Breaking in holster

[Millie]

Does kydex have a "break-in" period? Will the holster loosen up a little as I put my gun in and out? (Unloaded, of course, while getting doing this.)
Carrying it in my waistband is going fine, even in yoga pants, I'm getting used to the weight and placement. However, it's hard to pull the (unloaded when doing this) gun out of the holster. It goes back in fine, just getting it out is hard.
Any advice for me?
Thanks!

 

[fieldgrade]

The short answer to this question is "no" if it is all kydex.
Does your holster have an adjusting screw to tighten or loosen retention? Some kydex holsters do, some don't.

 

[Millie]

The short answer to this question is "no" if it is all kydex.
Does your holster have an adjusting screw to tighten or loosen retention? Some kydex holsters do, some don't.

It only has the screws holding the clip on. Only other thing on it is a rivet-looking thing to keep it closed about halfway down the barrel.
Thanks for responding.

 

[fieldgrade]

It only has the screws holding the clip on. Only other thing on it is a rivet-looking thing to keep it closed about halfway down the barrel.
Thanks for responding.

I have had some highly reputable kydex holsters that were just too hard to draw because they were tight. I typically buy kydex that's "adjustable" now.

See those two screws bottom left, they adjust the tension on the gun. This is a Blade Tech Signature. Around $35

 

[Jeppo]

The alternative is a heat gun or serious hair blow dryer gun.

 

[CZfool68]

Rule #1. You generally get what you pay for. Holsters are no exception. If it doesn't work to your satisfsction I'd try to return it and get a better one.

 

[Millie]

The alternative is a heat gun or serious hair blow dryer gun.

Well, I do have a heat gun....
Do I really want to start heating up my holster not knowing anything about how to do this? Probably not....

 

[Jeppo]

Then use your hair dryer

 

[Millie]

I have had some highly reputable kydex holsters that were just too hard to draw because they were tight. I typically buy kydex that's "adjustable" now.

See those two screws bottom left, they adjust the tension on the gun. This is a Blade Tech Signature. Around $35

Mine has a hole/rivet in the space between where yours has the 2 screws.

 

[Jeppo]

If you decide to try, I'll send you the instructions a holster maker sent me. I followed them and it worked.

 

[Millie]

Then use your hair dryer

I have no idea where my hair dryer might be...I haven't used it in years. LoL...
Maybe a little judicious carving?
Maybe my hands are just weaker than I realized.

 

[Millie]

If you decide to try, I'll send you the instructions a holster maker sent me. I followed them and it worked.

Yes, please send them to me. It might be worth a shot.
Thanks!

 

[Millie]

Rule #1. You generally get what you pay for. Holsters are no exception. If it doesn't work to your satisfsction I'd try to return it and get a better one.

It might just be me. And how to tell what is a "better" one....

 

[Jeppo]

It might just be me. And how to tell what is a "better" one....

If everybody agreed on the meaning of "a better one", gun owners wouldn't have garages filled with unused holsters.

 

[fieldgrade]

It might just be me. And how to tell what is a "better" one....

I've bought higher end ones that were too tight. Just get an adjustable one if you can't get Jeppo's instructions to get it like you want.

 

[Mitch Rapp]

It might just be me. And how to tell what is a "better" one....

Trial and error, sweetheart, trial and error lol.
I just gave away two holsters, have several in a box in the shed, and these.
You will end up like most of us soon enough lol

 

[Millie]

Trial and error, sweetheart, trial and error lol.
I just gave away two holsters, have several in a box in the shed, and these.
You will end up like most of us soon enough lol
View attachment 76660

Yes, apparently I'm not a "gun person" until I have a drawer full of holsters! So far I have 4 guns and 5 holsters, how am I doing?

 

[Jeppo]

Yes, apparently I'm not a "gun person" until I have a drawer full of holsters! So far I have 4 guns and 5 holsters, how am I doing?

You're 10% of the way there.

 

[CZfool68]

Yes, apparently I'm not a "gun person" until I have a drawer full of holsters! So far I have 4 guns and 5 holsters, how am I doing?

In my experience it takes a lot of internet research, asking for help on forums and then you still go wrong at times.

 

[Mitch Rapp]

Yes, apparently I'm not a "gun person" until I have a drawer full of holsters! So far I have 4 guns and 5 holsters, how am I doing?

Gonna need at least two more per gun lol.

 

[Mitch Rapp]

In all seriousness, a good holster is in the eye of the beholder. Its most definitely a personal choice and takes some time to find the one that fits your needs and likes.

 

[Millie]

In all seriousness, a good holster is in the eye of the beholder. Its most definitely a personal choice and takes some time to find the one that fits your needs and likes.

Well, I've already found the one I love the most, but it doesn't cover all the parts of the new gun that need to be covered, so....

 

[Jeppo]

Well, I've already found the one I love the most, but it doesn't cover all the parts of the new gun that need to be covered, so....

Photos?

 

[Millie]

Photos?

It's a sticky holster I use for the Kel Tec, surely you don't want a photo of that, do you? Really?

 

[Jeppo]

Yes, with the gun showing the "uncovered" parts.

 

[nc-by-the-c]

I literally have and entire giant Tupperware storage bin filled with rejects lol
Many will be at the Myrtle beach gun show for those interested in a deal...

 

[CZfool68]

It's a sticky holster I use for the Kel Tec, surely you don't want a photo of that, do you? Really?

There are really no pictures of anythign sticky that is good except donuts and desserts.

 

[Millie]

There are really no pictures of anythign sticky that is good except donuts and desserts.

I had dessert a few months ago...LoL.
Yeah, we all know what the sticky holsters look like, so no pic needed.

 

[Millie]

Yes, with the gun showing the "uncovered" parts.

No, just no. LoL.
Go get your sticky holster out of the drawer (I know you have one), put your Sig p238 in there (I know you have one), and look at it...there ya go! You can see all the parts that I want covered.
See, I'm painting you a portrait with words.....

 

[Jeppo]

Don't own a Sticky nor a P238. For pocket carry, this is all I've got and I feel like the vital parts are covered.

 

[Millie]

Don't own a Stick nor a P238.

Sticky holsters are fantastic, I love mine! Love my P238, too.
But I'm still not doing pics, though I know how y'all love them. LoL.

 

[chiefjason]

Post a pic of the holster front and back. Those of us that make them can tell you where to start loosening it up. There are some spots that are worse than others. And the P238, as much as I love mine, has a ridiculously sharp inside edge on the ejection port that can wreak havoc on retention.

 

[RR]

If this is the one I made for you let me know. Send it back to me and I'll adjust it.

 

[Millie]

Don't own a Sticky nor a P238. For pocket carry, this is all I've got and I feel like the vital parts are covered.

View attachment 76665

Sticky holsters are fantastic! I don't know anything about pocket carrying, though, but if it works for you, I'm glad you found the "way" and the "one"...LoL.

 

[Millie]

Post a pic of the holster front and back. Those of us that make them can tell you where to start loosening it up. There are some spots that are worse than others. And the P238, as much as I love mine, has a ridiculously sharp inside edge on the ejection port that can wreak havoc on retention.

I'd love to do pics for you, I'm just not very good at it.
I'm taking a good look at the fit to see exactly where it's too tight, and may be able to fix it myself.
I'll check out the port and see if that might be the issue. Thanks for the suggestion.
I'm glad you love your Sig as much as I love mine! It's my perfect gun!!! And it doesn't hurt that it looks so good while being so perfect, right?

 

[chiefjason]

I'd love to do pics for you, I'm just not very good at it.
I'm taking a good look at the fit to see exactly where it's too tight, and may be able to fix it myself.
I'll check out the port and see if that might be the issue. Thanks for the suggestion.
I'm glad you love your Sig as much as I love mine! It's my perfect gun!!! And it doesn't hurt that it looks so good while being so perfect, right?

Checking mine the biggest problem areas I see are the ejection port and the slide stop. Make sure it's not molded to the stop on the back. You can loosen the retention on the trigger guard too if it's too deep. Also make sure there is a channel for the front site so it's not dragging on the holster. Check the gun for plastic shavings and check the inside of the holster for wear.