Dumb holster question

[Calif Hunter]

I ordered an El Paso Saddlery leather holster and it is so tight that if I put handgun into it all the way, it takes two hands to get it out. I've left the gun in it for a couple weeks, and it hasn't loosened up at all. I don't want it sloppy, but I do need to be able to draw without a huge effort. I emailed them but never got an answer. Any tips?

[Black Majik]

WRap the gun in a ziplock bag and leave it in the holster for a few days

[Calif Hunter]

I'll try that! I have loosened the tension screw out as far as it will go and still have a thread or two engaged.

[AreWeFree]

WRap the gun in a ziplock bag and leave it in the holster for a few days

^^

[1milkman]

[SkyHawk]

You can also use a thin dress sock to wrap the gun. The best thing to do is wear the holster with the gun wrapped in something.

My IWB DeSantis MadMax for my G23 was so tight when I first got it that it also took two hands or a crowbar to remove it. Now after more than a year it is like an old shoe, the gun goes in and out easily and the draw is very quick and smooth but the retention is still great.

It will loosen up, have no fear. Give it a few more weeks, and be sure and remove and reinsert frequently with the gun wrapped in the sock or bag and most importantly wear it around your house as much as possible. Leave the gun wrapped and in the holster when you are not wearing it.

[Oneblood]

There are no stupid holster questions.
Holsters and fit is complex.
I gave up on leather. My body heat and long hours with the gun in saddle would give too much "stick".
I only run Kydex now. Rentention. Sturdiness. No slop.
Nothing beats the looks of nice leather. Maybe I'll make an OWB kydex that looks leather!

[CSACANNONEER]

The more you put it in and take it out, the looser it will get.

[Old4eyes]

My variation of the above:
I simply put a wrap or two of kitchen wax paper with the wax facing outward (to the holster) and leave it there for several days. The wax on the leather will help with the slickness, but it's not a lot and won't make it too slippery.

You don't want to put leather softener on it, you need the holster to be stiff.

[CSACANNONEER]

My variation of the above:
I simply put a wrap or two of kitchen wax paper with the wax facing outward (to the holster) and leave it there for several days. The wax on the leather will help with the slickness, but it's not a lot and won't make it too slippery.

You don't want to put leather softener on it, you need the holster to be stiff.

Yea, covering it with a lubricated wrap while sticking it in and out will help.

[The Last American Hero]

"Shoe Stretch" they sell in little aerosol cans for $5.99 is 1/3 alcohol and 2/3 water.

I had a budget ($119) cowboy gun belt that was snug on Puma 1873 Colt clone, but way to small for Ruger Blackhawk 357.

I applied my homemade stretch till med-damp and wrapped the Ruger with a sock and couple layer of plastic and rammed it in and let dry for two days.

Now the Ruger is semi-loose!, but that is OK for quick draw, I guess.

If I had to do it over I'd forget the sock, just use plastic.

[bsg]

as Black Majik has suggested (post #2), try the ziplock bag method. time required for desired results may vary from one holster to another.

do not wet or spray the holster with any agent to assist with the stretching process. as Old4eyes has mentioned, do not put leather softener on your leather holster. regarding conditioning a leather holster, do not apply any agent that can soften the leather.

[Scrap]

The more you put it in and take it out, the looser it will get.

So true on so many levels.

[faterikcartman]

Yea, covering it with a lubricated wrap while sticking it in and out will help.

The more you put it in and take it out, the looser it will get.

Boom-bada-bing!

[BigPimping]

I have a Fobus. Seems to work OK for me.