Holster lubricant?

[b322da]

I just purchased a leather OWB holster. It is high-riding and well-concealed under a T-shirt. It is sold for 1911s. It is very comfortable and a pleasure to wear. But ... the handgun is so tight in the holster I have difficulty holstering my 1911 compact, and to draw the weapon takes two hands straining hard. The handgun is a perfect fit other than for being too tight.

Can anyone suggest a tried and true lubricant for a leather holster? I suspect it will loosen up with use, but it is not going to get a lot of use the way it is. I am not concerned with it getting too loose, as the holster has thumb break retention.

TIA,

Elmo

[USA1]

I had the same problem with a leather Galco OWB holster. It was so tight it was almost impossible
to completely holster the gun. Drawing was even harder. After wearing it for a few days and leaving
the gun in it at night, it eventually broke in. Now it's perfect. If I were you, I'd give it some time to
loosen up on it's own.

[Sidro]

I use Lexol leather conditioner and preservative original formula, works very well. Can be bought at Tractor Supply or Atwoods.

[RoyGBiv]

1.Remove all cartridges from the gun
2.Wrap the gun in a gallon sized plastic kitchen bag... zip-lock or similar.. ONE bag only.
(I hear using two of the thin plastic grocery bags works well also, not tried this)
3.Put the wrapped gun into the holster. Make sure any extra plastic is bunched up OUTSIDE the holster.
Don't double up on the zip-lock-type plastic.
4.Leave overnight

Should fix the problem just enough... YMMV

** This is for LEATHER, not for KYDEX holsters.
Edited: Changed kevlar to Kydex... Oops.. You knew what I meant, right?

[MoJo]

Silicone spray lube sprayed on a cloth and rubbed on the inside of the holster helps. Stretching like suggested helps too, I use a thin dress sock to stretch holsters plastic bags work too.

[WildBill]

1.Remove all cartridges from the gun
2.Wrap the gun in a gallon sized plastic kitchen bag... zip-lock or similar.. ONE bag only.
(I hear using two of the thin plastic grocery bags works well also, not tried this)
3.Put the wrapped gun into the holster. Make sure any extra plastic is bunched up OUTSIDE the holster.
Don't double up on the zip-lock-type plastic.
4.Leave overnight

Should fix the problem just enough... YMMV

** This is for LEATHER, not for Kevlar holsters.

Most holster makers recommend this method and specifically tell you not to use lubricants or oils. I used this method a couple days ago for my new Kramer Leather holster. When I first received the holster the gun was so tight that I could hardly pull it out. It works fine now.

[OldCannon]

Draw-EZ is pretty nice

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterP3.asp?Pr ... alogID=343" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[fannypacker]

I have a High Noon custom holster and their written instructions are never to lubricate it. It loosened up with use and the gun will not fall out if you have to take care of business while shopping.

[speedsix]

...Bill Jordan taught us to soak the holster, then wrap the gun with saran wrap, holster it, and let it dry naturally around the gun...his book No Second Place Winner would be well worth what you'll pay to find one...he was an old school Border Patrolman who knew revolvers better'n a fat man knows his dinner fork!!!

[alpmc]

I purchased several holsters from D.M. Bullard and they all had this problem. When I talked to him in a phone conversation he told me that you should never place any leather care products or lubricants on a stiff/tight holster, at least not on one you hope to keep. He claimed that leather care products soften the leather causing it to become sloppy which causes severe holster rash to your gun. He said leather is supposed to breathe and if you spray on lubricants, such as silicone, the leather becomes sealed and will retain moisture causing the leather to break down quickly. He also told me that no matter what the holster looked like in the years to come......don't treat it with anything!

He suggested placing a dress sock around the gun and letting it sit overnight inside the holster. I did this for two nights and the wore the holster(s) normally and they broke in just fine.

[WildBill]

...Bill Jordan taught us to soak the holster, then wrap the gun with saran wrap, holster it, and let it dry naturally around the gun...

I think that this is outdated advice.

[speedsix]

...outdated??? whatever you say...not to an old revolver man, though...what magic date makes it "modern and timely"???
...here's a more modern reference...is this better??? http://www.gunfighter.com/cgi-bin/bbs/c ... read=35795" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; "time-honored" would be more accurate...a lot of folks who know holsters still wet-fit and wet-refit them...gotta get back to the nursing home...time for my prunejuice, now...

[WildBill]

...outdated??? whatever you say...not to an old revolver man, though...what magic date makes it "modern and timely"???
...here's a more modern reference...is this better??? http://www.gunfighter.com/cgi-bin/bbs/c ... read=35795" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; "time-honored" would be more accurate...a lot of folks who know holsters still wet-fit and wet-refit them...gotta get back to the nursing home...time for my prunejuice, now...

Once you have completed your holster simply wet the leather thoroughly, but this can be accomplished simply by holding it under the faucet until the leather is wet on both sides. Smooth off any water droplets so it doesn't watermark. Be careful not to scratch or dent the surface with your finger nails or dirt and debris on your work table while the leather is wet. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO SOAK THE HOLSTER IN A BUCKET OF WATER, Elmer Keith's opinion notwithstanding.

This advice seems to be for a person forming their own holster, not one that is already formed to a particular gun. The advice is concerning cowboy action holsters. If you or anyone else wants to wet your holsters or soak them in a bucket of water, they are yours to do with what you please.

I purchased several holsters from D.M. Bullard and they all had this problem. When I talked to him in a phone conversation he told me that you should never place any leather care products or lubricants on a stiff/tight holster, at least not on one you hope to keep. He claimed that leather care products soften the leather causing it to become sloppy which causes severe holster rash to your gun. He said leather is supposed to breathe and if you spray on lubricants, such as silicone, the leather becomes sealed and will retain moisture causing the leather to break down quickly. He also told me that no matter what the holster looked like in the years to come......don't treat it with anything!

I own molded leather holsters made by Milt Sparks, High Noon and Kramer Leather. None of these holster makers suggest wetting the holsters to reform them. They specifically state not to apply oil or lubricant to soften the leather. They all suggest the method posted by RoyGBiv. I will follow the advice of the holster makers who know more about leather than I do. See quote above from alpmc about D.M. Bullard holsters.

If you want a faster and slicker draw than with a leather holster, buy one that is made of Kydex.

[speedsix]

...my link refers to a holster already made...not one being made...most manufacturers do wet-fit their new holsters, though...your highlighted quote has nothing to do with my link...and the holster doesn't care what kind of revolver is being used...it responds the same to any...here's another that is clearly about holsters that are already in use http://www.gunfighter.com/cgi-bin/bbs/c ... read=41035" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I personally have re-shaped holsters to fit a different model and to loosen the fit by this method...it's well-known in leatherworking circles and is older than both of us...proven and time-honored is different from "outdated"...

[WildBill]

...my link refers to a holster already made...not one being made...most manufacturers do wet-fit their new holsters, though...your highlighted quote has nothing to do with my link...and the holster doesn't care what kind of revolver is being used...it responds the same to any...here's another that is clearly about holsters that are already in use http://www.gunfighter.com/cgi-bin/bbs/c ... read=41035" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I personally have re-shaped holsters to fit a different model and to loosen the fit by this method...it's well-known in leatherworking circles and is older than both of us...proven and time-honored is different from "outdated"...

I purchase leather holsters that are custom made for the particular gun manufacturer and model that I own. If you or anyone else wants to wet your holsters or soak them in a bucket of water, they are yours to do with what you please. I hope it works for you.

For my own holsters, I will follow the advice of the holster makers who know more about leather than I do.