Lined holster or not?

[jgh4445]

Over in the revolver section I posted about finally getting one of my grail guns, a genuine 2nd gen Colt SAA, 5 1/2 inch 45LC. Now I need some leather. I hunt and am in the woods a lot. I'd like to have a strong side (I'm right handed) very high ride for concealment when I have to go to the store or be out around town or some such. It should be able to sit nicely under my jacket or untucked shirt. I also carry a rifle on a sling, usually on my right side so the holster should also be able to be carried cross draw too. I hate it when the rifle butt hits or rubs on my holstered sidearm. NOw to the question of lining. Does it really protect the finish of the gun better than a correctly fitted non lined holster? Obviously, putting the gun in and taking it out of any holster is gonna rub and at some point take a toll on a gun's fininsh. Does lining a holster delay this for a great enough period of time to warrant the extra cost?

 

[jeepnik]

Take a look at the page second question down. And many of their holsters can be used OWB, IWB and cross. You can go plain or fancy depending on what style you prefer. Good people too.

http://www.simplyrugged.com/frequently-asked-questions.cfm

 

[jgh4445]

Thanks. Interesting read.

 

[Red Cent]

Lining a holster does not always mean a suede lining. I would not choose suede. You can get a holster that is two ply with the rough sides glued together and one of the smooth sides encompassing the handgun. The two ply will be very strong and maintain shape for a very long time.
To wear a holster for strong side and cross draw will require a straight hang. No cant.

 

[rcmodel]

El Paso Saddlery Tom Threepersons with pig skin lining has been very kind to my Colt SAA.



rc

 

[Water-Man]

http://www.garritysgunleather.com/Questions.htm#Lined Holsters

Here's another article.

 

[doubleh]

Personal opinion only: I wouldn't use an unlined holster and also wouldn't use one lined with suede. Suede is a dust magnet and after awhile the effect of that will become evident. Living where I do gives me a lot of experience with dust.

Red Cent's two ply suggestion is good although I've never made one that way. I always use a softer, thinner leather for lining my holsters made of 8-9 oz. leather. I recently made one using a scrap of slick garment leather for a lining but no use yet to determine just how well it's going to do it's job.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Lined & unlined holsters ....

I've been around firearms & handguns about 26 years or so.
I've always heard & read that unlined holsters are better for regular carry.
Some fabrics & materials can absorb water-sweat, grit, lint, crud, etc. This can rub on the firearm surface as you move or cause wear on the gun over time.
Now, in 2015, there are a few holsters with linings & synthetic materials that might protect the weapon but these designs often cost a lot more.
The Wright Leather Works: www.wrightleatherworks.com Master series is a good example.

Safariland has lined many CCW holsters for years with their special synthetic material.
Note: Galco offers a holster service-cleaning kit. Cleaning & checking holsters either lined or unlined is a good idea, . Make sure there's no debris or lint/crud/moisture inside the holster.
I like handgun holsters with open muzzles or drain holes to allow sand/dust/sweat/grit to fall out the bottom. It also lets more air circulate around the firearm.

 

[Sunray]

What is the point of carrying a concealed handgun when you have a rifle? Just curious.
I make my own holsters. Line 'em because the dye I use(and make) is vinegar based. Vinegar eats bluing. Otherwise, it's a personal preference.
"...able to be carried cross draw too..." Not many SAA holsters made to do that. Has to do with how belt loops are sewn on. Anyway, if the rifle hits the revolver move the holster back more a la John Wayne. Sort of over the right back pocket.

 

[Greg528iT]

Don't confuse smooth with soft. Soft materials like suede will allow particles to embed and those if hard will scratch. Run your fingers over the smooth side and rough side of leather, which would you want sliding over your skin all the time. The rougher surface will of course have a better hold on the gun for retention. There are plenty of ways to shape a lined holster to create good retention, even if you go OLD SCHOOL and put a thong over the hammer.

That being said, a 2nd Generation Colt .45 DESERVES a nice lined holster. I totally recommend the 3 persons style. As for strong side vs cross draw. I say get a 2 holsters. A belt attach point that is flexible enough to do both may be. ummm flexible. I'd have to ponder that It might be possible to do both adequately though.

 

[BobWright]

I prefer my daily carry holster to be unlined, also to have no retention method, such as hammer thong or safety strap. Since I carry a Single Action, a thumb break is out of the question.

The correctly fitted, unlined holster maintains adequate retention, which is often times lost with the addition of lining.

Just my opinion, for whatever its worth.

Bob Wright

 

[Red Cent]

This a SASS holster made with an outer layer of 8-9 ounce leather (1/8th inch) and a liner of 4-5 ounce leather. My holsters must have retention to with stand a 30 year old to forcefully sprint for 10 yards yet provide a very fast draw when he comes to a stop.
The top two SASS holster makers in the world (Mernickle and Kirkpatrick) make their holster two ply. Kirkpatrick puts a piece of kydex between the layers.

"...which is often times lost with the addition of lining." I will respectfully disagree with this statement. A very solid holster with two layers of leather glued together will retain shape and retention (if built properly) indefinitely. A single layer would be more susceptible to lose its shape.

"I've always heard & read that unlined holsters are better for regular carry." If we are talking suede I agree.

 

[Red Cent]

More two ply holsters. Be aware with these holsters, the cylinder at 9:00 and 3:00 and the barrel at the same places are the only points of contact with the revolver.

 

[jgh4445]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Sunray, I don't care about concealment when I'm carrying a rifle. I do when I'm not in the woods. I often climb trees in a climbing tree stand, ride a Ranger or 4 wheeler etc. I just need a good holster that will not be in the way of rifle carry, climbing etc, and still, not only hold, but protect my gun. I've come to the conclusion that I'm probably asking too much of one holster. As Greg said, two holsters is probably the best way to go. I do believe they will be lined. Not with suede.

 

[Drail]

Keep your holster clean - most of the wear to your gun is from grit in the holster. The world is FULL of airborne grit. It gets on your car and on your shoes and on your eyegasses. Compressed air is your friend.

 

[Red Cent]

DoubleH, I use 8-9 ounce for the outer and a 6-7 for a liner.

Sunray – “….Line 'em because the dye I use(and make) is vinegar based. Vinegar eats bluing.”
I also use Vinagroon. However, while the leather is wet I give it a bath in baking soda and water. It will neutralize the acidity of the Vinagroon and will not rust the gun.

 

[aarondhgraham]

No lining is a trap for abrasive dust and grit.

Suede lining is a trap for abrasive dust and grit,,,
As well as the fact that suede is usually chrome tanned leather,,,
The chromium salts that remain can have a very bad effect on blued steel.

Smooth lining such as pig and calf do not trap abrasive dust and grit,,,
And the smoothness allows for a damp cleaning on occasion.

The weight of the lining doesn't really matter,,,
And each maker will have a different preference.

I find myself using two thicknesses of 5-6 ounce leather quite often,,,
But this will vary to thick outer and thin liner if I'm doing a heavily carved rig.

On occasion I've used 9-10 ounce as the liner,,,
And 2-3 ounce pig skin as the outer layer.

Smooth lining is good,,,
No lining is so-so,,,
Suede is bad.

Aarond

.

 

[CraigC]

I've been using El Paso Saddlery holsters with suede lining for 15yrs without issue.

IMHO, soft linings are highly overrated. Proper fitment is far more important in preventing wear than soft linings. A holster that allows the sixgun to move around will cause premature wear, lined or not. A holster that is properly fitted that does NOT allow any movement will be the best insurance against premature wear. Although all will eventually show wear from holstering. I finish my flesh sides so that they were almost as smooth as the hair side. Nothing to catch grit, yet retention is still good because I fit them close. If I had to have a lining, I'd choose pigskin but it doesn't wear as long as cowhide. It will wear out before the rest of the holster.

 

[Edcnh]

I use El Passo Saddelry for my revolvers. Great holster, worth the money.

 

[ROAshooter]

A Bianchi Cyclone 111 can be used as a strong side and as a cross draw holster....has dual belt feeds....is lined...but cleaning with compressed air will keep clean....and having used one for thirty plus years....has not had damage to my guns finish

 

[Rednichols]

A Bianchi Cyclone 111 can be used as a strong side and as a cross draw holster....has dual belt feeds....is lined...but cleaning with compressed air will keep clean....and having used one for thirty plus years....has not had damage to my guns finish

New member here, but long-time in the holster biz. The Cyclone is one my designs for Bianchi 'back in the day'.

Your points about suede linings are on the money. Indeed all suede linings used in holsters are chrome tanned and it's urban myth that these leathers, by the time they have completed the tanning process, are harmful to pistols. Ditto the suede-and-dust myth.

Your personal experience affirms this

Suede-lined leather holsters don't mould as precisely as all-veg holsters, lined or not; so I personally use veg-tanned falconry leather for linings to get the precise moulding that hand-boning gives. I've also used oil-based dyes for a half century now, precisely to avoid reactions to metal in pistols.

 

[Edcnh]

I use an El Passo Saddelry lined Tom Three Persons holster for my S&W model 27 and have had no problems with the lining. A good quality rugged holster.

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

Not to get off the subject of lined Vs unlined holsters. I have owned both. The lined needs to be kept clean or it isn't any better than a unlined holster.

I started doing something a couple years ago and I've told other people about this.
When I bought a new Sig P 938 just about 2 years ago , this was the first gun I tried it on. Being a better gun I wanted to try and preserve the guns finish. I'm very particular when it comes to my guns.
All my other carry guns eventually got holster wear. My little S&W 442 in no time looked well holster worn.
I decided to try applying a coat of Johnsons Paste wax to my new Sig and I give inside of the holster a coat inside of this paste wax. It says on the Johnson's can good for leather. I do it every few weeks or so to the gun and only once in awhile to the holster. It doesn't take 10 minutes or so. I found if I let dry a little longer and it does a better job. I carry my little Sig probably 90% of the time. This time of year there's perspiration not to mention the everyday dust/dirt in the air.
The wax helps protect from the perspiration. That little Sig has no holster wear anywhere, the slide does have a few small smooth spots but the black (anodized?) frame looks like it just left the Sig factory.

I have put this Johnson's wax on a couple of Glock slides. It even makes them look better. I think you will be happy with the end results for a few minutes of your time.