Leather holster fit

[evidrine]

Looking to fit a revolver to a leather holster. I have the general idea as far as sealing the gun in a water proof bag, holstering it, soaking it in water, and letting it dry with gun inside. Is there anything else? Is this even the right technique? Any helpful tips on the proper procedure will be appreciated.

[evidrine]

I found these instructions. How well does this work?
 
 

• 1   Soak your holster in hot water mixed with a few drops of dishwashing soap for approximately 30 seconds.
• 2   Remove the holster from the water, wipe off the excess water with a slightly oiled rag and allow the holster to partially dry (until the natural color begins returning to the leather).
• 3   Place your handgun into the holster and use your hands to mold the leather around the pistol.
• 4   Remove your pistol and let your holster completely dry.

[SHOOTALL]

you can bone it , take a piece of deer tine and rub the leather  into all areas of the gun. It will give more definition than just wet molding.

[evidrine]

thanks! I also read to use cool water. Warm/cool does it even matter?

[oldandslow]

Leather does not appreciate heat--of any kind. The only reason I can see for someone recommending using hot water is because it soaks in quicker but we aren't racing when we are doing this. Just get the holster wet, doesn't need to be spongy wet, and stick the gun that's wrapped in saran wrap fully into the holster and mold the leather to the gun with your hands. Set the holster, with the gun in it, aside and let it dry completely. Don't set in direct sunlight unless you want the leather to darken. It will be a perfect, snug, fit when dry.

If you want it form fitted use the deer antler as mentioned or just round off the end of a piece of dowel rod to use as a burnisher.

[woodchukhntr]

I u sed to make holsters and used the above mentioned wet molding process to get an excellent fit.  Warm water works well, but you do not need to soak the holster, just get it wet enough so you can mold it with your hands.  After you mold it you can remove the gun.  Above all, do not attempt to dry it too fast using heat!  I did it once when I was in a hurry and ended up with a very large leather potato chip that was supposed to be a Contender holster.

[hornady]

A couple years back I was at a gun show, one of the guys at the show was selling custom formed holsters. He had plastic replicas of several guns, he would soak the holsters, place the replica in the holster then place in a heave plastic bag and use an industrial vacuum sealer to form the holster. It looked good when he was finished. I always wondered how they held up. I ask him if it was water he soaked them in, he said it was his own mixture but could have been BSing. If I remember right the solution had a blue cast to it.

[Luckyducker]

I worked with a guy some years ago that put Preperation H on his holsters and let it dry with the pistol in it to get a boned look and perfect fit.  He acted serious when he told me this but I have never tried it.

[evidrine]

Tried it last night. I can see where the warm water would come in with leather that is already treated. Regardless, it worked pretty well. Not a real detailed outline but deff held the general shape of the gun. Nice snug fit like a glove. Thanks for all the help fellas. It was appreciated.

[SHOOTALL]

I worked with a guy some years ago that put Preperation H on his holsters and let it dry with the pistol in it to get a boned look and perfect fit.  He acted serious when he told me this but I have never tried it.

it draws the skin tight , I have heard models put it under their eyes often after a night out partying 

[Tom W.]

One of my G'frens uses it on her face at night. It sure gets the wrinkles out. She looks younger than I do!

[TGFOGAL]

Vacuum forming works. Put a board on the back side of the holster so the back won't form to the gun. A close storage vacuum bag works or food vac bag. The heat sets the form in the leather permanently.
 

[williamlayton]

ALL of the modern holster makers purchase blue models of the weapons they are making holsters for (each model) and use pressed too mold the leather to the model---some us vaccuum presses.
Blessings