Best way to loosen a tight leather OWB holster

[mikestripe]

I have a couple of OWB leather holsters are to tight to get the gun out while wearing them, I have a good gun belt, is there a easy way to loosen them up so i will able to draw the gun from them while wearing them, thank you.

 

[nrz]

I have a cheap leather IWB holster and just left the firearm in the holster for a week or so straight and it loosened up.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I wrap the gun in a couple of plastic shopping bags and holster it overnight.

 

[radar1972]

I wrap the gun in a couple of plastic shopping bags and holster it overnight.

^^This works. I have also used wax paper to wrap the gun and leave it tightly in the holster a couple of days.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Unless you're trying to beat Bob Mundens times a snug holster is a good thing. They will loosen enough with use.

Now to tight, I wet them down wrap the gun in a baggie and keep it in until it dries.

 

[loeman]

Plastic bags work! A couple of years ago I bought a new Lobo Leather holster for my Colt 1911. Instructions that came with the holster said to wrap the gun in a plastic grocery bag and leave in the holster for a couple of nights. I did this and it worked beautifully

 

[Aemsl69]

The plastic bag trick works. But you don't want to ruin a good leather holster by loosening it up. You need to have good retention, that the purpose of the holster.

If you don't like the feel of what you have try a hybrid of leather and Kydex. It's is different feel and sensation and allows for quicker presentation.

 

[Comrad]

I just did this for a OWB for my Beretta. It was so tight it would rack the slide when holstering. The plastic bag procedure worked, took a couple days but it definitely works, may need two bags if they are thin. Doesn't need to be wet and some of these rigid leather holsters are pert near water proof, the water will never soak in enough to make a difference.

 

[snubbyfan]

Maybe it's just me but I don't get why some holsters are manufactured intentionally too tight.
It shouldn't be up to the customer to size the holster correctly. It should come that way.

 

[326MOD10]

I have used the wax paper method of wrapping the gun inside of wax paper and then leaving it just overnight.

This tends to work pretty well and usually only takes one night.

I have also used Mitch Rosen's Leather Lightning product and it does give you a little lube on the inside that makes it easier (quicker) in and out.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

As I recall, Mitch Rosen's nickname is Mr. Snug because his holsters are always gorgeous but too tight to begin with.

Now to tight, I wet them down wrap the gun in a baggie and keep it in until it dries.

Cowboy action shooters have been using this technique for years. I just used it about two months ago for a Bianchi IWB for my Model 10 snubbie. I wet the holster down with warm water, soaked it, really, and then left the gun it for a couple of days. The gun, of course, was in a plastic bag. VOILA! Worked perfectly.

I agree, you do NOT want your holster, especially an OWB, to become loose. But this method, if not overdone, turns "too tight" holsters into "perfect" holsters every time.

 

[Comrad]

I would also agree you don't your poster too loose but my OWB was a thumb break and no reason to be tight as a crab's behind and that's waer tight.

 

[kbm6893]

Put the gun in a thin dress sock(not an athletic sock) for a few day and then draw and I draw several times a day. Then put back into the holster in the sock. Gun should be perfect in a week.

 

[grcoffman104]

Bar soap. I prefer Irish spring tropical rain forest, for the aroma. Run it dry several times in and out of holster. It will loosen up things till nature and time loosens the grip of the leather. And smells good

From the desk of Cpl. Coffman (Retired)

 

[mcmaniac]

When I make a holster I wrap the gun in Saran Wrap with three to four layers of wrap to keep moisture away from the weapon. I start with a stitched form, soak it in hot water and press the gun inside it. I wet form and mold the holsters, then heat dry them to a snug fit. The leather will break in with use, and if you start out too loose, it won't hold on after the leather softens up.
Try a little neatsfoot oil or other leather treatment to soften it just a bit. Tight is good to start with.

 

[AzShooter]

I'm with Yoda. I've been working with leather for years and using a plastic bag, soaking the holster in water and then letting it dry will make a tight holster loose or a loose holster tight if you rebone it.

 

[jack the toad]

In my limited experience and from those I consider more knowledgeable than me, you don't want to soften the holster as much as form it. I use the plastic bag method and moisten the holster a bit, then install bagged gun until dry. I don't use oil but either warm water or an isopropyl alcohol mix labeled for leather use. If possible, I then set it in direct sunlight until dry. The last holster I broke in, this helped but IMO, wearing the rig a few days seems to do better and quicker than letting it sit.