[DAKA]

I have a really comfortable holster for my Sig P238 that is my EDC, this is a belt holster that I wear at 4:00 right side, the leather is stiff and I thought that with time it would soften up, but it has not.
Problem is that it makes a "draw" kinda tough...it holds the gun too well, so, how to make the gun slide out more easily.
tnx Daniel

 

[Dave514]

Softening always made mine grip more, not less.

You could maybe stretch the pocket of the holster with a p938 blue gun or something like that but I really dont know. I'll be interested to hear other people's thoughts.

 

[Pier23]

A popular saddle conditioner is Lexol, avail at TSC and lots of farm-type stores.

I also ordered a trial can of Ballistol, the site says it is a leather conditioner along with every thing else. Maybe a shot of Ballistol on the inside of the holster would help. This is PURE speculation. i have NO personal experience with anything other than Lexol.

 

[redrick]

Wrap our pistol with 2 layers of wax paper overnight . Repeat with a layer at a time until you get the draw you want .

Mitch Rosen makes a product called Leather Lightning you could try on the inside of your holster . I think Galco also makes a similar product . It will leave a film
look where it is applied .

 

[byf43]

First, make sure the firearm is unloaded.

Wipe all surfaces of the pistol with a liberal amount of CLP.

Wrap TWO layers of "Saran Wrap" around the pistol, making certain to get the entire pistol covered with the plastic wrap.

Soak the holster in warm water, then insert the pistol full, and then snap any retaining straps, etc.

Set the holster in a warm location and let it air dry, completely.


When the holster dries, you will have a perfectly fitting holster.
(Be sure to clean/dry/re-lubricate your pistol.)

 

[Bruce M]

I would probably start with the waxed paper. I am guessing the holster has been used for several weeks and has had the gun holstered and drawn dozens of times. If not I might try that first.

 

[Golddog]

I use Hyde Glyde on new leather holsters. You apply it to the inside to make the leather slick instead of "grippy". Most holsters need a couple of applications to get them to be quick on the draw.

It doesn't soften the leather. That's a bad idea; I don't want a baggy, loose holster around the gun - if I did, I'd buy a cheap nylon rig.

 

[Bren]

Buy a can of spray silicone lubricant and spray it in the holster one in a while. Works wonders. You can probably find it at Walmart or an auto parts store.

http://www.walmart.com/c/kp/silicone-spray

 

[DRJ1911]

I would not wet the holster or use a conditioner on the leather.
Just place your gun in a baggy or even a freezer bag then place it in the holster over night. If it's still too tight wear it around the house with it still in the bag. Repeat as needed until you get it rite. You do not want to soften the leather.

Doyle

 

[Jimmy10mm]

Soak the holster in warm water, then insert the pistol full, and then snap any retaining straps, etc.

Bill Jordan's book, "No Second Place Winner" (in a gunfight) had a tutorial on fitting a revolver to a holster. IIRC the gun was wrapped in a plastic bag and inserted in a holster that has been thoroughly soaked in alcohol. Leave the plastic wrapped gun in the soaked holster overnight and the alcohol evaporates as the holster dries out and no harm to gun or holster. I vaguely remember doing that thirty years ago with good results. The baggy approach below is easier and less stressful.

I would not wet the holster or use a conditioner on the leather.
Just place your gun in a baggy or even a freezer bag then place it in the holster over night. If it's still too tight wear it around the house with it still in the bag. Repeat as needed until you get it rite. You do not want to soften the leather.

Doyle

+1. I've used this method with success on more than one. You definitely do not want to soften the leather. A holster is meant to be stiff and have backbone for best results.

 

[China boy]

...

 

[AZ Husker]

Use no chemicals, lotions, or oils. You want your leather holster to remain hard. Once you break down those fibers and/or overstretch it there is nothing that can be done other than throw it away. I'd suggest going to the websites of the top leather crafters and doing some research. Milt Sparks, Gary Brommeland, Greg Kramer, etc. Much better to take your time and break it in properly.

 

[CAcop]

Buy a can of spray silicone lubricant and spray it in the holster one in a while. Works wonders. You can probably find it at Walmart or an auto parts store.

http://www.walmart.com/c/kp/silicone-spray

This is what I have done with my duty holsters. You will have to repeat it from time to time. Eventually you won't have to do it.

 

[dedron]

leather soon won't retain the gun (owb) unless it's got an adjustable tension welt, or some silly strap. Kydex is the way to go, but not a rig withone of those "safety" slots that make you press in on the gun/rig with your trigger finger! those things are an invitation to firing a bullet down your leg. especially with glocks. you can have a tension welt on the recoil spring housing part of the slide, with a Kydex rig. It can be set so tight that you can't draw it. Then back off the tension welt just a bit. Only the wearer can get the necessary perfect angle for the draw from such a rig, and with the adrenalin of being attacked, that gun will come right out, count on it.

 

[AZ Husker]

Apparently you have never invested in good leather. I have Sparks and Kramer holsters over ten years old that hold the gun like a baby and the retention is still perfect. Don't judge leather holsters by factory makers. It takes time to get a perfectly fit holster for your particular gun. Then follow THEIR instructions on break in. You will be rewarded with a wonderful comfortable holster that doesn't feel like a hard piece of plastic. Oh yeah, that's Kydex.

 

[JAS104]

Apparently you have never invested in good leather. I have Sparks and Kramer holsters over ten years old that hold the gun like a baby and the retention is still perfect. Don't judge leather holsters by factory makers. It takes time to get a perfectly fit holster for your particular gun. Then follow THEIR instructions on break in. You will be rewarded with a wonderful comfortable holster that doesn't feel like a hard piece of plastic. Oh yeah, that's Kydex.

I've got a Predator holster from Wright Leatherworks in Ohio and it's awesome. Gotta love custom gunleather

 

[NEOH212]

http://rcsgear.com/



Dump that leather and don't look back! You can thank me later.

:wavey:

 

[4Rules]

...follow THEIR instructions on break in...

Like he said, contact the manufacturer of the holster, ask their advice, and follow their instructions.

 

[faawrenchbndr]

Use no oils, lotions or potions on a quality leather holster.
Those that suggest it, simply have no flippin idea what they are talking about.
Wax paper, plasticwrap, zip lock bags........all are the PROPER items to use to break in a holster. With time, the holster will break in on it's own and will ease drawing.

 

[dedron]

I"ve had several Sparks holsters, when MILT was making them, and if they were not steel lined and double thickness, they wore loose quickly, same as anyone else's leather. Apparently you don't use them much. I make many, many thousands of draws per year in practice, carry ccw (iwb) constantly.