I have been looking at some new DeSantis holsters.
I see that they are available in both unlined and lined.
I have only had unlined holsters in the past. I am considering the lined models, as they are only 8.00 more a piece.
My question - will the lined holsters help not to wear the finish as badly as the unlined ones do?

Also, I found good prices at Opticsplanet, at least I think they look pretty good. Does anyone know where there may be a better price?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I've bought from Optics Planet a couple of times, and been very satisfied. Doubt you'll find much of a lower price, but a Google search on the exact model number of the holster will give you a pretty good idea of prices.

For a stainless weapon, I doubt it makes any real difference. For a blued or nickel weapon, if the finish is in great shape, the lining will help to keep it that way. (The lining is usually a very soft suede-type leather.)

I admittedly have no experience with 'plastic' guns, but I doubt it would make any difference with them.

For only $8 difference, I'd probably spring for lined.

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LEO since 1981.

Different schools of thought on that....

Some say that holsters lined with suede are more likely to cause wear....grit gets caught in the suede eventually and acts like sandpaper. I have a couple holsters lined in kangaroo skin, the theory being that the skin is smooth and non-porous so that it doesn't hold grit and is won't wear the finish.

I had a non-lined duty holster and probably drew my gun several times a night. That did a good job wearing the blue on the end of the barrel pretty fast.

If you have a black or stainless gun, I wouldn't worry about lining one way or the other. It's more important to have a good-fitting holster that holds the gun tight so it doesn't move around in there when you're not even drawing.

I've seen suede lining on some holsters that got a lot of use that became separated or worn away from the body of the holster...That always looks like ****.

I prefer smooth lining on a holster. It doesn't wear the finish as much as suede or unlined leather, it doesn't hold dirt, and it's easy to wipe clean. El Paso Saddlery has a smooth lining that I like better than any other makers'.

A holster lined with smooth leather and treated periodically with silicone spray minimizes wear on a gun's finish better than anything else I have ever used.

Thanks for the replies.
The question that I posted I have thought about many times, and finally decided to post it.
Thanks again.

A suede lining can hold moisture if trapped and stored in a holster.

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Front sight and squeeze

One of the holster makers, I cannot remember which one claims that after extensive testing they determined a lining did not reduce wear??

Irregardless I like leather lined as the holster has a more finished look.

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Len

What will reduce wear is a firm fit of gun to holster. Bouncing around in the holster will put blue finish in harm's way in a real hurry. That said, lining looks very nice.

Regards,

Tam3