Leather Holsters

[xbowman]

Don't store your blackpowder pistol in a leather holster because leather draws moisture.

 

[cynthialee]

??

I have been keeping pistols in leather holsters for 3 decades. Never seemed to be a problem for me. Granted I never kept one longer than 4 or 5 years, but they have always been kept in a leather holster when in my possetion.

 

[Coot]

It has been my experience that when the humidity is high enough for the leather to be happy, it is too high for bare metal to be happy.

 

[Sperit de bois]

And some of the chemicals used in the tanning process will cause rust/corrosion on the weapon stored in them...They don't call them Tanning Salts for nothing,,,,

 

[Poor Private]

I also have never had a problem. I store my 1858 Remington in a leather holster all the time. I store it in my bedroom gun cabinet for easy access along with a few other weapons. ammo and powder are close by. I have been doing it that way for years. Of course I take out ALL my guns regularly for use and cleaning. I don't leave them stored in there for years untouched like some I know.

 

[wojciste]

I have a leather long gun case for my Pennsylvanian. I put the gun in there for over a month and when I pulled it out the gun had a light layer of rust on it. Not good. Needless to say I only use it too and from the range.

 

[Billnpatti]

True, under the right conditions, leather will absorb some moisture and that can be damaging to a gun stored in contact with it. In addition, the chemicals with which leather is tanned can be corrosive to metal that is kept in contact with it. That being said, holsters made by the better brand holstermakers are made of leather that is tanned with chemicals and methods that reduce the corrositivity of the leather. Personally, I do not keep any of my guns in leather.

I had a custom made knife that I was very proud of and I had a saddlemaker make me a scabbard for it. He used the same leather that he used for making saddles. I put my pretty knife in the scabbard and put it away for a few weeks. When deer season got here, I went to take it out and check to be sure that it was sharp, much to may dismay, I found it covered with a layer of rust. After a LOT of work, I was able to restore it to its former beauty but I learned my lesson.

 

[rabjr]

I give mine a good dose of neatsfoot oil, the gun is always oiled and never goes very long without being checked and wiped down again. I've never had a rust problem.

 

[Dickydalton]

I've had cartridge loops on gunbelts corrode the brass rounds in them.

 

[katman]

+1 on the neatsfoot . Been using it many years ,I'm 73 and started with muzzel loaders when I was 15. Allways treated all leather with neatsfoot. Good Shooting to all ! Darn I,m 74

 

[sidelock]

MY .44 SUPER BLACKHAWK has been in leather built by ME since 1978. Still shiny!!!!!