Kydex Holster Questions, ETC

[wilburburns]

OK, First off, I'm likely buying a Kahr PM9 or MK9 in the near future. I plan on thhis being my carry gun.

So, I am looking at different holsters, and the following are my needs.

Tuckable IWB or possibly a rear pocket holster. I'm leaning towards Tuckable IWB due to how I have to dress for work.

That being said, there are several different options rangeing in price and configuration. I actually prefer leather.

Now to the subject question...
Do Kydex Holsters cause any extra wear to the finish of the gun? I realize that this will be my carry gun and will eventually show wear from use, but I don't want the finish destroyed after a short time of carry either.

And of course, I'm taking recommendations for holsters and places to buy it from. I'm also looking for a decent leather holster for concealable OWB for the days I'm not working and have a tucked in shirt.

Cliff
Yes, I'm a new guy. I just received my CCDW license less than a month ago. I found out real quick that I don't want to carry my Taurus PT92 for very long.

 

[jamz]

My experience is limited to 2 kydex holsters, both from www.comp-tac.com .

The Shirt tucker model is great, and fits the little P22 well. I got the C.T.A.C. model for the 1911 last week, and have only worn it a few times but it it really stuck in there. The holster seems pretty good, but it's a struggle to get the gun out. I might call them and see if they can "adjust" it a bit. There is probably a way to do this at home though, too.

-James

Oh, and Welcome to the fray!

 

[Chupacabra]

I have a BladeTech IWB holster for my 1911. It's okay. The draw is really smooth, but it isn't as comfortable as leather and tends to shift around on my hip. There is no significant wear that I have noticed.

My .02c

 

[Ankeny]

I have worn the blueing off of the slides and part of the frames on two 1911s using Kydex holsters. Not a problem, just had them hardchromed. I am not sure if Kydex is the culprit, or if it's dust and grit between the pistol and the holster that causes the wear.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Comp-Tac worked best for me.

The holster seems pretty good, but it's a struggle to get the gun out.

Um, dumb question from me, but did you try to loosen the tension screws?

 

[blades67]

Kydex holsters will be lighter, thinner and last longer than leather. My experience with holsters of both types has been that Kydex will tend to be harder on the finish of blued guns at the few points of contact, but leather will wear more of the finish to a greater extent in the long term. Leather relies on friction over a large area of the gun to maintain good retention for the most part whereas Kydex holsters are generally designed to retain the gun at the triggerguard. I currently have only three leather holsters left as I have been replacing them with Kydex and Fobus holsters.

 

[Josey]

I have had troubles with Kydex holsters. I went back to leather. Kydex breaks in the cold and does not handle sress/pressure well. I have tried several makes and they all broke, crumbled or the paddles broke off at stress points. No Kydex for me.

 

[wilburburns]

Well, thanks for the replies.

To update, I finally found what I beleive to be a good deal on a new KAHR MK9 2 tone yesterday. So, I bought it. The same shop also had a Galco UDC tuckable holster, so I bought it also.

So, I guess I'll start off with Leather. Although, I'm sure over the years, I will try all different holsters.

What I don't know is the following. I realize that the Slide on this KAHR is Stainless Steel. But what type of finish is it? Will it wear like a normal blued gun, or is it actually Black all the way through the Metal?

Now, I've got to get to the range and put the recommended 200rounds through this gun to break it in.

Thanks
Cliff

 

[Gordon]

At least for upcoming 5 day course, I am trading my Sparks AT-1(20years old) holster for a Sidearmour Vertical holster. Since it is a stainless 1911, finish wear not an issue. So far after a month I like this holster! I think the Blade Tech and Sidearmor and other high end holsters made of Kydex are more durable than the cheaper ones- by design.

 

[Browns Fan]

If you are seriously concerned about holster wear, get a nylon holster. It is also much more comfortable for carry, especially IWB.

 

[tetchaje1]

Comp-Tac Shirt Tucker all the way.

Some of the best customer service in the business and a great product to boot. Both of the holsters I've ordered from them have been on my doorstep within three days. I had a replacement clip that broke on my Ghurka that George replaced no-questions-asked on his nickel in two days.

You cannot beat that kind of service.

 

[Alfadog]

Congratulations on getting your concealed carry permit. Regarding Kydex holsters, I do not know how much they affect the finish because the gun I carry in mine is stainless. I have two Mad Dog Kydex holsters and they are great. They are confortable and very fast and smooth on the draw. I carry a full size steel frame 1911 in them and sometimes forget it's there.

I have a Comp-Tac mag pouch, and that is also a quality piece of gear. Comp-Tac's customer service is superb.

I wish you luck with the Galco tuckable holster. I had one for a while, and found it pretty useless. It is EXTREMELY slow to untuck your shirt, find the pistol (it never stayed in the same place with the tuckable J-hook design--half the time untucking the shirt also untucked the gun and holster), and then draw. I decided that if I can't wear an untucked shirt or jacket and conceal my 1911, I would rather have a J-frame in a pocket holster that I can draw quickly with one hand .