I've picked up a few used holsters and was wondering what I should do to care for them. A couple of them have that mildew smell, but otherwise are fine. Is there something I should apply to them?
Thanks.
Chris

I've used it in the past with good luck.

I do not use any softening agents or chemicals on any of my leather holsters. The ONLY thing I do is use a little shoe polish on the black ones every so often for looks. You want the leather to retain as much as the original stiffness and shape as possible. I've seen guys ruin perfectly good holsters with chemicals, soaps and oils.

That said, the ONLY kind of holster I will use anything at all on is my Cowboy Action Rig. Those holsters are merely "gun pouches" and have a loose fit to begin with. They rely on a rawhide thong for retention and were never form fit to begin with. Those are solely used for SASS matches and so I am not concerned with all the points I would normally be when carrying a concealed weapon for self defense.

Chief38

I have found keeping them in zip lock bags with most of the air mashed out helps keep stuff like mildew away. After cleaning that is.

Bad mold & mildew can be handled with a mix of rubbing
alcohol & water, applied lightly & judiciously. Least is best
with leather, IMHO. I use Blackrock LeatherNrich on many
of my holsters but use nothing if they are in good shape.
Mainly I clean the verdigris off once a year & inspect them for
mold or mildew.I maintain some 500 pieces of vintage gun
leather in South Florida so I stay busy just keeping an eye
on them.I will saddle soap really dirty leather but usually a wipe-down
with a damp soft cloth is enough.Mold & mildew will, of course, get
worse if not arrested.Good luck with your holsters.
Regards,
turnerriver
SWCA # 1426

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turnerriver

I would offer my opinion, but I would look silly posting right after an expert commentator....

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

You know what they say about experts...
What I really want to be is a consultant.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

I just stick mine in a drawer and forget about them until I require their service. Seems to work real well.

renaissance wax works great on leather (and guns)

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Thanks for all the input. I'll get busy.

I have loved turnerriver's posted pics of his holsters.

And I always wondered how much time he spent taking care of them.

I have at least 150 leather holsters alone and in my dry climate they require a bit of work from time to time.

turnerriver is a busy man!!

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

Years ago I purchased a very large military ammo can (20mm?) and store all my leather in it. With the airtight seal I have no problem. Blackrock is great to clean and bring life back to old dry leather, but it can soften the leather.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244