Conceal Carry HOLSTER - Leather or Nylon?
- Thread starter graysmoke
- Start date
Hi Graysmoke,
Your G23 slide is a tough one! I wouldn't worry too much about holster wear on it...
BUT that's not what you asked
IMHO... Leather is the way to go. I prefer something unlined. Suede lining and others can trap moisture and dirt particles.
Nylon is fine if you're on a limited budget... but if you plan to carry on a regular basis, you should probably invest in something a bit more durable.
Kydex or "plastic" holsters are great for range use or open carry. Personally, I'm not a big fan of putting plastic down my pants (unless I plan on getting kicked in the crotch, haha). Plus... it tends to be harder on your guns finish.
I'll admit that I'm a bit biased toward leather... but it's been the gold standard for carrying firearms since the beginning! Hard to go wrong with a good leather holster and belt.
Your G23 slide is a tough one! I wouldn't worry too much about holster wear on it...
BUT that's not what you asked
IMHO... Leather is the way to go. I prefer something unlined. Suede lining and others can trap moisture and dirt particles.
Nylon is fine if you're on a limited budget... but if you plan to carry on a regular basis, you should probably invest in something a bit more durable.
Kydex or "plastic" holsters are great for range use or open carry. Personally, I'm not a big fan of putting plastic down my pants (unless I plan on getting kicked in the crotch, haha). Plus... it tends to be harder on your guns finish.
I'll admit that I'm a bit biased toward leather... but it's been the gold standard for carrying firearms since the beginning! Hard to go wrong with a good leather holster and belt.
If you run a search on this, you're going to find that it is one of those questions that has been asked an answered a million times. The short answer is that if you carry your gun regularly, and especially if you remove the pistol from the holster regularly, you are going to get wear. It is going to happen - accept that now and move forward. It really isn't a big deal and it is a thing that is part and parcel to carrying a firearm.
Leather is going to wear your firearm slower, but to a greater degree - it tends to hug the whole gun, and over time it will dull the finish (nearly) all over.
A kydex (polymer) will probably wear your finish faster, but in isolated spots. Kydex holsters do their best to grip the gun by the trigger guard area (thereby reducing wear on the slide), but you will probably get fast wear towards the muzzle. However, the wear is usually limited to those isolated spots. I prefer this to the "overall, slow" wear of leather.
Nylon is junk - I would write that off altogether. Most nylon holsters are of sub-par quality, re-holstering with one hand is generally not possible with this style of holster, and in my experience, they just plain do not carry well.
I've never tried suede, but I would avoid linings - they tend to accelerate and amplify problems regard junk like dirt that inevitably finds its way into the holster.
Comfort is subjective - I like the small footprint of kydex - it doesn't bother me at all like a larger leather rig does. A lot of guys like a leather/kydex hybrid - leather facing the body, kydex on the outside. You should probably consider looking into this as well.
Leather is going to wear your firearm slower, but to a greater degree - it tends to hug the whole gun, and over time it will dull the finish (nearly) all over.
A kydex (polymer) will probably wear your finish faster, but in isolated spots. Kydex holsters do their best to grip the gun by the trigger guard area (thereby reducing wear on the slide), but you will probably get fast wear towards the muzzle. However, the wear is usually limited to those isolated spots. I prefer this to the "overall, slow" wear of leather.
Nylon is junk - I would write that off altogether. Most nylon holsters are of sub-par quality, re-holstering with one hand is generally not possible with this style of holster, and in my experience, they just plain do not carry well.
I've never tried suede, but I would avoid linings - they tend to accelerate and amplify problems regard junk like dirt that inevitably finds its way into the holster.
Comfort is subjective - I like the small footprint of kydex - it doesn't bother me at all like a larger leather rig does. A lot of guys like a leather/kydex hybrid - leather facing the body, kydex on the outside. You should probably consider looking into this as well.
Personally I like leather for an IWB holster and can go either way for OWB. The best way to minimize wear is to make sure the holster fits your gun properly. A good holster will be snug to properly secure the gun, but it should not be so tight you have trouble removing the firearm.
Unlined, horsehide type leather...
If you have the $ & time to wait, a top choice would be the horsehide leather rigs from Kramer(Greg Kramer), Mitch Rosen, Bulman, Mernickle.
The polymer or Kydex holsters from Blade-tech, COM Holsters, Safariland or Blackhawk could do okay too.
I've heard from many sources including armed professionals/sworn LE that lined handgun holsters are NOT ideal.
I prefer the open muzzle styles too. It allows air to circulate & any water, moisture, lint or grit to drop out the space.
Please note that many custom shops could take several months to deliver the requested holster, even for Glocks.
ClydeFrog
If you have the $ & time to wait, a top choice would be the horsehide leather rigs from Kramer(Greg Kramer), Mitch Rosen, Bulman, Mernickle.
The polymer or Kydex holsters from Blade-tech, COM Holsters, Safariland or Blackhawk could do okay too.
I've heard from many sources including armed professionals/sworn LE that lined handgun holsters are NOT ideal.
I prefer the open muzzle styles too. It allows air to circulate & any water, moisture, lint or grit to drop out the space.
Please note that many custom shops could take several months to deliver the requested holster, even for Glocks.
ClydeFrog
Kreyzhorse
New member
I prefer leather. It lasts and I find them very comfortable. I also believe that leather is easier on your finish than nylon. Any holster will cause wear however.
Minor wear, carry guns & "safe queens"...
A +1 to the last remark.
ANY handgun will develop minor holster wear with regular use or constant practice draws/skill training.
An armed citizen or professional(sworn LE, armed security, EP agent, etc) knows the firearm they carry & use "on the job" may have minor wear or scuff marks.
Unless you want a "safe queen"(a handgun that is never or rarely shot/carried) you'll need to be aware of that point.
CF
A +1 to the last remark.
ANY handgun will develop minor holster wear with regular use or constant practice draws/skill training.
An armed citizen or professional(sworn LE, armed security, EP agent, etc) knows the firearm they carry & use "on the job" may have minor wear or scuff marks.
Unless you want a "safe queen"(a handgun that is never or rarely shot/carried) you'll need to be aware of that point.
CF
MagnumWill
New member
I've been keeping my Colt in it's CrossBreed for about seven months now, which is horsehide and Kydex. It comes with me everywhere except work, and so far the most wear I have seen on the finish is actually from my jeans' material on the very tip of the slide- holster-wise, it hasn't hurt the finish whatsoever. I expected by now that it would be starting to wear a little bit. And if you're going to be carrying a Glock? Don't sweat it. Unless there's something I don't know about you, anything that occurs in and around your pants won't scratch that gun easily 
Graysmoke,
WRONG FOCUS!! A gun is a tool, and as previously stated, if you're going to carry it, it will get wear marks. IF, you're serious about carrying, your focus NEEDS TO BE a GOOD BELT and a GOOD HOLSTER!! Yesterday I carried my Sig P238. I had purchased a cheap leather holster for it off of eBay... huge mistake!! The gun was uncomfortable and kept shifting around and generally being a PITA! When I arrived home I immediately changed out holster and gun and went over to my Ritchie Leather holster and my Wilson Combat Ms. Sentinel 9 mm pistol. Now the Ms. Sentinel is twice the size of the Sig P238 but because of the quality holster and belt it carried comfortably and didn't move. There are many excellent holster manufacturers who will bone a holster for your weapon. Invest the money up front... ONCE, and purchase a quality belt and holster... the slight wear your weapon will develop over a time just adds to her character.
WRONG FOCUS!! A gun is a tool, and as previously stated, if you're going to carry it, it will get wear marks. IF, you're serious about carrying, your focus NEEDS TO BE a GOOD BELT and a GOOD HOLSTER!! Yesterday I carried my Sig P238. I had purchased a cheap leather holster for it off of eBay... huge mistake!! The gun was uncomfortable and kept shifting around and generally being a PITA! When I arrived home I immediately changed out holster and gun and went over to my Ritchie Leather holster and my Wilson Combat Ms. Sentinel 9 mm pistol. Now the Ms. Sentinel is twice the size of the Sig P238 but because of the quality holster and belt it carried comfortably and didn't move. There are many excellent holster manufacturers who will bone a holster for your weapon. Invest the money up front... ONCE, and purchase a quality belt and holster... the slight wear your weapon will develop over a time just adds to her character.