Kirkpatrick break in period?

I just got my first Kirkpatrick. It is really tight to the point that I can barely draw my gun when it is on my belt.
Anyone else have this problem? Any remedies?

The holster is the TSS, gun is a 1911.

I was thinking about wrapping some paper/plastic around the gun and leaving it in the holster for a week? Either that or sending it back and getting another Fist holster...

Your thoughts?

I was going to suggest putting the gun in a large zip-loc bag (the thicker one) and then placing your gun in the holster. I would leave it over night like this, check and repeat if necessary. The other thing I've noticed is that the holster is "tighter" when it's on your person since it also has the tension of the belt through the loops and around your waist. You may try to simulate this by placing the gun in the plastic bag, in the holster, and then put a good gun belt through the loops. If you can set this up so that there is some "circular" tension (think like it's around your waist) on the holster, this may help as it sits over night.

There are some leather conditioner products out there that are supposed to help with a tight holster. I think Mitch Rosen makes one called Leather Lighting. I've never used something like this, so I can't comment on these.

Also, one other thing that makes drawing with new leather tough, can be specific to the design of the holster and your particular gun model. I've had the edge of the opening of the breachface of Glocks want to really get stuck on the reinforced opening of open-top leather holsters. The plastic bag trick really didn't help here. It just took multiple draws and reholsterings with the holster on my person to wear down that part of the leather to smooth and open things up.

Once your leather holster is broken in and functional for you, you will be very happy with it. I prefer a broken in leather holster to any of the kydex offerings out there, and I've got my share of kydex holsters.

i would not send it back. i posted my review of the TSS not too long ago....i think its the best 1911 OWB holster i have ever tried.

I personally use the "reholster it a 1000 times" method. I also leave the gun in the holster overnight and when I am at work (no carry there ).

Once it is broken in, I think you will be very happy.

Thanks to the both of you.

And I agree about the kydex, I'm not a fan...

I just got a KIrkpatrick TSS for my 4" Kimber 1911 and it is not tight at all on the pistol.....a little too loose. I put it on at 4 o'clock and tightened my belt so that it was uncomfortably tight and the pistol was still loose....I'm gonna try it again tomorrow when I feel better and then decide if I want to exchange or return it. I have heard good things about Kirkpatrick....but I am not seeing it on my first try.

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