Softening a leather holster

[ne0ven0m]

Hi all. I recently bought a brand new black leather holster for a costume I'm making. It was in the 1911/1916 style. However, it came out of the package stiff as a board. I was wondering what the best way to go about softening it so that putting my gun in is slightly easier. Thanks.

 

[Sidewalker]

Hi all. I recently bought a brand new black leather holster for a costume I'm making. It was in the 1911/1916 style. However, it came out of the package stiff as a board. I was wondering what the best way to go about softening it so that putting my gun in is slightly easier. Thanks.

Soak it in water. If you want to keep it soft, soak it in cold water. If you want to shape it to the new gun and have it keep that shape, soak it in really hot water. Be warned, depending on the dimensions of the gun vs those of the holster, it may be difficult to get an exact fit. If you have a fake 1911 of some type, you might be ok. If it's more like a USP, you'll have trouble.

 

[wolters]

If you let it dry after soaking , put something inside it that has the shape of the gun , when dry it will retain this shape.

 

[RPGnerd]

I find this a problem with lot's of soft shell holster replica holsters. Many are using inferior leathers (some use buffalo in India) to cut corners. Working it your hands will help break it in. I own over 30 pistols, and favor hardshells for this reason.

I'll sit on it, stand on it, work it with my hands and sometimes even use a leather softener to get the results I want. Modern holsters have no problems but these vintage style ones can be so tight they rub the finish on the 1911 slide.

I had a softshell black holster for a P38 that gave me problems, a little hot shoe polish in the inside flattened the inside hide, and softened the inside allowing smooth draws.

DON"T store guns in leather holsters, as humidity will build. Get a resin trainer to store in the holster to keep it's shape.

 

[Superkrates]

"Soak it in water" - Yea, because H2O is a leather's death. In 1995 Charlie Heath bought his son a new baseball glove and experienced the same problem. After consulting with chemists he invented 'Hot glove' for softening leather quickly. Not sure if the product is still on the market, but if not, pick up a small can of shaving creme with lanolin (that's what 'Hot Glove' is - leather scented, of course). Work the lather into the holster and then place in the microwave for 2 minutes (use an oven set at 250 if the holster has metal on it). Remove and work the leather by hand for a few minutes. Repeat process if more softness is desired. I kid you not, this works amazing!

 

[Clutch]

very interesting

 

[SurferGeek]

Hot Glove via Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000ATDIC/?tag=hookang-20

Or you could just get pure lanolin and work it into the leather slowly.

http://www.amazon.com/Lanolin-Anhyd...rade/dp/B000V70MWS/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_ttl_in

 

[cheech9898]

You can get pure Lanolin at almost any pharmacy, usually in the mother/infant care section (Mother's Friend or other breast creams for nursing), you don't have to go for the shaving cream.

There's saddle soap which depending on brand is a mild soap, a few oils like neatsfoot or mink, with some glycerin and lanolin. If you can find it you could try straight mink oil.

I will caution you thou with saddle soap, If its a dark leather (black, very dark brown) you probably wont have any problems, but on lighter leathers, especially cheaper quality light leathers, it can cause streaking/discoloring.... in some cases it ads to the worn, lived in look but it can just make it look bad.

 

[ne0ven0m]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I've actually bought one before and tried soaking it in hot water, but that severely warped the leather and I had to get another one. I didn't want to ruin it again, hence why I asked on here.

I'm going to give lanolin a try and see how that works.

And to clarify, I wasn't planning on actually storing the gun in there for a long duration. I bought a cheap 1911 type Airsoft gun, and I merely want it to fit in the holster when I put on the entire costume.

 

[RPGnerd]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I've actually bought one before and tried soaking it in hot water, but that severely warped the leather and I had to get another one. I didn't want to ruin it again, hence why I asked on here.

I'm going to give lanolin a try and see how that works.

And to clarify, I wasn't planning on actually storing the gun in there for a long duration. I bought a cheap 1911 type Airsoft gun, and I merely want it to fit in the holster when I put on the entire costume.

Yeah you never should soak leather, unless you need to harden it. In the SCA many water harden their armor. If you treat your warped holster with neatsfoot oil you might be able to save the warped one.

Another choice is Lexol as it's one of the best leather conditioners you can buy and its cheap at about $5 for a bottle.

A plastic airsoft pistols totally safe in a holster, heck it will help keep it's shape and a zinc framed one won't react.

What type of costume are you making?

 

[Risu]

Only warm water hardens leather. We use water in all kinds of ways in the shop. The best way to soften leather is to put neats foot oil on it and beat it to heck.

 

[Dung0beetle]

Only warm water hardens leather. We use water in all kinds of ways in the shop. The best way to soften leather is to put neats foot oil on it and beat it to heck.

Yeah, water can damage the leather and cause mold as well. Go with oil and don't store the weapon in the holster unless you like buffing away corrosion spots.