How does sweat affect leather

R

redneckerson38

Inactive
I normally carry my 642 airweight in my front pocket, in a blackhawk pocket holster, but with winter around the corner, I'll be wearing jeans more than shorts. I have a nylon IWB holster that is comfortable, but while practice drawing, it's almost impossible to re-holster.
So how would a leather IWB holster hold up to the Florida heat/sweat, and how much easier is it to re-holster after a draw?
How will the the finish on the S&W 642 handle all that sweat?
And last but not least, is there a better alternative than leather, for sweat and/or re-holstering?

Thanks
Red
 
Horsehide is a little more sweat resistant than cow hide. Kydex is even better. I know a lot of people here in Georgia who have switched exclusively to kydex because of the heat and humidity.
 
Clean it, don't "oil" it..use lexol or even saddle soap sparingly. Sweat will eventually ruin the leather. Rod
 
So how would a leather IWB holster hold up to the Florida heat/sweat, and how much easier is it to re-holster after a draw?
How will the the finish on the S&W 642 handle all that sweat?
Click to expand...

Sweat will eventually do a number on your leather. Not over night mind you but eventually. I wouldn't let it keep me from carrying a leather holster if that is what you prefer.

The 642 will handle a little sweat just fine. Make sure you wipe it down with an oil rag after carrying it however.
 
I wonder if anyone every told the Cows this... maybe we should start a collection to pass out anti- persperants for them...

Most leather is conditioned with salt water.... just clean and oil every once and a while... worst problem I seem to have is my favorite Bianchi holster is an inside the waste band it and it tends to stain my jockeys in the summer.
 
A lot of this depends on how much you sweat, how much you use it, and in what conditions.

If sweating to you is a slightly damp shirt when you move from the air conditioned environments of the house to the car and the car to the office, with maybe a short walk down the block at dinner, then youre likely to be fine. Work outside physically in a hot and humid summer, where your clothes are literally sopping wet most of the day, then youll want something else.

Once you get leather wet, its wet, and stays wet until you take it out of that environment. Once your holster is wet, your gun is wet, and between the sweat and holsters chemicals, its not a happy place for you or your gun.
 
I am a Floridian, too. I don't do physical labor outdoors for a living, but I primarily use leather holsters. I had a Milt Sparks Summer Special that lasted for well over a decade and was still in good shape when I traded the gun and let the holster go with it. I have had a DeSantis leather holster for about three years that still is fine. There have been others.

How to make leather last? (1) Good leather is better than cheap leather. Can't tell you the technical differences, but quality pays. (2) Undershirt of some sort absorbs a lot and protects the leather and the gun, as well as being more comfortable. (3) I always take the pistol out of the holster and leave the holster in a place where air can get to it overnight.

I find leather to be more comfortable than Kydex, and these simple ideas have allowed me to use leather holsters in Florida for a couple of decades. Bet you can, too, if that is your choice.

Your other questions: The gun that went with the Summer Special was a 642. The finish was fine after a decade in my waist band, with just occasional wipes (less than daily, I am afraid) and good cleanings after trips to the range. Only problem was a grip screw that was a bugger to get loose.

Reholstering depends on other aspects of holster design rather than material. There are floppy leather holsters and there are designs with reinforced mouths that allow for easy one-hand re-holstering. You just have to choose the holster that fits your needs.
 
Do not use saddle soap or mink oil. It will make the leather too soft. Just let your holster air dry naturally. Of course, you should remove the gun and wipe it down too.
Do not use hot air such as a hair drier on the holster. It will dry out the leathers natural oils.
 
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