Wet Molding after the fact

[JD Alan]

Howdy everyone. A buddy of mine just bought a pair of new Ross Leather classic western holsters from another shooter who used to sell them, along with all sorts of shooting suppplies. They are suede lined, and I'm not sure about the finish, but they do have some sort of finish on them. He didn't check to see if they would fit his Blackhawks, and they don't, at least very well.

He was told by the seller that he could still wet mold the holster to fit his gun, but that seems like putting the cart before the horse, so to speak.  He wants me to do it, but I don't want to mess with it until I hear from someone on this forum.

So, what say you? I just don't have enough experience to know what willl happend if we try it

Thanks guys, JD

[Shotgun Franklin]

Show'm to a Leathersmith and get his opinion. I don't know about that finish deal.

[TN Mongo]

I'd be leery of doing it because the cylinders on the Blackhawks are bigger.  It might work, but if it doesn't, you will have stretched those holsters out and ruined them.  A Ross holster normally goes for about $80-85 new.  If he got them at a great price, take a chance.  Otherwise I would sell them and have a proper fitting pair made.

[JD Alan]

I wish he had asked me about it before he bought them, but as we all know, "wishin don't make it happen" I don't know what he paid for these, but IMO if they don't fit, any amount is too much.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

There shouldn't be too much problem molding them although it may take a little more effort to do so. If it discolors them, put a new finish over the old and they'll have a little more character. He can always check with a saddle maker to get an opinion before he tries it.

[cowboywc]

Howdy
The finish isn't as much a problem as the suede lining. Make sure it is good and dry inside.
WC

[Whiskey Creek Adams]

I have done this several times with decent results, but as Cowboy and Will stated be careful with that suede lining and be prepared for a little refinishing.

I first strip the finish off using denatured alcohol or acetone, depending upon how aggressive I have to be to get it off. If you don't do this the finish will later, after soaking and drying, have a tendency to flake off and may even start to flake during the wetting process.

I then do the wet molding.  Then after thoroughly drying I apply some antiquing paste/stain in an appropriate color.  I follow that with a finish of some sort, TanKote, etc.

Also if they are borderstamped or carved you will probably loose a little definition in places that have to be worked or stretched.

Regardless, they are not going to come out looking "factory new."

[Slowhand Bob]

I am with these guys, my biggest concern is the suede liner, it does not react to water in the same way as leather with grain.  I would almost be tempted to try and introduce all of my water through the outside and let it soak in.  Perhaps this way you could stop as soon as you see dampness leeching through and avoid turning the suede into a limp mess.  Do a good job of getting the old sealer off or it will take forever to case the leather deeply and then slow the drying afterward.  These are the type jobs that I frequently will not do for anyone but the most understanding of friends.  A really nice holster might be easy to swap out with someone just by placing WTT adds on a couple of cowboy boards. 

[JD Alan]

My big concern is the lining as well. I reshaped an old holster set that was not lined, and it went pretty well. There is no stamping on the holsters, but they are a nice color and have a nice finish I don't want to mess up. I wondered about doing it like Bob mentioned, only from the outside and avoid getting water on the suede lining.

The fella that's selling these has quite a few of them, and they all look the same. He had a big box of them in his trunk at our last shoot. He's a good guy, and if need be, I believe he would take them back because they don't fit. Darrell bought them without having his guns with him earlier in the week. They are advertized as fitting a standard SAA, but my NMV won't fit in it either without a good deal of pressure.

I sure do appreciate the feedback. I would like to try it, just for the experience, and if I mess it up, I'm sure I could buy him another one from the same guy.

Thanks, JD     

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy JD

       I say leave them alone, the suede can be a problem, but if there isn't enough leather to stretch it still wont fit right, on one of my first holsters I went through this, it was a learning situation for me, and I wont do it again, if it is just a miner tightness you could get by, by wetting the outside thoroughly, and then give it a try, the problem with the Blackhawk is the frame and cylinder size, somethings can only be stretched so much, found that out with some boots I had, I stretched them ok but deformed the boot and couldn't wear them anymore, I'd of been better off if I would have taken them back. I would give them back to your friend and tell to take the holster back or put them up on ebay, and then buy a holster that fits right first time, like boots 

                                                   Regards

                                              tEN wOLVES 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

The fella that's selling these has quite a few of them, and they all look the same. He had a big box of them in his trunk at our last shoot. He's a good guy, and if need be, I believe he would take them back because they don't fit. Darrell bought them without having his guns with him earlier in the week. They are advertized as fitting a standard SAA, but my NMV won't fit in it either without a good deal of pressure.

That is certainly the best way to go. Rugers don't fit like Colt/clone SAA's. Sounds like the guy will do him right.

[JD Alan]

Well, I talked to him about it at church today. He seems to think all they need is a little streching out, so I'm going to pass on doing anything to them, at least by getting them wet.

I suggested that he take a look at the other holsters Parker has for sale, and see if any of them fit better, since some of them don't hace a lining, or at least a suede lining

Thanks for the feedback, it helped me stay out of trouble! JD

[Marshal Will Wingam]

You know, JD, this may be a good excuse for him to buy another pair of pistols.