NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Holster Hack For New Leather

by
posted on June 25, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Browsing the websites of various holster makers, American Rifleman’s Joe Kurtenbach noticed a interesting trend: a pattern of post-purchase comments and reviews stating things like “Quality and finish are great, but the holster doesn’t fit right,” or “Love this holster, but it’s too tight.” Kurtenbach believes that in this age of Kydex, many gun owners have forgotten that a good leather holster, much like a baseball mitt, needs a bit of break-in before it’s ready for the big game.

Luckily, there are some tricks to accelerating the fitting process with new leather, and Kurtenbach shares one here.

Latest

Women outside with rifle on rest
Women outside with rifle on rest

Three Hidden Joys of the Rifle

There is a particular jolt of joy when a shooter nestles behind a perfectly stable rifle and puts the ideal bullet exactly where intended.

New For 2026: Smith & Wesson M&P15 AXE

The new Smith & Wesson M&P15 AXE is not only the latest in the company's series of AR-style rifles, it marks the first S&W rifle to be chambered for the .300 Blackout cartridge.

The Armed Citizen® July 27, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Skills Check: The Meltdown Drill

Our drill this month trains you to acquire a multi-round-durable grip from the start and continually pressure-test it under time and transition stress, holding you to an all-clean-hits standard.

EAA Corp. Acquires Manufacturing Facility in Tennessee

European American Armory’s recent acquisition of a large manufacturing facility in Mountain City, Tenn., is further evidence that the firearm importer plans to establish a domestic manufacturing presence.

Short & Classic: Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine SBR

While many short-barreled rifles available today are based on the latest designs, there are a few classic models in the mix, too, such as Auto-Ordnance's M1 Carbine SBR.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.