Leather holster and pocket carry?

[heavyshooter]

Good day all,

I just received my Galco Pro 436 holster in the mail. It is the pocket holster that Galco makes for the Ruger LCP/Keltec P3AT. I really want to use it for pocket carry but I do not like the way the gun fits in the holster. It is much too snug and the holster is very stiff!!! I have never used a leather holster before. I only have a few expectation: 1) durable (this is why I chose leather), 2) cover the trigger while in the pocket, and 3) stay in the pocket when I draw the gun. I have #1 and #2, but #3 is a no show. Since I have no experience with leather holsters I will need to get some help from the THR crew.

1) Has anyone had a good experience with this gun and holster combination (Ruger LCP and Galco Pro 436)?
2) I know that leather will stretch, but will it stretch enough for the gun (it is very, very snug!!!) and how long does it typically take to break-in a leather holster.
3) It is also quite stiff. Will it soften up?
4) Is there anything I can do to treat it so I can soften it up sooner?


heavy

 

[sig228]

You have a great holster, it will definitely soften up over time. As far as the snug fit, to loosen it up a bit, there are two methods usually suggested:

1. put the gun (unloaded) in a plastic baggie and leave it in the holster overnight, this will usually do the trick.
2. insert the gun (unloaded) along with a strip of leather on the side, leave it in overnight, this works also.

Regarding your draw, I recently heard Michael Bane talking about a "bump" method where you place your hand over the gun while in your pocket and use your middle finger to "bump" or "pop" the gun loose. Hand stays in the pocket, finger off the trigger, ready for draw since gun is now loose of holster. Holster will not come out when you draw.

Obviously, practice until perfect with an UNLOADED gun.

Good luck with the holster.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

The methods sig described should do the trick. Personally I gave up after the same problems on my first leather pocket holster and forked over $15 for the desantis nemesis. It's nylon but has grippy rubber stubble on the outside that keeps it in your pocket when you draw the pistol.
I've heard about other methods involving double sided tape and more holster-defacing methods but am happy with the nemesis and wish I would have bought it first!

 

[DasFriek]

Im the type that i buy only decent low too mid priced generic holsters,and they never fit perfectly.If its too tight i cut some of the stitching and then re-sew it with the gun in place so its looser.
Once its looser the holster will tend to stay in the pocket.
Mink oil will soften it,but if its a "molded" leather holster that may be bad as it could loose its shape on the molding.

Ive also added those little rubber feet you can stick to the bottom of laptop and such.After sticking them on i put a few stitches in it as the adhesive isn't enough.
Those should be applied on the side facing out of the pocket and it will catch on the lip of the pocket.

Ive also run into issues with my Desantis Nemisis that it likes to catch the rear sight on my P238 when drawn and not stay in the pocket,its catching on the trim piece they use on the edges,i forget what its called?Anyhow i placed a small piece of leather inside and sewn it in so the sights slide out and over the edge.

 

[chuckusaret]

I tried several leather holsters for my LCP and NAA380 and all were rather stiff. I have settled on wallet holsters from Pocket Holster, Desantis Nemesis and a Uncle Mike's IWB holsters.

 

[John Wayne]

I bought a cheap Uncle Mike's neoprene inside-the-pocket holster. I looked at several leather models, but I felt like they made the gun print worse in the pocket that with no holster at all! This would probably change after it breaks in, but at the time I didn't want to spend the money to find out.

Overall I've been pleased with it, for $10. I like the design of the Nemesis, and other holsters that have a hook to catch the pocket rather than relying on friction.