A Question I should Know the Answer To...

[Wolf Bane]

Hi all;

I recently got 3 holsters in from 2 different "name" makers that suck. Whatever gun from they wet-fitted these bad boys to, it's nowhere near the real gun. One of them I can probably salvage by careful fitting with layers of plastic over the gun to gently expand the holster. The other 2 are shoulder holsters and all in all I'd like to keep them.

Can I re-wet-fit a holster without destroying it?

Heck, I suppose I could just keep the strap systems, which I like, and make new holsters for them.

Michael B, waiting for hide for the next project...

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Mike



      Mike if your holsters are just tight, you can use the training method I use, which I'll talk about in this post, I've had good results with just training, but for holster that were made way to tight to begin with, that may not be an option, and then you will either have to try the wet molding, or move on to another holster, but even with wet molding a tight holster, I still like to train my holster to my gun.
      You can go ahead and re-wet mold your guns, but just use tap water, NOT WARM OR HOT, then push your gun as deep as you can, and twist it around as much as you can, if these holsters are that tight, you might want to leave the guns in the holster over night, then take the gun out and let dry, but make sure you don't mess up the shape of the holster when you remove your gun, I let my wet holsters dry on a one sided hanger, you just slip it in the bucket and hang it up, these hangers are used to hang up pants. as a rule I will wet mold my gun to the holster for no more than 20 to 30 min. but yours sounds like it is pretty tight. try over night, make sure your gun is wrapped tight in cling wrap or a good plastic bag, oil your gun good before putting it in.
    if after the holster has dried it is still too tight , you can train it by cutting a strip of 3to4 ounce leather the size of your cylinder and long enough to go from the bottom of the cylinder on one side, over the frame and around the cylinder to the bottom of that side of the cylinder, with the leather strip wrapped around the cylinder push your gun into the holster keeping the leather in tact as you do this, leave the gun in the holster as long as it takes until you get the smoothness or resistance you're after,check it daily, it might take a week or so, if it doesn't get any better after that, it's time for another holster, I do this training method on all the holsters I make, who ever gets my holsters I want them to fit the way they should. one other thing you can do is rub a little Lex-oil conditioner in and that will soften the leather up some, you can also add a light coat or two of your favorite leather oil, Neatsfoot or EVOO, ( EXTRA VIRGIN OILIVE OIL ). you can add the conditioner before the oil, and then do the oil an hour or so after, do this too before you start the training.This is my method for doing this, and one I use as a rule, and I've had good results, others may have more ideas on how to go about this.

                                  Hope this helps, if you have any more questions let us know


                                         tEN wOLVES  

[JD Alan]

Hi Mike, just want to let you know how much I appreciate what you do, and how much I use and ejoy CAS City. I watch everything possible that you and the others do on TV.

You came to the right place for information, and 10 Wolves is just the man to give you some good info. However, some others are likely to chime in with more excellent advice.

Thanks, JD

[Dalton Masterson]

Howdy WB. Where are the pics of your rig you made?? Get it on here and join us!

As to your issue at hand, I think 10Wolves nailed it. You might be able to stretch it out enough to work, and you might not. I have a few that were absolutely tight, and even a thorough soaking and wetmolding did not help. I also have a few that got way too loose afterwards too.

Try to wet mold them, as 10W said, but try the fit out often, would be my advice.

DM

[TN Mongo]

Ten Wolves gave you good advice.  Just because some big maker's name is on the holster, doesn't mean that they made the holster.  Some shops have a lot of hired help.  I also wonder how many rigs are being fitted with "blue guns" or cast zinc rather than the real gun.

I think you get a better fit when the actual gun's been used in wet fitting.  At least this is what I tell my wife every time a acquire a new revolver for "fitting purposes."

[Wolf Bane]

Gentlemen, thank you all very much..exactly what I needed to know!

I'm presently working through some Will Ghormley patterns to get my feet underneath me on skills and techniques. John Bianchi and Matt Whitaker certainly gave me a world-class kick start! I am so lucky to have those 2 guys walk through a leather trade show with me and personally pick out the tools I needed, versus what I THOUGHT I needed. Turned out to be a really big difference.

Regarding "name" makers, I gotta worry when someone sends me a badly made holster (or a gun that doesn;t work, whihc actually happens more than you'd think). What do they send to everyone else? Actually, it makes me mad...I sort of think that those of us in the gun culture should be held to a higher standard...but that's just me.

I don't know if you've seen on the blog or DRTV, but I just got back a Ruger Vaquero from Hamilton Bowen that I plan to make a really special holster for. I also signed up form John Bianchi's class next year with the idea of a buscadero rig...

Michael B
"Wolf Bane"

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

  Well Wolf, from one Wolf to another, I hope you have a better understanding on how to get your holster to fit your gun better, if you're getting into leather, you can't go wrong with Will Ghromely's patterns, and John Bianchi has some good classes I hear also. so good luck on your quest to be a holster maker, you can do it, let us see your first rig when you get it finished, we'd all like a look see.

  And Wolf don't be a stranger, your welcome here anytime we're glad to have you join in with us.

        Regards

     tEN wOLVES

[amin ledbetter]

Yes Mr. Bane! Don't be a stranger. I need to warn you though. This leather stuff is addicting. These guys got me hooked real quick!

My sons want me to tell you hello from them. They love your shows.  Wednesday nights are one of our father son day's with me and my two boy's. I'll give two guesses what we do on Wednesday nights. Take care. And keep us posted on your progress with your leather projects.