How do you break in your holster?

stokesj19 · February 16, 2011, 02:23 AM

Title says it. I just bought my first leather holster, and wanted to know how you all break in your holsters. I am sure its kinda like a baseball glove, and everyone has their own ritual. I bought a galco summer carry for my EMP.

Kreyzhorse · February 16, 2011, 09:08 AM

It really isn't like a baseball glove. The only thing you want to do is put your gun in it and carry it. You do not want to put any thing on that holster that would cause the leather fibers to breakdown and become soft.

If the gun is too tight in the holster, put the gun in it and leave it for 24 hours or so. That should loosen it up enough. Otherwise you are good to go.

The Great Mahoo · February 16, 2011, 09:14 AM

Easy. Just use it. Strap it on, shove a gun in there and be on your way.

No oils or what not; that will take the stiffness out of the leather and make it flop as well as making it not hold the gun as well.

BarryLee · February 16, 2011, 02:45 PM

Someone told me that if the holster is too tight you can place the gun in one or two plastic freezer bags and then leave the gun in the holster for a few days. Apparently the small amount of extra mass from the bag is supposed to stretch the holster ever so slightly. However, I suspect the holster has to be pretty close to begin with for this trick to work.

stokesj19 · February 16, 2011, 04:07 PM

What I meant is that everyone has a diferent style of breaking in a baseball glove. But all I did was put my gun in, and wear it.

Dave Cole · February 16, 2011, 04:31 PM

As a holstermaker, I tell my customers,just to stick the gun in and use it.Use nothing that will soften the leather up, holsters should be firm and snug.Dave

Kreyzhorse · February 16, 2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

But all I did was put my gun in, and wear it.

I think that's all that most of us do. Well, that and maybe sniff it if it's made out of nice leather. There is nothing like that new holster smell.

engineermike · February 18, 2011, 05:19 AM

I didn't see the sniffing part in my holsters instructions.

trustygun25 · February 18, 2011, 11:03 AM

lexol it works wonders and then put it on and carry it.

gilfo · February 18, 2011, 08:36 PM

I wrap mine in waxed paper and leave it in the holster for a few days. Opens the holster just enough for the gun to still fit tight.

February 16, 2011, 02:23 AM	#1
stokesj19 Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2007 Location: DALLAS Posts: 301	How do you break in your holster? Title says it. I just bought my first leather holster, and wanted to know how you all break in your holsters. I am sure its kinda like a baseball glove, and everyone has their own ritual. I bought a galco summer carry for my EMP. __________________ The secret is don't tell your wife the combo to your safe, and she won't know how many you actually have.

February 16, 2011, 09:08 AM	#2
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	It really isn't like a baseball glove. The only thing you want to do is put your gun in it and carry it. You do not want to put any thing on that holster that would cause the leather fibers to breakdown and become soft. If the gun is too tight in the holster, put the gun in it and leave it for 24 hours or so. That should loosen it up enough. Otherwise you are good to go. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

February 16, 2011, 09:14 AM	#3
The Great Mahoo Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,269	Easy. Just use it. Strap it on, shove a gun in there and be on your way. No oils or what not; that will take the stiffness out of the leather and make it flop as well as making it not hold the gun as well. __________________ “There are three reasons to own a gun. To protect yourself and your family, to hunt dangerous and delicious animals, and to keep the King of England out of your face.” - Krusty the Clown

February 16, 2011, 02:45 PM	#4
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	Someone told me that if the holster is too tight you can place the gun in one or two plastic freezer bags and then leave the gun in the holster for a few days. Apparently the small amount of extra mass from the bag is supposed to stretch the holster ever so slightly. However, I suspect the holster has to be pretty close to begin with for this trick to work. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

February 16, 2011, 04:07 PM	#5
stokesj19 Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2007 Location: DALLAS Posts: 301	What I meant is that everyone has a diferent style of breaking in a baseball glove. But all I did was put my gun in, and wear it. __________________ The secret is don't tell your wife the combo to your safe, and she won't know how many you actually have.

February 16, 2011, 04:31 PM	#6
Dave Cole Member Join Date: August 16, 2009 Location: Satellite Beach,Fl. Posts: 55	As a holstermaker, I tell my customers,just to stick the gun in and use it.Use nothing that will soften the leather up, holsters should be firm and snug.Dave __________________ http://dcknivesandleather.blademakers.com/

February 18, 2011, 05:19 AM	#8
engineermike Junior member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Oklahaoma City Posts: 538	I didn't see the sniffing part in my holsters instructions.

February 18, 2011, 11:03 AM	#9
trustygun25 Member Join Date: February 7, 2011 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 76	lexol it works wonders and then put it on and carry it. __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum-"If you wish for peace, prepare for war"

February 18, 2011, 08:36 PM	#10
gilfo Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Posts: 307	I wrap mine in waxed paper and leave it in the holster for a few days. Opens the holster just enough for the gun to still fit tight.