Kydex....just can't do it

[lrb1200]

Yeah, just too old school I guess.

Holsters aren't plastic.....they're leather.

Needed a holster for a P226 with a light on it,
looked at the "plastic"....can't do it.

Found "Aker", took a chance....fit like a glove.

No rock hard plastic.

[S-W4EVER]

I’ve never been able to warm up to Kydex either. All my holsters are leather too.

[Jessie]

I have both but prefer leather. That Aker looks well made.
Reasonable prices for something like that?

[dmar]

Same here, I usually only carry IWB, and for me, leather is the way to go. I find kydex to be hard/uncomfortable, squeaky and sometimes can scratch your gun. Overall, I find them to be a cheap, less desirable alternative to a well made leather holster.

Maybe kydex for an OWB range holster, or something, but not for concealed carry.

[ContinentalOp]

I've used both, and I think kydex is acceptable, but definitely prefer leather. I'm currently using a kydex IWB holster for my 1911 and I find it to be a decent holster that I was able to get inexpensively and relatively quickly, but I used some of my Christmas and stimulus money to order a Kramer horsehide IWB#3, which is my favorite semi-auto holster and should arrive sometime in the next few months.

[Fishinfool]

I like Kydex for a field holster when fishing, or will be out in the rain. Never put a blued gun in one, as they can be hard on the finish. They have there uses, but probably 85% of my holsters are leather.

Larry

[moosedog]

Count me in for leather, not recycled shopping bags.

[woudstra]

I'm too old, I guess. I like my guns, metal and my holsters, leather.

[Rpg]

The great benefit of Kydex holsters is their very low cost. They’re cheap in more ways than just cost.

Like many stopgaps, Kydex holsters are quickly available.

I wouldn’t use one.

[Marshal tom]

Until recent years,I was a leather only guy and being a lefty,I had to have most of mine custom made for me for many years. I now have several Kydex holsters for my tupperware guns and a few others as well. They are fine but I still prefer nice leather. Keeping the kydex holsters clean on the inside is a really good idea so as not to scratch the finish on your firearm. I noticed today that my AIWB holster for my shield is in need of a good cleaning.

[ContinentalOp]

Originally Posted by Fishinfool

Never put a blued gun in one, as they can be hard on the finish.

I have been seeing more finish wear on my blued 1911.

[78bagger]

Kydex is fine for open carry such as the range or camping, but when I'm in town I prefer leather. IWB I also use a crossbreed so it's leather/kydex but when the weather allows a cover shirt, I like a Galco or Bianchi pancake.

[Gene L]

Kydex is thinner than leather, which I like. Good for concealment. I like leather better because of its looks but I don't view it as superior.

[ejr10mm]

I dont like kydex either. I love leather.

[BloodyThumb]

Originally Posted by lrb1200

Yeah, just too old school I guess.

Holsters aren't plastic.....they're leather.

Needed a holster for a P226 with a light on it,
looked at the "plastic"....can't do it.

Found "Aker", took a chance....fit like a glove.

No rock hard plastic.

Yeah, I was the same for many many years. Finally forced to try Kydex IWB at one point and as much as I hate to admit it... it took.

ALMOST literally (not quite), if I am upright and my eyes are open, I am carrying. That has just been my life. Now days... duty is kydex by issue, and off-duty carry is kydex by choice. There is no more comfortable way to carry IWB than Kydex.

Now, having said that, I still love leather. I am one of those oddballs who likes a good shoulder holster when confined to a vehicle (car, motorcycle, ATV) especially if it is for long hours. Leather. Also, hiking, camping, etc. where I am carrying openly. I still love my old leather rigs for that. But for work or normal off duty carry... ugly old kydex has taken over. Pretty is as pretty does for me.

[gdogs]

I've yet to find a leather IWB holster that carries as well as a kydex one. I'm not saying I don't have or use leather IWB holsters, but they aren't as comfortable as kydex. It's the thinness, and leather just can't compete, not and still have the superb retention that kydex also offers anyways. It might be my few extra pounds that prefers as little material as possible between my pants and body, regardless it just works for me. I'm not worried about the finish on my carry guns, but would agree that kydex isn't good for finely blued firearms.

[rosewood]

Plastic holsters are for plastic guns. Real guns need leather..

[Borderboss]

I love my FIST Kydex pocket holster for my Kahr PM9. It's thin and light, and does its job perfectly. However....

For belt or shoulder holster use, all I want is leather.

[mikerjf]

<<Plastic holsters are for plastic guns. Real guns need leather..>>

You suggesting all those people shot with Glocks should just stand back up?

I tried kydex with a Glock because I figured the rigidness was a better match for the Glock trigger needs. And it seems to work fine to me. I like leather with a snubby, but I'm not under the impression that the Glock or kydex is "not real".

Plastic stuff has a practicality due to weight, corrosion resistance, etc. Do you consider stainless-steel revolvers to be "real guns"? Maybe they shouldn't be - they're not blued.

[chief38]

NOPE! - Don't own any Kydex either. Not bad mouthing them - just not my style!

[cmansguns]

Only have one plastic, a Glock Model 21, Gen 4 in 45 ACP. I bought this gun brand new a few years back when one of my daughters was issued the same gun as a North Carolina LEO.

Since whenever she is able to come home, we try to hit the range for some friendly "competition". Since we were both "holster qualified" at the time, she was drawing from her state issued duty rig, a SafariLand Retention Level 3 along with some 25 # plus of other gear.

I didn't have any plastic holsters, so I bought a SafariLand rig for use when daughter is home. You can see it sitting on the nightstand in the one of my collection pics when we had some of the guns out to chose for range day during the holidays past when all kids were home.

I tried EDC with the SafariLand and the Glock for a sum total of about a week or less, and it just was cumbersome as all get out vs. my Model 637-2 in S & W leather for many, many years.

Like others....not dissing plastic, just not my cup of tea.

[Old Corp]

Not a fan either - but do own ONE.
My 'truck gun' is a Glock 19. I do not carry this gun, just occasionally do range time with it to keep familiar with the unique 'feel' that it and all Glocks have.
I keep a Kydex holster in the truck, just in case I need to actually put it on.
Figured there can't be much better pairing than plastic with plastic.

[BloodyThumb]

Originally Posted by cmansguns

Only have one plastic, a Glock Model 21, Gen 4 in 45 ACP. I bought this gun brand new a few years back when one of my daughters was issued the same gun as a North Carolina LEO.

Since whenever she is able to come home, we try to hit the range for some friendly "competition". Since we were both "holster qualified" at the time, she was drawing from her state issued duty rig, a SafariLand Retention Level 3 along with some 25 # plus of other gear.

I didn't have any plastic holsters, so I bought a SafariLand rig for use when daughter is home. You can see it sitting on the nightstand in the one of my collection pics when we had some of the guns out to chose for range day during the holidays past when all kids were home.

I tried EDC with the SafariLand and the Glock for a sum total of about a week or less, and it just was cumbersome as all get out vs. my Model 637-2 in S & W leather for many, many years.

Like others....not dissing plastic, just not my cup of tea.

Yeah. Safariland paddles are a pain in the ... hip...

I would not judge all Kydex based on a duty holster makers attempt and mounted on a bed pan sized paddle. I know that some think all the small shops are producing garbage, but I will have to disagree. I have found a few though trial and error that are making top notch comfortable, albeit ugly, kydex concealment rigs.

I have also found a small shop maker who makes some of the finest leather holsters I have ever purchased. Absolutely beautiful leather at excellent prices. I have purchased 3 from him so far. A cross draw field holster for a G21, same for a Ruger CarryHawk, and a beautiful basketweave full flap for a 5" 625. Each under $100.

Plus, I like to support smaller makers.

In fairness, I have also wasted $$$ on both kydex and leather that has been garbage.

[Grayfox]

I have no more use for a plastic holster than I do for a plastic gun.

[rosewood]

Originally Posted by mikerjf

<<Plastic holsters are for plastic guns. Real guns need leather..>>

You suggesting all those people shot with Glocks should just stand back up?

I tried kydex with a Glock because I figured the rigidness was a better match for the Glock trigger needs. And it seems to work fine to me. I like leather with a snubby, but I'm not under the impression that the Glock or kydex is "not real".

Plastic stuff has a practicality due to weight, corrosion resistance, etc. Do you consider stainless-steel revolvers to be "real guns"? Maybe they shouldn't be - they're not blued.

Man, amazing how you read all kind of things from an in jest comment. You should write for one of the drive by media outlets.

[mikerjf]

Perhaps. But if I were you, I wouldn't count on making much money writing comedy.

[dockmurgw]

It's great for wearing around the neck.

[sigp220.45]

I carry everything the same way - in the right front waistband. When I started carrying my Sig P320 .357 I decided to give kydex a try. I like it!