The shrinking holster

[rufrdr]

This repro 1911 cavalry holster fit my various 1911s over the years without an issue. I carried with it in the Mojave desert when hiking and exploring.

I got it out today and could barely get my CMP 1911 in it, it has shrunk so much. It took both hands to shove the pistol in, and forget about drawing it back out again! Its been years since I used it, and it hung in a hot and dry garage when not being used. I had to ditch the WW2 pistol belt, it seems it shrank too and no longer fits my waist for some unknown reason.

Other than storing a 1911 in it to stretch it out, any suggestions on loosening it up?

 

[B00ger]

Perhaps oil the leather. Baseball glove oil or something similar?

 

[rufrdr]

Perhaps oil the leather. Baseball glove oil or something similar?

Good idea

 

[Windini]

Might be worth "investing" in a blue gun so you don't compromise the finish on a real 1911.

 

[RR]

I'll mail you a 1911 blue gun if you mail it back to me when you're done.

 

[fieldgrade]

Wrap whatever you decide, actual 1911, or blue gun, in a couple of freezer bags and cram it in the holster. Let it sit a couple of days. And don’t worry if the holster now feels too loose once you are done. It will draw back up a smidge.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Wrap that 1911 in several plastic grocery store bags and stuff it in the holster. Leave it several days. If need be wrap a couple more bags around it. Repeat that procedure as needed. Repeat…Repeat

 

[rufrdr]

Wrap that 1911 in several plastic grocery store bags and stuff it in the holster. Leave it several days. If need be wrap a couple more bags around it. Repeat that procedure as needed. Repeat…Repeat

Great idea!

 

[rufrdr]

I'll mail you a 1911 blue gun if you mail it back to me when you're done.

Thanks for the offer. I'll try Cocked and Locked's solution first.

 

[mellocollins]

Soak it in ballistol. Then shove the gun.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Just saw your post Fieldgrade after I posted.

 

[fieldgrade]

Just saw your post Fieldgrade after I posted.

You just reinforced what someone else showed me here some years ago.

All good!

 

[Timfoilhat]

I've used socks instead of plastic bags, same concept.

 

[B00ger]

Kinda bugs me that as holster leather ages it gets tighter...but our skin gets all wrinkly with age.

 

[yard mongrel]

Kinda bugs me that as holster leather ages it gets tighter...but our skin gets all wrinkly with age.

Try soaking in Ballistol.

 

[Krusty]

Wrap whatever you decide, actual 1911, or blue gun, in a couple of freezer bags and cram it in the holster. Let it sit a couple of days. And don’t worry if the holster now feels too loose once you are done. It will draw back up a smidge.

I use cling wrap from the kitchen or shrink wrap.

 

[TexasEskimo]

Lots of EVOO. @HandyDave taught me this trick. Worked on my old shoes...

 

[Jperr]

Lots of EVOO. @HandyDave taught me this trick. Worked on my old shoes...

View attachment 775649

View attachment 775650

Nice shoes.

 

[HandyDave]

I would suggest what has already been said about getting a blue gun then you can leave it in a holster like that that doesn't get us3d much. Also like said above bag or wrap up the real pistol or blue gun with saran wrap or couple ziploc type bags works good to give you a slight space to kinda over stretch the holster by a fraction. I would take a sponge and dampen the inside of holster. Not sopping dripping wet but a good damp then bag your pistol or blue gun and stuff it down in holster and leave it set a few days till everything is good and dry again.

 

[Radar]

Then keep it piled up once you get it fixed and stretched back