Cure for a loose leather holster?

SemperFi83 · November 22, 2010, 03:19 PM

I have a Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 in 1911 Commander size which is my daily carry holster.

After 3 or 4 years of carry, the leather is still in great shape, but no longer "snug" on the gun. As a matter of fact I can hold the gun by the grip and the holster will slip right off.

Needless to say, not very secure and I don't want to carry with it like this, but I hate to get rid of the holster.

Is there any way to tighten the leather back up so it has a snug grip on the gun again?

Thanks in advance...

Rifleman1776 · November 22, 2010, 03:22 PM

On one of my holsters I put a Chicago screw through the front and back in a location in front of the trigger guard. It drew the parts together and re-snugged things.

Brad Kenney · November 22, 2010, 11:07 PM

A little bit of moister and a little heat could draw it in a bit. Mine have only loosened a little, but they are plenty snug when in the waistband.

Might send an email to the Sparks website.

Loader9 · November 23, 2010, 12:38 AM

I take mine and wrap the gun in plastic. A baggie works for most handguns. Soak the leather in water thoroughly, put the gun in it and place it in the sun to dry. The leather shrinks around the gun nice and snug.

**Bud Helms** · November 23, 2010, 06:07 PM

I know some people that wrap their gun in plastic wrap and then put the gun in the holster and use a kitchen vacuum sealer to pull the holster down on the gun and let it sit for a few days.

Personally, I like the Chicago screw idea.

langloisandy · November 23, 2010, 06:18 PM

Semp,

Pop me an email if you need me to remold it. I can toss it in the next batch of holsters I am working with... I can also do a couple stitches to tighten things up.

Andy

gimike · November 24, 2010, 03:49 AM

I agree with Loader9. I've never tried it in a baggie though. Moisten the leather and put it in the sun for a while. If you soak the leather, I'd let the holster dry some before I put my piece back in it. Make sure you clean and oil your gun afterward.

SemperFi83 · November 29, 2010, 02:03 PM

Thanks guys for the replies...

henryfrapp · December 2, 2010, 02:14 AM

Oil your gun soak the holster with rubbing alcohol, put the gun in the holster and rub it until dry then treat your leather with some saddle soap.

November 22, 2010, 03:19 PM	#1
SemperFi83 Junior Member Join Date: January 1, 2005 Posts: 9	Cure for a loose leather holster? I have a Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 in 1911 Commander size which is my daily carry holster. After 3 or 4 years of carry, the leather is still in great shape, but no longer "snug" on the gun. As a matter of fact I can hold the gun by the grip and the holster will slip right off. Needless to say, not very secure and I don't want to carry with it like this, but I hate to get rid of the holster. Is there any way to tighten the leather back up so it has a snug grip on the gun again? Thanks in advance... __________________ Life is mostly scars and souvenirs

November 23, 2010, 06:18 PM	#6
langloisandy Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 104	Holsters... Semp, Pop me an email if you need me to remold it. I can toss it in the next batch of holsters I am working with... I can also do a couple stitches to tighten things up. Andy __________________ Andy Langlois' Scout Rifle Ching Slings www.andysleather.com Will swap my custom leather for: VZ61 parts, 9mm AR upper and AK Bits

November 24, 2010, 03:49 AM	#7
gimike Member Join Date: November 20, 2010 Posts: 47	I agree with Loader9. I've never tried it in a baggie though. Moisten the leather and put it in the sun for a while. If you soak the leather, I'd let the holster dry some before I put my piece back in it. Make sure you clean and oil your gun afterward. __________________ "the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." [email protected] giholsters

November 29, 2010, 02:03 PM	#8
SemperFi83 Junior Member Join Date: January 1, 2005 Posts: 9	Thanks guys for the replies... __________________ Life is mostly scars and souvenirs

November 22, 2010, 03:22 PM	#2
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	On one of my holsters I put a Chicago screw through the front and back in a location in front of the trigger guard. It drew the parts together and re-snugged things.

November 22, 2010, 11:07 PM	#3
Brad Kenney Member Join Date: June 9, 2000 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 40	A little bit of moister and a little heat could draw it in a bit. Mine have only loosened a little, but they are plenty snug when in the waistband. Might send an email to the Sparks website.

November 23, 2010, 12:38 AM	#4
Loader9 Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 949	I take mine and wrap the gun in plastic. A baggie works for most handguns. Soak the leather in water thoroughly, put the gun in it and place it in the sun to dry. The leather shrinks around the gun nice and snug.

November 23, 2010, 06:07 PM	#5
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	I know some people that wrap their gun in plastic wrap and then put the gun in the holster and use a kitchen vacuum sealer to pull the holster down on the gun and let it sit for a few days. Personally, I like the Chicago screw idea.

December 2, 2010, 02:14 AM	#9
henryfrapp Member Join Date: November 11, 2010 Posts: 58	Oil your gun soak the holster with rubbing alcohol, put the gun in the holster and rub it until dry then treat your leather with some saddle soap.