Any way to stretch out a leather holster?

[The Undertoad]

My roommate went to the local gunstore yesterday and since it's a 50 mile drive, I asked him to pick up a holster for my new P22 if they had one. He called me from the store and said they had a nice leather belt slide for $40 and it was for a Walther PPK (Gould & Goodrich, says 801 232 on it). I said... "Um, go ahead and buy it but ONLY if Ron will let you return it because I'm pretty sure the P22 won't fit in it."

So I got home from work at 1 am, and the new holster is sitting by my computer. Looks from the marks on it like Matt already put my pistol in and took it out. So I try, and no dice - that sucker is too small. And it's marked up and dented enough from my gun that I'd feel bad returning it. :banghead: Matt is at class right now (our schedules only overlap for a few hours in the afternoon most days) so I can't ask him what Ron said about returns, or whether Ron assured him it would fit or if Matt just assumed it would.

So is there any way to stretch it out a bit? Should I expect the dealer to accept it as a return? Or should I just sell it on THR and go buy another holster online? Argh!

[Old Fuff]

The first rule of thumb when it comes to buying holsters is, “get one that is specifically made for your gun.” That said, as a last, not first resort you can wet a leather holster by dipping it in a sink or pan filled with water. Wipe off the excess, and then put the gun in a plastic baggy or wrap it with one layer of aluminum foil to protect it against moisture. Insert the gun into the holster (if it will go) and the mold the leather around the gun with your fingertips and/or a plastic (not metal) spoon. Let it dry out slowly, and after about 24 hours remove the gun and then let the holster dry some more. When finished give the holster’s exterior a coat of good leather dressing or wax. Don’t use an oil-based product.

Don’t do any of this until you see of an exchange or return of some kind can be worked out with the dealer. If you do buy another holster take the gun with you so that you can check the fit first. If money is an object (and isn’t it always?) buy an inexpensive nylon holster such as those made by Uncle Mike. It will serve to carry the gun around in under most circumstances.

[BigBlueEyedDevil]

You could try wrapping the gun in 2-3 layers of waxed paper. Wax side out of course. It should slide right into the holster and the gun will stretch out the holster.

P.S. I agree with Old Fluff, DO NOT do this if you are planning on taking it back.

[The Undertoad]

Thanks fellas. I will try to return it tomorrow - if no dice, then I will try to mold it to the P22 or just sell it. :)

[The Undertoad]

Thanks for the advice everyone, here is the followup... Took it back, the dealer apparently assumed I had a new Walther .22 that's like a smaller PPK... I wasn't sure what model he was talking about but it sounded cool. He took the return without a hitch, chastised me for not buying the gun from him, and let me dig through and try all his holsters until I found an Uncle Mike's sidekick #15 that fits. It was cheap and good enough to last me until I nitpick what I don't like about it (first thing: I wish it was canted) and then I can get one made exactly to my specs by Wild Bill's. :) All's well that ends well!