IWB, Kydex or leather?

[Sauer Grapes]

I'm looking for a holster for my PT 709 slim. I hate IWB holsters but this is what I bought the gun for. I was looking at the MTAC hybrid which is Kydex body with leather backing for 80 bucks. In that price range, under 100 bucks is there a nice comfortable leather holster?
All my OWB holsters are leather, I don't know if I want plastic with regards to comfort.

Any help with holsters would be great.

Thanks

 

[bigfatdave]

My PPS is about the same size as the PT709, I posted pictures of the carry rig I use for it a while back:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=439381
I've since bought another CrossBreed SuperTuck and worn in the one shown in that thread a lot more, it gets more comfortable every month and I've only tweaked the Kydex once for personal preference after the initial break-in of the backer. Now it fits the gun great ("pop" in and out) and is molded to my hip at the carry position.
Kydex/leather hybrid is a winner for IWB as far as I'm concerned, you get comfort on your side and retention and stay-open on the other.

 

[jcj]

I've carried a 709 in an MTAC. Very comfortable for me.

 

[Zundfolge]

Many good leather IWB holsters are under $100

The Ugly Bald Guy Striker or a Side Guard Double Clip are a couple of ideal examples that list your Taurus.

But people do swear by the Crossbreed Supertuck and the MTAC.

 

[wnycollector]

I own two concealco holsters, with a third on order. They are the most comfortable IWB holsters I own. Here is a link to their website http://www.concealco.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=ACL&Category_Code=051IWB
Here is also a link to a nice review of their holsters http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/holsters_by_tuff_products_and_akjconcealcoBrudenell.htm

 

[David E]

I watched a guy at a match the other day, using a Crossbreed holster that couldn't get a full grip on the gun, due to the leather backing.

Leather will soak up sweat. Is this a problem? Maybe. Probably.

I prefer an all kydex rig, properly designed and executed by KyTac www.kytac.com

 

[frankge]

I have a high noon tuckable IWB holster for my XD Sub-9. I went through three before I found this one and I like it. A guy next town over makes them - was about 40 bucks if I remember. Black leather and I can wear a t-shirt with an appendix carry position. I think they are worth checking out.

 

[strambo]

Heck, I carry a Sig P226 in an MTAC, very comfortable. Have a C-TAC for my K9 which is a skosh slimmer than the Taurus. I like the C-TAC a little better, but either would work well.

I like both of these better than the leather "summer special" types...never tried a VMII, probably the best leather IWB.

 

[bigfatdave]

I watched a guy at a match the other day, using a Crossbreed holster that couldn't get a full grip on the gun, due to the leather backing.

For one thing, it is a concealment holster, not a competition rig. For another, I get plenty of grip on my carry guns in CB ST holsters, and I don't even have the combat cut option.

Leather will soak up sweat. Is this a problem? Maybe. Probably.

Mine does soak up a bit, horsehide soaks up less than cow/bull hide can. I've checked for saltiness or moisture on the inner (gun side) surface, nothing yet in about a year of carry with this setup.
Keep in mind that the gun side of the leather isn't very porous and I've got a healthy coating of Obenauf's heavy duty leather preservative on top of that which adds a waxy layer. All Kydex would be impervious to sweat (and I am a sweaty fat guy, I've considered it) but the comfort of the leather backer is well worth it for all day carry. I took a pretty damn long roadtrip with a PPS and two mags on my belt IWB, and I regularly carry that or an all steel compact 1911 with two mags for 18 hours plus a day, too. Doesn't Kydex have more pokey bits? Or is there a body-friendly inner surface on the all Kydex IWB rigs?

 

[emtpacker]

the sweat issue has become very important to me over the past few months; thats the reason I am getting displeased with my supertuck. I am a pretty sweaty fellow and I get a good amount of sweat transfer to my xd with this holster. Also, the hybrid holsters seem so bulky for me. I am looking around at a full kydex holster now, something like a blade-tech razor, for the minimalism of the holster itself and the funk resistance. Of course, you will probably end up buying both in the long run! Enjoy the hunt!

 

[finz50]

Love my MTAC! (I should have said MTACs....I own 3)

 

[jonmerritt]

Give Kholster a look see