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Remolding A Holster Newbie Question

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First off hello to all, this is a great site. I have a few questions that I would like to run by the forum to hopefully get some advice on. I recently purchased a never used custom holster that is molded for a different, albeit similar, gun than what I will be using it for (got a great deal). I started reading up on boning and casing leather and I feel comfortable enough to give it a try, but I would like to clarify a few things.

The holster is dyed and has white stitches which, from what I have read means that it was molded and dyed prior to stitching. My questions/concerns are as follows:

1. Will casing and boning a finished holster damage/alter the finish? What if it's lined, will it effect the lining?

2. Do I need to do anything to the finish once it's remolded to the new gun?

3. I have read conflicting directions regarding whether to leave the gun in the holster after molding until completely dry. Some say not to because the leather will dry stretched, others say to do so or the leather will shrink. Which is it?

I am completely new to this, but am eager and excited to learn and try it. Your experience and guidance with this is greatly appreciated.

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Generally, when a holster is made, the leather is formed, set with heat, and sealed. You might be able to get some re-forming done, or perhaps a bit of stretching, but you will have more time and energy expended trying to "fix" the holster you have, than you would if you bought or made the correct holster for your gun. If it's a commercially made holster, then it is probably press formed. That involves sewing the basic holster, inserting a model of a gun, and pressing it in a multi-ton pneumatic or hydraulic press with rubber pads which compress the leather to get the details instead of hand molding and boning. Then the leather is 'set' using heat, which activates and sticks the collagen in the leather (basically the cellular "glue") in place. Final step is application of a very durable finish to resist moisture...they don't want their formed holsters getting "un-formed".

To specifically answer your questions:

1. Casing/molding/boning could damage the finish. If it is a lacquer finish, you'll see cracking where you change curves or angles. If the holster is kind of hard, then you'll end up with places that won't change shape, resulting in odd lumps here and there.

2. Yes, if you do all this to the holster, you'll certainly have to re-seal the leather...preferably with a finish that matches what's already on it so you avoid flaking and cracking.

3. Leather will shrink a small amount as it dries....depending on how wet it is, how conditioned it is, how fast it is dried, and HOW it is dried (direct/indirect/convection heating) I address the issue on my holsters by stretching the leather a few thousandths larger than the size of the gun, then rapidly heat setting the leather, and letting it air dry overnight...but I'm often molding to the actual firearm. If you use something like a Ring's bluegun, or a Duncan's aluminum gun, then the model is already a slightly different size.

If you don't mind, what model gun do you want to put in which model holster?

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Thanks for the reply. Wow, now I am wondering if this was a good purchase. The holster is custom, hand made by a small, well known company (high quaility). It was either made for an FNP 45 or an MP 45. It was a gift given to a family member which was returned to the purchaser because they never used it (that's why the exact model is unknown). I have a Glock 22 which has similar dimensions and will probably stay put in the holster but I wanted to get a better fit/look by remolding it (so I thought).

I don't know if the holster being hand made is better or worse for my original plan. With this info, what are your thoughts about what I am trying to do?

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Thanks for the reply. Wow, now I am wondering if this was a good purchase. The holster is custom, hand made by a small, well known company (high quaility). It was either made for an FNP 45 or an MP 45. It was a gift given to a family member which was returned to the purchaser because they never used it (that's why the exact model is unknown). I have a Glock 22 which has similar dimensions and will probably stay put in the holster but I wanted to get a better fit/look by remolding it (so I thought).

I don't know if the holster being hand made is better or worse for my original plan. With this info, what are your thoughts about what I am trying to do?

Re-Molding a holster and having it look right would be very problematic for an experienced holster maker. For a newby it is virtually guaranteed you will ruin it. Sorry that is just the way it is. If you post a pic we might be able to tell you what gun it is for.

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I'm out of town until Tuesday, so I won't be able to upload a pic until then. I am confused about process of molding leather, though. From what I have read when molding a holster people state that if you make a mistake you can always re-wet the leather after it has dried and correct it, re bone it. Is there a point in the process of making a holster that you get to that the tooling becomes permanent and can not be re-worked? Perhaps there is a procedure/treatment that is done that will not allow the leather to be re-worked?

Again, being a total noob, my leather knowledege is only what I gathered from reading posts and websites. I do find this craft interesting and having done fine carpentry and metal lathe projects, I was/am looking forward to trying it. However if it means I will completely ruin the holster I will probably just try to sell it, hopefully not though.

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I'm out of town until Tuesday, so I won't be able to upload a pic until then. I am confused about process of molding leather, though. From what I have read when molding a holster people state that if you make a mistake you can always re-wet the leather after it has dried and correct it, re bone it. Is there a point in the process of making a holster that you get to that the tooling becomes permanent and can not be re-worked? Perhaps there is a procedure/treatment that is done that will not allow the leather to be re-worked?

Again, being a total noob, my leather knowledege is only what I gathered from reading posts and websites. I do find this craft interesting and having done fine carpentry and metal lathe projects, I was/am looking forward to trying it. However if it means I will completely ruin the holster I will probably just try to sell it, hopefully not though.

Those who say things like that likely have never made a leather holster or are refering to those holsters that are not detail boned but only blocked to a gun. In the latter case it is possible to fit a different gun and have it look OK not great but OK. With a holster that is detail boned and finished fitting a different gun you may end up with an acceptable fit that just looks nasty. Best bet is to identify what gun it is made for then sell it and invest in a holster made specifically for your gun.

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