holster lube

[butchen]

I have just got an all leather T/C bandolero holster (old school type made by T/C) for hunting and I am having a little trouble getting the gun out with out having to hang on and pull with both hands. What would be a good lube to soften and stretch the leather? I don't mind using 2 hands just so it slides out with out a jerk that may spook a deer. One of my "good old boys" friends said to use Crisco (now don't get me wrong I is a "good old boy" too and they ain't nutin wrong with that) but I don't think that would be the best idea. Got any ideas?

[luckydawg13]

try and stuff it full of rags or a big toy gun to open it up

[Slowpoke Slim]

If the holster is new, as in hasn't had a pistol in it much, it is supposed to be tight. The leather will stretch with use. All my leather holsters started off that way.

Put the pistol in it and leave it there. Keep going back and working it in the holster, kind of like working a brand new baseball glove, to break it in.

It will get better.

[butchen]

try and stuff it full of rags or a big toy gun to open it up

but what do I use to soften it up to do that? I was going to put a rag on the gun to make it larger and put it in, but need something to soften it up first.

[butchen]

If the holster is new, as in hasn't had a pistol in it much, it is supposed to be tight. The leather will stretch with use. All my leather holsters started off that way.

Put the pistol in it and leave it there. Keep going back and working it in the holster, kind of like working a brand new baseball glove, to break it in.

It will get better.

yea done a lot of glove breaking in  I got 2 boys, even then we used a breakin oil, but I was trying to get this ready for hunting season. oh I have broke in lots and lots of holsters but just was wanting to speed this up a bit, you know?...........it's like praying to God "give me patience and give it to me now!"
But thanks for the help I will do just that....... this is the one they don't make anymore and I love it, I hope I can get it ready for season. Oh in 5 or 6 seasons it will so sweet.

[Austin from NC]

Just use saddle soap on the outside and work it in it will soak in and soften the leather you could use paste wax or vaseline on inside probably.

       Austin

[Austin from NC]

Just use saddle soap on the outside and work it in it will soak in and soften the leather you could use paste wax or vaseline on inside probably.

       Austin

Wait don't use saddle soap I forgot about the smell it lingers a long time. The wax or vaseline might work though. Saddle soap would work on non hunting holster unless it is designed to be hard to keep from collapsing.

sorry about that, Austin

[Bigeasy]

For what its worth, a friend swears by silicone spray on the inside of the holster to smooth the draw.  I have never tried it myself...
 
Larry

[irold]

Right or wrong , I've used Redwing Boot oil on all my leather holsters .  It does a wonderful job of softening up the leather.  I also used it on my preformed leather holsters , only maybe a little more sparingly......Generally 3-4 applications does it for me.
 
regards, irold

[SHOOTALL]

Take the holster and place unloaded gun in it. Place them in a thick plastic bag or several thin ones. Place in the sun, I find on a dash of a truck works well if in a location where it won't draw attention or get taken. I have done this several times and it works.Sometimes a day will do other times longer but keep check and don't over do it.  Its not my idea its what Galco instructs you to do on some of the holsters I have gotten from them .They make the shipping bag to be used for this and state so. It is very thick for a plastic bag , like the heavy duty ones people use for air travel . Once it fitd there is an oil that they make ( or one of the other holster co's ) that the SSA shooters use that makes it slick.
 
 I also treat mine with Red Wing boot dressing with good result.

[butchen]

Take the holster and place unloaded gun in it. Place them in a thick plastic bag or several thin ones. Place in the sun, I find on a dash of a truck works well if in a location where it won't draw attention or get taken. I have done this several times and it works.Sometimes a day will do other times longer but keep check and don't over do it.  Its not my idea its what Galco instructs you to do on some of the holsters I have gotten from them .They make the shipping bag to be used for this and state so. It is very thick for a plastic bag , like the heavy duty ones people use for air travel . Once it fitd there is an oil that they make ( or one of the other holster co's ) that the SSA shooters use that makes it slick.
 
 I also treat mine with Red Wing boot dressing with good result.

Right or wrong , I've used Redwing Boot oil on all my leather holsters .  It does a wonderful job of softening up the leather.  I also used it on my preformed leather holsters , only maybe a little more sparingly......Generally 3-4 applications does it for me.
 
regards, irold

Thanks guys that is what I was looking for the sun thing sounds great! But I see that the Redweing boot oil is the common thread and I will get some. If it has an odor I can always put skunk oil on it to cover the smell LOL
Thanks again

[SHOOTALL]

The smell is plesant really. The bag in the sun allows the gun and holster to mate and get a good fit. I wouldn't use the oil until the holster needs a touch up if it can be avoided.

[butchen]

Take the holster and place unloaded gun in it. Place them in a thick plastic bag or several thin ones. Place in the sun, I find on a dash of a truck works well if in a location where it won't draw attention or get taken. I have done this several times and it works.Sometimes a day will do other times longer but keep check and don't over do it.  Its not my idea its what Galco instructs you to do on some of the holsters I have gotten from them .They make the shipping bag to be used for this and state so. It is very thick for a plastic bag , like the heavy duty ones people use for air travel . Once it fitd there is an oil that they make ( or one of the other holster co's ) that the SSA shooters use that makes it slick.
 
 I also treat mine with Red Wing boot dressing with good result.

Right or wrong , I've used Redwing Boot oil on all my leather holsters .  It does a wonderful job of softening up the leather.  I also used it on my preformed leather holsters , only maybe a little more sparingly......Generally 3-4 applications does it for me.
 
regards, irold

Thanks guys that is what I was looking for the sun thing sounds great! But I see that the Redweing boot oil is the common thread and I will get some. If it has an odor I can always put skunk oil on it to cover the smell LOL
Thanks again

It was bad bad hot here yesterday and I tried the bag on the dash and WOW it worked great!!!!!!!!! Still have it in there so it will set but it works great I don't even have to pull that hard and no oil at all.......Thanks to all

[texagun]

I've had good luck using silicon spray.  Prestone makes it in a yellow spray can available at Walmart for about $2 a can.  Spray the inside of the holster liberally, wrap the gun in a Baggie and stuff it in the holster.  Leave it for a couple of days.  I think you will see the difference.

[butchen]

I've had good luck using silicon spray.  Prestone makes it in a yellow spray can available at Walmart for about $2 a can.  Spray the inside of the holster liberally, wrap the gun in a Baggie and stuff it in the holster.  Leave it for a couple of days.  I think you will see the difference.

Thanks but putting it in a bag like SHOOTALL told me about and putting in the hot sun worked great and no man made smell to cover. I'm not a big fan of "over" camo'ing, but smell is a big thing, at least to me and the way I hunt, this did it with out spray.........But thanks so very very much I need all the help I can get.....