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Leather holster waaay too tight

Warbirds

How do I loosen up an old leather holster that I have that is way too tight for the gun it belongs too?

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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • gjshaw

    I have wet them then put something in it to expand it like wadded up plastic bags till it dries.

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  • danielgage

    soak with Neatsfoot oil  and then put gun in and let it dry with gun in it


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  • Warbirds

    Thanks guys.

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  • truthful
    Do you want the holster to remain stiff but just not as tight a fit for the gun, or do you want the leather to be a lot more pliable? If you want it stiff, use the water method described. Make sure the holster & gun is totally dry before removing the gun, or the leather will shrink back again. If you want the leather softer and more pliable, use neatsfoot oil. Just be aware that the neatsfoot oil does not dry out, it will remain in the leather forever.
    3
  • David Nunn
    If you put the gun in a wet holster, the gun will rust.  If you wrap the gun first, the holster will be too loose when it dries.   If the leather has been tanned and finished, wetting will probably do no good anyway.

    Neatsfoot oil softens leather, probably not a good thing for a holster.

    When I had 54 new SIG pistols and 54 new Don Hume leather holsters, all the holsters were very tight.  The officers were transitioning from revolvers, and needed to learn to decock before re-holstering, so here is what we did:   

    The drill was, from a secured holster, draw and fire one round, then decock, re-holster, and secure the thumb-snap.  We did this for 100 repetitions.  The revolvers shooters became familiar with the decocking lever, and all the holsters were much more loose.  Still snug, but they allowed an easy withdrawal and insertion.
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  • SCOUT5
    When I have a tight leather holster I slip the pistol in a grocery bag (anything will work, gallon freezer bag, what ever) then stuff the pistol in the holster.  Leave until the next day and see where you're at.  If it still fits tight place two bags over the pistol and repeat.
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  • Sam06
    I don't like the water and gun/bag treatment. 

    I think the best way is to put the gun in the holster, put the holster on you belt, ensure the gun is unloaded and draw the gun and re-holster until it gets worn in.

    I have an Alessi holster that was very tight and it took a long time to break it in, but it was worth it.
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  • Marc1301
    SCOUT5 said:
    When I have a tight leather holster I slip the pistol in a grocery bag (anything will work, gallon freezer bag, what ever) then stuff the pistol in the holster.  Leave until the next day and see where your at.  If it still fits tight place two bags over the pistol and repeat.

    This is the method I was taught. Last time I did it, I used thin dress socks in layers as needed,....worked fine.
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