Oh, and by the way, it is suddenly somewhat difficult to find quality shoulder holsters online. This government is ruining just about every desireable part of our lives and seems to be doing it all on purpose.
If it won’t shrink the leather, maybe wet it a little at a time.
FUBO!!
I have no idea (heat?) but just chimed in to tell you what a chuckle I get out of your screen name. BTW what does it mean again, God has counted you and you have been found wanting? Interesting that it was just God’s fingers showing up on the wall, right?
What you want is, in fact, called a “stiffener.” It’s usually made out of fibreboard for bookcovers, shirts and other clothing for retail sale. But for your use, it would be made from stiff plastic as an insert. Your gun retailer may know how to get one; otherwise, you’ll have to get one fabricated or do it yourself. It shouldn’t be difficult - for example, take some plastic cutting boards and cut them into 4 different pieces to make a frame inside the holster.
What kind of holster is it and for what handgun?
I'd suggest buying a high quality shoulder rig. The Galco Jackass shoulder holster is good.
During the middle ages, leather armor was stiffened by saturating/impregnating the leather with beeswax...this will stiffen the leather temporarily, but with flexion and heat, it will eventually lose its rigidity.
Leather can also be boiled or near boiled in hot water, which will make it stiffer, but has two negative consequences: it will make the leather more brittle, and may also shrink and warp it.
Wish I had an easy fix (or any fix for that matter) for you. About the only thing I can think of that may be helpful would be to disassemble the holster itself (i.e. have the stitching undone), and either line it with a stiff fabric, or stitch in some pockets to hold slats i.e. another peice of stiff leather or spring steel to give it some rigidity...probably easier and cheaper to buy a new holster. Perhaps somebody with a more experience than I can help you out here.
My kids used Kool-Aid to stiffen my leather seats.
Give it to Bill Clinton for three minutes after telling him it is a blue dress. Allow to dry.
As 11 says... Beeswax should work. A young friend of mine makes holsters and I was amazed how he makes them conform to the gun and keeps them stiff... Beeswax is all he uses.
I rough it up with sand paper and soak it in salt water then sun dry it. Once it is dried out it becomes brittle so make sure you oil it back and work it.
There is a product called something like ‘Glide-Eze’ or similar made by Bianchi or Galco (don’t remember which one). It’s a leather lubricant that you treat the inside of your shoulder holster with. It sort of seals the leather and makes it more slippery. It comes in a very small bottle and it is kind of expensive, but it does work if you can get the drops in the right spots where the holster binds.
Every time I get leather gloves wet, they get really stiff. I wouldn’t think water would hurt the leather.
ping for later
Viagra?
Show it a female holster?
There are commercial products if you can find a real shoe repair shop anywhere. They are a type of lacquer thin enough to penetrate the leather and harden it. I don’t think I’d use it on very thin leather, might be too brittle.
Do right, replace the holster with a suitable one.
Since you will be dependiing on it to do its job, don’t bother with trying to rehabilitate worn out gear (you don’t reuse bandages do you? ;)
Your life will be counting on your holster to perform exactly right, once. Pony up for a good serviceable holster.
Save the old one for nostalgia if you want, but never use suspect gear.
Best;