Holster Companies

[Kokanee]

Are they as worthless as $3 bills?

I placed a order with Kinetic Concealment. About the 1 week mark I politely sent a email asking how long does it take to ship. The response was 'usually 10-14 business days but my item was a standard item and should ship the following day or so'.
Their website shows nothing about wait times.
Waited two more weeks, sent another email, and got the response, they were out of the leather. WTF? By this point I was pissed. Three weeks and I have to inquire about my order to find out you are out of leather? I told them how I felt, they get pissed at me and refund my money. Fine!

I have been using a Raw Dog Tactical holster for years with a lifetime warranty.
I am tough on holsters. I break the kydex about every 6 to 9 months. (Which is why I figured I'd try a new company, Kinetic)
Raw Dog has been excellent in no questions asked replacements and the past few times I have just told them to send me the raw kydex and I would drill the holes to match my leather.
This time I thought I would be courteous and offer to buy 6 raw kydex molded pieces from them so I wouldn't have to keep bothering them for a freebie.
Every other time I contacted them their response was prompt.
This time it took 8 days to get, "I don't know if we can do that, I'll check and get back to you".
After 5 more days I sent a email saying don't bother, I bought a holster from another company.
And still no response.

If I ran my business like either of these two companies, I would be out of business before I could take a second breath.

Anybody experience business relations like this?

[Bralowe]

The established holster makers are generally very honest about delivery schedules, and warranty work.

New shops are less predictable.

[splithoof]

Holster companies seem to be somewhat seasonal. They pop up, grow in the sun, and by fall/winter they fade. And down the road we end up with that proverbial huge cardboard box full of holsters, a testament to our ever changing likes/dislikes for gear, etc. Yes, sometimes comms with them are difficult.
If you are so hard on Kydex holsters (as many are), consider learning to make your own. It's not that hard, and there are lots of useful videos on how it's done without spending a fortune on simple equipment. That's what finally got me to make my first one; my favorite custom maker moved away to another state. I used to bring whatever I wanted a holster for to their shop, and by the next day or two I would pick it up after class and it would be exactly as I wanted. One time they actually invited me to stay and see the whole process, which took a few hours from start to finish. Keep in mind that they did this full-time, and had a ample stock of supplies, but the actual process was simple.
If I can do it, likely just about anyone can.

[deadcoyote]

[Spartan301]

Buy American!

CrossBreed and Blade-Tech are a few of my favorite companies. Expensive maybe, but excellent products and customer service.

As far as Kydex goes, try Procraft Tactical. Small company making CUSTOM Kydex holsters in the USA. Great products and customer service.

[Kokanee]

Holster companies seem to be somewhat seasonal. They pop up, grow in the sun, and by fall/winter they fade. And down the road we end up with that proverbial huge cardboard box full of holsters, a testament to our ever changing likes/dislikes for gear, etc. Yes, sometimes comms with them are difficult.
If you are so hard on Kydex holsters (as many are), consider learning to make your own. It's not that hard, and there are lots of useful videos on how it's done without spending a fortune on simple equipment. That's what finally got me to make my first one; my favorite custom maker moved away to another state. I used to bring whatever I wanted a holster for to their shop, and by the next day or two I would pick it up after class and it would be exactly as I wanted. One time they actually invited me to stay and see the whole process, which took a few hours from start to finish. Keep in mind that they did this full-time, and had a ample stock of supplies, but the actual process was simple.
If I can do it, likely just about anyone can.

This winter I planned on getting set up to make my own kydex.
Then I can use a thicker kydex.
I've watched the how-to's long ago, doesn't look like rocket science.

[Kokanee]

As long as a company states there is a build time or items won't ship for X amount of time, I am good.
I treat my customers with that much respect.
Just boggles my mind that companies like these have no problem brushing off a legitimate customer. I was not being the tire kicker asking 50 questions only to buy from somewhere else.
I was just trying to give them money for their product.

[Kokanee]

CrossBreed and Blade-Tech are a few of my favorite companies. Expensive maybe, but excellent products and customer service.

As far as Kydex goes, try Procraft Tactical. Small company making CUSTOM Kydex holsters in the USA. Great products and customer service.

[ATTACH]840419[/ATTACH]

I am after a hybrid. I like leather up against me. Even though I've never tried a full kydex iwb. I can't imagine a hard plastic item inside my belt being one bit comfortable, especially for my work, I crawl, roll, move in all different kinds of positions.
Every once in a while even the leather backing will bite me.

I found a holster to get by with on Amazon that used the thicker 0.93" kydex. Be interesting how long it holds up.

[Quickdraw559]

Been waiting on an IWB holster from Hanks Gunleather for 2 full months. After a month I called PayPal and escalated the issue. They finally sent me a holster to keep their account in good standing. They sent the wrong one because they’re too lazy to make the damn thing. I ordered a left handed holster with suede lining and directional snaps, received a plain right handed holster with no interior lining, no directional snaps, and does NOT hold my 26.

Still waiting on my replacement before I send this one back... yawn....

[Foebia]

Just check the lead time and add 2 weeks. If they dont reply or send it out, they go in my crapper list and cancelled

[Spartan301]

CrossBreed

I am after a hybrid. I like leather up against me. Even though I've never tried a full kydex iwb. I can't imagine a hard plastic item inside my belt being one bit comfortable, especially for my work, I crawl, roll, move in all different kinds of positions.
Every once in a while even the leather backing will bite me.

I found a holster to get by with on Amazon that used the thicker 0.93" kydex. Be interesting how long it holds up.

Sounds like a CrossBreed Super Tuck IWB is what you need. I have two, use them almost every day, great product!

P.S. I upgraded to horse leather, super comfortable, molds to your body after break in.

[OCEquestrian]

I just bought a holster from Craft Holsters. Their times are slow, the subcontract construction of holsters to Eastern Europe. The price was good and the we’re up front that the holster wouldn’t be completed until 10/17 and would then take 15 days to arrive from Eastern Europe. Not ideal but good price for what is allegedly a high quality product.

I bought a leather holster from them as well as was impressed with the out of the box fit/finish. Delivery was longer as the holster was made to order in Eastern Europe but I dont mind waiting to get something no one makes here in the USA.

As for Kydex holsters...because they are so easy to make, everyone goes for the lowest priced suppler and that is usually a guy working out of his basement as a hobby. Some of these guys run tight businesses but most do not.

I like kydex for IDPA competition(https://www.zzzcustomholsters.com/), I use leather for CCW (https://www.galcogunleather.com/ , https://www.craftholsters.com/ ) and tactical by Safariland (http://www.safariland.com/products/h...tary-holsters/)

[-hanko]

I prefer Milt Sparks or something sewn up by a neighbor who is a full-time custom saddle maker.

I don't do Kydex.

[TrailerparkTrash]

Vedder holsters are my favorite for Kydex.

Lobo Gun Leather are my favorite for leather, which their horse hide is amazing!

Anyone else........ mehhhh. Fail.

You get what you pay for.

Just my personal preference.

[Kokanee]

Update:
A few weeks ago a package showed up. Kinetic Concealment sent me the holster I ordered (after refunding my money).
I sent them their money back. I don't operate that way.

Ended up being a nice holster, still has the thinner kydex. The neoprene up against your body, then the leather made the holster comfortable from day 1.

So either they were being nice, or someone didn't get the memo not to ship my order. But either way at least I got what I ordered.