Thumper
Member
Leather.
Curious--Leather or Kydex?
- Thread starter LASur5r
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BerettaNut92
Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2002
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- 9,723
Kydex.
Overall, I far prefer Kydex to leather. I like the rigidity of Kydex, having positive retention without additional straps, and the fact that the holster will stay open "no matter what" for reholstering.
But to be fair there are three bad points about Kydex that I see:
* the holsters are SO customized that its impossible to share one holster with various weapons
* drawing the gun makes an audiable "click"; not a problem for me, but could be in an application where a quiet draw is a tactical requirement
* repeated insertions and removals will wear down your gun a bit, especially around the trigger guard where most kydex holsters "grip"
But to be fair there are three bad points about Kydex that I see:
* the holsters are SO customized that its impossible to share one holster with various weapons
* drawing the gun makes an audiable "click"; not a problem for me, but could be in an application where a quiet draw is a tactical requirement
* repeated insertions and removals will wear down your gun a bit, especially around the trigger guard where most kydex holsters "grip"
Wildalaska
member
Bet thats a great pickup line in a San Francisco bar!
WildandnoiamnotspeakingfrompersonalknowledgeAlaska
Skofnung
Member
I'm afraid I don't know about that...
Leather is an abrasive. Nothing will dull a knife faster than cutting through leather. Leather strops are used to polish razors or woodcarving knives. I frequently use leather as a final finishing step when polishing metal.
I've noticed much more finish wear on my pistols carried in leather than on those carried in Kydex.
That said, I still prefer leather on certain guns.
For work though, it's tough to beat Kydex. My main carry gun rides in a Comp-Tac Undercover.
Lennyjoe
Member
Im sorry ladies and gents but I will not degrade my Kimber by carrying it in Kydex.
Galco is where she belongs.
Now if it was a Glock, thats definitely a fit for Kydex.
Galco is where she belongs.
Now if it was a Glock, thats definitely a fit for Kydex.
JPM70535
Member
Just about a year ago I had my first encounter with Kydex as a holster material in the form of IWBs for my S& W 649 and Para 7-45 LDA. Initially I thought they would be the ideal in terms of concealibility, and they were with one small fault. The holsters are stiff and if as I do, have any trouble with Sciatica ( you will know it if you do), the stiffness that is one of the virtues of Kydex is also it's main fault. They tend to dig into my hip at just the right angle to aggrevate the nerve and cause excruciating pain.
The only alternative seems to be not to carry at 5 O Clock, my preferred location. I found I could carry my Para in my Galco Scout somtimes but its inherent bulk makes concealibility difficult. I can use "Mexican " iff I position the weapon just right. Dr. says it could have been the pressre of the Kydex holsters that triggered the Sciatica. Never heard of such a thing but who knows?
Any one else have this trouble?
The only alternative seems to be not to carry at 5 O Clock, my preferred location. I found I could carry my Para in my Galco Scout somtimes but its inherent bulk makes concealibility difficult. I can use "Mexican " iff I position the weapon just right. Dr. says it could have been the pressre of the Kydex holsters that triggered the Sciatica. Never heard of such a thing but who knows?
Any one else have this trouble?
Captain Bligh
Member
One more vote for leather. And one more endorsement for Milt Sparks VM-II. I have no interest in kydex.
RJ
RJ
Chris Rhines
Member
Kydex is faster, more durable, and doesn't mildew or pop stitches. Kydex for me.
- Chris
- Chris
Well after four years of exclusively Kydex carrying, and thousands of draws, there is no appreciable or noticeable wear on my Glock. This, from a holster that I can wear comfortably 24 hours a day. And have, multiple times.
No grip weardown either.
No grip weardown either.
I may be having a little change of heart here...I picked up a VMII from someone over on TFL (pburns - great transaction, by the way) for a friend of mine and it arrived this AM. I'm giving it a little test run right now, having just taken off my KyTac BraveHeart and put the VMII on.
Wow.
Super comfy. Definitely more comfy than the BH, especially so while sitting. And the ride is better too. Noticeably. If I had to say, I think the weight is carrying on the belt better. The gun feels lighter, although there is more 'holster' in my pants now than with the BH, but I can only tell because the belt is fitting tighter, not due to any discomfort on the part of the holster.
The gun is concealing better and is in to my side a little tighter. The rake appears to be a bit more aggressive than the BH, which is doing wonders for keeping the grip in line. If I bend forward a bit, you can see the outside edge of the magwell...but without the well, I'd for certain get alot more lean without a print (the magwell makes the gun so much harder to conceal in general, that if this wasn't my competition gun too, I'd get rid of it).
The draw doesn't hold a candle to the BH, but it's good for leather.
I guess there is a reason the VMII is considered the best 1911 holster on the market. This thing rocks. I'll be getting one of my own for sure.
- Gabe
PS: Do the kydex clips make it easier to take on/off? I'm used to the super fast, easy one-handed on/off of the BH...
Wow.
Super comfy. Definitely more comfy than the BH, especially so while sitting. And the ride is better too. Noticeably. If I had to say, I think the weight is carrying on the belt better. The gun feels lighter, although there is more 'holster' in my pants now than with the BH, but I can only tell because the belt is fitting tighter, not due to any discomfort on the part of the holster.
The gun is concealing better and is in to my side a little tighter. The rake appears to be a bit more aggressive than the BH, which is doing wonders for keeping the grip in line. If I bend forward a bit, you can see the outside edge of the magwell...but without the well, I'd for certain get alot more lean without a print (the magwell makes the gun so much harder to conceal in general, that if this wasn't my competition gun too, I'd get rid of it).
The draw doesn't hold a candle to the BH, but it's good for leather.
I guess there is a reason the VMII is considered the best 1911 holster on the market.
This thing rocks. I'll be getting one of my own for sure.- Gabe
PS: Do the kydex clips make it easier to take on/off? I'm used to the super fast, easy one-handed on/off of the BH...
Mac Attack
Member
I like Leather.
After an hour and a half-ish, I've got the position adjusted a bit and I am in holster nirvana.
What a great piece of gear this thing is. Ooooohhhhh baaaaby.
- Gabe
PS: I think I was mistaken about the thicker bit...it doesn't really feel thicker in the pants than the BH.
What a great piece of gear this thing is. Ooooohhhhh baaaaby.
- Gabe
PS: I think I was mistaken about the thicker bit...it doesn't really feel thicker in the pants than the BH.
Black horsehide VMII on the way to me from Lightning Arms Sports shipping out today.
- Gabe
PS: Audrey at LAS said the kydex clips are not quicker, they are a pain in the arse. The snaps are fine.
- Gabe
PS: Audrey at LAS said the kydex clips are not quicker, they are a pain in the arse. The snaps are fine.
Roon
Member
Wild Bill's all the way... Leather, that is!
Treylis
Member
Hey, I'm a young guy and I'm all for metal guns and leather holsters. Maybe it was the influence of my dad, who's big into the wheelguns and cowboy rigs. (I prefer 1911s.)
Andrew Wyatt
Member
my field holster is nylon with a kydex insert. my carry holsters are kydex (snick IWB) or leather (pre milt sparks summer special)
GRD:
Told ya so!
I was, and still am amazed every day at how completely the VM-II makes a full-size 1911 disappear.
Darn comfy too.....I've worn it on several car trips....two four-hour drives in the last month, in fact, and its been just fine.
Wear it hiking, lounging around, etc. and no complaints out of me.
For everyone else; call me old, young, dumb, whatever, but there is something that is just so darn RIGHT and ALL-AMERICAN about carrying a GI-spec Colt 1911 in an American holster on an American belt. *Warm fuzzies.*
Told ya so!
I was, and still am amazed every day at how completely the VM-II makes a full-size 1911 disappear.
Darn comfy too.....I've worn it on several car trips....two four-hour drives in the last month, in fact, and its been just fine.
Wear it hiking, lounging around, etc. and no complaints out of me.
For everyone else; call me old, young, dumb, whatever, but there is something that is just so darn RIGHT and ALL-AMERICAN about carrying a GI-spec Colt 1911 in an American holster on an American belt. *Warm fuzzies.*
Spent 6 hours in the car today with the borrowed VMII. No problemo.
The gun is definitely tighter in to my side than with the BH. That and the more pronounced rake makes it just disappear.
I've seen the light, Doc! I can't wait for mine to get here...I only hope my buddy doesn't manage to find me until I have mine in my grubby hands...I think I'm going to stop answering the phone...
- Gabe
The gun is definitely tighter in to my side than with the BH. That and the more pronounced rake makes it just disappear.
I've seen the light, Doc!
I can't wait for mine to get here...I only hope my buddy doesn't manage to find me until I have mine in my grubby hands...I think I'm going to stop answering the phone...- Gabe
It's here. It's way cool. A little tight, but that's easily dealt with.
I'll still wear kydex OWB and mag pouches, though. And my BraveHeart was better than any other holster I'd had, leather or kydex, until this specific holster. So I think it's less of a kydex v. leather thing as it is a holster v. holster thing. This piece is just the bomb, I could care less what it's made out of.
Bless you Milt Sparks!
- Gabe
PS: and Craig & Audrey at LAS - great service.
I'll still wear kydex OWB and mag pouches, though. And my BraveHeart was better than any other holster I'd had, leather or kydex, until this specific holster. So I think it's less of a kydex v. leather thing as it is a holster v. holster thing. This piece is just the bomb, I could care less what it's made out of.
Bless you Milt Sparks!
- Gabe
PS: and Craig & Audrey at LAS - great service.
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