Whether you are a concealed or ranged carry, you need a holster for your gun the same way you need a long-range scope for a 1000-yard shot. If your leather western holsters are new, you will want to break them in as soon as possible to properly hold your firearm.

Why it matters

New leather can be difficult to work with because it is so tight, but when it comes to your handgun, it can affect your draw. It can also make it difficult to holster your gun because it will not accept the frame as easily as non-leather.

Whether you are in law enforcement, concealment, or competitive shooting, a clean draw is imperative. It can mean the difference between life and death or a victory, so breaking a leather case should be high on the to-do list.

The technique of "blocking"

To get a clean draw, you will want to stretch the leather enough to fit your handgun without becoming so loose that your gun could slip. This is where the "blocking" technique comes in because it will achieve this while preserving the leather. Here are the steps:

Wrap your handgun in a thicker plastic bag. Those few millimeters will make a huge difference and ensure the bag doesn't tear.

With your thumb on the back of the slide to make sure it doesn't move, slide your pistol into the 1911 shoulder holster leather until it locks. You will probably have to be firm to insert it.

Once in place, leave it overnight or for several hours. This will give the leather time to stretch and naturally expand around your handgun fit.

Remove your weapon from the holster grip first. Be careful not to grip your holster near the contours of the gun, such as the trigger guard or the barrel, as this may undo some of the stretches and you will have to start over.

Remove the bag and place your pistol back in the holster. It ought to be a little calmer this time, but repeat steps 2-4. This should give your holster the desired fit for your handgun.

The goal is for your cowboy gun holster to be stretched enough to accept your pistol and allow for a clean draw, but not so stretched that you lose your grip or allow your handgun to slip.

Additional tips

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to stretch a new leather case is using any type of lubricant. Not only could this damage the integrity of the leather, but it could have a few other negative side effects. This is why you should use high-quality products like those found at Lone Star Holsters. Their honing sets offer leather-impregnating oil and honing liquid solution and would be a great place to start.

Any lubrication other than gun oil could dull your gun, scratch the paint, or rust the metal. The other downside is that it could make your 1911 shoulder holster slippery, which transfers to your handgun.

It goes without saying, but you do not want your handgun slipping while you are walking around or, even worse, slipping out of your hand when you need to draw your weapon. The "blocking" technique is the best way to get a clean draw from your case every time.