Re-holstering a revolver

[RoyJackson]

Although I've carried for a lot of years, it's always been pocket (snubby .38) or with an OWB holster (normally a Glock 19). Although I have had a couple IWB holsters (for the snubby), I never really used them much.

I picked up a Ruger SP101 recently. The gun has the 3.06" barrel. I intend to carry this piece on occasion so I also purchased two holsters, both Don Hume.

One is an IWB type (spring steel clip keeps it in place). I have yet to figure out a good way to re-holster the gun (been practicing with it unloaded, of course). My jeans or trousers are loose enough for a good fit. I wear a quality gun belt (Beltman). The cylinder of the gun catches the lip of the holster. I can widen the holster with my fingers, but it's a real PITA.

Any words of wisdom from you IWB fans?

[gf45acp]

Does your IWB have a hard piece at the top that keeps it open? If not, you will need 2 hands to re-holster. When looking for an IWB, make sure that it will stay open after draw. Also, there are IWB Kydex holsters that stay open. Does your IWB have a stiffener but is not wide enough? You may be able to spread it a bit more for a better fit if the stiffener is leather or metal.

[RoyJackson]

The mouth of the holster has a leather doubler to stiffen it. How would you go about widening it?
BTW, when I first got this holster, I did break it in by wrapping the Ruger in plastic and leaving it in the holster for a couple of days.

[gf45acp]

If you have already had it in for a while and it's still tight, you can try two things. #1, wet the top of the holster (very wet), then wrap the gun in plastic food wrap, and inset it in so that the widest point of the gun is at the entrance to the holster. #2, if still tight cut a piece of wood a hair wider than the widest part of the cylinder (not to wide, you want a little tight so that the gun will stay in the holster), wet the holster, wrap the wood in food wrap, and block the mouth open. Leave either until the leather is completely dry. Before you try these, not to be overly simplistic, but is the holster the one that Hume lists for the gun? I ask because if you do these things you will probably void any guarentee from Hume, and will not be able to return the holster.

[RoyJackson]

Originally Posted by gf45acp

If you have already had it in for a while and it's still tight, you can try two things. #1, wet the top of the holster (very wet), then wrap the gun in plastic food wrap, and inset it in so that the widest point of the gun is at the entrance to the holster. #2, if still tight cut a piece of wood a hair wider than the widest part of the cylinder (not to wide, you want a little tight so that the gun will stay in the holster), wet the holster, wrap the wood in food wrap, and block the mouth open. Leave either until the leather is completely dry. Before you try these, not to be overly simplistic, but is the holster the one that Hume lists for the gun? I ask because if you do these things you will probably void any guarentee from Hume, and will not be able to return the holster.

Yes, it's specifically made for the 3.06" SP101. I gave up on those generic holsters a lot of years ago.

[gf45acp]

Most good leather holsters are tight when you first get them, give it the wet mold fit, should do it. I have to get myself a good holster for a Charter Bulldog Pug .44spl. 2 1/2" that I got a few weeks ago, haven't decieded on OWB or IWB yet for it, will probabely end up with both in the long run. I need a better paying job!