belt holster to drop leg conversion - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

John A. · 07-07-2006, 04:49 PM

I just recently purchased a XD40 Tactical and it came with all of goodies SA is including with them now, and after searching for an affordable drop leg holster, I decided to make my own out of the factory belt holster. I saved a ton of money and it's built as good or better than one I could've got off the shelf anyway.

Supplies were purchased from strapworks.com and the total for the materials cost including shipping was right at $15.

The holster mod supplies were:

3 feet of polypro 1-1/2 inch webbing with METAL cambuckle and rubber mar protector premade from strapworks for the strap that will wrap around your leg (my leg is average size in diameter). If you're fairly large, you may need to order a longer length. Just measure your leg and order a little extra so you can place it into a slider.

5 feet of polypro one inch webbing for the straps that go down your leg and loop around your belt and attach everything (more would be needed if you're very tall or have very long arms so the grip would be at your fingertips where they belong--see the 2nd photo for an example if you're not sure what I am talking about)

4 One and a half inch sliders to go onto the leg strap that serve dual purposes. Purpose one is to position so the holster doesn't move around on you when you're moving around--just place the sliders closely on each side of the holster and it'll stay put. Purpose two is to place the excess strap in when you tighten the leg strap up around your leg.

6 one inch sliders that will be used to hold the webbing around your belt and the optional One inch split release buckle that position the straps that go down your leg at the perfect angle to be attached to the leg strap on each side of the holster to support it well. (see top photo for a closeup)

the yetty · 07-07-2006, 05:20 PM

Im impress, when I first started reading this, i thought it was going to look like a POS, but it actually looks GOOD. I actually want to make one now.

Just a side not though, you can get drop legs for around 16-20 bucks. Won't be a blackhawk rig, but they will work well enough.

Whats on the front rail?

John A. · 07-07-2006, 05:29 PM

Thanks, it works really well. The metal buckle holds the leg strap much tighter than a lot of the cheaper over the counter drop legs I've tried.

I've not had any luck with the less expensive ones since they tend to loosen as you wear them, but not this one.

On the front rail is a Camillus Z5 light. I got a very good deal on it for $47 with shipping, and it works good enough for any bumps in the night. If I were allowed to use the pistol at work, I'd have a streamlight mounted though since they're made from aluminum instead of a plastic housing, but the Z5 works well enough for its' intended use.

arolfsen · 07-09-2006, 09:05 AM

can you get some better pictures going? now you've got me interested. i just made my own single point sling for my ar (copied the asp). It cost me around $8 as well.

www.strapworks.com

Tomcat088 · 07-09-2006, 01:33 PM

Man, that is one really sharp holster, I really like it. I had never really been too interesting in a dropleg holster, because in Texas they don't allow open carry. After seeing yours, I think I might make me one for when I go out rattlesnake hunting. Not to mention, hopefully one day we may get open carry here in Texas (prays) lol. I'd love to see more photos myself.

07-07-2006, 04:49 PM	#1
John A. XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KY Posts: 786	belt holster to drop leg conversion I just recently purchased a XD40 Tactical and it came with all of goodies SA is including with them now, and after searching for an affordable drop leg holster, I decided to make my own out of the factory belt holster. I saved a ton of money and it's built as good or better than one I could've got off the shelf anyway. Supplies were purchased from strapworks.com and the total for the materials cost including shipping was right at $15. The holster mod supplies were: 3 feet of polypro 1-1/2 inch webbing with METAL cambuckle and rubber mar protector premade from strapworks for the strap that will wrap around your leg (my leg is average size in diameter). If you're fairly large, you may need to order a longer length. Just measure your leg and order a little extra so you can place it into a slider. 5 feet of polypro one inch webbing for the straps that go down your leg and loop around your belt and attach everything (more would be needed if you're very tall or have very long arms so the grip would be at your fingertips where they belong--see the 2nd photo for an example if you're not sure what I am talking about) 4 One and a half inch sliders to go onto the leg strap that serve dual purposes. Purpose one is to position so the holster doesn't move around on you when you're moving around--just place the sliders closely on each side of the holster and it'll stay put. Purpose two is to place the excess strap in when you tighten the leg strap up around your leg. 6 one inch sliders that will be used to hold the webbing around your belt and the optional One inch split release buckle that position the straps that go down your leg at the perfect angle to be attached to the leg strap on each side of the holster to support it well. (see top photo for a closeup) __________________ "The 2nd Amendment wasn't adopted into the Constitution because the authors liked guns or the destruction they could cause, but to give ordinary citizens the ability to protect themselves and their family and to take up arms against anyone in a governmental position who tried to deny those fundamental and God given rights." Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 Last edited by John A.; 07-07-2006 at 05:16 PM.

07-07-2006, 05:20 PM	#2
the yetty XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 180	Im impress, when I first started reading this, i thought it was going to look like a POS, but it actually looks GOOD. I actually want to make one now. Just a side not though, you can get drop legs for around 16-20 bucks. Won't be a blackhawk rig, but they will work well enough. Whats on the front rail? __________________ ----------------------------------- XD40, Beretta 92s (yes you read it right, not a 92fs), Sig p6, Kel-tec SU-16ca (I live in CA), Ruger M77 w/ Leopold 3x9, Winchester .22, Ruger MarkI, Remington 870 (the real "Jack of all trades").

07-07-2006, 05:29 PM	#3
John A. XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KY Posts: 786	Thanks, it works really well. The metal buckle holds the leg strap much tighter than a lot of the cheaper over the counter drop legs I've tried. I've not had any luck with the less expensive ones since they tend to loosen as you wear them, but not this one. On the front rail is a Camillus Z5 light. I got a very good deal on it for $47 with shipping, and it works good enough for any bumps in the night. If I were allowed to use the pistol at work, I'd have a streamlight mounted though since they're made from aluminum instead of a plastic housing, but the Z5 works well enough for its' intended use. __________________ "The 2nd Amendment wasn't adopted into the Constitution because the authors liked guns or the destruction they could cause, but to give ordinary citizens the ability to protect themselves and their family and to take up arms against anyone in a governmental position who tried to deny those fundamental and God given rights." Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 Last edited by John A.; 07-07-2006 at 05:31 PM.

07-09-2006, 09:05 AM	#4
arolfsen XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 246	can you get some better pictures going? now you've got me interested. i just made my own single point sling for my ar (copied the asp). It cost me around $8 as well. www.strapworks.com Last edited by arolfsen; 07-09-2006 at 09:12 AM.

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07-09-2006, 01:33 PM	#5
Tomcat088 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 688	Man, that is one really sharp holster, I really like it. I had never really been too interesting in a dropleg holster, because in Texas they don't allow open carry. After seeing yours, I think I might make me one for when I go out rattlesnake hunting. Not to mention, hopefully one day we may get open carry here in Texas (prays) lol. I'd love to see more photos myself.