Polymer vs. Leather Holsters?

[SIGSHOOTR]

Hi all-- looking to get a standard hip holster for my P226 and wondering what the consensus is here. I was planning to get a Fobus paddle holster (SG 21)-- which seems to be the majority I see in use nowadays. I liked the way the fobus sat on my hip and it was pretty comfortable. What is everyone here using? Is there an advantage one has over the other? Which one allows a quicker draw? Durability? With a plastic holster, is it prone to mar the finish of the weapon more than a leather holster (Fobus recommends putting some lubricant on the trigger guard area to prevent this). Any thoughts, recommendations are greatly appreciated.

[KWB977]

Blackhawk Serpa....... inexpensive, and well made.

[RollingCode3]

Friends dont let friend buy FOBUS... You say the majority of people you see use FOBUS. Who are these people?

Serpa is not my favorite but it is much better than Fobus. Check out Raven Concealment holster or Comp-tac

[SIGSHOOTR]

Friends dont let friend buy FOBUS... You say the majority of people you see use FOBUS. Who are these people?

Serpa is not my favorite but it is much better than Fobus. Check out Raven Concealment holster or Comp-tac

My bad-- I meant that to say the majority of people I see use the polymer type holster- like Fobus- rather than leather. Thanks for the tip on Raven.

[ElvenSoul]

Wheelguns belong in leather. 1911's in either. Glocks in plastic.

[renzoku]

Wheelguns belong in leather. 1911's in either. Glocks in plastic.

And the Sig P226 referenced in the OP should go in...? It seems to be conspicuously absent from your three classifications of firearm.


To the OP: I carry my P226R in a Level III poly holster from Safariland. It's a pain in the *** to draw from, but it wears alright. I'm looking toward getting an OWB leather, possibly a pancake species, so I can look at getting into some of the defensive competition shooting, which my LIII will NOT work for (at all... lol)

As far as holster wear, it's fairly inevitable, though I'd think leather might be softer. But then, I'm fairly new to the firearm world, so I'm not the most knowledgeable. Perhaps someone longer in the fang or more grey in the beard can shine some light on the topic...

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Blackhawk Serpa....... inexpensive, and well made.

+1.

[cindynles]

Friends dont let friend buy FOBUS...

+1, FOBUS is a total waste of money.

Are you looking for a retention holster? I really like the Bianchi Black Widow. Its well made, leather, comfortable, and will last a very long time. They are also pretty reasonable in price. I got mine for $63 (of course it went on sale for $55 two days later ) which is only about $10 more than a SERPA.

[Serafino]

I looked into the wear issue recently and in many forums the same comment came up: plastic holsters wear the gun quickly in limited contact areas, leather wears more slowly all over.

[scootle]

why not go both?

well... it also depends on your budget really... but why go "either" kydex or leather when you can have both?

i just received this last week for my Glock 19 EXO... Kydex/Leather "Silent Thunder STX" from Garrett Industries:







this is an OWB model, but i believe they make IWB models and/or accessories to convert them. it rides high and tight enough on the belt that, if i didnt' live in CA, it might work out quite well for CCW. the fit is a bit tight initially on the pistol since it is a friction fit rather than a click-lock like most kydex holsters. there are two allen screws/elastomers you can tighten down if/when things loosen up with use. Ron Garrett was very very prompt with email replies and seemed like a great guy to work with... and they produced and shipped my holster (with free mag holder) very very very fast... less than two week turnaround. the one downside is that they are not cheap... on par or a little more $$$ than raven concealment. i am considering going with Garrett again for a home when my 9mm 1911 comes in... the only small issue that people have mentioned is that pistols with front serrations might actually tear up the leather lining a bit. i'll have to look into that.

i also have a Raven Concealment Phantom OWB on order (all kydex) for my M&P9, but their turnaround time is absolutely ridiculous. it's still something like 2-3 months at the very least.

as a stopgap for my M&P9, i picked up a Comp-Tac paddle holster that seems decent enough (and about 60% the cost). these ride a bit lower on the belt though, so might not be as suitable for CCW use. they are very smooth in and out since they are all-kydex contruction. the pistol locks in securely around the trigger guard. i have pictures of that setup i can post if you really want to see. they are popular with the idpa and usdpa crowd i think.

good luck!

[RollingCode3]

I looked into the wear issue recently and in many forums the same comment came up: plastic holsters wear the gun quickly in limited contact areas, leather wears more slowly all over.

You buy a gun to shoot and carry.... It is not to hang on the wall or for safe queen..

[renzoku]

Admittedly so for many of us, but if something so simple as holster material can extend the life of the firearm's finish, some of us feel its worth considering.

Also, there are collectors, who DO purchase guns for placement in a safe or on a wall. Just because YOU buy guns to shoot and carry doesn't mean someone else does not.

[scootle]

Admittedly so for many of us, but if something so simple as holster material can extend the life of the firearm's finish, some of us feel its worth considering.

Also, there are collectors, who DO purchase guns for placement in a safe or on a wall. Just because YOU buy guns to shoot and carry doesn't mean someone else does not.

why/where would you need a holster for a safe queen though?

to wear to the BBQ i guess...

[Mickey D]

Nothing but leather for me.

Andrews Custom Leather







Sheep skin lined buy Dave Newcomb

[jptopz]

Blackhawk Serpa....... inexpensive, and well made.

Another one for Serpa! I have one for everyone of my pistols.