Holster Care/Cleaning

[kflach]

Obviously, after I shoot BP there's BP residue on my gun. Obviously, during the match after shooting my gun I put it back into my holster. I wipe off my cylinder periodically during the match, but it occurred to me that over time BP residue might stick to the inside of my holster.

Is there anything I need to do to maintain my holster (it's leather)? Will that little bit of BP residue hurt it over time?

[Paladin UK]

Ho pard

I think you will get more responce iffn ya post this on the Leather Shop forum  

Leather Shop

Paladin (What had a good shoot yesterday!! ) UK

[Jed Cooper]

Leave it alone. Shows character, and keeps a feller from lookin like a new guy    Jed

[kflach]

That forum crossed my mind, but I thought since this was regarding using holsters rather than making them, and since it was specific to BP that this might be the better place. That's a good idea to check out that forum, though. It may have broader scope than I realized.

I don't mind looking like a new guy. I am what I am. And one of these days it'll be my turn to answer questions from new guys, and I'll be able to tell 'em, "Don't worry, that wasn't such a stoopid question. You should have seen all the times I put *my* foot in *my* mouth."

[Paladin UK]

Fer Kflach..

FWIW....

In my book asking a question is the only way yer gonna get an answer!! All the time I`ve been on CAS boards I have found pards More than willing ta help,

`n` lets face it, We were ALL Newbies once!!

Enjoy yer shootin pard!!

Paladin (What lurvs the Holy Black  ) UK

[kflach]

I've appreciate the help I've gotten here *very* much!

And over the years I've found that my feet don't taste so bad if I wash 'em regularly.

<grin>

[Jed Cooper]

I've appreciate the help I've gotten here *very* much!

And over the years I've found that my feet don't taste so bad if I wash 'em regularly.

<grin>

I sure hope to shoot with you sometime!! Black is the only real period powder. It leaves stains   Enjoy those stains my friend.   Jed

[kflach]

Jed, it would be a lot of fun to shoot together someday!

Wait a minute? Are you saying I've got to watch for BP stains on my feet, too?


-----------
What I lack in experience and knowledge I more than make up for in ignorance. Since ignorance is bliss, I'm a pretty happy guy!

[August]

I run my bandana through the holsters during matches where it's dusty to keep the finish on the pistols from getting scratched.

Remember, black powder is not corrosive.  It is hydroscopic -- it attracts and holds water.

However, it is nowhere near as hydroscopic as the leather itself!  Look at your bullets after two weeks in the loops and you'll see what I mean.

[knucklehead]

if you get black powder stains on the inside of your holsters you could clean em with lexal leather cleaner.
do not use saddle soap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i shoot holy black and just run a bandana through the insides of my holsters once in awhile.
been shootin holy black for 5 years now and have had no problems with it destroying my holsters.

[ChuckBurrows]

1) Leaving BP residue on leather is not a good idea - real BP (and some of the subs) contains sulphur and when left to mix with even a moisture level of above 30% humidity for a length of time it can and will cause leather to deteriorate as it morphs into sulphuric acid......

2) Standard Saddle Soap used properly won't hurt a thing when followed by a proper re-conditioning (the idea has been promulgated by a single company to help sell their product) - as always with leather less is best when using any conditioner. Experienced Lutero smith, Purdy Gear wrote a real good article on saddle soap and conditioning in the SASS Chronicle a few years ago. Lexol Cleaner is nothing more nor less than a PH balanced saddle soap, despite their marketing (and I have nothing against Lexol - I use their conditioner frequently). Personally though I like Crown Saddle Soap - here's an article on how to care for leather goods http://www.jarnaginco.com/leather%20preservation.htm - at the bottom is a link for the Crown Soap. Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Montana Pitchblend, or Lexol Conditioner can be all be used in place of Neats Foot Oil for conditioning - just apply in a VERY light coat or two at most.

3) For general purposes wipe off the BP residue with a clean dry cloth and then wipe the rest away with a lightly damp (not wet) cloth, then use a dry one again. A more stringent cleaning is only necessary as needed or when your leather gets wet and muddy.

FWIW - I've been shooting BP for 47 years. I've been studying, building, and repairing leather for 48 years - it's my full-time profession - so you're welcome to take my advice as you will or not, you're choice.....

[knucklehead]

Thanks for your input on this matter Chuck, i will be cleaning my holsters more often as per your directions.

Never ocured to me that black powder was bad for gun leather even though i would wipe out em out once in a while.

thanks again for pointing us to the right direction on this matter.

[ChuckBurrows]

You're welcome and hope it helps.........

[madcratebuilder]

if you get black powder stains on the inside of your holsters you could clean em with lexal leather cleaner.
do not use saddle soap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, as long as dumb questions are allowed, why shouldn't I use saddle soap?  I've read that saddle soap well help soften a hard holster.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Paladin;  Did you use the Ten-Pounder when you had that great match?

[Dick Dastardly]

Somewhere I read about a silicone leather treatment for holsters.  My El Paso rig hangs on to my pistols and I really have to tug to get them out.  I shoot GF and don't have any spare hands to hold 'em down and I hate to complete my draw with my hands in my arm pits.  So, does anybody know about that silicone product?

I hate to tie my holsters down because that's way too Hollywood for my taste.

DD-DLoS

[ChuckBurrows]

Dick - off hand I can think of no professional leather crafter (and I know a bunch) who will recommend silicone on leather (I don't remember the exact problem, but in the long run it's not good for the leather).
As an alternative - use a good beeswax based product such as Sno Seal or Skidmores - to get it far enough down into the holster use a stick and piece of cloth - apply let dry - then buff with a clean, dry cloth. In fact burnishing good with a piece of hard wood or a metal spoon, piece of smoothe antler, etc will also help "slick" the leather.......

[Paladin UK]

Fer S C...........

Nope  Still on with converting it! I gotta tell ya though, it shoots Reel sweet!! I reckon its gonna be one of my main match guns!!

Paladin (Whut lurvs ta tinker    ) UK

[kflach]

@Paladin,
If you don't have one, see if any of your friends have an iPhone (or something else with a camera) and post a video. I'd love to see that!

[Montana Slim]

I've not cleaned the inside of my holsters except to tip them upside down to let any spent percussion caps, etc. fall out.
My favorite holsters (Slim-Jims) & revolvers (1860 Colts) have been in use continually for about 10 years.

Regards,
Slim