Holster Treatment: Right or Wrong?

[Spesss]

I recently purchased a Don Hume IWB holster for my Service 45. It is a H715-M model designated for the XD-40, but previous posts here said it will work for the 45. It fits, but it is really tight on the draw. When full inserted into the holster it does not draw smoothly.

Is it OK to treat the holster with something to soften the leather to make it not such a tough pull out of the holster? I have used baseball mitt leather softeners to fit a holster for my Ruger Mark III Hunter.

I'm just tired of giving myself a 'wedgie" every time I draw the XD.

It has only been in the holster for a week. I don't know if that is enough time for the holster to take shape on the gun.

[Zeke Menuar]

Don't treat the leather. It will lose its shape.

Put the gun (an empty, unloaded gun) in two or three plastic grocery bags. Place the gun in the holster, plastic bags and all. This is a technique called blocking. In a week or two the holster will stretch out enough to make drawing easier.

This technique was recommended by the guy at Lightning Arms. I had the same problem with the Galco Concealable I bought for my XD 45.

Takes a little time and patience, but it works.

ZM

[maclean3]

I've done the bagging trick a few times and it works okay. I recently bought a Max-Con V from Gary Brommeland for my Mil-Spec and he suggests wrapping the gun in two to three layers of wax paper (wax side out) and letting it set overnight. After that, remove the gun and try a dozen or so draws with the paper still on. Remove the paper and check the weapon fit, it should be fine.

When my holster first came in I wanted pics so I fully seated the Mil-Spec in it and then couldn't pull it free - Seriously, I had to wrap the grip in a towel, lock it in my bench vise and pull the holster off it! I tried the wax paper overnight and the next morning if fit so well I was able to wear it as my carry weapon that day ... really amazing change.

As Gary explained it to me, the wax paper deposits just a slight amount of wax on the inside of the holster and acts as a lubricant while also blocking the form - makes sense to me.

Caution: The paper did leave a small rub mark on my parkerized slide, it's not terrible and this is a CCW piece anyway so I'm not terribly concerned. Also, the XD45 finish should be much tougher than std. parkerizing.

Whichever method you use, plastic or wax paper, just leave it overnight and check it the following morning - don't want to over stretch the holster by leaving it in too long.

As Zeke said, don't use anything on the leather that will soften it as that will affect the boned fit and weapon retention.
Jack

[Boricua]

I use to use leather holsters but since I started using kydex and saw what a drag leather is on the draw I never went back.

[happygunner]

Originally Posted by Boricua

I use to use leather holsters but since I started using kydex and saw what a drag leather is on the draw I never went back.

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I have two Milt Sparks VM2s for 1911s used them a week. Ordered a Comp-Tac holster like I have for my G23 after it arived I then dumped Milt Sparks in a drawer. Ordered a Comp-Tac for the new XD-45. Leather is ok but I don't think I will ever use it again as a holster Matl.

[Frenchy]

A little spray silicone will help.