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How to Care for a Kydex Holster: Retention Screws and Maintenance
October 5, 2026 – Tony Palacios
The short answer: the most important part of caring for a Kydex holster is your retention screws. Check them every few weeks to make sure they're in place and tight, keep your retention adjusted so your firearm clicks in securely and draws smoothly, and add a small drop of blue Loctite so your screws stay put. When the holster gets dirty, a quick rinse with warm water and mild soap is all it needs.
Your holster maintenance checklist
| How often | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every day | Confirm your firearm clicks in securely and the clip is seated before you carry. |
| Every few weeks | Check that every screw is in place and snug, including your retention screws. |
| After any adjustment | Test retention with an unloaded firearm before you carry. |
| Once your retention is set | Add a small drop of blue Loctite so the screws hold their position longer. |
Why retention screws matter
Retention is how firmly your holster holds your firearm. On a Kydex holster, it's set by the shape of the holster and the tension of the retention screws. Daily carry means your holster flexes and moves with you all day, and over time screws can slowly back out. A loose screw can change your retention, or let a clip, ModWing Claw or mount work loose. A few minutes every few weeks keeps everything locked in.
Check every screw: retention, clip, ModWing Claw and mounts.
How to check your screws
- Unload your firearm and remove it from the holster.
- Look over every screw: your retention screws, plus the screws on your clip, ModWing Claw and any OWB mount.
- Make sure each one is in place and none are missing or backing out.
- Snug any loose screws with the right screwdriver. Don't over-tighten. Too much force can strip a screw or crack the Kydex.
- Make sure your finishing washers are seated.
How to adjust your retention correctly
Your holster ships with retention set for your firearm. If you want it a little tighter or looser:
- Unload your firearm and confirm it's empty.
- Turn the retention screws in small steps, about a quarter turn at a time. Tightening increases retention, and loosening reduces it. Adjust each retention screw evenly.
-
Test after every adjustment. With the unloaded firearm, check that:
- it seats with a clear, positive click,
- it stays in place when you turn the holster upside down and give it a gentle shake,
- and it draws smoothly without excessive force.
- Stop when it passes all three. Too loose and the firearm can shift or fall out. Too tight and your draw slows down.
If you can't get your retention right, or it suddenly feels different, contact us before you carry again.
Lock it in with blue Loctite
Once your retention is set the way you like it, we recommend a small drop of blue Loctite (a medium-strength, removable threadlocker) on your screws so they hold their position much longer.
- Remove one screw at a time, so you keep your adjustment.
- Put a small drop on the screw threads only, not on the Kydex.
- Reinstall the screw to the same position and let it cure as directed on the package before you carry.
- Use blue, not red. Red threadlocker is permanent and makes future adjustments very difficult.
Keep it away from high heat
Kydex is shaped with heat, so high heat can soften and warp it. The most common culprit is a holster left on a car dashboard or seat in direct summer sun, especially here in Florida. A warped holster can change your retention, so store your holster somewhere cool and out of direct sun.
Cleaning
When your holster gets dirty, rinse it with warm water and mild soap and let it dry completely before you holster your firearm.
Don't modify your holster
Please don't cut, sand, heat or reshape your holster. It's molded to your exact firearm, and changing it can affect retention and trigger guard coverage, and voids the warranty. If something about the fit feels off, tell us and we'll make it right.
When to call us
Stop using your holster and contact us if:
- The Kydex is cracked.
- A rivet, screw, clip or hardware fails or won't stay tight.
- The holster has warped or no longer holds your firearm securely, even after adjusting retention.
Every Armor Of God holster is backed by a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. If it cracks or the hardware fails under normal use, we'll repair or replace it. See Returns & Warranty for details.
Safety first
Always unload your firearm before adjusting, inspecting or cleaning your holster, test retention with an unloaded firearm after any change, and confirm the trigger guard is fully covered when you holster it again. Read our full Product Safety & Liability guidance.
Need a new holster?
Every Armor Of God holster is handcrafted to order in St. Johns, Florida, molded for your exact firearm, pre-cut for red dot optics, and ships within 5 business days (custom designs 7 to 10), with a 30-Day Carry Guarantee and a lifetime warranty on workmanship.
More guides: Kydex vs. Leather · How to Choose a Holster Clip · Holster FAQ