stretching/breaking in a new holster - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Tercel89 · 06-01-2008, 04:44 PM

whats the best way to break-in or stretch a new holster? I got a new Don Hume IWB for my 1911 and its a very tight fit . For the last 2 days I have had it stuck into the holster with a Walmart plastic bag wrapped arouind it to give the gun a more bulkier demension in hopes to stretch out the holster. It has worked a little . Any tips?

Kaboom · 06-01-2008, 05:24 PM

1: Work the leather around a bit, moving it this way and that.
2: try Galco leather lotion to loosen the leather up a bit.
3: and maybee most important. Put the gun in the holster and the holster on the gunbelt. Hook up the buckle and slide the set down over the back of a padded chair with the holster/gun on the side of the chair back. Leave it there for a few days, it has worked wonders for my leather. Remember a holster has to bend to your hip and when it does it will be tighter to the gun, bending it around the sharper curve of a chair lets it relax to a more open position when it is on YOU.

**Rustynuts** · 06-01-2008, 05:44 PM

Try wrapping it in a layer of wax paper. Does the stretch routine as well as giving it a slight waxing to smooth things out. One of the good makers recommends this, either UBG or K&D I forget.

Tercel89 · 06-01-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustynuts

Try wrapping it in a layer of wax paper. Does the stretch routine as well as giving it a slight waxing to smooth things out. One of the good makers recommends this, either UBG or K&D I forget.

Are you talking about wrapping the gun in wax paper?

**bruce21b** · 06-01-2008, 06:23 PM

+1 on the Galco Leather lotion.....

years ago i had a S/W .38 snub and bought a desantis holster for it that was as tight as a drum when the gun was in it.....bought some of the Galco lotion and it made the draw smooth as glass.....

edit: i think now Galco calls it "Draw-easy" or something like that

UncleBuck · 06-01-2008, 06:30 PM

Put the gun in a the largest Ziplok bag and close it with as much air removed as possible. Place the gun in the holster. You will need an enclosure like a plastic tub or a cooler to put the gun/holster in and leave room for a small pot. Take the small pot and fill it 2/3 with tap water. Place a couple table spoons of salt in to speed up boiling time. Boil water. Make sure to have something as a buffer between the pot and the plastiv container so you do not damage it (I use an old small pillow). Steam the holster with the gun in it for 30 minutes.

**jnclement** · 06-01-2008, 08:20 PM

I've had good luck with the wax paper trick. Almost as good as getting Kydex.

Deerhunter · 06-02-2008, 01:10 PM

For my OWB hoster I placed the weapon in a very thin dress sock then placed it the holster. It worked for me but ymmv.

Tercel89 · 06-02-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deerhunter

For my OWB hoster I placed the weapon in a very thin dress sock then placed it the holster. It worked for me but ymmv.

Ahh a dress sock , I never thought of that . I think the wax paper and dress sock is the winner being the simplest and easiest . Thanks a bunch everybody! So far my walmart plastic sack trick is ok , but the sock and wax paper look more promising. Thanks to all

XDragon · 06-05-2008, 09:22 PM

Some holster makers tell you to wrap the gun twice in wax paper and insert it in the holster for a few hours. It streches the holster. Works best overnight.
OK I have to confess to a senior moment. The first time, in my haste, I put the gun in the holster and wrapped everything.
I have no shame. My son and I also belong to another forum and I promised him that I'd never reveal my identity.

06-01-2008, 04:44 PM	#1
Tercel89 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tn Posts: 777	stretching/breaking in a new holster whats the best way to break-in or stretch a new holster? I got a new Don Hume IWB for my 1911 and its a very tight fit . For the last 2 days I have had it stuck into the holster with a Walmart plastic bag wrapped arouind it to give the gun a more bulkier demension in hopes to stretch out the holster. It has worked a little . Any tips? __________________ Toyota Tacoma: The A-10 Warthog of trucks The A-10 Warthog : The Toyota Tacoma of planes The Westland Lynx : The Toyota Supra of helicopters

06-01-2008, 05:24 PM	#2
Kaboom XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mid-Coast USA Posts: 2,307	1: Work the leather around a bit, moving it this way and that. 2: try Galco leather lotion to loosen the leather up a bit. 3: and maybee most important. Put the gun in the holster and the holster on the gunbelt. Hook up the buckle and slide the set down over the back of a padded chair with the holster/gun on the side of the chair back. Leave it there for a few days, it has worked wonders for my leather. Remember a holster has to bend to your hip and when it does it will be tighter to the gun, bending it around the sharper curve of a chair lets it relax to a more open position when it is on YOU. __________________ The disinformation here has officially made me NOT give up.

06-01-2008, 06:23 PM	#5
bruce21b XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 495	+1 on the Galco Leather lotion..... years ago i had a S/W .38 snub and bought a desantis holster for it that was as tight as a drum when the gun was in it.....bought some of the Galco lotion and it made the draw smooth as glass..... edit: i think now Galco calls it "Draw-easy" or something like that __________________ Springfield XD-9 Service Sig Sauer P-229 Wilson Combat CQB (when gas prices come down to earth)

06-01-2008, 06:30 PM	#6
UncleBuck XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,440	Put the gun in a the largest Ziplok bag and close it with as much air removed as possible. Place the gun in the holster. You will need an enclosure like a plastic tub or a cooler to put the gun/holster in and leave room for a small pot. Take the small pot and fill it 2/3 with tap water. Place a couple table spoons of salt in to speed up boiling time. Boil water. Make sure to have something as a buffer between the pot and the plastiv container so you do not damage it (I use an old small pillow). Steam the holster with the gun in it for 30 minutes. __________________ "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves" ~ Abraham Lincoln NObama 08' You *should* read this...http://www.constitution.org/mil/rkba1982.htm

06-01-2008, 08:20 PM	#7
jnclement XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 2,494	I've had good luck with the wax paper trick. Almost as good as getting Kydex. __________________ Contrary to what sells magazines, not all of us are, or want to be SpecOps, SEAL, Recon, Delta, CQB, Ninja, firearm-knife-tactical-death-touch instructors.

06-01-2008, 05:44 PM	#3
Rustynuts XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,325	Try wrapping it in a layer of wax paper. Does the stretch routine as well as giving it a slight waxing to smooth things out. One of the good makers recommends this, either UBG or K&D I forget.

06-02-2008, 01:10 PM	#8
Deerhunter XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Recently moved to Friendswood, TX Posts: 375	For my OWB hoster I placed the weapon in a very thin dress sock then placed it the holster. It worked for me but ymmv.

06-05-2008, 09:22 PM	#10
XDragon XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SC Posts: 147	Some holster makers tell you to wrap the gun twice in wax paper and insert it in the holster for a few hours. It streches the holster. Works best overnight. OK I have to confess to a senior moment. The first time, in my haste, I put the gun in the holster and wrapped everything. I have no shame. My son and I also belong to another forum and I promised him that I'd never reveal my identity.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode