leather holster worth the price?

[michiganfan]

I think I have finally settled on what is going to be my day in and day out carry gun. As of now I have several Fobus holsters for my assorted hand guns. I like them and they are functional and cheap. But now that I've decided to go with one gun I was thinking do I need leather? What are the advantages of a nice leather holster besides looks. Does the gun set better, draw faster, is it less wear on the gun than plastic?

 

[Hkmp5sd]

I prefer leather holsters. Neither material should cause a great amount of wear to your gun, but overall, a nylon holster does cause less wear than a leather one.

One nice thing about leather is that it doesn't make the loud screech when it rubs up against your clothing that nylon makes.

 

[10-Ring]

My preference is w/ leather.

 

[Steve Smith]

I've never used a plastic holster, but I can't imagine it being as comfortable as a good leather holster once its formed to your body.

 

[Carlos]

I own several of both. I think I like leather best though.

 

[DDGator]

Its largely a matter of preference. Although I use a Fobus for some competition things, to me a real holster should be leather. Leather holsters have a lot of visual appeal and are time tested...

There are so many choices available in leather -- many of which would be more concealable than the Fobus -- even though a good holster.


DDGator
www.KDHolsters.com

 

[Carlos]

Yup, I really like the Fobus style holsters, even my BladeTech, but they stick out too far on the hip for effective concealment. Therefore, I only use them at the ranges and stick to leather for real concealment.

 

[geegee]

I can't imagine it being as comfortable as a good leather holster once its formed to your body.

Ditto that. Kydex has it's place (and that place is not on my belt ), but wear a good quality leather holster for an extended period and it's comfort will become evident.

In addition I would add that regardless which type of holster you decide on, you're not finshed creating the right carry rig until you pick out a top quality belt. Without it, the type of holster will be largely irrelevant. A good strong contour belt (the type that curves naturally, instead of being straight when you lay it down) will make all the difference in supporting the weight of your pistol. Good luck, and let us know what you decide on. geegee

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I use a leather Don Hume, inexpensive, for concealment. Kydex looks and feels like it would poke and jab too much, even a thin FIST one. And I use a Nylon Uncle Mike's for in the pocket.

All my other holsters are Fobus.

 

[lee n. field]

What are the advantages of a nice leather holster besides looks?

Smell.

(My Falco Makarov IWB still has a "new shoe" smell.)

 

[michiganfan]

Thanks for all ther input. I think I'll go for the leather. Ii was leaning to this holster. http://www.brigadegunleather.com/m-15A.html I have to take the gun off and on several times during a work typical day. Anybody dealt with these people.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Leather is crafted. Plastic is moulded.

 

[Chris Rhines]

I've had many leather and Kydex holsters. I still have the Kydex ones.

Leather is less durable, slower, has less in-molded retention, and generally costs more for the same quality. Having carried concealed in both leather and Kydex holsters, comfort and effective concealment was a wash. Frankly, I don't understand the attraction that leather holds.

But leather holsters do still sell. You pays your money, you takes your chances...

- Chris

 

[Steve Smith]

Full stop.

Since you posted that pic of the holster, it appears that #1 you are interested in a OWB holster and #2 the particular holster you're interested in has a piece of plastic to go against your skin.

Noting that we pro-leather types mainly sited comfort for our reasoning, you have negated that with your holster choice. When carrying OWB, seems like plastic is more acceptable. If something goes inside your waistband (like the paddle part on that holster) it should be leather, IMHO.

One more thing, I'm not sure if I would trust that holster to stay in my pants during a draw. Some type of clip or loop would be beneficial.

 

[braindead0]

Another disadvantage of leather is that it holds moisture, in humid climates it can get relatively moist and places that extra humidity right up against your firearm.

The only leather holsters I have are for Stainless firearms, and they never stay together for more than necessary.

Just a thought..

 

[LightPlanePilot]

I have two leather holsters - two Galco and one Mitch Rosen. Also have a Mitch Rosen belt.

I wouldn't wear anything other than leather. Once its broken in and fits properly, there's nothing like it.

 

[AndABeer]

Plastic holsters for plastic guns

Leather for everything else

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Depends on the leather really... I've seen plenty of low-dollar cheap leather hosters that are no better than the low-dollar cheap nylon holsters.

Galco holsters are neither low dollar or cheap but I'm not real fond of Galco holsters myself and I have three of them. I would take a kydex or Fobus holster over these three any day (although I've heard of retention issues with the Fobus as well as issues where the plastic retention nubs in the holster protrude into the trigger guard.)

However, a high quality holster by Milt Sparks is an entirely different matter. I'd never give one of those up for a Kydex holster; but then again they are more expensive as well.