Any tips or tricks to fit a Leather Holster?

[Rustywrench]

Any of you have tips or tricks to get an old holster to fit a pistol? I have a WW2 Boyt Leather holster for my 1911, but it must have shrunk with age. I cleaned it up with saddle soap on outside. My 1911 will not fit all the way into it. I don't want to put anything on my pistol, or leave it in the holster long term to make it stretch.
any ideas appreciated.
Jeff

 

[Grayfox]

The guy I get my holsters from makes them very tight. With the new holster he includes a sheet of plastic wrap. Roughly the thickness of a strong plastic bag. You wrap the gun in it and then force it all the way into the holster. Then just let it sit for a week or two. The leather will stretch. When you unwrap the gun that tiny couple of thousandth of an inch makes for a perfect fit.

 

[Oldsalt66]

The guy I get my holsters from makes them very tight. With the new holster he includes a sheet of plastic wrap. Roughly the thickness of a strong plastic bag. You wrap the gun in it and then force it all the way into the holster. Then just let it sit for a week or two. The leather will stretch. When you unwrap the gun that tiny couple of thousandth of an inch makes for a perfect fit.

That has always worked for me.

I place the handgun in a plastic freezer bag and then force it into the holster.

Sometimes it took only an hour or several hours, and sometimes it took overnight or a full day or two.

You can either stretch the holster or shrink the pistol.

 

[Major 2]

I have work leather some 60 years, saddles, and countless holsters.
I wet mold many holsters.
As mentioned, wrap the gun in saran wrap or freezer bag,
Use warm tap water to dampen the holster and fit the wrapped gun in the holster.
Place it in and out several times, then leave it a few hours.
Remove the gun ( I like to wipe it down with some gun oil)
Allow the holster to dry and I like Skidmores Leather Conditioner or Lexol Conditioner will work and apply to your holster.

 

[Rustywrench]

Thanks all. Will wrap up in plastic bag and let it sit. then also try the warm water.

 

[Major 2]

Rusty, as you use the warm tap water, with the gun in the holster
work it some with your hands sorta manipulate around the high surfaces
that will form fit the gun to the holster.
Once the gun slides in as you want, allow it to hold the gun a few hours.
After that remove the gun, and allow the holster completely dry may take a day or so, then use the conditioner. and BOBS your Uncle !

 

[65-2x2]

Rusty, as you use the warm tap water, with the gun in the holster
work it some with your hands sorta manipulate around the high surfaces
that will form fit the gun to the holster.
Once the gun slides in as you want, allow it to hold the gun a few hours.
After that remove the gun, and allow the holster completely dry may take a day or so, then use the conditioner. and BOBS your Uncle !

That is exactly what I do with new holsters that I make. I add a little Dawn dishwashing soap to the warm water and let it soak until bubbles stop rising. (usually 30 seconds to one minute) Dry it off with a towel, let it sit for 20 minutes or so for the water to soak in, put the pistol or revolver in a zip lock bag and insert it. let it sit a couple of hours, then remove the gun and let the holster air-dry over night. Just don't try to speed up the drying process or you will make the leather too hard. Water will not hurt the leather. Otherwise cows would have to be kept inside all the time.

 

[fiasconva]

Another trick I've tried along with the plastic bag or plastic wrap is to use a blow dryer and warm the leather up first and then put the plastic wrapped gun in the holster for few days or so. It's supposed to loosen up the fibers a little more and helps the fit even faster. It worked for pretty well for me on a holster for my M&P9.

 

[Rustywrench]

Update! I had some free time and was able try the warm water trick. I was fortunate enough to have a friend send me a plastic trainer 1911 to use. It worked great, warm water with soap, softened enough to shape holster. I let it set to dry, then just left the pistol in for a week. Now it fits great! And no worry about my Ithaca being wet.

 

[Cheno]

Thanks all. Will wrap up in plastic bag and let it sit. then also try the warm water.

I use the plastic bag method, but I also wiggle the firearm in the holster a few times, then put everything between my matress and bedspring while I sleep. Try that for a couple of nights, wiggling the firearm in the holster when you get up, and when you go to sleep. Works well for me, and I don't have to worry about wet holsters or wet pistols.

 

[65-2x2]

I use the plastic bag method, but I also wiggle the firearm in the holster a few times, then put everything between my matress and bedspring while I sleep. Try that for a couple of nights, wiggling the firearm in the holster when you get up, and when you go to sleep. Works well for me, and I don't have to worry about wet holsters or wet pistols.

I tried putting a pea between my mattress and box spring and had a bruise for a month!