HELP: Wet holster

Jackle1886 · July 12th, 2009, 07:43 PM

So, rather than be unarmed, I went canoeing with my 642 in an OWB leather holster. I pretty much knew it would get wet, but decided to carry anyways. The gun was lubed before and after, so it's fine. The problem is the holster, it's not nearly as "tight" as it was before the soaking. It's completely dry, but any ideas on how to essentially "shrink" it back up?

Siafu · July 12th, 2009, 08:23 PM

leather shrink chemical. i don't know how much it will shrink it though. you will have to put pistol in saran wrap or some other very thin plastic.

I think you could get it from a leather goods supplier or a shoe repair place may have it.

C Paul Lincoln · July 12th, 2009, 08:28 PM

Leather will sometimes shrink back if you wet it and then use moderate heat to dry it, but it is probably 50/50 at best. You may be able to have a row of stitching added to tighten it up.

You're lucky your gun is OK, if it is blued. I carried concealed when I used to do fieldwork, and fell in a creek. My partner didn't know I carried, and would have probably freaked if she found out, so my PT-99 had to stay in the wet holster the rest of the day. By the time I got home, the bluing on the slide was ruined.

CP Lincoln

QKShooter · July 12th, 2009, 08:48 PM

Here is about the best that you can do.

Wet the holster again

reinsert the unloaded revolver

press the leather everywhere as best as possible to reshape the wet/damp to the revolver.

carefully remove the revolver

being very careful not to distort the shape begin to force dry it with a hair blow dryer on hot but, don't bake the leather but, blow dry it quite a bit inside and out.

Set it down carefully and allow it to dry completely and naturally the rest of the way.

AZ Husker · July 12th, 2009, 08:55 PM

And next time, buy a holster from a craftsman that totally seals his work. Assembly line holsters don't cut it.

Jackle1886 · July 12th, 2009, 09:21 PM

Thanks for the help everyone. And yes, I would love to own a nice piece of craftsmanship, but right now getting debts paid off is more important ;)

Czampion · July 12th, 2009, 09:27 PM

Blot dry, slowly dry in open air -not direct sunlight. She'll be okay.

Pure Kustom · July 12th, 2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QKShooter

Here is about the best that you can do.

Wet the holster again

reinsert the unloaded revolver

press the leather everywhere as best as possible to reshape the wet/damp to the revolver.

carefully remove the revolver

being very careful not to distort the shape begin to force dry it with a hair blow dryer on hot but, don't bake the leather but, blow dry it quite a bit inside and out.

Set it down carefully and allow it to dry completely and naturally the rest of the way.

What he said!!!

But to try and shrink it. Wet the holster again and DO NOT PUT THE WEAPON BACK IN!!!!! Until it drys. Putting the gun in while it is wet will not shrink it. If anything it will make it loser.

If it still has it's shape. Just wet it and let it dry on it's own. Force drying with a hair dryer can burn the leather. If this doesn't work. Follow QK 's directions but do not press to hard around the trigger. Revolvers don't like that. They might think it's play time when it's not.!!!

Blackeagle · July 12th, 2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ Husker

And next time, buy a holster from a craftsman that totally seals his work. Assembly line holsters don't cut it.

Or just carry in kydex when you're going canoeing.

ttsail · July 12th, 2009, 11:41 PM

Another option that works well is to place it in front of a fan to dry. That way you do not run the risk of burning the leather while drying it faster.

July 12th, 2009, 07:43 PM	#1
Jackle1886 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kendall, MI Posts: 709	HELP: Wet holster So, rather than be unarmed, I went canoeing with my 642 in an OWB leather holster. I pretty much knew it would get wet, but decided to carry anyways. The gun was lubed before and after, so it's fine. The problem is the holster, it's not nearly as "tight" as it was before the soaking. It's completely dry, but any ideas on how to essentially "shrink" it back up? __________________ Better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees.

July 12th, 2009, 08:55 PM	#5
AZ Husker VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,575	And next time, buy a holster from a craftsman that totally seals his work. Assembly line holsters don't cut it. __________________ Treat me good, I'll treat you better. Treat me bad, I'll treat you worse.

July 12th, 2009, 09:21 PM	#6
Jackle1886 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kendall, MI Posts: 709	Thanks for the help everyone. And yes, I would love to own a nice piece of craftsmanship, but right now getting debts paid off is more important ;) __________________ Better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees.

July 12th, 2009, 11:41 PM	#10
ttsail Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Middletown,CA Posts: 46	Another option that works well is to place it in front of a fan to dry. That way you do not run the risk of burning the leather while drying it faster. __________________ www.ttgunleather.com

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July 12th, 2009, 08:23 PM	#2
Siafu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East Jahunga Posts: 991	leather shrink chemical. i don't know how much it will shrink it though. you will have to put pistol in saran wrap or some other very thin plastic. I think you could get it from a leather goods supplier or a shoe repair place may have it.

July 12th, 2009, 08:28 PM	#3
C Paul Lincoln Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle-ish Posts: 214	Leather will sometimes shrink back if you wet it and then use moderate heat to dry it, but it is probably 50/50 at best. You may be able to have a row of stitching added to tighten it up. You're lucky your gun is OK, if it is blued. I carried concealed when I used to do fieldwork, and fell in a creek. My partner didn't know I carried, and would have probably freaked if she found out, so my PT-99 had to stay in the wet holster the rest of the day. By the time I got home, the bluing on the slide was ruined. CP Lincoln

July 12th, 2009, 08:48 PM	#4
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,487	Here is about the best that you can do. Wet the holster again reinsert the unloaded revolver press the leather everywhere as best as possible to reshape the wet/damp to the revolver. carefully remove the revolver being very careful not to distort the shape begin to force dry it with a hair blow dryer on hot but, don't bake the leather but, blow dry it quite a bit inside and out. Set it down carefully and allow it to dry completely and naturally the rest of the way.

July 12th, 2009, 09:27 PM	#7
Czampion Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Alaska Posts: 106	Blot dry, slowly dry in open air -not direct sunlight. She'll be okay.