[Roadwild17]

Do you guys do anything special to leather holsters to get them ready for CCW work?

The reason I'm asking is I just got my Don Hume JIT Side in and my tp-145 was almost stuck in it. I put the gun in and put it on. I went to draw and couldn't get the gun out. I had to almost pry it out. I put the gun in and out a few times and its getting a little easier but it is scraping the inside of the holster up a bit, is this normal?

Thanks for the help.

[BullfrogKen]

Roadwild17 said: I put the gun in and out a few times and its getting a little easier but it is scraping the inside of the holster up a bit, is this normal?

Do that again and again. Practice a few hundred draw strokes with a confirmed empty gun. By the time you have done enough training and practice draws with it to be proficient, you'll both be ready.

[Car Knocker]

Some holster makers suggest putting the gun in a plastic bag and then put it in the holster overnight. The extra bulk from the bag will losen the holster. I've seen where people have done the same thing using a thin nylon sock. It doesn't take much. Since steel is harder than leather, sharp edges and corners will shave leather for a bit until sufficient clearance has been established.

[CountGlockula]

I just picked up a Galco Cop Slide holster yesterday and the manual says to flex the holster with your hands to break it in. BUT don't try to rip it apart. Never leave the gun in the holster to "break it in".

There is a specific Galco holster lube to apply to clean and maintain.

[1 LT MPC]

I wouldn't lube a good leather holster. Instead, put the gun in the holster all the way and twist the gun back and forth (and side to side). After a few times, it should be easier to draw the weapon,:D

[blackedoutharley]

I too have a J.I.T. slide for my N Frame S&W (although I dont carry it often) and it is tight.
The leathermaker I use for belts and my other holsters says: "insert your gun in the holster (unloaded!) firmly and put it into the bag it came in and let it sit overnight".

???? something about the leather expanding or???? but it works.

YMMV!

[tegemu]

With his holsters, Gary Brommeland advises that they will be very tight at first. He recommends wrapping your gun with wax paper (wax side out for lube), inserting it tightly into the holster and leaving it overnight. If one layer doesn't do the trick, double up the wax paper and repeat. I have done this with 3 of his Max Con V's and a Mag pouch and it worked like a charm. He cautions, though, be careful not to overdo it, it is VERY difficult to un-stretch leather.

[1911 guy]

The best method I've found is to practice your drawstroke and carry the gun in the new holster. An afternoon of dry fire drills will get new leather well on it's way to broken in. Just make sure it's dry fire, not oops fire. (gotta add the obligatory "make sure it's empty" comment)

[TireFryer]

Agreed with tegemu:
"With his holsters, Gary Brommeland advises that they will be very tight at first. He recommends wrapping your gun with wax paper (wax side out for lube), inserting it tightly into the holster and leaving it overnight. If one layer doesn't do the trick, double up the wax paper and repeat. I have done this with 3 of his Max Con V's and a Mag pouch and it worked like a charm. He cautions, though, be careful not to overdo it, it is VERY difficult to un-stretch leather."

Most all custom leather holster makers recomend this as the break-in procedure...has worked well with all my leather holsters. Do NOT use lube or oil or slicking agents to break it in...chances are, it'll be havoc on the leather longterm.

Combined with this, practice drawing a CONFIRMED empty gun.