Polymer vs. Leather Holsters?

[Shenaniguns]

Get a properly fitting holster that covers the length of the gun so it doesn't snag on the draw.

[RollingCode3]

The only downside I see with leather holster is that they are too thick. Kydex is a lot thinner and lighter. Or just get the hybrid instead.

[wu_dot_com]

well, seems like you may need a quick 101 on the different holsters and retention levels.

first there are IWB and OWB (in/ out waist band) the OWB are for open carry, an example is that mike D post. the IWB is for conceal carry, which is what iareconfuse and Shenaniguns post. for OWB is typically worn in the side of your hips from 2ol clock to 3:30 position depends on your preference (assume you are right handed). a IWB have two carry mode, once is the appendix carry (pics not shown), where the gun is located in front of your appendix. another is the kidney carry, where the gun is behind your waist and right in front fo your kidney.

leather holster is more comfortable to move while carry but its typically harder to draw and holster. while kydex is typically easier to draw but less comfortable to carry specially in IWB situation.

for OWB hip holsters, there are two major type that are attach to your belt. one is the paddle holster another is the standard belt loop.

the paddle holster offers quick detachment off your belt but it can be easier to ride up during draw. some paddel designs like the one offer from blackhawk have little hooks so it will latch on to your belt and pants to preventing it from riding up.

the standard belt loop are more secure than paddle but it can still ride up and twist if your belt is not stiff enough.

there are also 3 levels of retention that is available out there.

level 1 is where the gun is held inside the holster solely by the tension of the holster shape. you will have the quickest draw with this type of holster. however, this type of holster is also the less secure of the 3 because there are no additional retention preventing the gun from coming out of the holster.

level 2 is where the gun will have 1 mechanical retention system, and level 3 is where there are 2 mechanical retention system. to release the gun from those holsters, you must manually deactivate those retention system prior to draw. the draw speed is sacrifice for the security of retention. the gun will be secure in the holster until the retention system is deactivated in the correct sequence.

there are 3 major brand of level 2 and 3 holster. they are blackhawk, Safariland, and bladetech.

blackhawk level 2 retention is deactivated by pressing your index finger on the release bottom.
Safariland level 2 retention is deactivated by pressing your thumb down on the retention hood and rotating it forward.
bladetech level 2 retention is deactivated by pressing your thumb on the retention hood release lever into your body. retention hood is spring loaded and it will open automatically. i personally like this deactivating method the best.

as far as finish protection of those 3 kydex holsters, Safariland have the best wear resistance because the holster interior is line with felt material, while blackhawk and bladetech are bare.

also, the above 3 holsters have thigh rig attachment if you decided to add those to your accessory in the future.

i hope this help

[BoJackUSMC]

check this kydex holsters out by Personal Security Holsters.

http://www.psholsters.com/

Even hickok45 uses it for his Glock.

[scootle]

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 can understand that leather rubbing on skin all day is probably a lot more comfy than kydex though. hehe.

[wu_dot_com]

If you get a properly made reinforced (Usually steel or polymer) leather holster than it will not happen period! Tim Thurner told me that I can wear that Occidental Leather IWB all day long w/o the gun in it and it would not collapse so when I took my CCW class I wore it for 6 of the 8 hours empty and it did not collapse at all. If you (like many) are referring to the comment of the Magpul handgun video, that holster was not reinforced. It's a common misconception from someone who has little to no experience with a well made leather holster.

You can see the steel outline near the mouth of my holster.

minotaur hybrid holster also solve this issue of collapsing. collapsing usually only happens to thinner, none-reinforce IWB holster when its in prolong contact with moisture.

[iareConfusE]

Get a properly fitting holster that covers the length of the gun so it doesn't snag on the draw.

I don't really have any problems with the front sight snagging on anything. The gun goes through smoothly, but when I draw it's in a direction that slightly tilts the front of the gun forward. It scrapes the inside of the kydex shell, it doesn't snag on it externally like on the lip or anything.

[bohoki]

i only like the fobus for one thing a cheap paddle holster i can leave in my range bag to slap on my hip as i walk out to change targets

[wu_dot_com]

Oh, didn't know they had inserts for the leather holsters, I thought they were just pure leather, through and through.

I need a fix for my front sight shaving off kydex from my Supertuck. Without altering (filing down) sharp edges on the gun, what can be done about it?

you can try heating up the holster and reshape the front end. other than that there is nothing much you can do.

Get a properly fitting holster that covers the length of the gun so it doesn't snag on the draw.

i dont think its possible since he have a full size IWB holster. having a fitting holster that covers the length of the gun will be like carrying brick on his ***.

[Shenaniguns]

The only downside I see with leather holster is that they are too thick. Kydex is a lot thinner and lighter. Or just get the hybrid instead.

Hybrid's are ok, I had an M-Tac that I used for CCW for 2 years and it doesn't compare IMO.

[renzoku]

Safariland level 2 retention is deactivated by pressing your thumb down on the retention hood and rotating it forward.

ADDENDUM:
Safariland level 3 retention is deactivated by pressing a small lever down that is located under the retention hood, inside the body of the holster.

That level 3 retention lever? That's where I have issues with my current holster. It's smooth plastic, so a sweaty thumb slides right off it, it takes a good amount of force to manipulate, and the downward thumb movement means the natural inclination when drawing the weapon is to slip into a thumbs down grip. I prefer a thumbs forward grip, which means I find myself drawing, presenting, then fiddling with my grip, which I'm sure is going to get my arse killed.

Would've been much better if that lever defaulted back (so one has to push it forward to draw, much like the retention hood) and was textured for some decent grip.

I am so getting a level 1 OWB leather holster.

[wu_dot_com]

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 can understand that leather rubbing on skin all day is probably a lot more comfy than kydex though. hehe.

there should be be a problem as long as the leather is clean and lotion every so often.

the most damaging thing to leathers are not the sweat/oil, but actually the salt form your sweat. so wash and scrub every once in a while is a good practice to prolong the life of the leather for IWB holster.

[Shenaniguns]

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 can understand that leather rubbing on skin all day is probably a lot more comfy than kydex though. hehe.

It's a treated leather that does not need maintenance that blocks moisture and I wear an underarmor undershirt so I have no problems. If you ever cruise the 1911forum, you'll see guys wearing leather IWB holsters for years upon years and not wearing out.

[wu_dot_com]

ADDENDUM:
Safariland level 3 retention is deactivated by pressing a small lever down that is located under the retention hood, inside the body of the holster.

That level 3 retention lever? That's where I have issues with my current holster. It's smooth plastic, so a sweaty thumb slides right off it, it takes a good amount of force to manipulate, and the downward thumb movement means the natural inclination when drawing the weapon is to slip into a thumbs down grip. I prefer a thumbs forward grip, which means I find myself drawing, presenting, then fiddling with my grip, which I'm sure is going to get my arse killed.

Would've been much better if that lever defaulted back (so one has to push it forward to draw, much like the retention hood) and was textured for some decent grip.

I am so getting a level 1 OWB leather holster.

i can only imagine adding that complication with a gun that have manual safety. its going to be a messy draw for sure.

[Shenaniguns]

you can try heating up the holster and reshape the front end. other than that there is nothing much you can do.


i dont think its possible since he have a full size IWB holster. having a fitting holster that covers the length of the gun will be like carrying brick on his ***.

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