So I know it's probably not super prevalent in the firearms community for folks to have vegan ethics/dietary choices, but that's the minority in which I find myself. I've managed to pick up a sweet Crossfire nylon pancake holster that works well for my M36-1 as far as fit and function. HOWEVER, the look of a leather holster is timeless, and while it sure isn't a fashion show out there, I still feel as if I'm doing the revolver a disservice by having it ride in a black nylon pancake. Any makers out there who know of something with looks/qualities of a leather pancake but without the animal hide?

Thanks in advance for any help!!

Kind of feels like a troll type of question but I could be wrong. I was under the assumption that vegan is not eating meat and PITA is not wearing fur / hyde etc. But if you are serious why not google synthetic leather holsters ?

You do know that bovine skins are a byproduct of the slaughter of animals for human consumption, right? If humans consume less beef, there will be fewer hides. On the other hand, if we continue eating beef but don't use the hides, they will go down in price to the point it becomes cheaper to burn them than use them. If the hides are not sold, the cost of meat would increase.

I'm absolutely not judging your position but just want to point out that no bovine has EVER been slaughtered for its skin.

Do I know what I'm talking about? I used to run a company that used 20,000 hides per day. The price we paid for the commodity moved with "the slaughter" (how many head per period) and the slaughter mostly (but not exclusively) depended on demand for meat.

If you don't eat meat, you know that no animal has been slaughtered to make its way to your table. But, if your ethics permit, you could also buy a leather holster knowing that doing so absolutely did not contribute to a slaughter.

Hope you find what you're looking for. Will you tell us what you decide?

Cheers!

The only thing I can think of is Safariland gear. They offer models made from Safarilaminate, a synthetic material that looks like leather. You might want to look into that. I had a Safariland/Safarilaminate duty holster when I carried a revolver as an armed guard. IIRC, it had a suede lining, but I don't know if it was real or synthetic suede.

Other than that, I'd suggest looking into kydex holsters.

Holsters, scabbards, and knife sheaths are made of leather. Check your local laws as it could be anything else may be illegal.

Vegan is not using any animal or animal-derived products, whether it's for food, clothing, etc. It's more of an overall lifestyle than just a diet.

The point, for me at least, is to not contribute to that kind of industry. I've looked all over for synthetic leather holsters online, but google results really lock in on the "leather" part of the search, thus I find more and more leather holsters. Kydex is unbecoming a revolver. Second-hand leather would be permissable, I guess. It's just not something I've owned since a pair of boots I bought from Goodwill years back.

You've never heard of kydex, polymer, nylon, etc.? Holsters, scabbards, and knife sheaths are made from those materials, too.

And I've never heard of non-leather gear being illegal anywhere.

Those Safarilaminate ones are awesome, I'm definitely going to check up on that some more. Thanks!

Be aware that you might have to find them on-line, as Safariland long ago had to switch away from the Porvair (a simulated thin leather) exterior skin when Porvair ceased production. One of the BIG reasons that Safariland holsters of today have all-Kydex exteriors (and what a big side-benefit [wink] -- a huge reduction in manufacturing cost). The online auction sites are THE place to start your search, new and used.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Safariland 568.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

ContinentalOp--
My post is merely tongue in cheek.

That include animal-based medications?

I have a couple of Nylon Holsters.
They would be Vegan, I think.

Attached Images

IMG_2987.jpg (129.9 KB, 51 views)

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Yup, the OP said he already has a nylon pancake holster, so apparently that meets the vegan criteria - but not the leather-look criteria.

I now S&W made some from synthetic rubber-like material, back in the day, but like the Safariland's mentioned earlier, they haven't been made & sold for years. There really isn't much demand for faux leather holsters I'm thinking...

Which revolver model do you have and how do you intend to carry it? Since you mention the look of the holster, is this for open carry? If so I'd be more concerned about retention than what's "becoming" of a revolver.

I would not go with nylon for a belt holster, as it tends to collapse on itself and make reholstering difficult.

Double post

You're right it's not a fashion show and the revolver doesn't know what it's in. Buy and use why works because it works not because it "looks" cool

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

I've got a 1981 model 36-1 with a 3" barrel, so finding a holster that fits is proving difficult as is. I appreciate all the help and input,everyone.

The first post states it is for his M36-1, which I believe would be a 3" J-frame.

I think that makes the search even more difficult since there are a lot fewer makes and models of holsters specifically made for the 3" J-frames. Many of the open bottom holsters will work - if you don't mind 3/4" of barrel sticking out the bottom of the holster - but the selection of closed bottom holsters long enough to accommodate the 3" barrel is pretty limited.

I'm actually looking for a nice used leather one myself.

Oh you're right, I missed that. I still don't see a mention of the carry method. A 3" J-frame can fit in big pockets, Bob Mika can make a pocket holster for any size revolver.

JM Custom can make custom kydex holsters either IWB or OWB. If this is for concealment and not open carry, who cares how it looks? If you really want the look/feel of leather maybe contact someone like Lobo Gunleathers and see if they can build something out of synthetic material.

Open carry for now. . Concealed permit is on the way, though.

Sweet Jeebus people! Can't you just accept that the OP has certain views, which he/she has EVERY RIGHT TO HAVE. So, why can't the answers ANSWER the question, rather than give grief and be a jerk?

If people with different views bother you, stay of the internet, and hide in your basement.

How about something like this?
Viking belt Holster S&W J Frame 33 34 36 Kit Gun 3" RH GC

I would add my vote for Safariland. Their synthetic products look, feel and wear like leather. Unlike Kydex, they are quiet in use and don't need to be periodically tightened - they're made to fit (which is good, because you can't break-in synthetics). Perhaps because of their duty heritage, Safariland holsters tend to be bulkier than similar products of Kydex and Leather.

Woven nylon is arguably the worst of all worlds. Ill-fitting and rough texture constitute my primary complaints.

That would work for me - but the OP has specifically stated he prefers NOT to buy leather as part of his vegan beliefs.

I on the other hand LIKE leather, so I might actually go for that one. Thanks!

Yeah, I wasn't sure whether to post it, I thought he said he might be OK with used products. I hope one of you likes it though - if I open carried I would definitely get one myself!

Agreed. Gun ownership/concealed carry is growing every year, I consider it a good thing we are seeing people with more diverse views support the RKBA.

S&W 36-1 is from around 1967 or so. When Bangor-Punta owned S&W
they put out a holster made of Wessonhide. It was an imitation leather.
There is an S&W fit chart on this forum somwhere. I believe the size
you would want is 63. You might find a Wessonhide holster on ebay or
anywhere vintage holsters are sold. They would be period correct for
your 36-1 as they were made around 1970.

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In Omnia Paratus

Excluding the millions of American Bison slaughtered for their hides in the mid to late 19th century. But of course that has no relevance to the OP's dilemma.

To his point, I have no issue with leather holsters, but find Kydex a more practical application for my carry style.

OP, do what your conscience dictates.

Duly noted.

Some of the fake leather products are almost indistinguishable in look and feel from the real ting. The question that begs to be asked is why 2nd hand leather goods are OK to buy and use but buying new is not? This statement is what raised my troll alert-but I shall refrain from any further thoughts on this issue other than to say that I have both kinds of holsters and there is a place for both. If by "leather" the poster is referring to the flayed and subsequently tanned skin of 4 legged mammalian quadrupeds then may I suggest the skin of a shark or stingray or some reptile such as the American Alligator. If the definition of leather includes the skin of any living creature-than holsters made with materials based on petroleum products seems to be the way to go. But here we run into another problem-that of defiling mother earth by sucking her lifeblood dry at the expense of the environment.
My view-certainly not shared by some-is that animals are there for our use in a responsible, humane manner. If you feel otherwise, I shall not rebuke, ridicule or degrade you. Likewise I demand the same courtesy.

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Forum consigliere

Please be aware that kydex contains vinyl and most vinyl is in part hydro-carbon based. In other words, many vinyl contains dead animals. Very old dead animals, but dead animals non-the less.

My Safariland ALS for my S&W contains zero leather. I like it.

There are synthetic leather holsters. The one shown below is by Galls.

They offer basket weave and high gloss designs.

There are probably others on the market.

Good luck with your search.

This is starting to stray from the OP, but I'll just say that I'm aware of vegans who will go to that extreme. How prevalent that is among all vegans, I don't know.

To each his own
....OP google will find anything you are looking for.

I once made one of Naugahyde with a pattern from a book I found in the Library. My mom had the couch recovered and the upholstery man gave me some brown scraps for free....I couldn't afford real leather .
The Naugahyde was easier to cut sew and lace than real leather...looked pretty good and held the gun. Mom put the snaps on it for me with a little tool she had , she could sew and make clothes and sometimes used snaps .
If Naugahyde is Vegan Approved you can find plenty of patterns on the inter net and make your own or contact some custom makers and see if they can help you out.

I use a Bianchi Accumold for my EDC. It doesn't have the attraction of leather, but meets all of my other requirements. Such as almost complete frame coverage for protection, high ride for concealed OWB carry, and it's not bulky. Easy to draw and re-holster too.

The only issue I had with it was the adjustable velcro piece for the retention strap. The velcro part fits down through the plastic piece your belt slides through. That velcro part is rather thick and pretty much prevents a belt from fitting through, especially a 1/4" thick bullhide belt. So I cut the velcro piece and sewed it on permanently.

Can't beat it for the under $20 price I paid. Don't know if they make one for a J frame, but it wouldn't fit the "leather like" wants of the OP.

Gould & Goodrich used to make really nice "synthetic leather" holsters. I have one that handles several of my guns but mostly it suits my 2.5" M 686+. I have had it for years and it's like new because I rarely use it. It is a high ride belt holster. I am not at all sure of the material except that it looks like leather but it is not leather. I don't think they make these any longer but a good search might turn one up.

For a M36 it might be ahrder but there are plenty of nylon and Kydex holsters available.

Find a cow that died of old age.

Be Careful I think those Naugas are on the endangered
species list.

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In Omnia Paratus

What about the rich Corinthian leather that covered the seats of the Chrysler Cordoba in the 70's . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

You could use Corinthian leather, the type Ricardo Montalban used to speak of when advertising the Chrysler Cordoba. I'm pretty sure it didn't come from a cow.

That's hilarious! I just had the same thought! Yours had to have posted as I was typing!

Uncle Mike's...I'd post a link, but I'd get another
infraction.

---but was it gluten-free?!?

And non-GMO?!?

The Corinthian (the animal) is an extinct species. The last surviving Corinthian was killed for its hide in 1792 in the city of Cadiz.

The price for any remaining Corinthian leather has skyrocketed, much the same way the price for mammoth and mastodon ivory grips for 1911s has increased by over $200 a pair since last year.

I'm pretty sure it's glue-ton free but it may contain peanut products .
I did a little poking around and Naugahyde , is not endangered , still being made and , besides other colors , black , buckskin and tobacco would make a nice substitute for leather. The browns and black have that leather type grain . The stuff sells for about $20.00 a yard...Fabric or upholstery shops should carry it.

Found about 14-15 different brand names of synthetic leathers, like Naugahyde....didn't know that many existed !
And , get this...three plant based leather substitutes !

Cork Leather, made from the bark fibers of the oak cork tree.
Ocean Leather , made of kelp fibers
Pinatex, made from fibers from pineapple plant leaves .

How cool is that...leather from plants, that should be vegan approved !

Gary

A rendering plant would have cow hides from animals that died a natural death.