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

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AJMD429
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Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 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.

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

Post by alnitak »

I've heard rubbing a candle on the squeaky areas will work.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 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. :wink:
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by MrMurphy »

You remove the squeak by using a Kydex holster. :)
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by rjohns94 »

Desantis has an oil that works well.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by AJMD429 »

Chuck 100 yd wrote:I oil my leather with EVOO (EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil) when I build them. Shooting CAS I have never heard a squeak. :wink:
How much oil...?
Do you only apply it to the inside or what...?
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by AJMD429 »

Tycer wrote: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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by Blaine »

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

Post by Tycer »

7.62 Precision wrote: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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 7.62 Precision »

Tycer wrote:
7.62 Precision wrote: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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by bdhold »

BlaineG wrote: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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by jeepnik »

Baby powder. If it doesn't work, you haven't done anything irreversible. Plus you'll have that baby fresh smell.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by Griff »

Carnuba wax. Pay attention to the belt contact points and the inside, also force it down into the stitching.
jeepnik wrote: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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by AJMD429 »

Griff wrote:
jeepnik wrote: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'...???? :D
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by Griff »

AJMD429 wrote:
Griff wrote:
jeepnik wrote: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'...???? :D
Pee on it... :twisted: :twisted:
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 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).
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by bdhold »

piller wrote: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
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by 7.62 Precision »

bulldog1935 wrote: 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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by jeepnik »

Griff wrote:
AJMD429 wrote:
Griff wrote:
jeepnik wrote: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'...???? :D
Pee on it... :twisted: :twisted:
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.
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters...?

Post by Hillbilly »

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

Never soften a boned holster.... it will stretch and get sloppy
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Re: Taking the 'squeak' out of leather holsters…?//OT

Post by 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.
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