Galco leather Belt Holster slightly loser than I would prefer

[Kenk]

Picked up a Galco Combat Master Leather Belt Holster for a 1911 5-Inch Colt / Para a month ago for my RIA Rock Ultra FS HC 10mm. It is now slightly loser than I would prefer, however Galco says it can not be tightened up....Thoughts ?

[Graybeard]

Get it wet and let it dry in the sun?? Kidding, sorta. If it's basically useless to you, what's the harm.

[Kenk]

It works as is, but the retention could be better

[Graybeard]

Maybe there's a shoe repair near you that could make some mods. Stitch it a little tighter, or add some thin leather strips inside. Some of those guys are wizards with leather and they obviously have the machines to sew it.

I'd call first before walking in with a gun and a holster Don't want to see you on the news!

[Kenk]

Lol, me nether

[Kenk]

Yaw know, a few thin felt strips glued inside might do the trick

[sqlbullet]

You can try wetting and re-boning the holster:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dls0_d5SqNE

I would warn however, that I have ruined a holster before by wetting in water that was a bit too warm.  I shrank like crazy.  Later I learned this was as much due to cheap leather as my technique.

[Kenk]

 Thanks sqlbullet, I was hoping you or Shadow would weigh in on this : )

[Graybeard]

Glue might not hold up well with leather. I really think a shoe repair person could stitch something like a 1" leather band around the inside of the mouth of the holster, rough side in. No worries about it coming loose and rolling over that way.

Let us know what you come up with and how it works.

[sqlbullet]

If you are cheap, handy introvert like me, you can stitch it yourself too.  Make a nice evening activity while catching up on [insert name of show you bingwatch on Prime here].

I gotta mention this too.

I buy cheap holsters.  One only need hear I own and use a Gould and Goodrich holster to know that this is very true.

Galco, while well known and advertised, makes "production grade" gear.  Same for Desantis, the purveyors of my favored Econbelt gun belt.  Their stuff is not as cheap as G&G, but neither is it fine quality gear.

I use a lot of kydex holsters and I like and recommend them.  You can get a better holster for less money in Kydex.

But, if you like leather and you are serious about carrying in leather, then do what I never have and pony up the bucks.  If I were going to get serious about leather for carry OWB, I would go to Adams Holsters or HBE Leatherworks (HBE stands for Holsters by Eric and I will refer to Eric as such later) and get a custom holster made.  I would expect to pay $125-$150 and wait 6-8 weeks. 

HBE at this point really just has one OWB concealment holster, and it is a nice holster but rides a little lower than I would like.  They are also local to me, a fact I didn't learn until after I had become a fan of Eric's holsters.

Adams Holsters has a similar "Crossroads" model, but the one I really like there is the Overpass. The Overpass is cheaper than the target budget I outlined.

Adams lists the Para P14 sized guns as an option, so your Rock HC will be fine. 

Eric does not list the Para, but lists "all 1911's" and says to call with concerns.  His OWB pancake covers more gun than the Overpass, getting up onto the frame where a 1911A2 is different.  I imagine he has made holsters for the Para/HC style 1911 before though, so he will have a solution.

I am sure there are a number of other makers that create great leather.  These are just the two that I dream one day of buying a holster from.

[Kenk]

Thanks man, will look at them both

Ken

[Kenk]

These folks have been awesome in the past also

http://www.bearcreekholsters.com/index.html

[Goetztalon]

Check out Exodus gunleather! Have two holsters that Carl has made me and they are awesome! One for my 1911 and the other for my Glock 30. Can't beat horsehide for a great holster!

[Kenk]

Will do, Thanks!

[Kenk]

Are there any decent off the shelf Kldex manufactures that stand out?
Thanks

Ken