[saturno_v]

I own nylon hip holsters for my pistols from 3 different brands, KNJ, Soft Armor and Ace Case.
Soft Armor and Ace Case use the "open tip" approach (however the pistol barrels do not stick out, the holster fabric is a tad longer to protect against the metal rubbing the pants) while KNJ has the holster tip completely closed.

Pro and cons of both?? Which one do you prefer???

[Psa1m144]

Doesn't really affect my purchases. The only difference I can think of is less lint in the barrel of my gun with a closed tip holster. I clean my guns very often so the lint isn't an issue.

[rcmodel]

It depends on what you use a holster for.

For CCW in a business suit?
An open one will allow belly button lint to fall out the bottom.
They are also a little shorter when setting in a chair or car seat.

But for hunting or woods travel?
If you set down on the ground in a hunting blind, or slip and fall on your azz in the mud?
A closed end will keep the muzzle from plugging with dirt & debris.

If you notice, all military holsters are closed end for that and other good reasons.

rc

[308win]

I bought a closed bottom with a tight fitting top flap for my brush holster. Here in central Ohio the most dangerous animal we are likely to encounter is an agressive dog - and I am sure at such time a holster designed for rapid presentation of the pistol would be peachy.
That said, the holster I use is:

Not sexy
Well constructed but hardly a museum piece illustrating the art of sewing
Covers and protects the entire pistol except the butt
Fairly water repellent except see above
If I slip in the mud, or fall on the pistol it is kept clean and unfouled. That's why I bought it.

Works well for me.

[saturno_v]

It depends on what you use a holster for.

For CCW in a business suit?
An open one will allow belly button lint to fall out the bottom.
They are also a little shorter when setting in a chair or car seat.

But for hunting or woods travel?
If you set down on the ground in a hunting blind, or slip and fall on your azz in the mud?
A closed end will keep the muzzle from plugging with dirt & debris.

If you notice, all military holsters are closed end for that and other good reasons.

rc


I see the reasoning however I personally saw military leather pistol holsters from the WWII era with open tips (I believe they were Germans).

I think that if I fall in the water or in the must I would still take my gun out and checking it/cleaning it/dry out the holster, regardless of open or closed tip, the water/mud may get into it from other part of the holster unless is more or less sealed....

[JTQ]

Here is holster maker High Noon's take on the matter

http://www.highnoonholsters.com/_Questions/_questions.html#51

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

My holster is only open where the flashlight is but the muzzle is covered.

[rcmodel]

saw military leather pistol holsters from the WWII era with open tips (I believe they were Germans).The standard issue P08 Luger & P38 holster in WWII was a fitted clamshell box.
It was not only closed end, but closed all over.
http://www.amazon.com/German-WWII-Luger-Hardshell-Holster/dp/B004G04TDO

There may have been open end holsters for the smaller pistols like the PPK Walther issued to officers. But most were full coverage fitted clamshell type.
http://compare.ebay.com/like/320812659022?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y

Then there was this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-ORIGINAL-GERMAN-WALTHER-PPK-PISTOL-LEATHER-HOLSTER-/290595292303?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D320812659022%26ps%3D54

In the U.S., the standard 1911 holster was closed end, with a full flap.
It had a drain / thong holes, and a leather welt projection on the end to wick mosture out of the holster.
Shoulder holsters issued to flight crews and tankers were open end to make them more compact when seated.

The current U.S. holster for the M9 is closed end and full flap, but may be easily converted to open top shoulder holster, etc.
http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=M12

rc

[rayban]

JTQ...thanks for digging that up, makes a lot of good sense.

[JTQ]

rayban,

You're welcome. The High Noon "Questions" section is one of the best sources for holster information I've found. Another good one is at Horseshoe Leather

Horseshoe Leather
http://www.holsters.org/holster-design.htm

I didn't mention it in my earlier post, but I prefer open muzzle holsters.

[lray]

this gun holster buying guide (http://www.danasafetysupply.com/c-122-holster-buying-guide.aspx) might be helpful