I just got a nice compact Double 1911 magazine pouch from Ray (LoboGunLeather). It was made from horsehide when he was testing out his Compact Pouch. This is nice a pretty minimal, a very compact design. I don't know if it shrank a little while in storage but it is a very tight fit making it hard to withdraw a magazine. I had also given it a rubdown with Blackrock and rubbed some inside; probably a mistake as it really made it hard to pull a magazine until I wiped it out as best I could and brushed it with an old toothbrush.

Any suggestions I can try to slick it up a little so I can remove a magazine easier while still having retention? Wrap magazines ( in what) and insert? Wet it (with what) and insert the (Wrapped?) magazines. Spray with something like Silicone lube? I would rather do nothing if I could do harm.

Thanks

__________________
Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA

"Weight room".

__________________
NHI, 10-8.

Try wrapping the mags in a layer wax paper and leaving them in for a day or two?

Or a ziplock if the fit is really tight - like can’t get the mags all the way in.

If you'll pardon my limited 1911 experience, I have found over the years that tight mag pouches always relax, and I've consistently regretted expediting the process, and typically wish I could regain some of the old tension from days long gone.

Otherwise, to answer your question, I find that a good soaking in rubbing alcohol, placing your mags, and leaving the whole ensemble to dry will typically stiffen your leather while simultaneously maintaining it's newly formed shape, simplifying mag removal considerably.

Currently wrapped in a single layer of waxed paper; inserted and put aside.

We'll see how that works.

__________________
Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA

Pouches for multiple (2 or more) magazines were always a challenge for me to use. It sounds simple enough, but the added bulk seems to take up a lot of space on the belt and a challenge for comfort in use. When I felt the need for more than one additional magazine I usually chose two single pouches, making it easier to select comfortable positions in use.

The Compact Double Magazine Pouch design came about in around 2010 after several years of ideas bouncing around in my head. The basic concept was reducing the bulk of the package and span on the waist to make it more comfortable. The optimal point of carry is on the weak side just over, or slightly behind, the hip bone.

The pouch shown by sceva here was done during the time I started experimenting with horsehide. Interesting leather that provides equal strength with much less thickness than cowhide, very dense in comparison. Vegetable-tanned horsehide is generally available from only one North American tannery, Horween's of New York. Most of their production is committed to companies producing shoes, boots, and baseballs, and arranging for a reliable supply in the grades and weights needed for holster, belts, pouches is a challenge for smaller production shops. There were several years when I found it impossible to acquire enough quality horsehide to meet the demand. Usually impossible to predict availability so I was always cautious about offering horsehide products beyond whatever supplies I was able to have on hand. More than once I found myself completely out of horsehide for several months at a time, and I was ready to order just about any quantity I could get (and it ain't cheap when you find it!).

Horsehide's density provides higher resistance to moisture absorption, making for an excellent choice for inside-the-waistband holsters, shoulder holsters, and extremely strong belts, anything that will be routinely exposed to high moisture levels under stress in use. Those same qualities provide challenges for the hide-pounder in working with the leather, forming and fitting the products, lots of stress and strain on the hands, wrists, and forearms. I seriously doubt that I could do that work again now with osteo-arthritis as a daily partner in my life.

More reminiscing here. Glad to see some of my efforts still providing some service.

__________________
Life of the party until 8:00PM

Wax paper wrap is working, I can now remove the magazines reasonably, Still very snug but usable. I currently have the wrapped magazines back in pouch with a little extra wrap to see if it can be improved a little more.

Roy told about these in the post above. He was definitely able to accomplish a double pouch with a minimum of bulk. While the single pouch I got from Roy will see the most use as I seldom feel a need to carry more that one reload; the double pouch will get used and I am happy to have it.


Single enhanced Pancake pouch



Compact Double pouch; I have since covered the scuffs with a little brown polish.



And the Lobo Pancake they go with.

__________________
Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA

I use wax paper and then thin application of Mitch Rosens Leather Lightning.