When I carry my smaller gun I use a Crossbreed IWB. I love the holster but have noticed it is not gripping the gun as well as it did when new. Actually, it would probably fly out if I hit the ground. Is there something I can do to “repair” it? I have seen someone making Kydex holsters but didn’t pay close enough attention to the specifics. I know he was using a heat gun and a few different “tools” to help form it.
I have been carrying my Shield in a Tulster lately but sometimes would prefer the smaller conceal of my P938 being it’s warmer out these days.
Heat gun or hair dryer will work. Make sure you use circular motion and don’t concentrate the heat in one spot or it will melt. Once it’s warm, apply some pressure on the area you want to tighten. Probably around the trigger guard to help with retention.
Check if there are rubber spacers between kydex and leather. If yes, just tighten the screws. If not, you will have to go with heat gun option and make the kydex little more flat in trigger guard area to increase friction.
I had not thought of this but I do need to try it since I do have one which I was going to send back when I get a chance. Guess I’ll try it and if it doesn’t work I’ll send it back anyway… Thanks guys
, I’ve heard good things about those. I think @PDA3 got you covered.
I don’t like the reckoning because it has leather backing and retention screws. So the screws can come loose, and the leather can come loose. I would not be surprised if what your experiencing is normal wear. Crossbreed also has a great warranty. You could contact them and see what they have to say as well.
I would think it more likely it is the leather stretching/forming over time than the kydex. I use full kydex holsters and have never experienced them “stretching”, losing retention. I put blue loctite on the retention screws to prevent them from backing out over time.
I would agree with the leather stretching. I’ve never had a hybrid, but I have full kydex and full leather holsters. I’ve never had a kydex holster stretch or lose form, but every leather holster I’ve had wears in and loosens a little. You can do as others have suggested and use a heat gun to “adjust” the retention on the kydex half a little. Just be careful not to adjust too much at once.
That is pretty much how a hybrid holster will loosen. If there are not tension screws, a new holster, new backer, or reforming the kydex are the options. Try to figure out where and how the holster retention originally worked and work the kydex in enough to restore the tension — around the trigger guard is pretty common and pretty simple to reshape once you figure out how heating the plastic works.
A possibility beyond just stretching leather is if you have changed your carry position or body shape or have a looser belt — when new, a hybrid holster seems to grip the gun just holding it in your hand. Once broken in, it pretty much requires the curve of the backer around your body to push the gun into the kydex for retention. Same fix options.
, I’ve heard good things about those. I think