Nothing beats the quality of craftsmanship and the smell of fresh, fine, natural leather. While nylon and Kydex maintain a uniform shape and are easy to maintain, any honest gunslinger will tell you: that the look and feel just aren’t the same. Leather cases are generally much more comfortable and quieter than synthetic cases. A top-quality leather case should last a lifetime, as long as it is well cared for.
Want a leather case that will last a lifetime?
For over four generations, the craftsmen at Lone Star Holsters have handcrafted exquisite western holsters that securely and positively hold your firearm in leather you’ll be proud to own. You may notice that your case is stiff and tight out of the box. It can be difficult to put away or draw your handgun initially. If firing and storing the firearm several times is not enough, you will have to break the holster to find a perfect fit.
How to break into a case
Use a blocking technique to stretch the leather just enough for a smooth draw. Place your firearm in a heavy plastic bag. You can utilize a Ziploc freezer bag or a shopping bag. Some people use two sheets of waxed paper (with the waxed side facing the leather). Wedge the firearm in the holster and let it sit for at least 24 hours. Remove the bag and test the draw, wearing the case as you would for your intended use, without the plastic bag.
What you should not do:
We do NOT recommend using a lubricant like silicone spray or Leather Lightning to grease the inside of your case. You don’t want a gun to be slippery because it could slip out of the holster unintentionally. Beyond that, you don’t want to dull your firearm’s finish. The interior of our holsters is hand finished protecting your gun from bluing.
Custom leather holsters are made to last forever. A little care can go a long way in preserving quality.
Care of the things
- Use warm water and glycerin soap or leather lotion to remove impurities with a smooth finish.
- Most leather cases only need to be cleaned with soap once every three to four months.
- You can clean your case with Bick 4 Conditioner or Fiebing’s Foaming Saddle Soap sparingly.
- Wipe off blood, dust, sweat, or with dirt a soft towel.
- Stubborn dirt or stains can be gently scrubbed off with a soft bristle brush.
- Keep a layer of clothing between you and the case to minimize sweating.
- If the leather has become damp, place the case in a dry place to allow natural air drying.
- Store your leather case in a cool, dry place, wrapped in a soft cotton cloth or in the original box.
- Minor cosmetic scratches will come off by rubbing olive, baby, or saddle oil into the scratch with a cotton swab.
- Apply to rubbing alcohol in a circular motion to minimize the appearance of deeper scratches.
Care of the leather case:
- Do not leave your case on the car dashboard or expose it to direct sunlight for long periods of time.
Do not store your case where your dog m
