Squeaky Holster...... HELP!!

jeepthing5280 · March 6, 2008, 09:21 PM

Ok... I've tried numerous holsters and belts, but they all seem to squeak or creak when i move. Its hard to keep a firearm concealed when the damn holster gives it away. Has anyone else ran into this problem? Any Ideas would be great! I've tried galco, desantis, generic belts and holsters with no luck. Right now i'm runnin' a $180 holster/belt setup.... and it sounds like wet shoes on a hardwood floor. Is the some oil, cream i can put on it to quiet it down?..........Thanks

rwilson452 · March 6, 2008, 09:36 PM

Tried Neetsfoot oil?

MeekAndMild · March 6, 2008, 10:57 PM

I use saddle soap on rifle slings but that might cause corrosion problems with a holster. Have you thought about Rem Oil or CLP in a spray can?

MEDDAC19 · March 7, 2008, 12:06 AM

Try a little powder or corn starch on the areas that are rubbing. I'd be careful with the neatsfoot oil unless you want to ruin that $180.00 setup. You don't want to soften the holster's leather.

brickeyee · March 7, 2008, 09:01 AM

baby powder (talc) or some cornstarch worked into the moving areas usually solves the problem.

stevelyn · March 7, 2008, 10:28 AM

Spray silicone. Oils can ruin desireable characteristics the leather if you aren't careful.

Spray silicones have either water or solvent carriers that evaporate away leaving behind the lubricating qualities of the silicone without softening or stretching it.

hogdogs · March 7, 2008, 11:44 AM

Just jack yer leg, scrunch yer face and say "EXCUSE ME"

Works for me!
Brent

wogpotter · March 8, 2008, 07:45 AM

Pledge furniture polish.
Apply with a cotton ball or q-tip & buff till dry.

langloisandy · March 8, 2008, 08:11 AM

Howdy,

I make squeaky holsters sometimes (which is why I now wear EVERY ONE of them prior to shipping).

Unsure of the style of holster, sometimes it is just one spot that squeaks. ( email me a photo of the holster, in place, on your belt to [email protected] )

Have someone listen for the squeak, figure out which spot is making the noise. I have used light sandpaper on those problem area to reduce the shiny surface of the finish. (600/800 grit).

Silicone works, the solvents in the spray CAN hurt your holsters finish. You can try spraying something else, let the carrier flash off, then put a finger full of goo on the leather.

A VERY light q-tip of neatsfoot, sno-seal, lexol could work too. (for that matter, any oil, veg, olive, crisco if you are in a bind and the holster sounds like a bed in a cat house....)

Hope that helps,

Andy

AK103K · March 8, 2008, 08:40 AM

If it really bothers you, I'd just wear it around the house till it breaks in. Sooner or later it'll stop.

Your probably more worried about it than it really is loud, and most around you probably dont hear a thing. Then again, maybe that squeak is just that tell tail bulge under your shirt pumping up and getting bigger every squeak.

Kreyzhorse · March 8, 2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Your probably more worried about it than it really is loud, and most around you probably dont hear a thing. Then again, maybe that squeak is just that tell tail bulge under your shirt pumping up and getting bigger every squeak.

I hear an occasional squeak with my rig too but I'm not concerned that anyone but me will hear it. Most people will never guess you are carrying despite obvious bulges or squeaks.

AK103K · March 8, 2008, 09:41 AM

Most are oblivious and your usually harder on yourself than need be. But its still good to be hard on yourself than get sloppy.

Another way to speed the break in is to practice presentations. It will help with the creaks and really help with the guns fit, and the extra practice doesnt hurt either. It also helps find that sweet spot quicker, as all holsters are different, even if just a little bit.

SAWBONES · March 8, 2008, 05:10 PM

Common problem with new leather, whether holsters or belts.
DON'T use Neetsfoot oil. You do not want any of the leather to permanemtly lose its stiffness.

Having done this for years, I recommend "dusting" the seams and the stitching with baby powder (use a Q-tip for conveying powder into tight spots), rubbing powder into said seams and stitching, blowing off then wiping away the excess, and all squeaks will stop.

jeepthing5280 · March 8, 2008, 08:00 PM

Today I tried some Talc on contact points of my holster and belt with no luck...... I think its actually getting louder! I even have co-workers asking what is making noise when I walk or move. I think im gonna stray away from any oils and just skuff up my new belt. Thanks guys

lwestatbus · August 10, 2016, 07:56 AM

I found and resurrected this old thread as I am having the same issue. I got a bargain on a used Bianchi X15 Med shoulder holster that is perfect for an otherwise orphaned S&W Model 60 with a 5" barrel. But I have at least three different squeaks going on with this thing.

I've tried baby powder to no avail (but I do smell nice and fresh). This holster has a lot of leather on leather contact and am interested in a strategy to permanently eliminate the squeaking in all of these areas. My question is how big a problem softening the leather would be in my case (e.g., Neat's Foot Oil, conditioner, etc.)? This holster relies on a really strong interior spring running the entire length of both sides of the opening to the holster and no amount of leather softening will interfere with this retention.

This was an interesting thread in that there were many competing ideas and dissent to some of them.

**Mike Irwin** · August 10, 2016, 08:04 AM

Tell people you have a dolphin in your pocket?

The break in period takes time, unfortunately.

madmo44mag · August 10, 2016, 10:20 AM

Quote:

I hear an occasional squeak with my rig too but I'm not concerned that anyone but me will hear it. Most people will never guess you are carrying despite obvious bulges or squeaks.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

rickyrick · August 10, 2016, 11:18 AM

It is just that you are conscience about it because you are worried someone will know that you are packing.

I learned over the years that no one will ever notice your gun unless a good portion is exposed.

Every carry system has drawbacks. Find one that you can live with and stick to it.

TimSr · August 10, 2016, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Spray silicone. Oils can ruin desireable characteristics the leather if you aren't careful.

Spray silicones have either water or solvent carriers that evaporate away leaving behind the lubricating qualities of the silicone without softening or stretching it.

x2. Also great for holsters made of other materials that gun wants to "stick to" when pulling it out.

March 6, 2008, 09:21 PM	#1
jeepthing5280 Junior Member Join Date: February 20, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 10	Squeaky Holster...... HELP!! Ok... I've tried numerous holsters and belts, but they all seem to squeak or creak when i move. Its hard to keep a firearm concealed when the damn holster gives it away. Has anyone else ran into this problem? Any Ideas would be great! I've tried galco, desantis, generic belts and holsters with no luck. Right now i'm runnin' a $180 holster/belt setup.... and it sounds like wet shoes on a hardwood floor. Is the some oil, cream i can put on it to quiet it down?..........Thanks __________________ Cocked, Locked and ready to Rock! Sig P220c, Springfield XD45 , Springfield XD9sc Ruger Sp101, Walther P22, Ruger MK77 300 WIN, Bushmaster Ar-15 A2,

March 6, 2008, 10:57 PM	#3
MeekAndMild Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2001 Posts: 4,988	I use saddle soap on rifle slings but that might cause corrosion problems with a holster. Have you thought about Rem Oil or CLP in a spray can? __________________ In a few years when the dust finally clears and people start counting their change there is a pretty good chance that President Obama may become known as The Great Absquatulator. You heard it first here on TFL.

March 7, 2008, 10:28 AM	#6
stevelyn Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Fairbanksan in exile to Aleutian Hell Posts: 2,655	Spray silicone. Oils can ruin desireable characteristics the leather if you aren't careful. Spray silicones have either water or solvent carriers that evaporate away leaving behind the lubricating qualities of the silicone without softening or stretching it. __________________ Stop Allowing Our Schools To Be Soft Targets! http://fastersaveslives.org/ East Moose. Wear Wolf.

March 8, 2008, 08:11 AM	#9
langloisandy Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 104	Sqqqqqeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak! Howdy, I make squeaky holsters sometimes (which is why I now wear EVERY ONE of them prior to shipping). Unsure of the style of holster, sometimes it is just one spot that squeaks. ( email me a photo of the holster, in place, on your belt to [email protected] ) Have someone listen for the squeak, figure out which spot is making the noise. I have used light sandpaper on those problem area to reduce the shiny surface of the finish. (600/800 grit). Silicone works, the solvents in the spray CAN hurt your holsters finish. You can try spraying something else, let the carrier flash off, then put a finger full of goo on the leather. A VERY light q-tip of neatsfoot, sno-seal, lexol could work too. (for that matter, any oil, veg, olive, crisco if you are in a bind and the holster sounds like a bed in a cat house....) Hope that helps, Andy

March 8, 2008, 05:10 PM	#13
SAWBONES Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 1999 Location: The third dimension Posts: 670	Common problem with new leather, whether holsters or belts. DON'T use Neetsfoot oil. You do not want any of the leather to permanemtly lose its stiffness. Having done this for years, I recommend "dusting" the seams and the stitching with baby powder (use a Q-tip for conveying powder into tight spots), rubbing powder into said seams and stitching, blowing off then wiping away the excess, and all squeaks will stop. __________________ "Humani nihil alienum"

March 6, 2008, 09:36 PM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	Tried Neetsfoot oil?

March 7, 2008, 12:06 AM	#4
MEDDAC19 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Location: Endless Mts,NEPA Posts: 379	Try a little powder or corn starch on the areas that are rubbing. I'd be careful with the neatsfoot oil unless you want to ruin that $180.00 setup. You don't want to soften the holster's leather.

March 7, 2008, 09:01 AM	#5
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	baby powder (talc) or some cornstarch worked into the moving areas usually solves the problem.

March 7, 2008, 11:44 AM	#7
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Just jack yer leg, scrunch yer face and say "EXCUSE ME" Works for me! Brent

March 8, 2008, 07:45 AM	#8
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Pledge furniture polish. Apply with a cotton ball or q-tip & buff till dry.

March 8, 2008, 08:40 AM	#10
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	If it really bothers you, I'd just wear it around the house till it breaks in. Sooner or later it'll stop. Your probably more worried about it than it really is loud, and most around you probably dont hear a thing. Then again, maybe that squeak is just that tell tail bulge under your shirt pumping up and getting bigger every squeak.

March 8, 2008, 09:41 AM	#12
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	Most are oblivious and your usually harder on yourself than need be. But its still good to be hard on yourself than get sloppy. Another way to speed the break in is to practice presentations. It will help with the creaks and really help with the guns fit, and the extra practice doesnt hurt either. It also helps find that sweet spot quicker, as all holsters are different, even if just a little bit.

March 8, 2008, 08:00 PM	#14
jeepthing5280 Junior Member Join Date: February 20, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 10	Today I tried some Talc on contact points of my holster and belt with no luck...... I think its actually getting louder! I even have co-workers asking what is making noise when I walk or move. I think im gonna stray away from any oils and just skuff up my new belt. Thanks guys __________________ Cocked, Locked and ready to Rock! Sig P220c, Springfield XD45 , Springfield XD9sc Ruger Sp101, Walther P22, Ruger MK77 300 WIN, Bushmaster Ar-15 A2,

August 10, 2016, 07:56 AM	#15
lwestatbus Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2008 Location: Cocoa Beach, FL Posts: 119	How Problematic is Softening I found and resurrected this old thread as I am having the same issue. I got a bargain on a used Bianchi X15 Med shoulder holster that is perfect for an otherwise orphaned S&W Model 60 with a 5" barrel. But I have at least three different squeaks going on with this thing. I've tried baby powder to no avail (but I do smell nice and fresh). This holster has a lot of leather on leather contact and am interested in a strategy to permanently eliminate the squeaking in all of these areas. My question is how big a problem softening the leather would be in my case (e.g., Neat's Foot Oil, conditioner, etc.)? This holster relies on a really strong interior spring running the entire length of both sides of the opening to the holster and no amount of leather softening will interfere with this retention. This was an interesting thread in that there were many competing ideas and dissent to some of them.

August 10, 2016, 08:04 AM	#16
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Tell people you have a dolphin in your pocket? The break in period takes time, unfortunately. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 10, 2016, 11:18 AM	#18
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	It is just that you are conscience about it because you are worried someone will know that you are packing. I learned over the years that no one will ever notice your gun unless a good portion is exposed. Every carry system has drawbacks. Find one that you can live with and stick to it.