Is a lined holster almost a practical NECESSITY to protect the blued finish on older guns??

Thanks, Bill

if you don't want the finish to wear don't put it in a holster. I don't think a lined or unlined holster will make much difference

Most of my custom holsters are lined, with smooth leather. The few that aren't are made rough-side out, so that the smooth face is in, towards the gun.

I believe that unlined holsters (rough-side in) and holsters lined with suede (Bianchi, Safariland, etc) just offer a bunch of little pockets to catch and hold dirt, and to act as sandpaper everytime the gun is drawn or holstered.

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I always take precautions

Good question, I've wondered the same thing. I think Steveno is correct.

Josh P

No.

Cheers;
Lefty

I do prefer lined holsters, including the green elk suede lining once offered by Safariland. Bianchi's similar lining (not green) and that used by El Paso Saddlery seems fine, and does not appear to damage finishes.

I have a M-66-3 carried for most days since 1990 until this February, when I left security work. It shows very little wear, almost none at all. But I've carried blued guns that also fared well in good holsters.

Knock out any grit by tapping the holster on a desk or whatever and it won't scratch the gun. You may need to get a toothbrush into the holster well for stubborn particles.

Obviously, if you live in a gritty, sandy environment, you need to take extra care.

Blue wear will occur, but can be minimized. One reason why I went to stainless carry guns was to avoid seeing worn blue jobs! But I preferred blue to nickel before stainless guns became common.

I do think that gun fit in the holster is vital. Once the gun wears-in to the holster and fits snugly in the CORRECT holster, bluing wear will be less. A loose fit that lets the gun move around wears finishes. And a loose fit in a mounted man's holster lets the gun bounce up and down in the leather as the horse runs , badly wearing fnishes. I've seen some old Civil War and Indian Wars guns used by cavalrymen that had the steel actually worn thinner!

A carried gun will sustain "minute" wear no matter. Duration amplifies wear to anything.
Don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff.

This holster is like using a RIG rag every time you holster.

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God spelled backwards is dog.

Doublesharp,
That is a nice looking rig. I like the snakeskin touch
But don't you have to pull
"fuzzies" off the sights every time you un-holster?
Looks like it would be an OK for range holster but
maybe not for Defense carry.

chuck

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They hold no Quarter

The inside of my holsters all have airstream jets on both sides...so the gun floats without touching the leather. A little noisy, bulkier, and hell on batteries, but it works. I also have a lamb's wool trigger finger cover in case I have to draw and shoot.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Chud, never noticed any front sight fleece. Them old sheepskins are tougher than you think.

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God spelled backwards is dog.

Correct.

Blued finishes require virtual "white glove" treatment in order to show no wear or very minimal wear. Some people like the worn look, so for them it's a non-issue.

My one and only blued gun is a Doug Turnbull finished 1911; I'll confess that I acquired it more as a safe queen (to be admired, etc.) than for actual use.

Chuck this is a barbeque holster. You don't wear it unless you are grilling out. Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

I remember a printed interview with Neal Perkins, the founder of Safariland, back in the late 1970's. The subject of their lined holsters was discussed, specifically their light green "orthopedic elk suede leather." The author joked about finding those all orthopedic elk. Perkins said that "orthopedic suede" was just leather that had additional processes in the tanning to eliminate some of the acids that are left in leather from the normal tanning which was developed to make such leather less irritating when in contact with human skin for long periods of time, such as in orthopedic appliances like artificial limbs. These acids are what removes much of the blue from handguns stored and/or carried in leather holsters, and the treated suede lining helped to prevent that, he said. I have no idea what percentage of that statement was marketing hype and what was fact, but I like well-fitting lined holsters for my blue handguns.

I have found that the better fit the holster/gun combination has, the less wear to the finish, doubtlessly from the less friction and movement from a gun rattling around in a holster that doesn't hold it stationary.

Um, not to pick nits. But I believe the saying goes.... "pet the sweaty stuff, don't sweat the petty stuff." Think it through.

Bad advice. Why you want to handle something sweaty? Or is it one of those "you don't sweat much for a fat girl" situations?

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God spelled backwards is dog.

In my experience the suede lined holsters actually catch more debris, dirt, junk etc. and will cause MORE wear on your blued gun in the long run.

I have found that a fairly smooth plain horsehide holster is about the least offensive as far as wear goes.

I own quite a few handguns and only carry two on a regular daily basis. Those two guns are a M60-7 and a M65-3 and since they are made of Stainless Steel and are my designated carry guns I do not worry about wear. I am not upset if after a few years they have some minor scratches or holster dulling, because I view these two carry guns as "tools" and not highly collectible items.

Most of my other guns are Blue (a few Nickel) and those guns usually go to the Range inside a pistol rug. On the rare occasion I do carry a Blue gun, I just make sure the holster is free of debris prior to holstering. Has worked for me thus far..........

Chief38

I prefer suede-lined holsters , and they do seem to treat polished and blued steel a bit more gently IF ya keep them clean and spray them occasionally with silicone spray.

I'll jest say this about that...Back in the ol' days folks didn't fuss so much over the finished of their sidearms.

I've always lined my holsters with Oak Tanned smooth side in.
It just makes for a professional lookin' finish.

The suedes linings seem to hold foreign debris and if you lined one with chrome tanned suede...
Well, it'll take the finish off'n a blued gun faster that a cat can lick it's ***!!!

If ya gotta have suede lined, at least have it vegetable tanned suede not any of that re-constituted "orthopedic suede" that theys tried to soak the chrome salts out of.

It's kinda like wearin underwear....Some do & some don't.

Su Amigo,
Dave



Hey Double Sharp,


She shor was a good'n though!!!


.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

The title of this thread confused me a bit...
At first I though - "Who'd care what kind of holster one would use for a blue gun?"

Oh - A blued gun.....

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In dog years I'm dead.