MatthewBerman
New member
Anybody have an suggestions for breaking in a new leather holster?
New Holster
- Thread starter MatthewBerman
- Start date
aarondhgraham
New member
Don't just leave the gun in the holster,,,
You need to insert the gun and remove it many times while the leather is forming,,,
If you don't do that the leather can and often will form around high spots,,,
The opening of the boot itself will not form the "funnel" you need,,,
You will find it stiff to draw and difficult to re-holster.
Water works but will sometimes stain the finish of a new holster,,,
You can also use a leather conditioner such as Lexol,,,
Just don't use too much 'cause a little works fine.
I wrap the handgun in about 5-6 feet of Saran Wrap,,,
That will provide the optimal amount of bulk,,,
It makes the holster fit the gun perfectly.
But the real secret is to work the gun in and out of the holster as it dries,,,
Forming it to the handgun with your fingers as you go along,,,
It takes about the time to watch a movie on a DVD.
It's also the perfect excuse to caress your gun.
.
You need to insert the gun and remove it many times while the leather is forming,,,
If you don't do that the leather can and often will form around high spots,,,
The opening of the boot itself will not form the "funnel" you need,,,
You will find it stiff to draw and difficult to re-holster.
Water works but will sometimes stain the finish of a new holster,,,
You can also use a leather conditioner such as Lexol,,,
Just don't use too much 'cause a little works fine.
I wrap the handgun in about 5-6 feet of Saran Wrap,,,
That will provide the optimal amount of bulk,,,
It makes the holster fit the gun perfectly.
But the real secret is to work the gun in and out of the holster as it dries,,,
Forming it to the handgun with your fingers as you go along,,,
It takes about the time to watch a movie on a DVD.
It's also the perfect excuse to caress your gun.
.
Kreyzhorse
New member
What seems to be the issue with it?
If its too tight, put the gun in and leave it for a day or two. That unto itself might stretch it out enough to fix any tightness issues you might have. I would try that before I wrapped the gun in any thing.
aarondhgraham
New member
Hello Kreyzhorse,,,
You only need to wrap the pistol in a baggie or Saran Wrap if you are going to wet your holster with water,,,
When you wet the holster the leather swells somewhat and shrinks even more as it dries,,,
The Saran Wrap provides that extra bulk so it doesn't shrink too tight.
It also keeps your gun from rusting.
.
You only need to wrap the pistol in a baggie or Saran Wrap if you are going to wet your holster with water,,,
When you wet the holster the leather swells somewhat and shrinks even more as it dries,,,
The Saran Wrap provides that extra bulk so it doesn't shrink too tight.
It also keeps your gun from rusting.
.
ScottRiqui
New member
I just followed the directions that came with my Galco - put two fingers down inside the holster and press firmly outward. Repeat as you move your fingers further down the inside of the holster.
Prior to doing this, the holster was so tight it would push the pistol's slide back if I holstered without engaging the thumb safety (not that I carry this way - just a demonstration of how tight the holster was.) After the "two finger press", the holster fits like a glove. No baggies, no water, no heat, no chemicals, no waiting.
Prior to doing this, the holster was so tight it would push the pistol's slide back if I holstered without engaging the thumb safety (not that I carry this way - just a demonstration of how tight the holster was.) After the "two finger press", the holster fits like a glove. No baggies, no water, no heat, no chemicals, no waiting.
Kreyzhorse
New member
Hello Aarondhgraham
It sounds like you've made a holster or two in your time. While I've never had a holster that has been too tight that the simple act of holstering it hasn't worked, I do have a Bianchi IWB that fits my S&W 637 a bit too loose. The holster is a Professional 100 with no retention strap and while I don't see the gun coming lose, I would like it to fit a bit more snug.
Is it possible to use the water trick to tighten up a loose holster?
It sounds like you've made a holster or two in your time. While I've never had a holster that has been too tight that the simple act of holstering it hasn't worked, I do have a Bianchi IWB that fits my S&W 637 a bit too loose. The holster is a Professional 100 with no retention strap and while I don't see the gun coming lose, I would like it to fit a bit more snug.
Is it possible to use the water trick to tighten up a loose holster?
aarondhgraham
New member
I would just form it damp,,,
Just take a sponge and dampen the leather inside and out with water,,,
Wrap your handgun in just enough saran wrap to keep it dry,,,
And insert it into the holster.
Then just start "forming" the leather around the handgun,,,
Removing it and inserting it many times,,,
After it dries it should fit better.
.
Just take a sponge and dampen the leather inside and out with water,,,
Wrap your handgun in just enough saran wrap to keep it dry,,,
And insert it into the holster.
Then just start "forming" the leather around the handgun,,,
Removing it and inserting it many times,,,
After it dries it should fit better.
.
There are two "fittings" needed for a new LEATHER holster if it is an IWB.
One is the fitting to your body: best accomplished (please don't laugh, it really does work) by putting it on in the appropriate place, with hand gun in it, just as you plan to wear it, . . . hop in your car or truck, drive a couple hours to a real good place you like to eat, . . . eat, . . . go home. The 4 hours or so of heat from your body, crammed up against the car seat, will fold and mold the holster to you.
The second fitting is for the gun itself: yes you can use water, but every time you get your holster wet, a bit of the molded stiffness that is produced by the veggie tanned process is lost. Some of the fibers that previously were only bent, now get wet again and when they dry, they break. Eventually you wind up with a limp piece of leather just slightly sturdier than suede.
Also almost all manufacturers use some sort of top coat on their leather holsters, part of that design is to keep moisture out of the holster for the above reason.
The process that is least damaging to your HOLSTER involves two different things you can do: 1) encase the weapon in a thick freezer bag, insert it into the holster (NO WATER, NO OIL, JUST BAG & GUN), and leave it overnight. This allows the holster to stretch ever so slightly, and that is usually quite enough for the job. The second thing is to take the gun & holster for the ride mentioned earlier. The body heat also tends to finish the molding job the holster maker started.
Both Lou Alessi and Milt Sparks Holsters endorse the baggie trick.
May God bless,
Dwight
One is the fitting to your body: best accomplished (please don't laugh, it really does work) by putting it on in the appropriate place, with hand gun in it, just as you plan to wear it, . . . hop in your car or truck, drive a couple hours to a real good place you like to eat, . . . eat, . . . go home. The 4 hours or so of heat from your body, crammed up against the car seat, will fold and mold the holster to you.
The second fitting is for the gun itself: yes you can use water, but every time you get your holster wet, a bit of the molded stiffness that is produced by the veggie tanned process is lost. Some of the fibers that previously were only bent, now get wet again and when they dry, they break. Eventually you wind up with a limp piece of leather just slightly sturdier than suede.
Also almost all manufacturers use some sort of top coat on their leather holsters, part of that design is to keep moisture out of the holster for the above reason.
The process that is least damaging to your HOLSTER involves two different things you can do: 1) encase the weapon in a thick freezer bag, insert it into the holster (NO WATER, NO OIL, JUST BAG & GUN), and leave it overnight. This allows the holster to stretch ever so slightly, and that is usually quite enough for the job. The second thing is to take the gun & holster for the ride mentioned earlier. The body heat also tends to finish the molding job the holster maker started.
Both Lou Alessi and Milt Sparks Holsters endorse the baggie trick.
May God bless,
Dwight
MatthewBerman
New member
Thanks for all the good ideas. Will be working on breaking in the Holster this weekend.
Thanks All,
Matthew
Thanks All,
Matthew
I have 2 Milt Sparks VM2HS holsters, didn't stretch either one, and they are perfect. They were a little tight at first, but wearing them all day a couple of days, putting your gun in and out as you use the bathroom, and ect. usually breaks them in just right. I have to agree with Dwight55.