I tried a search here but could not find anything. How does one lessen the roughness or smooth out the inside of a holster, if even advisable?
Rough inside of holster
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THE PILGRIM
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I have used Neatsfoot and other leather treatments to soften them up.
Out here in the dry country, the insides Of older unlined holsters do get like sandpaper.
Not good for those Blued Finishes!
Out here in the dry country, the insides Of older unlined holsters do get like sandpaper.
Not good for those Blued Finishes!
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It will smooth out just from use. I'd NOT use any oil on a holster because you want to keep its stiff shape as long as possible and oil will soften it up.
If it is abnormally rough (have not seen that scenario yet) I suppose you could just use a smooth rounded piece of wood or plastic and just work it in the areas of tight contact, but again with constant use it should smooth out in short order
If it is abnormally rough (have not seen that scenario yet) I suppose you could just use a smooth rounded piece of wood or plastic and just work it in the areas of tight contact, but again with constant use it should smooth out in short order
THE PILGRIM
Member
That’s pretty direct!
I have carried this lined probably Mexican holster off and on for about 60 years.
Mostly carried my reloved Model 19 that I bought in Guam.
Sometimes a 66.
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Florida J Frame
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Mitch Rosen Holsters sells a product called Leather Lightning that does a pretty good job on the inside of leather holsters without softening the leather.
THE PILGRIM
Member
But many holsters are unlined.
And out here in the dry country they get rock hard.
The insides get just like sandpaper.
I’m way more concerned about the finish on my guns than I am about my holster being “Too Soft.’
So when it was my turn to go to SEA, I took my 19.
I neglected to get a ‘proper’ holster and wound up carrying this issue OMG unlined holster.
I could have toted my issued CM but preferred my 19.
Stateside, I have carried my 27 while performing Go Code Custodian duty,
So I have 2 Revolvers that I have carried on duty.
And out here in the dry country they get rock hard.
The insides get just like sandpaper.
I’m way more concerned about the finish on my guns than I am about my holster being “Too Soft.’
So when it was my turn to go to SEA, I took my 19.
I neglected to get a ‘proper’ holster and wound up carrying this issue OMG unlined holster.
I could have toted my issued CM but preferred my 19.
Stateside, I have carried my 27 while performing Go Code Custodian duty,
So I have 2 Revolvers that I have carried on duty.
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For some 50 years when I got a new leather holster I would make a mixture of Hoppes gun oil and graphite powder(comes in a tube usually to spray into locks). The mix was about 70% oil to 30% graphite powder. You can adjust mixture to your needs depending on how rough the leather is.
Be generous with it and let it sit for about 24 hours,then take a clean white rag(I always used cotton handkerchiefs) and wipe out the inside of the holster. I would also put Rem-oil on the outside from time to time.
After you wipe out the excess oil & graphite mixture put your gun in the holster a few times and leave it in for a couple of days.
The leather should soften just slightly and the gun should go in and come out smoothly.
Reapply mixture when and IF needed. It’s worked for me!
Be SAFE and shoot often! Happy HOLIDAYS!
Be generous with it and let it sit for about 24 hours,then take a clean white rag(I always used cotton handkerchiefs) and wipe out the inside of the holster. I would also put Rem-oil on the outside from time to time.
After you wipe out the excess oil & graphite mixture put your gun in the holster a few times and leave it in for a couple of days.
The leather should soften just slightly and the gun should go in and come out smoothly.
Reapply mixture when and IF needed. It’s worked for me!
Be SAFE and shoot often! Happy HOLIDAYS!
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
I would put the handgun in a thin plastic bag, then coat the outside of the bag with wax (Johnsons Paste Wax or neutral shoe polish), shove it into the holster and work it in and out. The wax will be taken up by the leather fibers and remain there, softening the leather fibers and acting as a lubricant to minimize abrasion to the handgun's finish.
Fishinfool
Member
Back in the day, some cops I knew swore by spray silicone lightly sprayed inside their holsters. Said it protected the guns finish, and made for a smoother draw. Don't remember trying it myself.
Larry
Larry
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While some may not agree, I find that lined holsters (with suede) actually attract and hang on to debris more than once raw leather is smoothed out and they also make the holster bulkier. My first holsters (40+ years ago) were lined - but then I saw that it was counter intuitive (for me). I was usually in a saw dust rich environment.
The use of a smooth steel tool should smooth out a holster inside relatively fast, and regular EDC will do the rest.
The use of a smooth steel tool should smooth out a holster inside relatively fast, and regular EDC will do the rest.
Pisgah
Member
Don't do anything. What wears the finish on a gun is not whether or not the inside of the holster is rough or smooth; it's poor fit, which allows the gun to move around inside the holster in everyday carry. Smoothing that rough finish will actually make your gun wear faster, because afterwards it will not be held quite as securely.
Whether a holster has a rough interior or a lining, make sure it fits TIGHT when you buy it, almost too tight to use. After short usage it will loosen up just enough to allow easy draw and holstering. Once it gets there, don't do a darned thing further to it.
Whether a holster has a rough interior or a lining, make sure it fits TIGHT when you buy it, almost too tight to use. After short usage it will loosen up just enough to allow easy draw and holstering. Once it gets there, don't do a darned thing further to it.
I believe wholeheartedly that suede lining is a marketing gimmick that is only offered due to repeated demand from uneducated holster customers, and I’ve been told by some damn good custom leather gurus that it does in fact pick up dirt particles and wear the guns finish
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Dvan34
Member
I have a Kusiak leather IWB. They did not recommend it but I chose to use Neats Foot oil and powdered graphite to reduce the drag. I used this in the Border Patrol and Customs Service. Put a little oil into the holster and add the graphite. Rub it in. It may take several times. The inside will smooth out like metal. It is a bit messy. You will need to use a clean cloth to wipe the graphite out. I bought the Neats Foot oil at Walmart in the shoe department, where they have shoe polish. I was surprised they had it, haven't used it for years. Test the drag by holstering your firearm and drawing. Once you get it the way you want it will remain smooth. Wear your gun and holster and that will help. It should reduce the drag of the rough leather and allow smoother draw. Make certain that all the loose graphite is removed and your pistol, hands and clothing don't contain residue. Good Luck!
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Mike, if you are looking to holster a gun you will be carrying, spend the money and order a new holster from a company that offers a leather (not suede) lining, upgrade, for your holster. Lobo Leather and E.P.S. offers that option on most of their holsters. Or only holster/carry stainless revolver
Happy New Years,
Fred
Happy New Years,
Fred
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I've used a hardwood burnishing tool to smooth the rough side of leather but as Chief38 said, "It will smooth out just from use."
If I do line a holster, I prefer a smooth leather lined holster over suede lining. My own personal holsters aren't lined at all but I do dye and finish the insides.
rednichols
Member
Color me incredulous, the graphite-and-oil treatment hasn't been seriously considered since the 1950s. It was replaced by a silicon spray, inside the holster.
Charlie Askins was a big fan of the old G&O, according to one of his writings of that era; and I once owned a Berns-Martin that had been so-slicked inside. It's a treatment used by old-time locksmiths! It won't hurt the holster any but by golly, will it ever make a mess of your clothing (starting with your hands; then when you scratch your nose or other body part)!
Graphite powder of course, is powdered pencil lead! Dunno that one could make a bigger mess of it than to mix it with oil and then smear it all over something one uses often, like one's pistol. It's a treatment that fits the 'take all the warning labels off and let nature take its course' statement; the mess will cure (almost) anyone.
Charlie Askins was a big fan of the old G&O, according to one of his writings of that era; and I once owned a Berns-Martin that had been so-slicked inside. It's a treatment used by old-time locksmiths! It won't hurt the holster any but by golly, will it ever make a mess of your clothing (starting with your hands; then when you scratch your nose or other body part)!
Graphite powder of course, is powdered pencil lead! Dunno that one could make a bigger mess of it than to mix it with oil and then smear it all over something one uses often, like one's pistol. It's a treatment that fits the 'take all the warning labels off and let nature take its course' statement; the mess will cure (almost) anyone.
I work in Johnson's Paste Wax = a liberal coating, and work it in with my fingers. I have been doing this for about 50 years with good results. I learned this from an old holster maker back in the day.
Lobo confirmed this above. Had I never heard of it, I would be inclined to try it on his advice alone.
Lobo confirmed this above. Had I never heard of it, I would be inclined to try it on his advice alone.
Funny that I should come across this thread. I just finished working over
a (new to me) vintage Heiser. (See The Sleeping Heiser)
It was a little rough inside and tight from not being used for years I
suppose.
I used a fingernail file to smooth out the inside, then gave it a dose
of silicone spray. Followed that with about 50 draws and re-holsters.
Now the gun slips in and out like a hot knife through butter.
a (new to me) vintage Heiser. (See The Sleeping Heiser)
It was a little rough inside and tight from not being used for years I
suppose.
I used a fingernail file to smooth out the inside, then gave it a dose
of silicone spray. Followed that with about 50 draws and re-holsters.
Now the gun slips in and out like a hot knife through butter.
