Care for leather holsters

[MP-5]

Like most firearm owners, my leather holster collection has grown over the years. I store most of them in a nylon bag to protect them. What products would be useful in preserving/protecting them? I notice some of my older natural colored holsters are darkening with age. Is this normal? Should it be prevented? Is this an indication of the leather holding moisture? Also, how can I prevent that green stuff arould the brass hardware from forming? I assume its corrosion of some sort. Some holsters have it while others dont. Can this "green" also be prevented?

 

[Sunray]

Just put on a coat of regular shoe polish. It's got wax in it that'll protect the leather. Clean off the copper oxide around the brass fittings first. Brasso is your friend. Then clean the leather with saddle soap or plain mildsoap and warm water. Let dry and apply the shoe polish. Use that "natural/neutral" shoe polish if you like. It's all the same. No sprays. No liquid polish. The same stuff you used on your boots in the Army. The brand up here is Kiwi.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Some shoe polishes--possibly including Kiwi--contain alcohol, which will dry out the leather. If there's a shoe store or cobbler shop near you, check to see if they have a "creamy" shoe polish.

Mitch Rosen specifically states that mink oil should not be used on his leather products. Don't know why, but I don't want to have to spend $$ to find out.

 

[J.BELLINO]

Lexol....available at saddle shops. Absolutely the best leather conditioner available......will not soften or alter the leather in any way. Recomended by many holster makers including Galco.
My $.02.

 

[kimbernut]

Leather holster care

I have used nothing but silicone spray on recommendation of my main holster manufacturer(Andrews Custom Leather-great website)for the last five years with no problems at all.The same silicone spray and a GI toothbrush on initial sight of the green crud and you may never see it again. The holsters on which I have used this treatment since they were new have never developed the green and that includes a lot heat and sweat in the Florida sun.

 

[enfield]

Mitch Rosen specifically states that mink oil should not be used on his leather products

In my experience, any oil or grease will both soften the leather and rot the stitching. Kramer recommends Kiwi neutral paste polish only. I've ruined two pairs of hunting boots by applying "mink oil" or "bear grease". Finally caught on and bought Goretex boots (which get only an annual silicone spray). Beeswax is the ticket for non-Goretex shoes.

Back to the subject: The corrosion is normal, disassemble if possible and clean the brass if it bothers you.