[MrCleanOK]

First, some background info:

I recently purchased an XD45 Tactical to keep my XD45 Compact company. The Compact rides around all day in a Comp-Tac C-Tac holster (IWB kydex, if you aren't familiar). The holster is marked 40/45, but I know there are minor dimensional differences between XD40's and 45's (45 is bigger). Because this holster will fit the smaller 40 too, it leads me to believe that it's maybe a little tight in places for my 45. Result, lots of holster wear. So much that I actually sent the gun back to Springfield to have it refinished as a warranty issue. I have since accepted that it's the holster's fault, and I can live with it. It's just a cosmetic issue, and this an everyday carry gun. I'm cool with some character marks now.

On to the questions:

Now that I have two of the same model with different slide lengths, I want to get a leather slide holster that I can carry both guns in. I'm currently eyeballing a DeSantis Thumb Break Mini Slide (http://www.desantisholster.com/storefrontB2CWEB/itemdetail.do?action=prepare_detail&itm_id=7876&itm_index=3) and a Galco Silhouette Hi Ride (http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPG3.asp?ProductID=2791&GunID=335). I have no experience with leather holsters, so please be gentle! My questions are as follows:

The Galco holster only specifies XD, no caliber. Will this holster, which is presumably formed to a 9/40/357 gun stretch to fit my 45 without ill effects? The DeSantis holster has a model specifically for XD45s.
Is leather easier on a gun's finish than kydex? The 45 Tactical is not going to be a safe queen, but I would like to keep it looking nice for as long as possible because it just looks so sexy compared to my well loved Compact.
Considering the style of holster I am looking at, are there any others I should consider? I am a lefty, I want a thumb break, must be OWB, must have open muzzle for two slide lengths. Price range is <$75


Thanks for your thoughts.

[Norinco982lover]

1. The Galco will fit your .45 just fine. You searched by caliber/size I am 100% sure it will fit just fine. Leather allows for some variance in size. My XD .45 is not noticeably wider than my XD9. Miniscule.

2. Leather will be easier on the frame than kydex...you can also rub some leather softener in there and it won't rub as much. Don't go all crazy on it tho cause you still want it to be rigid.

3. I am currently looking at the Don Hume 721 myself. It appears to not have a completely open end but I am pretty sure that if I got the shorter version (as I have with their 715) the barrel will just squeeze on thru no problem. Also, take a look at their JIT slide..I think I may have even seen one with a thumbreak.

Hope this helps.

~Norinco

[Dan Crocker]

It sucks how much holster wear the XD 45s get. My Glock has nowhere near the same amount, but the two guns have seen about the same amount of holster time.