holster material
- Thread starter Bird3897
- Start date
Truthfully, any holster material will give some wear over time. The one thing I do try to avoid is suede lined stuff. The nap can hold grit and give some accelerated wear. I prefer my leather to be unlined and hard.
You may want to take a look at Simply Rugged's web site. Very heavy duty stuff, well made and affordable. Rob Leahy uses what he makes, and designs quality products. He is not the only good holster maker by a long shot, but in my opinion at least, you get the most for your dollar with his stuff.
Good Luck.
You may want to take a look at Simply Rugged's web site. Very heavy duty stuff, well made and affordable. Rob Leahy uses what he makes, and designs quality products. He is not the only good holster maker by a long shot, but in my opinion at least, you get the most for your dollar with his stuff.
Good Luck.
I second the post above.
Be advised that Nylon probably results in the most holster wear of all. Proper fitting leather or Kydex will probably wear the least. I prefer leather, simply because I find it to be the most comfortable.
But hey, a little holster wear is a good thing, character and all you know
.
Be advised that Nylon probably results in the most holster wear of all. Proper fitting leather or Kydex will probably wear the least. I prefer leather, simply because I find it to be the most comfortable.
But hey, a little holster wear is a good thing, character and all you know
.sixxgunnernick
New member
I have a nylon holster with the soft gell..I like it pretty well in the warmer weather but a leather one would be sweet.
Nylon is extremely porous (it is a fabric) and can hold all sorts of stuff that can be hard on your weapon, . . .
It is also probably the worst at allowing you to access your weapon quickly, . . .
Kydex can be temperature sensitive, . . . especially to cold, . . . becoming extremely brittle, . . .
Leather holsters, on the other hand, . . . if properly made and properly finished, . . . will protect your weapon, . . . will be comfortable, . . . will allow quick access, . . . are more esthetically pleasing, . . . are not temperature sensitive.
Of course, . . . since I have a little holster/belt business, . . . and make them all of leather, . . . I could be considered prejudiced, . . . but then again, . . . I resemble that remark.
Seriously, . . . even only a "good" quality leather holster is far better than the best of nylon, . . . and about the only thing I would put in a kydex, . . . is a High Point.
May God bless,
Dwight
It is also probably the worst at allowing you to access your weapon quickly, . . .
Kydex can be temperature sensitive, . . . especially to cold, . . . becoming extremely brittle, . . .
Leather holsters, on the other hand, . . . if properly made and properly finished, . . . will protect your weapon, . . . will be comfortable, . . . will allow quick access, . . . are more esthetically pleasing, . . . are not temperature sensitive.
Of course, . . . since I have a little holster/belt business, . . . and make them all of leather, . . . I could be considered prejudiced, . . . but then again, . . . I resemble that remark.
Seriously, . . . even only a "good" quality leather holster is far better than the best of nylon, . . . and about the only thing I would put in a kydex, . . . is a High Point.
May God bless,
Dwight
Kreyzhorse
New member
All holsters will cause wear on a gun given enough use. Nylon and kydex will cause the gun to wear the most. Leather would be the best choice, but it will still cause wear.
I've used Kydex, primarily Fobus, for years, and have never noticed any increase wear over handguns I have carried in leather. Never tried, and never plan to try nylon. If you carry in the desert or generally sandy areas like I do, you can't beat kydex. Try getting sand out of a leather holster vs. out of a kydex holster.
armedbutnotdangerous
New member
In my experience (20+ years carrying very regularly) Kydex wears
finishes worse than leather. I seldom use nylon, so can't speak to
how it wears.
finishes worse than leather. I seldom use nylon, so can't speak to
how it wears.
langloisandy
New member
I make 'em...
As a holster maker, I have to say that kydex really does wear out finishes quickly. Leather a bit slower. I have seen some well worn guns in nylon too.
The better fit and finish (molding etc) will lessen the wear as the gun will be held in place. Still...the gun moves, you move, the holsters moves giving you worn edges and such.
One of my guns is darn near polished steel from my duty rig....
Andy
As a holster maker, I have to say that kydex really does wear out finishes quickly. Leather a bit slower. I have seen some well worn guns in nylon too.
The better fit and finish (molding etc) will lessen the wear as the gun will be held in place. Still...the gun moves, you move, the holsters moves giving you worn edges and such.
One of my guns is darn near polished steel from my duty rig....
Andy
aarondhgraham
New member
I too make holsters,,,
My experience has been that the worst wear comes from Nylon holsters,,,
I don't know if it's naturally abrasive or just holds grit and becomes like sandpaper,,,
But almost all of the LEO's I have worked with over the years have experienced faster wear after switching to nylon duty rigs.
I (being a leather guy) despise Kydex,,,
It's just a personal prejudice of aesthetics I have,,,
I have noticed at my range that every pistol carried in a Kydex holster,,,
Has very specific points of wear on the flat and sharp points of holster contact.
Unlined leather molds to the pistol very nicely so point of contact wear is minimal,,,
They have the same problem as nylon holsters though,,,
They need to be cleaned regularly,,,
or they will collect grit.
Holsters lined with top grain leather are the easiest on your gun for holster wear,,,
Simply because they do not hold grit and are easy to clean out,,,
Just a wipe with a damp (slightly damp) rag or sponge,,,
And a small amount of saddle soap.
The ones you want to avoid at all costs are suede lined holsters,,,
They hold grit for one thing, but the main danger is that suede leather,,,
And most garment/upholstery leathers, are often tanned using chromium salts.
If your holster collects even a little bit of moisture,,,
It will not be long before the residual chromium salts start a chemical reaction with the blued steel,,,
This should be a no-brainer in that you should never store a gun in the holster for long periods of time anyways,,,
And certainly not in a holster that is even slightly damp.
I have seen that bad reaction start in as little as 1 day in suede lined holsters,,,
I've even seen it damage stainless steel guns.
Hope this helps,,,
Aarond
My experience has been that the worst wear comes from Nylon holsters,,,
I don't know if it's naturally abrasive or just holds grit and becomes like sandpaper,,,
But almost all of the LEO's I have worked with over the years have experienced faster wear after switching to nylon duty rigs.
I (being a leather guy) despise Kydex,,,
It's just a personal prejudice of aesthetics I have,,,
I have noticed at my range that every pistol carried in a Kydex holster,,,
Has very specific points of wear on the flat and sharp points of holster contact.
Unlined leather molds to the pistol very nicely so point of contact wear is minimal,,,
They have the same problem as nylon holsters though,,,
They need to be cleaned regularly,,,
or they will collect grit.
Holsters lined with top grain leather are the easiest on your gun for holster wear,,,
Simply because they do not hold grit and are easy to clean out,,,
Just a wipe with a damp (slightly damp) rag or sponge,,,
And a small amount of saddle soap.
The ones you want to avoid at all costs are suede lined holsters,,,
They hold grit for one thing, but the main danger is that suede leather,,,
And most garment/upholstery leathers, are often tanned using chromium salts.
If your holster collects even a little bit of moisture,,,
It will not be long before the residual chromium salts start a chemical reaction with the blued steel,,,
This should be a no-brainer in that you should never store a gun in the holster for long periods of time anyways,,,
And certainly not in a holster that is even slightly damp.
I have seen that bad reaction start in as little as 1 day in suede lined holsters,,,
I've even seen it damage stainless steel guns.
Hope this helps,,,
Aarond
Any holster will leave marks. Leather or kydex are your better two. A little holster wear isn't such a bad thing. Unless you're buying a gun then you must argue it renders it half-price
It gives the gun character like a scar or tattoo. Pick a holster for its' fit and quality not for non-scratching material. No gun
wishes to live in a safe or museum. Even old guns want to be put out to pasture at the indoor range.
It gives the gun character like a scar or tattoo. Pick a holster for its' fit and quality not for non-scratching material. No gunwishes to live in a safe or museum. Even old guns want to be put out to pasture at the indoor range.
I would highly recommend a custom leather holster, preferably from someone that is close to you.
I was fortunate enough to have a great holster maker that was only 30 minutes away from where I work. His name is Eric Larsen and his shop is called hbeleatherworks.
I had a special request for him. One holster to fit either of my two guns. One is a compact, the other is FS. I was able to meet with him and discuss options and design, carry positions and angles, etc. In the end, I got way more than I asked for. The holster looks great and functions very well, and should get even better as I continue to get it broken in.
I was fortunate enough to have a great holster maker that was only 30 minutes away from where I work. His name is Eric Larsen and his shop is called hbeleatherworks.
I had a special request for him. One holster to fit either of my two guns. One is a compact, the other is FS. I was able to meet with him and discuss options and design, carry positions and angles, etc. In the end, I got way more than I asked for. The holster looks great and functions very well, and should get even better as I continue to get it broken in.
FWIW, I agree with the comments above and say go for leather. Stay away from nylon. I have a Kydex that I use for IDPA and it's leather lined made by Tucker. Based on my experiences, recommendations are to look at:
-Milt Sparks
-Kirkpatrick Leather
-Tucker Gunleather
Good luck..................
Regards,
-Milt Sparks
-Kirkpatrick Leather
-Tucker Gunleather
Good luck..................
Regards,
misnomerga
New member
I vote leather
Just picked up a Aker leather paddle for my Sig, sweet. I have a nylon for my S&W and my Thunder, okay, and a Fobus Kydek for my Glock - so so.
Just picked up a Aker leather paddle for my Sig, sweet. I have a nylon for my S&W and my Thunder, okay, and a Fobus Kydek for my Glock - so so.
aarondhgraham
New member
Hello tegamu & markman
Thanks for the words guys,,,
Keep us leather workers in business,,,
'Cause there aren't a whole lot of us left around.
The other thing about leather is that if properly cleaned and conditioned,,,
It will tale on a personal fit to your waist or wherever you carry.
Aarond
Thanks for the words guys,,,
Keep us leather workers in business,,,
'Cause there aren't a whole lot of us left around.
The other thing about leather is that if properly cleaned and conditioned,,,
It will tale on a personal fit to your waist or wherever you carry.
Aarond
Fobus products are not Kydex, they are injection molded plastic. Kydex is a type of plastic, yes, but it is made in sheets and pressed into shape around a mold using heat to assist in the shaping. Injection molded plastic is made by melting plastic pellets, usually polyproplene or high density polyurethane, into a liquid and forcefully injecting it into a mold then slow cooling it to avoid making it brittle. Kydex is, usually, more dense and more reactive to heat than injection molded ploymers. Kydex is also a bit "softer" as a finished product than the injection molded plastics.
In my experience there is nothing as good to the finish of a weapon as leather, but a true Kydex product should not wear on the finish too much more than leather does. Having never owned a nylon holster I can't speak to them. I have owned a couple of Fobus holsters and the guns carried in them still bear the scars around the front of the slide and just behind the ejection port where the edges of the holster rubbed. Hence, one of the the reasons I no longer own any Fobus holsters.