leather stretch?

[susieqz]

hiya, guys.
i need some advice, please.
does anyone know how much i can stretch a holster?
i have a model 15 with a clamp on rail, because i can't shoot iron sights.
i'd like to get a triple k drop holster, because i have one for my single 10 n i like it lots.
they have one fitted to a model 15.
but this clamp on reaches all the way to the barrel. it's 1/2'' high by 5/8'' wide.
i've heard of soaking holsters in water to make them stretchy, then leaving a gun in it for a few days to get a nice fit.
so, will it stretch that much?
also, how much does that hurt the leather?
i like nice leather.
thanks.
'

 

[crazyphil]

If you can get your gun into the holster the stretch should work. Wrap
your gun in Saran Wrap. Let it dry naturally at room temperature.
No artificial drying such as oven, hair dryer, etc. When through, oil &
wipe your gun down real well. I use warm water with a couple of drops
of dishwasher soap to wet the holster. Haven't seen any damage to the
leather (yet).

 

[grcoffman104]

I will add, place wet holster with inserted firearm in front of your home ac air return vent. The gentle off/ on flow of room temperature , dehumidified air
Will assist in drying with out trauma to the leather.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[susieqz]

thanks, phil n gr.
i'm gonna try it.

 

[crazyphil]

Good luck. Let us know how it works out.

 

[chief38]

It's not often I would recommend a "cheaper" holster, but in this case the less expensive and thinner leather will be easier to stretch. Something like an inexpensive Hunter Holster (more of a pouch style) will stretch and form much more easily than a finely fit and boned heavy leather holster will.

You could always go the custom made route but that would obviously cost many times more.

 

[susieqz]

thanks, chief.
i see amazon has cheap mexican holsters.

 

[rog8732]

While you are on Amazon buying a holster, put in a search for a commercial "leather-stretch" solution. (One with NO alcohol content.)

Most full service shoe stores have little squirt bottles of the stuff, BUT; most leather stretch contains alcohol.

The leather will stretch with it, but alcohol somehow breaks down the micro-fibers of leather and it forever loses it's life-like properties and elasticity.

I would suggest using a half and half mix of liquid saddle soap and warm water to get the leather soft and pliable, then put the object inside until dry. Isolate the gun from the leather with a waterproof wrap.
When like you want it, give it a good message with a leather conditioner. "Bick 4....Black Rock.....Lexol....Pecard" are my favorites.

As already mentioned, the less expensive holsters will more readily take the moisture and stretch; because most high-dollar rigs are going to already have a final coating applied, that makes them impervious to moisture.

Has that Mdl. 15 come to be more trouble than it's worth ?? OOPS; sorry for the SACRILEGE.

 

[Leatherman-Cowboy]

Holster

I make holsters, and here is my opinion.

Leather dont " stretch " that much, rather over time gets tighter.
Soaking leather in water has the effect of making the natural fibers contract and tighten up. And exposure like that will make the leather get fuzzy and start to crack.

Best bet is to get a holster that is made for your firearm.

Thank you,

Henry

 

[susieqz]

henry, there is no such thing as a holster made for my gun. i can get one for my model 15, but not for a m15 with weaver clamp on attached.
rog, my m15 is worth extra trouble. it has the best trigger for hundreds of miles around.
i love shooting fine machinery.
plus, with an optic, it will shoot one ragged hole for a group of 6 at 25 yards.
that's from my rain barrel bench.
that accuracy is very important to me.
see, when i know the gun will do that, i train n train, hoping to
someday get close to that freehand.
a gun that shoots like this is worth taking the time, trouble n money to make it comfy.
i really like western drop holsters, since i open carry.
i see triple k has holsters fitted to n frames too.
the problem is i don't know how much bigger an n frame is than a k frame.

 

[Comrad]

I would use a couple plastic bags, saran wrap might allow moisture to get to the gun and that's not good. I've done it and it does work.

 

[Leatherman-Cowboy]

Susie,

Most of my holsters a made custom, so I know what you mean. I made a Stingray/cross draw for a 1911 with light attachment. Came out very nice.
The drop down holsters is what I use when I shoot SASS.
Made a holster for a 454 Casull with fixed scope a while back, that was a challenge.
Working your skill, in time you will be very proficient.

Are you looking to have a custom job done for your sidearm?

Thank you,

Henry

 

[susieqz]

henry, would custom mean i'd have to ship the gun?

 

[Sayoc01]

There is an item called "Leather Strech,"you can get it at a shoe repair store.I bought some & put it on my leather holster,then put my gun in a ziplock bag & put that in the holister I treated with LS overnight.Next day Iput my gun in the holster minus the ziplock...perfect fit!
Jim

 

[susieqz]

thanks guys.
sweet lee barner has a holster he thinks will fit.
i may not need stretching

 

[Leatherman-Cowboy]

henry, would custom mean i'd have to ship the gun?

Susie,

Negative on that. I will send you my contact information, and we can talk and take it from there.

Thank you,

 

[Leatherman-Cowboy]

Susie,

You mail box is full. I cant send the information.

Thank you,

Henry

 

[susieqz]

i just cleared the box, henry.
sorry, i can't keep track.
this system is hard.

 

[les.b]

Leatherman-Cowboy:

I don't want to hijack susie's thread, but could you post a full size picture of your avatar? That looks like a great holster. Or PM it to me.

Thanks, and beggin' susie's pardon,

Best Regards, Les

 

[susieqz]

no prob, les.
i wouldn't mind getting a better look myself.