Which holster material generates the least wear?

[triage1998]

The holster material is not what wears the finish off. The dust and grit trapped in the holster is the problem. We live in a gritty world.

You correct. The dirt and other debris that get into the fibers of the interior of the holster are the problem. A lined holster helps in reducing the problem but there is no way to keep dirt and dust out of a holster.

I don't mind wear on a holster it gives the pistol character.

 

[tiamat]

Taurus 617 CCW I have carried a Glock in a Safariland kydex holster since 2009. It shows wear in a few spots but they are by no means shiny. It has not shown any further wear since.

That's why I excluded glock's in my original post - they are in a league of their own when it comes to the finish they put on their pistols. I dunno how they make it so durable.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

They use a salt bath nitride coating (Melonite, Tennifer,etc) which penetrates the metal substrate and hardens the surface to approximately a 58 rockwell. Glock claims that you can sharpen your knife on their slide. I haven't cared to try it but if its that hard, I would believe it. Since the surface is so hard, I would guess that's why it is so wear resistant.