Gun stuck in holster

[toasterlocker]

So, I think I might have done something kind of dumb. I finally got a custom leather holster I ordered for my Glock 22 a couple months ago, and it was so tight I could barely get the gun in. So, I really FORCED the gun in (it is/was unloaded), and I managed to get it all the way in.

But now I can't get it out.

I feel like an idiot. Anyone know any clever tricks for getting it out, because muscle alone doesn't seem to be doing the job. Should I just let it rest for a few days and hope it stretches some, or is there something else I can do to speed up the process?

[rcmodel]

If it went in, it should come back out.

Try twisting the gun back and forth slightly.
Try working the leather with your hands around the slide starting from the front and working your way back.

Regardless, a Custom holster should never have been that tight to begin with.

Once you get the gun back out, I would strongly suggest you return the holster for a refund. It will likely never loosen up enough to be usable.

BTW: What brand holster is it?

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[toasterlocker]

Rafter S Gunleather.

I just got it out. This is going to sound horrible, but I actually used a hammer to lightly tap on one of the edges (the holster has a very wide, reinforced mouth) of the holster to loosen it, and after doing that a few times and tugging on the holster, the gun finally came out.

Problem solved. What a fiasco. The holster is marked for a G22, but it is REALLY tight. I think it can be loosened up sufficiently though that I'm not going to return it (or at least I hope!)

Thanks for the tips.

[hexidismal]

toasterlocker: Here's what you do. Make sure the gun is unloaded (obvious, but it had to be said). Wrap the gun tightly in saran wrap. make sure its tight, but completely protected. Then run some warm water all over the interior of the holster. It's best to keep it to the interior to avoid damaging the leathers finish. After about a minute or so the leather should feel like its softening a little.. this is a good thing. Place the saran wrapped gun fully in the holster. Press hard with your fingers and mold the leather to the outline of the gun. Leave it to dry, WITH the gun in the holster for about 6 hours. Then remove the gun and leave the holster alone to fully dry for a day. You should then have a more perfect fit. remember, it should still be pretty snug. The leather will naturally soften on the contact points with use.

This is exactly what a professional would do to better fit the gun. I've done this successfully many times.

[redneck]

Before you remold the holster, check to see if it is adjustable. Sometimes there are chicago screws placed so that tightening or loosening them will change how tight the holster fits.

[lance22]

One of the few drawbacks of leather holsters is 'break in' / 'stretching' and doing this isn't always easy or quick. Also, when you wear the holster the leather is bent to the countours of your body and this bending also tightens it's grip on your carry piece. A number of the very premier holster makers send out their work 'way too tight' for me and in part this is what is causing me to migrate more towards kydex. Of course leather is beautiful, classic, and asthetic so one never leaves the world of leather willingly.

[the_fallguy]

toasterlocker,
Before you run any water over your holster, try placing the handgun in a gallon sized freezer bag and forcing it back in the holster (while the holster is mounted on a gun belt, if you use one). Leave it this way six to eight hours. If the holster still fits too tightly, try the same thing with two bags, but only leave the pistol holstered for two hour increments. Keep checking by way of practice draws until you reach the desired tension. Don’t go overboard when loosening the holster’s fit. Stretching leather is possible, but shrinking it isn’t. Another solution you might want to try before stretching the leather is a food grade silicon spray applied lightly by hand on the inside of the holster. Hope this helps.

[Oldskoolfan]

I would suggest putting in the bag as well. I have heard this is best.

How long was the wait on the Rafters holster?

[Vaarok]

Just like with shoes, put a ziplock full of water into the holster, and chuck the whole thing into the freezer. The water will freeze and expand, stretching things out quick and easy, and reducing break-in hassle a bit.