Polymer vs. Leather Holsters?

[wu_dot_com]

People have been carrying Government sized 1911's in leather IWB holsters way before Crossbreed existed.

i know, but it don't work well with medium frame guy like me (5'9 160 lbs). the current MTAC holster that i have for my 1911 dont hide well even with baggy shirt and pants.

[l8apex]

@ OP

Quality leather & kydex holsters will have roughly the same speed on the draw with a very slight advantage to kydex. What is more important is how, when, & where you plan to carry.

If this holster is mean for gun games [3 Gun/IDPA etc] kydex OWB is the way to go. Concealment for CCW either can get the job done. No matter how good the kydex holster, there is something to be said for a top shelf leather holster. Don't skimp on a CCW holster, if you don't like the way it fits - you won't use it & carry your pistol. You may end with a box of holsters like me and others who have learned the hard way. Buy once, cry once.

.02

[Shenaniguns]

i know, but it don't work well with medium frame guy like me (5'9 160 lbs). the current MTAC holster that i have for my 1911 dont hide well even with baggy shirt and pants.

That's probably more of an issue with the size of the gun for you than comparing an M-Tac to a holster like I listed.

[Shenaniguns]

@ OP

Quality leather & kydex holsters will have roughly the same speed on the draw with a very slight advantage to kydex. What is more important is how, when, & where you plan to carry.

If this holster is mean for gun games [3 Gun/IDPA etc] kydex OWB is the way to go. Concealment for CCW either can get the job done. No matter how good the kydex holster, there is something to be said for a top shelf leather holster. Don't skimp on a CCW holster, if you don't like the way it fits - you won't use it & carry your pistol. You may end with a box of holsters like me and others who have learned the hard way. Buy once, cry once.

.02

[Mac Attack]

Do you guys with leather IWB rigs find the leather soaks up sweat/oil from your skin? Is long term maintenance of the leather an issue?

I carry a full sized 1911 in a VMII in the humid weather of GA. After years of carrying I have never noticed my holster to absorb any moisture and I have never felt the need to do any maintenance on it. As another poster stated, do not skimp on your holster (and belt) or you will end up with a box of holsters you thought would the the perfect one. Learn from our mistakes and buy a quality holster right off the bat. If you don't like it you can always sell it for more than you paid for it. Most quality holster makers have a wait measured not in days but in weeks....last I heard Milt Sparks has a 26 week wait and Alessi was at 18 weeks. I got lucky and received my latest holster from Alessi in a little over 3 months. This should give you more than enough time to save up the $95 for a holster. However, you can always pay a little bit more and buy one without the wait.

[SIGSHOOTR]

Thank you all for all the helpful information and comments. Looks like I'll go either for the Safariland ALS paddle or the Comp Tac paddle and ditch the Fobus. For curiosity sake, why do a number of you dislike Fobus? I thought it as a reputable company that made solid stuff. My magazine pouch is Fobus and it seems pretty well made. Thanks again.

[IncVoid]

I have a serpa. I use the paddle with the hooks. Without the hooks the gun just doesn't want to pull out(maybe I don't have the screw adjusted right).
The hooks help bite into these other pants I have that have no belt worn. I just tuck the paddle into the pants. The paddle seems to contour to my side better.

It feels like you could drop it right into the holster or throw it in there.

[RollingCode3]

Thank you all for all the helpful information and comments. Looks like I'll go either for the Safariland ALS paddle or the Comp Tac paddle and ditch the Fobus. For curiosity sake, why do a number of you dislike Fobus? I thought it as a reputable company that made solid stuff. My magazine pouch is Fobus and it seems pretty well made. Thanks again.

Who uses Fobus stuff? Usually new shooters buy Fobus holster and eventually replace it with something a lot better.

[DerGlock]

Most of the leather holsters pictured looks brand new/hardly used. Almost like some people buy holsters for guns never carried. My holster looks like an old worn in shoe.

[Shenaniguns]

Thank you all for all the helpful information and comments. Looks like I'll go either for the Safariland ALS paddle or the Comp Tac paddle and ditch the Fobus. For curiosity sake, why do a number of you dislike Fobus? I thought it as a reputable company that made solid stuff. My magazine pouch is Fobus and it seems pretty well made. Thanks again.

Not sure where you got that info, it's barely usable for just simple range stuff.

[Shenaniguns]

Most of the leather holsters pictured looks brand new/hardly used. Almost like some people buy holsters for guns never carried. My holster looks like an old worn in shoe.

Considering I've only had my CA CCW since November at the time it was practically brand new.

[SIGSHOOTR]

Who uses Fobus stuff? Usually new shooters buy Fobus holster and eventually replace it with something a lot better.

I became acquainted with Fobus when I did a job in Israel. The folks I worked with were hardly "new shooters". Of course those guys and gals were issued these holsters so they probably didn't have a choice-- but they seemed to work fine. Thanks for your opinion.

[Shenaniguns]

I became acquainted with Fobus when I did a job in Israel. The folks I worked with were hardly "new shooters". Of course those guys and gals were issued these holsters so they probably didn't have a choice-- but they seemed to work fine. Thanks for your opinion.

Youtube Fobus and see them ripped right off someones belt lol

[GlockBlocker]

+1 for Blackhawk Serpa

I got a Fobus before that only to be disappointed. For IWB, I have a UBG holster.

[SIGSHOOTR]

Youtube Fobus and see them ripped right off someones belt lol

LOL - yeah, I saw that. Ok- no Fobus!