Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

[AJMD429]

Got a nice 1911 pancake-style holster from El Paso Saddlery, but of course when I walk or sit or whatever it makes so much noise. I don't worry about being all that discrete, but it can be distracting.


http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-160-9-dual ... -slot.aspx

My old/worn/used holsters are quieter, but is there a good fix to get this one quiet without waiting 20 years or so...?

[alnitak]

I've heard rubbing a candle on the squeaky areas will work.

[M. M. Wright]

Try some olive oil. It was what the cavalry used back in the day for all their leather stuff. Of course they put bee's wax over that and made it shine. For my older stuff I use Black Rock leather treatment. It's what they use at the Cowboy Hall of Fame. I know, it has a new name which I can never remember.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I oil my leather with EVOO (EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil) when I build them. Shooting CAS I have never heard a squeak.

[MrMurphy]

You remove the squeak by using a Kydex holster.

[rjohns94]

Desantis has an oil that works well.

[AJMD429]

I oil my leather with EVOO (EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil) when I build them. Shooting CAS I have never heard a squeak.

How much oil...?
Do you only apply it to the inside or what...?

[Tycer]

I would call El Paso Saddlery. I don't know much about leather really, however I know I do not want my holster to go soft. The idea of oiling a holster like that gives me the pelosies. I'd lean more toward dry like talc or graphite. Let us know what you decide on please.

[AJMD429]

I would call El Paso Saddlery. I don't know much about leather really, however I know I do not want my holster to go soft. The idea of oiling a holster like that gives me the pelosies. I'd lean more toward dry like talc or graphite. Let us know what you decide on please.

Good idea; I did oil an old SA revolver holster I found in a 'junk box' so much (it was both dry/cracked and green/molded) that for the first couple years it would 'oil' my pants and/or car/tractor seat. Not a problem for the old-clothes chore-outfit, but not a good thing for the work/office environment.

[7.62 Precision]

Go to Brownells or Simmon's Law Enforcement and order some KG Leather-Kote. It is non-penetrating, and a leather lube. It allows you to use the holster during the break-in period and gives you a smooth draw. It might stop some of the squeaking, but that depends on the construction of the holster.

[Blaine]

Obanoff's....

[Tycer]

Go to Brownells or Simmon's Law Enforcement and order some KG Leather-Kote. It is non-penetrating, and a leather lube. It allows you to use the holster during the break-in period and gives you a smooth draw. It might stop some of the squeaking, but that depends on the construction of the holster.

I did some googling of the KG 9. Looks like that will do the trick perfectly. Mixture of PTFE and silicone compounds. Lots of guys have used it for squeaks on leather and to keep Kydex holster to leather belt squeak and wear at bay.

[Chuck 100 yd]

AJMD429 , When my holsters are all but completely finished I pretty much saturate them with Extra Virgin olive oil. Then wipe off all I can. They are then hung up to dry for a couple weeks before any finish coat is applied. To get a very nice red/brown color, I just hang them out in the sun for several days to get a sun tan after oiling. This method has been used for thousands of years and there have been Roman sandals found in archeological digs that are still supple and intact after 2,000 years in a cave.
Without knowing what finish your`s has, I would lightly coat the inside only.

[7.62 Precision]

Go to Brownells or Simmon's Law Enforcement and order some KG Leather-Kote. It is non-penetrating, and a leather lube. It allows you to use the holster during the break-in period and gives you a smooth draw. It might stop some of the squeaking, but that depends on the construction of the holster.

I did some googling of the KG 9. Looks like that will do the trick perfectly. Mixture of PTFE and silicone compounds. Lots of guys have used it for squeaks on leather and to keep Kydex holster to leather belt squeak and wear at bay.

Get the small tub, not the big one. It will last about a lifetime.

[bdhold]

Obenoff's....

great stuff - best leather protectant made - so much beeswax in it, it smells like honey.

My vote for softening goes to neatsfoot oil - check with a tack shop.

[jeepnik]

Baby powder. If it doesn't work, you haven't done anything irreversible. Plus you'll have that baby fresh smell.

[Griff]

Carnuba wax. Pay attention to the belt contact points and the inside, also force it down into the stitching.

Baby powder. If it doesn't work, you haven't done anything irreversible.

Not! It can absorb the oils in the leather, drying it prematurely.

[AJMD429]

Baby powder. If it doesn't work, you haven't done anything irreversible.

Not! It can absorb the oils in the leather, drying it prematurely.

....but what if I want that 'baby fresh smell'...????

[piller]

Neatsfoot oil will still get your clothes a little oily if you don't give it time to soak in. Used only at the contact points, such as the loops for the belt, it should work well. If you give it the time to soak in, about 24 hours, and do not overdo it, then it should not be a problem.

[Griff]

Baby powder. If it doesn't work, you haven't done anything irreversible.

Not! It can absorb the oils in the leather, drying it prematurely.

....but what if I want that 'baby fresh smell'...????

Pee on it...

[7.62 Precision]

Guys, you don't want to soften holsters, ever. There are things that you may want to do to keep leather supple in certain uses, or to preserve or restore old leather, but don't want to ever put on a leather holster you are using. You don't want to soften a holster. It can wreck the holster and people have shot themselves by making a holster too soft (or buying one that was to floppy to begin with).

[walks with gun]

I don't really recommend it but I've shot so much without hearing protection and have run straight pipe's on my choppers that I don't hear little noises like leather squeak anymore. Some times tightening your belt can take a little of the noise away.

[walks with gun]

If you can get away, a couple days of heavy duty hiking should help break it in, outside of water I'm leery of putting any oils on my holsters.

[bdhold]

Neatsfoot oil will still get your clothes a little oily if you don't give it time to soak in. Used only at the contact points, such as the loops for the belt, it should work well. If you give it the time to soak in, about 24 hours, and do not overdo it, then it should not be a problem.

It will evaporate completely with enough time. What you're trying to do is relax the leather at the residual stress from the stitching

[7.62 Precision]

It will evaporate completely with enough time. What you're trying to do is relax the leather at the residual stress from the stitching

What you need to try not to do is relax the leather. The holster should be broken in naturally, by carrying the gun in it and practicing draws. Artificial means of relaxing the leather only damages the holster.

[jeepnik]

Baby powder. If it doesn't work, you haven't done anything irreversible.

Not! It can absorb the oils in the leather, drying it prematurely.

....but what if I want that 'baby fresh smell'...????

Pee on it...

I'm talking about the smell of a clean baby, which in my experience lasts about 2.5 seconds after changing. I swear babies know exactly what they are doing when it comes to fouling a diaper.

[Hillbilly]

Wear it a week and draw from it. The noise will stop.

Never soften a boned holster.... it will stretch and get sloppy

[rogn]

Excuse my tangent, but speaking of babies its time again for the old saw; diapers and politicians require frequent changing and for the same reasons Again excuse me.