[flounder22]

I just got my new Don Hume H721 OT holster in the mail today from Gunners Alley, great people to deal with. I read a post by member 9026543 about a plastic bag trick he used to help break in his 721 holster but he did not explain how to do this. The holster is very nice but VERY tight fitting as my M85 will only go in about half way. Anyone have advice on this? Thanks for any help. Karl

 

[jwr747]

wal mart,zip lok bag,any thing you can wrap the pistol in to add bulk is ok,than force the weapon into the holster.the added thickness will stretch the holster,if leather,to where the naked pistol will fit a little looser.may take several days worth of sitting to get things right.you can also take the bag wrapped pistol, while watching TV, and just jam the pistol into the holster several hundred times.I ve done several pistols/revolvers this way ,with good results. jwr

 

[nicknitro71]

The best way is white shaving cream if leather...old military trick to loosen up combat boots...

 

[flounder22]

Thank you both. ;D

 

[chad_rn]

White shaving cream? Screw that then you have to clean all that crap outta the gun. I have heard of people rubbing the leather down with oil and then microwaving it till warm then shaping. Don't do it if there are metal peices.

 

[Steelheart]

I use the method recommended on the Milt Sparks site. I'll copy the text as its easier than trying to give directions with their site.

Tightness in a new holster is not uncommon and is much preferable to the alternative. If the draw is a little stiff at first, it is recommended that you work with it to see if it doesn't loosen up with a bit of use. About 25 to 50 presentations should be a good indicator of whether the holster will break in sufficiently on its own or if maybe a little blocking out of the leather is in order. There are many variables as to why a holster would be excessively tight ranging from the texture of your guns finish, to slight changes in climate or humidity from where the holster is made. Regardless of the reason, a too tight holster can easily be remedied by the end user with a method we have been recommending to customers for over 20 years.
To block out (stretch) your new holster first UNLOAD your pistol or revolver and place the gun into the 4 mil plastic bag that your new holster was packaged in. Then carefully insert the bagged gun all the way into the holster (do not! I repeat, do not!! wet or spray the holster with any solution to aid in the stretching process). The blocking out process as described above will in no way harm the crisp detailed molding of your new holster, nor will it ruin its retention qualities. It serves simply to stretch the leather a few thousands of an inch larger than the gun. The amount of stretching time needed for satisfactory results range from a just a few minutes to overnight.......

http://www.miltsparks.com/

Steelheart

 

[nicknitro71]

Shaving cream on the outside of the holster not the inside!

 

[flounder22]

I use the method recommended on the Milt Sparks site. I'll copy the text as its easier than trying to give directions with their site.

Tightness in a new holster is not uncommon and is much preferable to the alternative. If the draw is a little stiff at first, it is recommended that you work with it to see if it doesn't loosen up with a bit of use. About 25 to 50 presentations should be a good indicator of whether the holster will break in sufficiently on its own or if maybe a little blocking out of the leather is in order. There are many variables as to why a holster would be excessively tight ranging from the texture of your guns finish, to slight changes in climate or humidity from where the holster is made. Regardless of the reason, a too tight holster can easily be remedied by the end user with a method we have been recommending to customers for over 20 years.
To block out (stretch) your new holster first UNLOAD your pistol or revolver and place the gun into the 4 mil plastic bag that your new holster was packaged in. Then carefully insert the bagged gun all the way into the holster (do not! I repeat, do not!! wet or spray the holster with any solution to aid in the stretching process). The blocking out process as described above will in no way harm the crisp detailed molding of your new holster, nor will it ruin its retention qualities. It serves simply to stretch the leather a few thousands of an inch larger than the gun. The amount of stretching time needed for satisfactory results range from a just a few minutes to overnight.......

http://www.miltsparks.com/

Steelheart

Thanks to everyone for their advice and tips. And Steelhart, this method was exactly what Ed Guerriero, one of the owners at Gunners Alley, said for me to do when I called him yesterday. By the way, they are first class to deal with. I did this overnight and today the holster and my M85 are on my side and good to go. Thanks folks. Karl