[bera]

I did a quick search and did not see a thread that asked this question.

What material is the best for holsters?

I know one must be better than the other in certain areas and weaker in others, but I am asking for your opinion. I have heard leather will ruin your guns finnish if left in the holster too long and the plastic ones can cause wear on the finish. I want to hear more pros and cons and if these are myths.

So, whats your favorite material and why? Why don't you like the other?

And the why is, I am in the market for several holsters for several guns so all input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Bera

[OpticsPlanet]

I don't know that there is a "best" material.

Like any good gun owner, I have a drawer and a box full of holsters - holsters for guns I own, have owned and may own in the future.

Will leather ruin a finish? Maybe. I have a Colt Mustang that has been in a Thad Rybka pocket holster continuously for 19 years, and the Mustang looks like the day I bought it. I also had a Taurus with a brushed nickel finish that was ruined after about a month in a Bianchi suede holster - the holster dye leached into the nickel finish. I'm led to believe that the materials, chemicals and dyes in the leather vary greatly.

I've found that a suede lined holster will initially baby a finish, but over time can collect grit that will abrade the finish. I like unlined holsters for that reason.

Most of my collection these days consists of polymer frames, and slides with very tough coatings. If I'm out in the woods for an extended period of time, I like polymer holsters - especially if there's a chance I'm going to get rained on. Leather is considerably quieter, but if it gets wet, it's going to be wet for a while. Any grit that accumulates in one of my Serpa CQC holsters is taken care of by wiping it out.

The leather holsters I own are much less obtrusive than the polymer holsters, so if I'm out of Illinois and carrying concealed, I use leather. I've become a fan of the DeSantis line, especially the Mini Scabbard. It's thin and strong, and fits my gun belt perfectly.

Some of my guns just don't look right in polymer, in my opinion. A single action 45LC needs to ride in a drop loop buscadero.

I guess it just depends on what you're carrying, and where. If you're going to get wet, I would stay away from leather. I have had no luck with any suede, as a lining or as a holster material. A stainless finish is not going to show the same holster wear as a blued gun will.

Maybe a holster maker will jump in here and give us some insight.

If you have a moment, here's a different take on my favorite holster:
http://blog.tacticalstore.com/2009/06/my-favorite-holster-and-why.html

Mark H.

[Sam1911]

All depends on you, what you want, what you like, and what you'll use it for.

Competition holsters have almost all gone over to plastic (Kydex) because of the speed of the draw and consistency/rigidity.

Most folks prefer leather for a carry holster as it is usually more comfortable as it will mold to your body a bit and won't poke your flesh quite as sharply.

Some pretty good carry holsters are now made of both materials to try and get the best of both worlds.

Kydex holsters will usually wear the finish on the gun strongly, but in just a few specific spots. Leather holsters tend to wear the finish a bit less distinctly, but will do it all over as they conform to the contours of the gun. Either one will need to be kept free of grit. Kydex can be a little easier to wash out.

A gun should not be stored in any holster. Store guns on a clean, dry surface like a shelf where air can circulate to keep down moisture. Wrapping the gun in almost anything and leaving it for a long time is an invitation for a nasty surprise when you pull it back out.

One general factiod is that the design of a specific holster is MORE important than which material it is made of. There are kydex holsters that are better than some leather holsters, and leather holsters that are far superior to many plastic ones.

[doc540]

I often carry a G23 if a cheap Fobus paddle holster.

Even though I own and carry with $100+ holsters, that plastic Fobus just works like a champ.

Having said, that, I'm having the FIST holster company make a custom, leather paddle holster for my Colt CCO 1911. That should cover both ends of the scale. :)

[Skribs]

I personally like kydex over leather, because I don't want to have to wait a few days and use all these different techniques to make the holster actually fit my gun. Kydex comes designed to fit it.

On the other hand, both options are better than fabric holsters, unless you are talking about a pocket holster.

[Sam1911]

I don't want to have to wait a few days and use all these different techniques to make the holster actually fit my gun. Kydex comes designed to fit it.

Skribs makes another good point. A well-made leather holster is like a fine pair of boots. It is going to be a bit tight at first. It takes a few (maybe even 100) draws and/or a few days' use to make it really broken-in so the draw is perfect, and the holster is most comfortable on your body.

If you need it to be as good as it is going to get right from the moment you take it out of the package, go with the kydex.

[Skribs]

Actually my point was that if you're impatient and lazy (like me) kydex is the better option.

But needing it immediately is a good point, too.

[bera]

Thanks guys

This was the kind of info I was looking for. I knew I could ount on all of you.

Bera

[basicblur]

I've got some pricey stuff (High Noon), some stuff that seems to be 'bout as good quality (DeSantis @ 1/3 the price and none of the wait), and a Galco or two, but darn if I don't find myself using my Bagmaster holsters quite a bit.

Leather sure is nice, traditional, pretty, and compact, but as much as I perspire, it can be dicey in hot, humid weather.

Folks like to pooh-pah fabric stuff, but I have a number of Bagmasters (http://www.bagmaster.com/cart/products/243/Bonded%20Belt%20Holster%20w/%20Mag.%20Pouch.htm) with the extra magazine holder built in and the retaining strap.
Yeah, you're probably going to need a restraining strap on a generic type holster like the Bagmaster, but is sure is convenient to slide it on your belt before heading out the door (and have an extra magazine to boot).

[Auf Grosser Fahrt]

I was thinking that the military style (canvas?) holsters would solve the wear problem...not so tight as either other option.

[redbeardsong]

I was thinking that the military style (canvas?) holsters would solve the wear problem...not so tight as either other option.

A quality carry holster needs to fit the gun snugly for proper retention. Those cheap Cordura or nylon "one size fits many" holsters fit poorly (guns can and do fall out of them) and require a thumb break for retention, which is often equally ill-fitting and flimsy and adds an extra step to drawing your gun.

A quality holster, whether in kydex or leather, will be made to fit the contours of the gun snugly. The result is a holster that retains the gun without needing a thumb break, and the gun will often not fall out of the holster even when held upside down.

[basicblur]

Those cheap Cordura or nylon "one size fits many" holsters fit poorly (guns can and do fall out of them) and require a thumb break for retention, which is often equally ill-fitting and flimsy and adds an extra step to drawing your gun.
It's close, but I think the retention strap snap on my Bagmasters are the slickest operating of all the holsters I have (High Noon, DeSantis, Galco). The strap is adjustable on the side opposite the snap (has Velcro so you can adjust to fit your gun).

I think folks make too much of the retention strap-as with all things, it's always a compromise-I do like the safety of a strap, and how much time do you really lose by using the thumb break?

I know...when the time comes, you just know it's going to be a fast draw at high noon on main street... :D

[armoredman]

I am traditional - I like leather. I was the only one at Complex who refused to carry a Fobus rig and brought my own holster to work...coincidentally the same one my off duty gun rode in, though the guns weren't even made in the same country!.
basciblur, you got one thing right, it's a High Noon rig I use!

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/High%20noon%20Gear/Phantominholster.jpg

I'm sure there will be a slick-as-snot synthetic rig that will eliminate the need for cowhide or horsehide, but I like my leather holsters, they just work better for me.

[jeepnik]

For me, it's leather. But, I'm a dinosaur and like things "traditional".

[basicblur]

basciblur, you got one thing right, it's a High Noon rig I use!
Does that High Noon pictured have a reinforcement leather strip at the mouth opening? (it looks like it does).
I've got a couple of their Sky High rigs-after the first one, I thought I might try a Slide Guard (same holster, sans thumb strap), but wish it had the extra leather reinforcement at the mouth.

I do prefer retention straps for security, but another reason I prefer 'em is most open holsters I see worry me a bit if they don't have some kind of reinforcement at the mouth area.

Been collecting pix of nice holsters for a while, but darn if all the nice ones I see that have the extra leather reinforcement at the mouth are made by folks that don't seem to be taking any new orders, and haven't been for a while!

[Sam1911]

Been collecting pix of nice holsters for a while, but darn if all the nice ones I see that have the extra leather reinforcement at the mouth are made by folks that don't seem to be taking any new orders, and haven't been for a while!


I can vouch for one of our members, Joel (http://www.thehighroad.org/member.php?u=103245), as an absolutely FIRST rate holster maker who will take care of you. http://www.jrcustomleather.com/

He's still taking orders, and made both my favorite holster of all time, and the belt it rides on.

[JTQ]

basicblur wrote,
I do prefer retention straps for security, but another reason I prefer 'em is most open holsters I see worry me a bit if they don't have some kind of reinforcement at the mouth area.
This comment makes me think you consider the reinforced mouth area to be some kind of retention device. The reinforced mouth area is used to keep the holster open rather than as an added retention feature. The retention of a well made holster is provided by the holster body.

There are lots and lots of makers using reinforcement at the mouth of the holster, and nearly all of them are taking orders. Most of the copies of the Bruce Nelson Professional use a mouth reinforcement.

Some of the more well known examples

Milt Sparks 55BN http://www.miltsparks.com/55BN.htm

Kramer Vertical Belt Scabbard http://www.kramerleather.com/productDetail.cfm?productID=12&categoryID=24

Galco Avenger http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPG3.asp?ProductID=2406&GunID=28,

Kirkpatrick Texas Strong Side http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/concealment/texas-strong-side-75

Wild Bill's Concealment Scabbard http://www.wildbillsconcealment.com/wildbill/shop/item.aspx?itemid=3012

Haugen Equalizer http://haugenhandgunleather.com/holsters/pc/Concealment-Holsters-c12.htm

There are many, many, more.

[JTQ]

basicblur wrote,
Does that High Noon pictured have a reinforcement leather strip at the mouth opening? (it looks like it does).
Yes, the Down Under has a reinforced mouth, with both leather and polymer. It keeps the mouth of the holster from collapsing when the pistol is drawn. It allows one handed reholstering.

http://www.highnoonholsters.com/_Questions/_questions.html#37

[JTQ]

Here is the explanation of the reinforced mouth, and other holster features from Horseshoe Leather.

Horseshoe Leather “Holster Design”

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

The biggest improvement with the modern wraparound holster is the incorporation of a leather- or metal-reinforced mouth to prevent it from collapsing when the weapon is drawn, which facilitates one-handed re-holstering.

[basicblur]

This comment makes me think you consider the reinforced mouth area to be some kind of retention device.
Nope-it's just that due to the design, with a retention strap, a reinforced mouth area is not really needed-you don't have to worry so much 'bout models with retention straps collapsing at the mouth.

My High Noon Sky High, DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard, and Galco Fletch are pretty similar-haven't had my hands on any of the three's open top holsters, but in their pix, a lot of the DeSantis open models look pretty wimpy in the mouth area.

[ForumSurfer]

I like leather, kydex and the leather/kydex combinations. I do not like plastic or nylon holsters at all.

I have heard leather will ruin your guns finnish if left in the holster too long and the plastic ones can cause wear on the finish.

Having a drawer full of each that actually get used, neither has caused more wear than the other. I don't care to much about wear marks, A firearm that gets ran hard and used develops those character marks. If you don't have them yet, go shoot some more. I feel ashamed until I develop a few. :)

The leather isn't ruining the finish if you leave it in that long, you are. You shouldn't leaving anything that could rust in a container that you know holds in moisture.

I was the only one at Complex who refused to carry a Fobus rig and brought my own holster to work...coincidentally the same one my off duty gun rode in, though the guns weren't even made in the same country!.

Don't let that fobus rig sway your opinion on kydex. Fobus is plastic and you get what you pay for. :) I've had a fobus that was given to me and it was awful, I tossed it rather than pass it on to someone else. I also noticed that the plastic holsters tended to hold dirt and sand more so than leather or kydex. I'm an active guy living in the "sandhills" region of NC. I tend to get white sand in my gear and I prefer open bottom holsters.

[JEB]

good quality leather for me. im just not a fan of plastic/kydex; although it does excell in iwb applications (crossbreed supertuck).

[JTQ]

basicblur wrote,
Nope-it's just that due to the design, with a retention strap, a reinforced mouth area is not really needed-you don't have to worry so much 'bout models with retention straps collapsing at the mouth.
I would say your experiences are different than mine.

If I were to rate holsters by how easy they are to reholster a pistol one-handed from easiest to hardest it would be the following...

1. Kydex open top
2. Leather open top with reinforced mouth
3. Leather open top without reinforced mouth
4. Leather with retention strap
5. Nylon with retention strap

[GCBurner]

I love the look of leather, by Kydex doesn't soak up sweat on hot days, and hold the salt against the finish on the gun, nor does it require any breaking in for proper fit, and the ones I use retain the gun by the trigger guard, and don't require a retention strap that needs to be unfastened to draw. I like leather for open carry and looks, but Kydex for concealed carry inside the waistband. I don't have much use for floppy "ballistic nylon" cloth holsters at all; their only plus is that they are really cheap, and you can clean them up by throwing them in the washing machine with your dirty socks.

[beatledog7]

Leather, because many good leather rigs can accommodate a range of similarly shaped and sized guns. I own only one plastic set up, and that's the BladeTech I bought for the day when I decide to try competition with my CZ-75B SA.