Losening up a 1911 mag holder

Protected One

Protected One

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I bought a Blackhawk 1911 holster the other day that has a mag holder built-in. The holster is fine for my officers 1911, but the mag holder is an EXTREMELY tight fit. I forced a mag into it with a plastic bag wrapped around it and left it for a couple of days. It was all I could do to get it out last night.

What can I do to loosen up the holder so that it *holds* the mag but will let it go if needed?

Thanks!
 

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Put some "leather lightening" in it, that'll slick it right up. Mitch Rosin sells it.
You could also re-bone it.
Soak it in cold water, put your plastic wrapped mag back in, give it a couple of twist till it's lose enough and let it dry. Shoe polish/wax will shine it right up.
I re-bone holsters all the time like this.
 
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A different approach would be to put dry corn starch powder inside the mag holder. It slicks up the removal yet allows the tight retention. My F-I-L became a cop in 1958, all the leather gear was so tight nothing wanted to come out! His training officer (who became his lifelong best friend) taught him this trick. Everything still fits tight, but slides right out when you want it too. I have used it on bullet loops and holsters, it does really work!

Ivan
 
Ivan the Butcher said:
A different approach would be to put dry corn starch powder inside the mag holder. It slicks up the removal yet allows the tight retention. My F-I-L became a cop in 1958, all the leather gear was so tight nothing wanted to come out! His training officer (who became his lifelong best friend) taught him this trick. Everything still fits tight, but slides right out when you want it too. I have used it on bullet loops and holsters, it does really work!

Ivan
Click to expand...
...and you won't have to worry about leather heat rash either! lol
 
LoboGunLeather and SnubbyFan chimed in on a PM and suggested dipping the mag holder in hot water for 15 seconds and then stuffing the magazine(wrapped in a plastic bag) into the holder to sit for an hour. Remove mag and let holder dry overnight.

WORKED LIKE A CHARM!!! Didn't even need to polish and buff the holder to restore shine!
Thanks guys!
 
Protected One said:
LoboGunLeather and SnubbyFan chimed in on a PM and suggested dipping the mag holder in hot water for 15 seconds and then stuffing the magazine(wrapped in a plastic bag) into the holder to sit for an hour. Remove mag and let holder dry overnight.

WORKED LIKE A CHARM!!! Didn't even need to polish and buff the holder to restore shine!
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest wrapping the mag in Ziploc bags as that method worked for a really tight TT Gunleather IWB mag pouch I had (my first attempt to draw the mag resulted in a mildly injured shoulder).

However, I have a Kramer mag pouch that I haven't been able to use because of how tight it is. I may have to give this method a try. Thanks for sharing.
 
Yeah, I think I had already told you that too, cold or hot water works the same.
 
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