Did I ruin my holster?

[Quoheleth]

If you have access to untreated sawdust, that MIGHT help wick away some of the oil. Fill a gallon zip bag with sawdust and put the holster into the bag. Let is sit for a day or two.

At this point, it can't do any harm.

Q

 

[BADUNAME37]

When I purchased a leather holster and belt rig, the instructions told me to NOT use any kind of oil on it (them)! Oil (like Neatsfoot Oil, for Leather), has a tendency to soften leather, which would cause the FORM of the leather to become lost!

 

[denster]

Neatsfoot oil used in moderation will not cause a holster to loose it's form. Read don't soak the holster in oil for an extended period of time. A lot of makers, myself included, use neatsfoot to treat holsters prior to the final finish. It guards against drying out and cracking of the leather. Unless you virtually saturate the holster it is good for the leather not bad.

 

[CraigC]

What should you do for breaking in a leather holster?

Use it. A new holster, like a new pair of shoes or boots, should be tight and somewhat uncomfortable. Just wear it and use it for a little while and it will ease up. Clean and maintain holsters with saddle soap, not oil.

 

[AK_Maine_iac]

My dad used to make all kinds of form fitted holsters. He had a system of using wooden carved guns of any given model. Was not that many to deal with back in the fifties and 60's. He would wet them down then clean the leather with saddle soap. Place them with the gun mold in an oven set at the lowest temp apx. 100 degrees to dry slowly and take shape. The only oil or grease he would use on them was a very light coat of Vaseline on the outside. From then on that is all you had to do. clean once in a while with saddle soap and another thin coat of Vaseline.
The only way to stretch a holster is to place the gun into a plastic bag and re-insert it into the holster and let it set (rest) over night. If still tight the next day double bag it and repeat until you have the fit you like.
That last statement could be taken wrong

You could place your gun into your holster and place it on a window sill in the sun to warm it and help to dry it out. It may re-shape and tighten it back up.

 

[Thatguy686]

your best bet to break in the holster is to make sure the gun is unloaded and reholster repeatedly and wear the holster without the gun it will bend and flex and loosen up a little

 

[Hunter125]

Just as an update, the holster dried out in a few days and I have been using it pretty consistently. It is not as stiff as it was before, but it fits well and is smooth to draw and reholster. Maybe I did do the wrong thing, but it seems to have worked out and I don't think the holster is ruined.

 

[Snowbandit]

I usually just leave a gun in a tight fitting holster over-night. By morning they have always stretched themselves to fit. It sounds like you may have got lucky this time. Wouldn't count on that happening again.