Loosen up a Kydex holster?

[MikePotts]

My first Kydex (OWB) holster is very tight, seems to be around the trigger guard?, Colt Commander.
Any recommendations for a quick fix?

 

[MacZC7]

Heat gun

 

[Axxe55]

Or a hair blow dryer on high.

 

[Maverick44]

I second the hair drier. A heat gun would work, but it would be very easy to over do it with one. Trust me, I have done some damage with one. You want to do it just enough to soften the Kydex. You probably want the UNLOADED gun in the holster when you do it so that the Kydex keeps it's form and doesn't sag in.

 

[cvgunman]

With a leather holster, I would wrap the pistol in waxed paper and put under heater in truck. Then wiggle around until it loosened up. You may try wrapping the tight area with something similar, then using heat gun or hair dryer. Don't get too loose, you may lose your retention.

ETA: If I remember correctly, it is tight there specifically for retention (though I could be wrong)

 

[Axxe55]

The reasons I suggested a hair blow dryer, is most people have one, or at least their wife does, and even if not, one can be bought rather cheaply at most dollar stores for under $10. and they don't get near as hot as a heat gun, so less chance of getting the Kydex too hot.

As mentioned, a heat gun will work, but not everyone has one, and if you do, just be very careful using it.

 

[SQLGeek]

How tight is too tight?

ETA: If I remember correctly, it is tight there specifically for retention (though I could be wrong)

You're absolutely correct. The gun is supposed to snap in and out.

 

[MikePotts]

How tight is too tight?



You're absolutely correct. The gun is supposed to snap in and out.

Definitely too tight. Working on your suggestions, Thanks

 

[Moonpie]

Just an idea?
Place the holstered gun on top of your cars dash while parked out in the sun?
Let the sun do the job for you.

 

[toddnjoyce]

Just an idea?
Place the holstered gun on top of your cars dash while parked out in the sun?
Let the sun do the job for you.

Don’t forget to lock the doors.

 

[digger]

Roll down windows to save replacement cost :-)

 

[MikePotts]

Just an idea?
Place the holstered gun on top of your cars dash while parked out in the sun?
Let the sun do the job for you.

Funny you should say that...the holster is on my truck dash right now with some padding in what I think is the correct place whle I'm having a cold one at....

 

[SQLGeek]

Don’t forget to lock the doors.

So you're saying I don't do this while parked on the street in Houston's 5th Ward?

 

[Sasquatch]

Is this a custom job or a factory holster? Not to be a goob - but certain holsters are supposed to be tight, and have a specific drawstroke that allows easy draw. If you're pulling the gun in a direction not meant to go, you're actually adding resistance - and this becomes an issue of training to be familiar with the holster, moreso than a defect or too-tight a design. With kydex holsters, the trigger guard is the typical primary retention point. IT is supposed to snap in and out and hold securely.

I've been making kydex holsters for myself, and used to do it as a side business. I used to use ejection port as a point of retention BUT its way harder to get that "just right" and you will always be tearing up the inside of the holster using anything but the trigger guard as the retention point. If there's no thumb break or tension screws, or other retention mechanism you might not want to mess with the retention much. If the gun can drop out of the holster if held upside down, I'd say the retention is too loose.

For most people it seems unlikely, but I have had an incident with a holster that I made too loose where I fell (slipped on ice) and the gun popped out of the holster upon impacting the ground. At that point I had a loaded Glock 17 floating around inside my shirt (tuckable holster) doing its own thing. THAT is a feeling I don't care to experience again, so just be cautious when modding retention.

 

[cvgunman]

So you're saying I don't do this while parked on the street in Houston's 5th Ward?

Why not? Just don't park in the shade

 

[FireInTheWire]

Hmm... all my kydex holsters have an adjustment screw that loosen or tightens the resistance.

I guess not all holsters are like this

 

[Sasquatch]

Hmm... all my kydex holsters have an adjustment screw that loosen or tightens the resistance.

I guess not all holsters are like this

Yeah, some are just the molded in retention, not adjustable

 

[Charlie]

Wrap something around the gun (rag?) and leave it in the heat. Shouldn't be a problem where we live!