A frame to hold the sheet plastic, a means to suspend a heating element just above the sheet. A shop vac and a small tabletop with a couple hundred small holes. Box in the bottom seal and attach vacuum cleaner hose. Window weatherstrip works well to seal the edges of the frame that holds the plastic sheet. Weatherstrip on bottom edges of frame, it must seal on the tabletop at the edges all the way around. Heat from above cause your plastic to "sag" pistol on above tabletop. Turn on the heat, plastic sags, Quickly drop the frame on the tabletop over the pistol and turn on the vacuum. ABS plastic sheet is tough and cheap. Get on you tube I'm sure there are some videos of vacuum forming. I've seen 4X8 sheets used as above, can easily be scaled way down. It is not very difficult. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free