Hi members,

I'm trying to decide if kydex or leather makes for a better holster. I've only tried out the kydex, and I liked how the gun fit; but I'm worried about the wear on the gun.

Please advise. The holster is for a M&P .40

Thanks

When was the last time you saw a barbecue rig made from plastic?

Whens the last time you saw a barbecue rig made of leather?

Decide which is more comfortable to wear and use.
Normally in most parts of the Country there is no beauty contests for the most impressive holster rig. Besides that weapon is supposed to be CONCEILRD!

I have a hard time imagining my Model 27 in anything but something that formally belonged on a cow.

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Vaya con Dios

Leather is nice but expensive. Leather will hold moisture if a gun is left in it (don't do that)
Kydex is less expensive I do not think it will hurt the gun . Most LEO's around here use Kydex. But then they have plastic guns also

I like my Fobus paddle holsters. If I could afford leather I would have a few.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Then leave the gun in the safe.

Once grit gets on leather, it becomes embedded, and very hard to remove, and will act like sandpaper for so long as the holster is used.

So, better leave the holster in the safe too.

Kydex holsters tend to have some "looseness" that allows the gun to shift. This may or may not cause more finish-wear than a leather holster. If grit becomes trapped in the kydex holster, it will have the same effect on the finish of the gun as grit trapped in a leather holster.

The "looseness" of kydex is a whole other issue of its own.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PnN8GuRV2Q
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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

I have several of both and they all have their intended roll. For concealment I prefer leather, it is more flexible and thus more comfortable for me. And comfort is as important as retention when it comes to concealment. For open carry and duty use, I prefer kydex because it is more durable in the elements and provides a very slick and fast draw. They both have one thing in common; buy a cheap kydex or leather holster and you're getting a cheap holster. Buy quality and get quality. Also, don't confuse kydex with injection molded plastic which is a vastly inferior product.

To be M&P specific, I am very fond of my G-Code OSH in kydex and my Galco Combat Master in leather.

I've owned Kydex for all my plastic guns. I own leather for all my steel guns. Just a personal preference......by the way, if you are in the marked for leather check out bell charter oak in our vendor section, and take a look at Simply Rugged. I have one of the Simply Rugged pancakes for my 3" Nframe, it's the fastest holster I've owned, with the possible exception of Ernie Hill speed leather.....

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Even older, even crankier....

Kydex for plastic, leather for wheelguns.

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SV,14,17,21,28,29,39,66,586

I was looking at a product that is a hybrid. Kydex, with a leather lining. But the price was over $100. Thinking about going with something S&W sales on the website.

The Kydex for plastic gun, and leather for steel makes sense, but hate I can't try out both before I purchase.

Hundred bucks is too much. Galco makes a few different kydex hybrids as well as other holster makers for much less.

One important thing about kydex holsters, make sure you use the proper size belt and wear it a little tighter than you would a leather holster.

Why? In my experience if you don't, when you draw the gun it doesn't want to come out. That's because in kydex holsters the gun is secured by "snapping" into place for lack of a better word. So it requires a little more pull to get the gun out of the holster. If the holster is loose it will want to come with the gun causing it to bind and make it difficult to get the gun out.

Sorry if that's confusing but that's the best that I can explain it.

I like leather for revolvers & kydex for semi autos, except for a 1911, which deserve leather.

I am now up to about six kydex holsters now--4 Fobus and 2 Uncle Mikes. They're lighter, quicker, and secure enough for a retiree. In 50 years of shooting I have enough leather holsters...As for wear--stainless guns don't show it much. My blued using guns already show lots of wear (character).