Leather holsters and oils

Creature · February 16, 2008, 04:07 PM

I have always been told never to store a gun in it's holster for the long term because the gun leather can absorb moisture, which in turn can lead to the ruining of a gun's bluing finish.

So, this is probably a very silly question. But is Neet's foot oil (or what ever is used in most leather holsters) corrosive to gun bluing? Or does act quite the opposite when absorbed into leather and can prevent rust on gun bluing?

teeroux · February 16, 2008, 04:17 PM

ive never had any problem with any gun rusting from being stored in a holster.

i have actually seen a gun in a holster that had been stored for about 15 years and it only had rust where there wasnt holster.

they only wear the finish off of blued guns from use

im sure someon will say something to the contrary but i belive you will be safe so long as you reguraly maintain your gun.

Don H · February 16, 2008, 07:26 PM

I think you'll find that oil rubbed into a good, formed leather holster will soften and ruin it.

Charlie218 · February 17, 2008, 06:08 AM

I recently came across my father's carry pistol when he was a detective in the late 1940's, this 38 Colt Detective Special (2") has been in the holster untouched for 57 years!!!! Not a spec of rust, it has been in a cardboard box that whole time....

Creature · February 17, 2008, 08:28 AM

Quote:

I think you'll find that oil rubbed into a good, formed leather holster will soften and ruin it.

What about a new holster?

I have a holster that I just purchased from a custom maker and while it is not dripping oil, I can feel that it is slightly oily...and it does leave a trace on the gun when it is withdrawn. I am pretty sure that Neet's Foot Oil and something else was used during the construction of this holster.

I was just wondering if this oil would harm the finish of my pistol. I guess I really don't have anything to worry about because the oil will eventually dissipate as this holster will be carried a lot.

Don H · February 17, 2008, 05:59 PM

What does your custom holster maker say about it?

Creature · February 18, 2008, 09:25 AM

As expected, he says it wont harm the finish. Its not that I dont trust him. I am just trying to sort out I have heard about only holstering a gun when actually carrying it prevent harming the finish.

dairycreek · February 18, 2008, 07:27 PM

A long time ago I had a good leather holster and thought that Neet's foot oil would be just the ticket. It softened that holster and functionally ruined it. Oil on custom holsters is a bad, bad idea.

Kreyzhorse · February 18, 2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

I think you'll find that oil rubbed into a good, formed leather holster will soften and ruin it.

Never put leather softener or oil on a holster. It will break it down pretty quick and cause it to lose its retentional ability.

tegemu · February 19, 2008, 09:32 AM

Holstersmiths say to never put oil on a holster as it will soften the leather and ruin it by loosing it's shape.

nemesis · February 20, 2008, 03:06 PM

Please, don't ever oil or grease a good holster. No neatsfoot oil, mink oil, beef tallow, bear grease, hog fat or whale blubber unless you want a nice, soft leather sock.

If you just want to clean it up, try saddlesoap or Galco's Leather Lotion but no oil, ever.

moose fat · February 29, 2008, 02:40 AM

Not to hi-jack the OP's thread, but in the same vein, and talking to the manufacturer is probably the best.

What can be used to preserve a nice custom molded holster?

February 16, 2008, 04:07 PM	#1
Creature Junior member Join Date: April 8, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,769	Leather holsters and oils I have always been told never to store a gun in it's holster for the long term because the gun leather can absorb moisture, which in turn can lead to the ruining of a gun's bluing finish. So, this is probably a very silly question. But is Neet's foot oil (or what ever is used in most leather holsters) corrosive to gun bluing? Or does act quite the opposite when absorbed into leather and can prevent rust on gun bluing? Last edited by Creature; February 16, 2008 at 05:18 PM. Reason: spelling and grammer

February 17, 2008, 06:08 AM	#4
Charlie218 Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 76	No rust I recently came across my father's carry pistol when he was a detective in the late 1940's, this 38 Colt Detective Special (2") has been in the holster untouched for 57 years!!!! Not a spec of rust, it has been in a cardboard box that whole time....

February 18, 2008, 07:27 PM	#8
dairycreek Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 1998 Location: North Plains, Oregon, USA Posts: 1,867	A long time ago I had a good leather holster and thought that Neet's foot oil would be just the ticket. It softened that holster and functionally ruined it. Oil on custom holsters is a bad, bad idea. __________________ ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR HEARING AND VISION GOOD SHOOTING

February 19, 2008, 09:32 AM	#10
tegemu Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2005 Location: Orange Park, Fla Posts: 1,019	Holstersmiths say to never put oil on a holster as it will soften the leather and ruin it by loosing it's shape. __________________ People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence in their behalf. - George Orwell

February 20, 2008, 03:06 PM	#11
nemesis Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2002 Location: Texas, on the border Posts: 846	Please, don't ever oil or grease a good holster. No neatsfoot oil, mink oil, beef tallow, bear grease, hog fat or whale blubber unless you want a nice, soft leather sock. If you just want to clean it up, try saddlesoap or Galco's Leather Lotion but no oil, ever. __________________ Packin' Heat Leather Company Galco Distributor & Bianchi Dealer McAllen, Texas USA

February 16, 2008, 04:17 PM	#2
teeroux Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2006 Posts: 1,512	ive never had any problem with any gun rusting from being stored in a holster. i have actually seen a gun in a holster that had been stored for about 15 years and it only had rust where there wasnt holster. they only wear the finish off of blued guns from use im sure someon will say something to the contrary but i belive you will be safe so long as you reguraly maintain your gun.

February 16, 2008, 07:26 PM	#3
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	I think you'll find that oil rubbed into a good, formed leather holster will soften and ruin it.

February 17, 2008, 05:59 PM	#6
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	What does your custom holster maker say about it?

February 18, 2008, 09:25 AM	#7
Creature Junior member Join Date: April 8, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,769	As expected, he says it wont harm the finish. Its not that I dont trust him. I am just trying to sort out I have heard about only holstering a gun when actually carrying it prevent harming the finish.

February 29, 2008, 02:40 AM	#12
moose fat Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2006 Location: Alaska, Yukon R. delta Posts: 421	Not to hi-jack the OP's thread, but in the same vein, and talking to the manufacturer is probably the best. What can be used to preserve a nice custom molded holster?