Shaping a Holster!

[Nushif]

I am trying to make my Blackhawk Leather Holster a bit easier on the draw. My first technique in doing that is similar to what I'd do with my boots ... being that I soak them and wear them for a day. So I'd soak my holster and stuff my gun into it. But for some reason I don't feel so good about that...

How else would I shape a leather holster without making my little Glock sit in water for a day?

 

[LHRGunslinger]

Put your Glock in a zip-top baggie.

 

[9mmepiphany]

You don't even have to wet the holster, just put you gun in a plastic bag and put it in the holster for a while...it stretches the holster just a bit more than the gun's contours

Some holster makers offer a dressing for this that you use inside the holster before inserting you gun...I seem to remember something like "gun slick" or "holster lightning"

I've has good luck spraying the inside of the holster with silicone spray...until it drips out the bottom...and then inserting the gun

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Use rubbing alcohol. With the gun in a baggie, wet the holster with a cloth dipped in alcohol and rub the holster with something smooth, like a toothbrush handle to get good definition. Remove and insert the gun a few times while the leather is still damp. Then use silicone spray, Sno-Seal, or similar waterproofing material to both sweat-proof and lubricate the inside of the holster.

 

[Nushif]

Gonna try some of that stuff ... I really just need it a very tad bit looser so I can draw a bit easier and it doesn't quite give me an atomic wedgie. I have less than fond memories of those.

 

[Zundfolge]

Try just the bag first before you try wetting the holster.

 

[rcmodel]

You probably don't even need to wet the holster.
Try this first.

Place blue masking tape on the tight spots on the gun.
Use 2 or 3 layers of tape.

Now, force the gun in the holster, and leave it set over-night.
When you remove the tape, the tight spots will be gone.

No muss, no fuss, no bother.

rc

 

[Beaux Nehr]

Use rubbing alcohol. With the gun in a baggie, wet the holster with a cloth dipped in alcohol and rub the holster with something smooth, like a toothbrush handle to get good definition. Remove and insert the gun a few times while the leather is still damp. Then use silicone spray, Sno-Seal, or similar waterproofing material to both sweat-proof and lubricate the inside of the holster.

Alcohol can absolutely ruin some leather finishes, however.

 

[Nushif]

Won't the masking tape leave residue?

 

[rcmodel]

NO. Blue masking tape is the one used by painters so they can peel it off new walls & windows without leaving sticky residue.

Anyway, what if it did.
Any gun cleaning solvent will remove tape sticky in one swipe.

Still less trouble then wet holsters and guns in plastic bags possibly rusting when the baggy gets a hole poked in it forcing it in the tight holster.

rc

 

[Wicz]

i remember reading somewhere on THR about using wax paper. wrap the gun in wax paper and let it set. i've "broken in" two holsters this way. takes very little time and seems to make the interior of the holster smoother.