Holster wear solutions?
 

I've got a very nice 1936 S/42 and want to pick up a correct holster for it. The question is, if I store the gun in the holster, how can I prevent additional holster wear to the gun finish from inserting and removing the pistol? Can I just wrap the pistol in a thin oily rag or some other kind of shield between the gun and the leather?

Oh, here's my pistol
 

Hi Ray, is your barrel loaded with a cartridge ?

That's a fair question. It's loaded with a snap cap so that the extractor "loaded" indicator can be seen in the photo. Good eye.

Swiss mag ?

No, it's a MecGar modern mag. I have a Type I 1936 "g" mag on the way.

Ray, It's my thinking that the pistol would recieve very little additional wear the few times you might take it in or out of a holster. Where most of these pistols aquired the wear they have now is from being carried on a daily basis in a holster. Perhaps months or years.
It's always been my recomendation not to insert a pistol in holsters. It can be damaging to both.
Now, when you have a worn holster and a worn pistol, who really cares?
Mint is a different story...Mint holster, mint pistol..NEVER put them together if you want to keep them that way.
Jerry Burney

I wouldn't store the pistol in the holster... too much chance for condensation being wicked by the leather and touching the metal. It is different for a working gun that gets cleaned on a regular basis, but the holster is no doubt 60 plus years old. Fill the holster with bubble wrap and fill the magazine pouch with a wooden stick or piece of plastic shaped like a magazine to maintain the shape of the leather. Either display the pistol (if your home is secure enough) or keep it in your gun safe. Just my $0.02

...and thanks Ray for adding your photo as your avatar... seems like it is starting a good trend.

"The question is, if I store the gun in the holster."

Ray,

Never store a pistol in a holster. Especially in a humid climate. Leather absorbs moisture. Steel and moisture don't get along well. Store the pistol and holster separated in a dry well ventilated space.

Ron

Hi,

I've been running some tests on my restored S/42. Have holstered it a number of times to see if and where holster wear would form.

Quite quickly (we're talking about 10 times), the barrel crown and the side plate started showing signs of the typical holster wear.

I guess the rough leather inside works as an abbrasive pad.

Gerben, I guess the rough leather inside works as an abbrasive pad.

I am sure it does! I take apart many holsters during my restorations and you would be surprised at the sand and dirt I find under parts and in crevasses. The sueded underside of Luger holsters undoubtably collect small particles of dirt and sand, entrapped in their strands. This would act as an effective abrasive in most cases. Where the blued metal comes into contact with this material, I would expect it to wear.
Ten times though! That is quicker than I would have guessed.
Jerry Burney