Holster//problem

[Yankee Doodle]

Hi to all.
Being brand new here, I thought I would ask a question, and hope for an answer.
I have a holster for my constant carry gun that is starting to stretch a bit. I was wondering if anyone knows a way to shrink it slightly, so that it holds the gun a bit more securely. It has no retaining strap. I don't want to ruin the leather, but I really want a more secure hold. I was thinking of wetting it down with alcohol, and letting it dry. Do you think this will work? Or, do you have another solution short of replacing the rig?
Thank you in advance.

 

[Dfariswheel]

Unfortunately, the only leather that actually SHRINKS is rawhide.
Cowhide can only stretch.

The reason leather items like gloves and boots SEEM to shrink is, when improperly dried, the leather deforms and gets hard. It hasn't actually shrunk.

You can improve the fit by wetting the holster with alcohol or water, let it sit until it softens and most of the moisture has dried, but the leather still feels cool.

Insert the bare gun, and use your fingers or some type of smooth tool to press the leather around the details of the gun to tighten the fit.

Immediately remove the gun, gently press the holster closed slightly, and allow it to dry bone-dry in a dark, cool place.

DO NOT use any heat, and do not put any type of leather softening dressing or oil on the leather.

This will tighten up the fit, but if your holster is getting too loose, it's service life is about over.
Holster's are worn out when they no longer fit the gun closely, NOT when they start looking ratty or start coming apart.

Modern holsters are moulded much closer to the gun than older, looser fit holsters and most people use a holster far beyond it's service life because it still "looks" OK.

 

[Sir William]

If the holster is a Hunter or Triple K, get a better holster. If you have stretching, I suspect the holster is a cheap suede holster. A good open top holster will have metal reinforcing around the throat, double stitching and be made of quality materials. I would buy a better holster from a specialty maker or one of the big three. Sparks, Galco, Aker, DeSantis, Safariland, Bianchi or Alessi come to mind.