[Ron]

I recently bought a OWB leather holster for a particular gun and found after much struggle that I could not get the gun to properly fit and get a smooth draw.

However, it does fit another gun that I also carry, but because I stretched the leather so much to try and get the holster to fit the original gun I bought it for, the fit of the second gun is quite loose.

It is a loose fit with minimum retention, but has a very smooth, quick draw. I might also add that the trigger is completly covered.

When I walk around or sit there is no problem with the gun staying put in the holster.

I would like to start using this holster with my EDC.

Do you think that the loose fit of the gun in the holster creates a safety issue? I don't think so, but thought that I may be overlooking some issue.

Thanks.

 

[hellhound94]

I think that since "loose" is such a relative, or subjective, term, only you may be able to decide if there is a safety issue present or not. As always, common sense prevails.

The only thing I could recommend would be to find a holster actually made for the second gun and see how it fits. You may decide at that point that you prefer that holster more than the loose holster which was made for another gun.

 

[Stevew]

I think that since "loose" is such a relative, or subjective, term, only you may be able to decide if there is a safety issue present or not. As always, common sense prevails.

The only thing I could recommend would be to find a holster actually made for the second gun and see how it fits. You may decide at that point that you prefer that holster more than the loose holster which was made for another gun.

Concur. Which gun did you originaly plan for your EDC? If it is the firearm that you originaly bought the holster for and the holster is made of leather I would store the firearm in the holster for a few days and see if the fit improved.

 

[JerryM]

Hi Ron,

It is not unusual to get a holster that when new is so tight you cannot draw easily. In fact I got a new one several months ago that was so tight when I forced my gun into it (DUMB DUMB) I could not get it out with my wife helping me.
I had to leave it in the holster over night, and then using all my strength I removed it. Then I started the plastic bag/wax paper treatment. It took several days to get it like I wanted it - tight for retention, but a smooth draw.

I recently went through this for a couple of mag/flashlight pouches, but now they are tight, but not difficult to draw from.

Have you tried to get the holster loose enough for the gun you wanted by using the plastic bag treatment?

Regards,
Jerry

 

[wmhawth]

Jerry is right. I think you should work at breaking in the holster for the intended gun rather than using it as a loose fit for another gun.

 

[varob]

If its really tight, use freezer bags. There a little heavier than the regular ones.

 

[Jim Macklin]

Ever get a pair of boots wet and when they dried you couldn't the on again?

Leather is a natural product and it is made with water soaking washes in water.

Getting the holster damp lets you stretch it a little. Soak it and you can stretch it a lot.

I usually make holster a little small and soak the holster about 20 minutes and then force the gun [which been treated with WD 40, lightly and wiped off] into the leather. The leather is "boned" and the gun removed to dry. Before it is "dry" the gun is again inserted, boned and any changes need done.

If the holster is loose, I usually sew another line on the seam, the leather, if it has been stretched might shrink if wetted and allowed to dry. Then fit it again.

 

[JerryM]

One problem is that with holsters with a wide footprint, when they are put on they bend slightly resulting in tightening the holster. I have found that I need to use the plastic while the gun is in the holster and wear it for a few hours.
That is what I had to do recently to get the mag/light carrier loose enough so that I could draw the flashlight when I was wearing the carrier.

Regards,
Jerry

 

[AZ Husker]

Good holsters are built for specific guns. Unless it begins with "Uncle", never try to make a holster work for a gun it was not intended for.

 

[Saber]

For the next time around I would recommend one of the holster makers’ pre-lube products. Mitch-Rosen has it under the name of Leather Lightening and Galco has something similar and so on.

Look under the 'Miscellaneous' section: http://www.mitchrosen.com

 

[jarhead79]

There are some good recommendations here, but possibly with some exceptions. What are the guns?

The leather WILL fit the gun it was made for, you might just have to get a little more aggressive with it.

You might also consider contacting the maker (if it's custom), or any maker for specific instructions on how to proceed.

Nate

 

[Cold Warrior]

Stoner Holsters, of Hamilton, Ohio, sells Beeswax to treat their leather with. I had to buy me a pretty [light-tan] leather one to go with my new FNP-9 gun.

 

[Ron]

Hi Ron,

It is not unusual to get a holster that when new is so tight you cannot draw easily. In fact I got a new one several months ago that was so tight when I forced my gun into it (DUMB DUMB) I could not get it out with my wife helping me.
I had to leave it in the holster over night, and then using all my strength I removed it. Then I started the plastic bag/wax paper treatment. It took several days to get it like I wanted it - tight for retention, but a smooth draw.

I recently went through this for a couple of mag/flashlight pouches, but now they are tight, but not difficult to draw from.

Have you tried to get the holster loose enough for the gun you wanted by using the plastic bag treatment?

Regards,
Jerry

Jerry, thanks. Yes, I tried the bag and even the sock treatment, but it still snagged on the draw.

Actually, I realized that with the other gun, when I tightened my belt the fit and retention became much better and it is working just fine for me now.

 

[gottabkiddin]

Ever get a pair of boots wet and when they dried you couldn't the on again?

Leather is a natural product and it is made with water soaking washes in water.

Getting the holster damp lets you stretch it a little. Soak it and you can stretch it a lot.

I usually make holster a little small and soak the holster about 20 minutes and then force the gun [which been treated with WD 40, lightly and wiped off] into the leather. The leather is "boned" and the gun removed to dry. Before it is "dry" the gun is again inserted, boned and any changes need done.

If the holster is loose, I usually sew another line on the seam, the leather, if it has been stretched might shrink if wetted and allowed to dry. Then fit it again.

I do something similar, except I take my wife's hair dryer to it and set the leather after being boned. Seems to work and hold up well after it dries.