I bought a new Galco holster yesterday for my 325. Is there anything I can do to soften it up or should I just let it soften with wear? It fits okay, but is a little snug. George

With a new quality leather holster there is a break in period. It will feel better with use and you want it a bit snug.

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Stay safe people!

Both Galco and Mitch Rosen sell some kind of magic stuff, probably silicone-based, for thousands of dollars a gallon, which is to say maybe $10 plus shipping for a tiny container which will serve maybe a dozen holsters. Used according to directions, it will "break in" a holster without softening it. I believe that it is the best way to do it, causing neither wear nor softening of the holster. I have used Mitch Rosen's and it works. I'm just guessing that Galco's stuff is the same thing. I believe that Rosen calls it "Leather Lightning."

The best way to break a new holster in is to use it. It will soon soften up by itself, so I would not want to purposely make it soft. Then it might become too soft for your liking.

chief38

I'll go with the guys that say break it in by wearing it. I feel your pain because I've been there too often. I hate breaking in a new holster, but that's the only way. I've seen those fluids but I've always been afraid that if I used too much it would ruin what otherwise would have been a fine piece of leather gear.

Puts the lotion on and rub it in good.

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Forum consigliere

We're talking about holsters here.

Stop it or you'll go blind!

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VIVERE MILITARE EST

The Leather Lightning stuff is to get the gun to move in and out of the holster easier. If that it was you're after, try the gun in a baggie (or panty hose) stuffed in the holster overnight, or even just try twisting the gun while it is in the holster. If the holster is stiff and uncomfortable to wear, then man up and wear it anyway, with a good belt and some thick trousers. It'll break in. (Unless it is an IWB. If an IWB, forget it. For some of us, like me, it will never be comfortable. In that case, sell it and get an OWB.)

just like boots! wear them a while

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

The only way I could wear my Desantis IWB was to soften it up using silicone spray inside and out and when that dried I gave it a good rubdown with some mink oil I got from Wally World shoe dept...Its now soft as a glove and comfortabe to wear and still holds the j frame firmly as it had a tension screw but I still know it's there but nowhere near as irritating as before but as they say a CCW should be comforting not comfortable....

I was told to flex the leather by hand to soften it.

I would not try to soften your new holster until well after the break in period. If you still want it softer try DYO Leather Balm, I use it for keeping my fine leathers in good order.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

Is this from, "Silence of the Lambs"? Sounds familiar.


T-Star

To answer your question......I use liquid saddlesoap.

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Regards,
Windjammer

Most leather craftsman(persons) will tell you to never ever put anything on the leather to soften it. Not good to do,

Number 17. This is just one web site, others say the same thing.

Questions

From GALCO:

http://www.usgalco.com/QA.asp#Care+a...nce+of+Leather

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Still Running Against the Wind

Noooooooooo!!!! Soft=Bad! A properly fitted, well-made holster, built from high-quality leather, is hard, and if you are lucky, will stay that way for a long time. Over time, it will soften some, but the last thing you want is to hasten that process. As it gets softer, the gun will move around in it more, speeding holster wear on the gun and making the holster's retention of the gun less secure, neither of which is a good thing.

Leather Lightning is a product that will make it slicker without softening it. If the holster fit to the gun is excessively tight on a new holster, you can wrap the gun in a layer or two of wax paper, stuff it in the holster, and leave it overnight. If it is still too tight the next day, go to three layers and repeat.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Learned a lot on this thread.
George

KG-9 works great to slick up leather holsters and mag pouches without softening the leather. A small jar lasts a long time. Brownells had it.

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I like Ike.

If it's that stiff and you can't wait for break in try coating it inside and out with "Neatsfoot Oil". Try a hardware store. I know they sell it for sure at "Red Wing" shoe store.

Another vote for the "just wear it in" side.

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Where's my dad's America?

OIls and greases will turn the holster into a leather bag and rot the stitching. A holster isn't a ball glove - you don't want it soft.

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VIVERE MILITARE EST