Recommendations for a too tight leather holster

Discussion in 'Firearms' started by Bandit99, Aug 15, 2018.


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  1. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    I have got a beautiful handmade leather OWB holster by Mitch Rosen, a 'President'. It wasn't cheap. I cannot use it because it is so tight that I cannot pull my firearm. I ordered and have used two bottles of their silicon stuff to try and break it in but no luck so , after a few months of struggling, I got fed up and threw it with the other pile of holsters I have no use for. Yesterday, after hearing some here rave about Alien Gear holsters, I ordered one and will pick it up today, a 'ShapeShift' holster.

    I got thinking last night that maybe some of the old sweats on here might know a trick or two about breaking in a difficult leather holster. Any recommendations? At this point, I will try anything no matter how much I paid for it because it is useless to me sitting in the box. Recommendations?
     
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  2. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Wrap the gun in 5 or more plastic layers of Saran Wrap.
    Wet the holster in a bucket of water for 24 hours.
    Try the gun and see if the leather will stretch.

    Continue to wet and dry the holster until the guns slides in as you like.
     
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  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    You might try soaking it in water until thoroly staturated. Wrap the gun in a rag over where the tight spots are, put it in a baggie and dry the holster at room temp. Cross your fingers that the silicons don't interfere, I don't know how to drive them out.

    Oops, simultaneous posts but still --
     
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  4. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    As my old maid aunt once said "Great minds think alike, but then so do the Idiots."
     
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  5. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Hey HK! I want to be exactly clear on what I am suppose to do as going to do it right now.

    So, I wrap it in Saran Wrap then stick it in a bucket of water...but don't we want it wet and the plastic wrap will keep it dry? What happens if I put it in water without the plastic wrap?

    EDIT: I got to leave as don't have time to wait so will catch your reply later but it is wrapped and in the bucket.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2018
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  6. Asia-Off-Grid

    Asia-Off-Grid RIP 11-8-2018

    Many moons gone, I bought Bianchi holsters for all my guns. Always perfect.
     
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  7. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    Depending on how tight it is one might free the sewing and add some leather in the stitching and resew .
     
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  8. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    1. Oil Gun Lightly
    2. Wrap gun with Saran Wrap
    3. Place EMPTY holster in bucket, leave for as long as you like.
    4. Remove holster from water.
    5. Carefully push wrapped gun into the Holster, a little bit at a time.
    6. When you like how it feels let it dry in the shade.

    Ahhhh But you already knew all of that or you have a wet gun.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2018
  9. Mountainman

    Mountainman Großes Mitglied Site Supporter+++

    LOL, guess you did not quite comprehend posts 2 & 3.
     
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  10. bpaintx

    bpaintx Monkey+++

    Did you contact the holster maker about your issue and give them an opportunity to fix it?
     
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  11. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    Hey Bandit, you can also steam the holster over a boiling tea pot until the leather becomes pliant, then do the gun wrapped in plastic wrap and gently ease it in ( ops, that sounds bad) until you get a good fit! Let it set for a few days at room temp!
     
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  12. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    BLOODY HELL! I did misread it! LOL! LOL! Well, that is what happens when one is in a hurry. LOL!!! Good one. Anyway, the holster is in the bucket and has been for almost 4 hours and will leave it a few more...guess I can take the saran wrap off it now. LOL!!!!! Whew! I needed that laugh today! :)

    @bpaintx "Did you contact the holster maker about your issue and give them an opportunity to fix it?"
    Yep! I sure did and they told me to use their silicon stuff which really hasn't done much for it long-term. It helps a bit in the short-term as any grease would but dries up and then I am back to square one.

    @Ura-Ki "Hey Bandit, you can also steam the holster over a boiling tea pot until the leather becomes pliant, then do the gun wrapped in plastic wrap and gently ease it in ( ops, that sounds bad) until you get a good fit! Let it set for a few days at room temp!"
    Okey-doke. If this water soak don't work then I will try steam.

    @HK_User I will tell you how it comes out in a few days. Thanks!
     
  13. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    I always soak mine for a little while until it's nicely wet (only takes a few minutes), then use a bluegun because I'm a CHEATER. And after it is completely dry, absolutely and completely freaking dry, rub mink oil into it vigorously, massage it in there. After you buff it all dry and it's pretty, you can use whatever leather conditioner you prefer and you are off to the races. Whatever you do, don't leave that previously wet leather go untreated for long.

    Love your leather [grlft] and your leather will love you [haay].
     
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  14. I like that idea of using a "Blue Gun"
     
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  15. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Do a steam the plastic wrap test before doing the gun in it. Saran wrap is not too fond of heat ---
    Wrap a blue gun with a layer of cloth to ensure the leather doesn't relax back to too small. Best way to do it, but the blue gun might not be worth the price. Now, if you can borrow one, it's gold.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2018
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  16. Tevin

    Tevin Monkey+++

    The "plastic wrap" trick has always worked for me, and you don't necessarily have to soak the holster in water first.

    If that does not work, contact the manufacturer or bring the holster to a leather/shoe/luggage repair guy and see what they can do.
     
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  17. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Your allowed guns where your at?
     
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  18. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    There is a leather boot dressing called "Bear Grease" that works very well for the open grain of your leather, and it will not harm your guns finish or any wood grips and finish! The trick is to heat the tin it comes in and get it to a liquid state and them apply with a cotton ball and q-tips. Really work it in, don't be shy with it, and leave it to set with the gun in it!
     
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  19. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    @Broker "And after it is completely dry, absolutely and completely freaking dry, rub mink oil into it vigorously, massage it in there...don't leave that previously wet leather go untreated for long" Roger that. I use to use mink oil on my boots as a kid when I was logging. I will pick up some tomorrow and give the holster a heavy dose as soon as it's dry.

    @Ura-Ki "There is a leather boot dressing called "Bear Grease" that works very well for the open grain of your leather..."
    I will look for it if I cannot find any mink oil. I've used mink oil before and like it so I'll be looking to try it first but will keep a eye open for 'Bear Grease'. Yeah, we also use to heat it up a bit when using it on my boots to make it go into the leather faster :)
     
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  20. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    You didn't mention what the leather was? Horse or cow? They work differently.
     
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