Break-in New leather holsters

[tarheelexec]

Any suggestions for breaking in a new leather holster for revolvers? Is regular gun oil the best approach or a commercial leather softening product best. Any suggestions as to brands.

Is it best to store the gun in the holster while the process is going on?

Do any of these products damage the gun finish

Any advise welcomed...Thanks

P.S. Is this the correct section for this type of posting?

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Absolutely no gun oil for leather holsters. At all. Ever. Nor is any softening product appropriate. Softening is exactly what you should not do. Some of the several holstermakers here will probably pipe up shortly and explain one, or perhaps two or three, of the proper procedures, but basically you can store the gun in a dry holster having used Saran wrap or waxed paper to get it in, you can store it in a wet holster protected from the wetness by grease and Saran wrap or waxed paper while the holster dries, or you can apply Mitch Rosen's Leather Lightning or Galco's similar product to places where the holster shows evidence of contact with the gun. I have used the last two methods. The last is easiest, and works well on holsters that are already good holsters, which is mostly all I have bought in quite some time. Last time I bought that stuff, it cost hundreds or thousands of dollars a gallon - it came in a very tiny bottle, cost $10, and has done at least half a dozen holsters and shows no sign of getting empty.

 

[326MOD10]

To answer the question about the forum, there is a Gun Leather and Carry Gear section that it might fit into better.

To answer the other question I have found that the above mentioned leather lightning works well and wrapping the handgun in wax paper and then sliding it into the holster overnight also works very well.

 

[Tom_R]

If the Holster does not have any metal on it, I have Heard that you can put it in the Microwave for a very short time, to soften it up, then you put the gun in the holster, and put it in the Refrigerator to mold the gun to the holster.

Again, I have never tried this, and have only heard about it.

I think it was Yankee Marshall on YouTube.

 

[howiema]

I have been told over the many years that no added oils or creams should be used to break in a new holster, if the gun fits tight slip it in a dress sock (unloaded of course) push into the holster leave over night or a couple nights. Some holsters havbe really tight tolerances especially if the holster was wet boned when being made. An old holster maker told me that a holster needs a certain amount of rigidity to work correctly, any oils will speed up the holster wearing out.

Just my .02

Pete

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Never do anything to soften a holster! No oil. Buy a produce called
KG9. 4 oz jar will last you a lifetime. Has micro-ptfe and it makes
the inside of the holster slick as snot on a door knob. Best money
I ever spent for any accessory. Tight new holsters are immediately
broke in because it is so slick. Also called leather-kote.

 

[H Richard]

I have received a flyer with several holsters I have bought (custom) and they all advocate putting the gun inside a plastic bag and forcing the gun into the holster and leaving it for a day or possibly two, that "enlarges" the inside just a touch and the guns fit fine from then on. No lubricant ever on leather.

 

[redwood0_7]

I do the sock thing with all my holsters. Also, put holster on with gun in it and wear it around the house.

 

[Road Rat]

Every custom holster I ever bought came with instructions:

Wrap the handgun in clear wrap, put it TIGHTLY into the holster, let is sit a day or two. It will wear in nice and tight and it will hold the handgun firm.....

The holster also has to take a "sit" against your waistline and your belt. It takes a while but you will no longer notice it on your hip!!

Enjoy the journey............

 

[robvious]

My father did custom leather work for most of his life as a hobby to pay for ammo... he would "wet mold" the holster to the gun placed into a baggie... once dry it would be colored and then sealed.. he used Fiebing's leather balm with atom wax from Tandy Leather.... I checked the website and it is still available... it seals the leather pores to protect it from gun oils and vice versa... it also provides a "slick" surface for the inside of the holster without loosening the snug fit you want for retention... this only works for raw leather and not a holster that come in a blister pack...