Oiling a New Leather Holster (Inside)

[Pecos]

Im getting a new Bianchi 57 Remedy Holster Fits Glock 19, 23 tomorrow. In the reviews some one said they had to oil the inside of the holster.
Is this something I need to do? Thanks.
What Oil do I use????

[Pecos]

I never her of this. I was hoping some one could give me some info on this?

[Taurus.40]

I've heard of people using something called Hide Glide.

[apostate]

Oil softens leather which is not what I want for a holster. There are silicon (?) lubes that can be used to make a leather holster slick without being absorbed and making it limp. What do your holster's care instructions say?

[maximus2161]

Believe it or not something that I used for years for leather holsters is Doc Martin Wonderbalm. Yes the stuff you put on shoes. For example a lot of leather holsters (especially production leather like Galco, DeSantis, Hume,etc) tend to be kinda rough inside and accelerate wear on a gun. I personally noticed this. Applying this stuff softens and smooths the leather. It doesnt take much. Just rub into the leather and you are good to go. It also did not soften up the holster to cause it to lose its rigidness.

Thats what I use and its worked great.

Oh I was in a gun store in Ft. Worth a long while back and a sales guy told be to use Vaseline to smooth and soften a leather holster. Thats bad advice as that will break down leather.

[Jumping Frog]

I've seen photos of people who had softened their holster with various products that resulted in holster failure that to the point they shot themselves. I'd never even consider putting oil of any kind on a holster.

As far as holster wear goes, I regard a gun as a tool, not a fashion accessory. A little honest holster wear is no big deal. In fact, a great used gun buy are LEO trade-ins, as these have usually been worn a lot but shot little.

[WildBill]

I would not use any oil or softener on a holster other than maybe the leather portion of a kydex holster.

Softening the leather defeats the purpose of having a custom fitted holster.

[RiverRat]

No oil!

Apart from compromising the shape (molding) by softening the leather, it will make sticky on drawing because of the shape collapsing. Another negative is that oil will attach and hold dirt inside the holster causing more wear on the surface of the pistol, much like emery paper. Please don't do it.

If you are looking to decrease friction on the draw, you can use a wax/balm or for that matter, good old Turtle Wax that doesn't have any strange additives (it has to dry out completely). It will close the pores of the leather and provide a little bit of lubrication for drawing. Just make sure it dries well and is polished out.

[Pecos]

Thanks everyone. I got the holster today. The manufacture (Bianchi) instructions said to use silicone spray on the inside & plastic bag over the gun when holstering unloaded gun.
Leave it overnight then that's all to break in the holster. I just used a little silicone (Very little). as the holster wear a little it will be fine.
Clean the holster with mild dish soap.
Thanks for all the insight & advice.

[Gunner4640]

Nice looking holster Pecos.. I have one that looks the same but a different brand "Tagua" i can carry my and 1911 in the same holster

[Pecos]

Nice looking holster Pecos.. I have one that looks the same but a different brand "Tagua" i can carry my and 1911 in the same holster

Thanks. I also have a Tagua left handed belt slide holster for my G22/17. It didn't need breaking in the inside is lined with suade or something. It's a great holster!!!!

[Excaliber]

Thanks everyone. I got the holster today. The manufacture (Bianchi) instructions said to use silicone spray on the inside & plastic bag over the gun when holstering unloaded gun.
Leave it overnight then that's all to break in the holster. I just used a little silicone (Very little). as the holster wear a little it will be fine.
Clean the holster with mild dish soap.
Thanks for all the insight & advice.

I generously wet the inside of a new leather holster with silicone spray before putting the gun in it overnight. The carrier evaporates rapidly and leaves lots of invisible silicone on the leather. That's usually all it takes to get it ready for carry.

[rockinar]

Only oil the part of the holster that you want to ruin.