Holster break-in?

R

rmocarsky

New member
Gunners,

I read recently on this site, or possibly handgunforum.net that a leather holster may require a break-in period.

I have 2 1911s, 3 holsters: 1 Galco, 1 Bianchi and 1 very, very old (but never used) leather. Maker eludes me.

But I remember when I bought that holster, and tried to put a 1911 in it, it was way, way, tight. So tight that when I tried to insert it fully, it actually moved the slide back a little.

I never tried it again.

Now I read about break-in.

Can this holster be broken in?

It was designed solely for 1911s.

How do I break it in?

And if the break-in means forcing the 1911 into it, can the extreme tightness harm the firearm finish?

One is blued, and one is nickel plated.

I would love to resurrect this older holster, as it has a thumb snap and the Galco does not. The Bianchi is a synthetic pancake.

Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated.

Rmocarsky
 
My leather holsters did have a little break in period. Not as much as the one you are mentioning, but did have it all the same.

I just stored my guns in them for a couple nights, and of course carried with them when appropriate.

You could look for some Slick draw fluid, used to work the leather while not harming the gun. Galco makes some, and i'm sure there are others. Other than that, time and a bunch of draws and holsters will do the trick.
 
I hose em down good inside and out with silicone spray and work the empty gun into the wet holster. The working will loosen the leather. Leave the gun in and let it dry.
 
silicon

Chesster,

Can the silicon spray be detremental in anyway to either blued or nickel?

Which would you use to break in the holster?

Can you give me a name of a preferred silicon spray?

Rmocarsky
 
I don't know that I would spray any thing onto the leather that might cause it to break down over time. You want to retain a certain amount of stiffness to the leather. Any retention straps that are too tight can be rolled to loosen up some of the fibers. Otherwise, you should be able to get the gun into the holster (you might have to really push it in) and allow it to sit overnite. That should stretch out the holster enough that it becomes easier to put the gun into it. Repeat as needed.
 
Put the pistol in a ziplock bag and insert it into the holster. This is what most makers will recommend. It will stretch the leather so slightly. You can also holster/unholster a few times and that should get you started.

I wouldn't spray anything on a leather holster, especially one that took 6 months and $100 to buy.
 
Wrapping the gun a few times in wax paper and storing it an hour, along with some draws with it wrapped...has helped me loosen a couple.
 
I have noted the tendency of a snug fitting holster, especially an inside-waistband style, to resist reholstering enough to push the slide back (which naturally won't happen with cocked and locked). But the holster should fit snugly anyway, so that might be expected. To overcome that for a double-action automatic (any), I found that it was necessary to put my thumb on the end of the slide behind the hammer (all of my have hammers) and push it into place. That always seems like something you shouldn't have to do but it seems unavoidable with a snug fitting holster that retains the handgun by friction or tightness only, rather than with a strap or flap or some kind of clip. It even seems to be necessary with the formed hard-plastic type holster that seems to provide most of the security by a shallow indentation that grips the trigger guard, even though the degree of tightness is adjustable.

Nothing's perfect.
 
+1 on the zip-lock bag trick. I put my pistol in a gallon size plastic bag and force it into the holster and wait a couple days. Works like magic. I wouldn't spray anything into the holster as it could make it too soft and then you've got a problem.
 
Wisky_33 had the better answer.

Almost any liquid will be detrimental to a properly made and formed commercial holster.

Put the gun in as small a freezer bag as it will fit, . . . and force it into the holster to the point you want it to be. Lay it up overnight, . . . take the weapon out of the bag and try that. If it doesn't work the first time, . . . try two bags, . . . leave it overnight.

Trying to jerk, twist, or put liquid substances on the leather to stretch it will in time create a holster for the "I don't use these holsters anymore" box. Time and patience are your ally, . . .

The other thing to do if you have time, . . . with the gun in the bag and in the holster, . . . put the thing on and wear it. Holsters, belts, shoes, . . . all need a "break in" period that is enhanced by wearing. I just sold a beautiful black cherry IWB holster a week or so ago that I was just looking forward to really start wearing, . . . it was "almost" broke in, . . . but the customer had cash, . . . and no good holstermaker will turn down a good sale.

May God bless,
Dwight
 
Be very careful to avoid stretching the leather too much. I recommend Saran Wrap or some very similar, very thin wrap before using anything that is thicker, such as a zip lock bag. Do not put any fluid (water, silicone, oil) on the leather. Be patient - it is next to impossible to make a leather holster tighter if you have stretched it too much.
 
thanks

Thanks a million fellas.

I really like the holster for a good field rig, and am looking forward to making it doable.

Rmocarsky
 
Just to add to the fine advice of using a plastic bag, take a tip from the Milt Sparks folks - makers of some of the finest holsters.

Tightness in a new holster is not uncommon and is much preferable to the alternative. If the draw is a little stiff at first, it is recommended that you work with it to see if it doesn't loosen up with a bit of use. About 25 to 50 presentations should be a good indicator of whether the holster will break in sufficiently on its own or if maybe a little blocking out of the leather is in order. There are many variables as to why a holster would be excessively tight ranging from the texture of your guns finish, to slight changes in climate or humidity from where the holster is made. Regardless of the reason, a too tight holster can easily be remedied by the end user with a method we have been recommending to customers for over 20 years.

To block out (stretch) your new holster first UNLOAD your pistol or revolver and place the gun into the 4 mil plastic bag that your new holster was packaged in. Then carefully insert the bagged gun all the way into the holster (do not! I repeat, do not!! wet or spray the holster with any solution to aid in the stretching process). The blocking out process as described above will in no way harm the crisp detailed molding of your new holster, nor will it ruin its retention qualities. It serves simply to stretch the leather a few thousands of an inch larger than the gun. The amount of stretching time needed for satisfactory results range from a just a few minutes to overnight. Any clarifications or concerns on the above, or if you would rather we talk you through the process, then please call us.
Click to expand...
 
I've used the plastic bag trick and it works very well. Still, it will take a little time before the holster is completely broken in. Mitch Rosen carries a product called "Leather Lightning." It is applied inside the holster and supposedly is only a surface treatment and won't be absorbed by the holster. I haven't used it but Mitch Rosen knows his business. http://www.mitchrosen.com/product_line/product_line.html
 
I got a new Galco a few months ago and they recommend just working the leather to soften it up. So after working the leather for about two half hour sessions worked great with no hang up':)
 
Wow,and I have been wetting holsters for close to forty years with the gun in a plastic bag over night.After reading the Milt Sparks suggestion I will stop this procedure.I learn something new every day.tom.:o
 
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