I have been observing on shooting videos that many of the "Experts" are using plastic holsters. (and Glocks)
Is the plastic better suited for drawing then leather ?
Is the plastic better suited for drawing then leather ?
Leather Verus Plastic
- Thread starter jimmyj
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
03hemi
Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2014
- Messages
- 3,569
- Reaction score
- 7,006
Tupperware guns-plastic
Steele guns- leather
Both are going to trash your finish eventually.
I have many guns, probably like you, but I only carry 1 of 3 for this reason so that's why I like a finish that gets better looking with age.
Get's prettier with every draw.
Steele guns- leather
Both are going to trash your finish eventually.
I have many guns, probably like you, but I only carry 1 of 3 for this reason so that's why I like a finish that gets better looking with age.
Get's prettier with every draw.
elpac3
Member
For USPSA and IDPA competition shooting I have gone to Kydex holsters, especially nice when having an attached light. They are fast and easily tension adjustable.
For everyday carry and hunting carry I still prefer a lined leather with a safety strap.
Prolonged carry will produce muzzle wear / cylinder wear as it did with my model 19 from riding in a border patrol holster but that will happen with any holster/ gun combo( dating my self here)
For everyday carry and hunting carry I still prefer a lined leather with a safety strap.
Prolonged carry will produce muzzle wear / cylinder wear as it did with my model 19 from riding in a border patrol holster but that will happen with any holster/ gun combo( dating my self here)
The plastic hold their shape better for re-holstering. Nylon holsters should be outlawed. I carried in a quality leather holster for decades. There is something warm and friendly about leather holsters.
I have heard this as well, Honest Outlaw and a few others on YouTube mainly. The argument seems to be that they are safer, because they are less likely to lose form over time than leather. As with most opinions, there is a granule of truth to that. Also like most opinions, it is not some universal truth either. I have owned several holsters, two of which were kydex, the rest leather. Never had a safety issue with any of them. If you take your time and re-holster safely, there are very few holsters out there that will give you issues.
Never underestimate the gun buying public's susceptibility to fads. All the cool kids in the videos run kydex so I must run kydex. All shooting sports end up as an equipment race. "If I just had the latest X, I'd shoot so much better." Maybe, or you could, you know, practice.
gwpercle
Member
Leather ... Smells better .
Gary
Gary
Marshal Tom
Member
Conventional thinking is plastic guns get kydex and metal guns leather but that's not altogether true since the younger crowd all run kydex AIWB mostly for everything. Kydex is is faster but will wear the finish on any gun. I use leather for my nice metal guns but kydex for my striker fired stuff.
white cloud
Member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,142
- Reaction score
- 1,561
We own a farm in the deep south. Summer farm work means heat, dust and sweat. I really like revolvers and leather but have developed a deep appreciation for kydex and plastic pistols. They take the summer environment in stride.
Last edited:
I would not want a hunk of plastic hanging on me any more than I would want Rosanne Barr hanging on me. 
Last edited:
Autonomous
Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2017
- Messages
- 1,161
- Reaction score
- 1,804
It depends.
Quality. Good and bad with both materials.
Comfort and conformability. Leather.
Retention. In my experience you can get better retention with kydex and it allows more retention options as well. The kydex fit can be fine-tuned with a heat gun. This does not imply a quality leather holster is not secure.
Use profile. Concealed carry under clothing, a chest rig in a SE Alaska rain forest or quick draw games.
Fashion. Yes, it is a factor.
FWIW my EDC is leather, and woods carry is kydex.
Quality. Good and bad with both materials.
Comfort and conformability. Leather.
Retention. In my experience you can get better retention with kydex and it allows more retention options as well. The kydex fit can be fine-tuned with a heat gun. This does not imply a quality leather holster is not secure.
Use profile. Concealed carry under clothing, a chest rig in a SE Alaska rain forest or quick draw games.
Fashion. Yes, it is a factor.
FWIW my EDC is leather, and woods carry is kydex.
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2008
- Messages
- 953
- Reaction score
- 887
Safariland has replaced Kydex with their own proprietary blend of Nylon in their 7-series holsters. It is noticeably friendlier to gun finishes than Kydex. Either can be kept clean with a rinse in plain warm (not hot) water. Leather may squeak when new. Takes care to keep exterior finish sealed. May need some work on the interior; I use well rubbed in paste shoe polish.
I use and appreciate both. For competition use, it's the plastic usually. For concealed carry, it's well worn in leather, usually. For beating around the farm or brush, it is plastic, with at least a level II retention factor. For BBQ style events, of course it is leather.
I use and appreciate both. For competition use, it's the plastic usually. For concealed carry, it's well worn in leather, usually. For beating around the farm or brush, it is plastic, with at least a level II retention factor. For BBQ style events, of course it is leather.
Not to steal the thread here, but if a USA company sells a knife with a plastic sheath, I won't wear that either. Gotta be leather. 
Autonomous
Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2017
- Messages
- 1,161
- Reaction score
- 1,804
KA-BAR sells a glass filled nylon sheath that really is a better mouse trap.
It is secure but offers instant access as it has no snaps to fumble with under stress. It works either left or right side.
No, it is not leather but when you try it you will see.
It is secure but offers instant access as it has no snaps to fumble with under stress. It works either left or right side.
No, it is not leather but when you try it you will see.
Dang, if I have to resort to a K-bar for personal defense, I've already used up all of my other options and have lost!
Leather.
I began carrying a semiauto for the first time, a P365, last spring. All my revolvers have leather holsters. While I spent some time researching what leather holster to buy for the P365, I bought a couple of interim holsters.
First a Galco Tacslide, a hybrid kydex and leather holster. I initially liked this a lot as it is comfortable and easy to draw and reholster. I soon realized, though, that the zero cant tended to make the pistol butt print when I bent over. Good for the range though.
I next got a kydex paddle holster with adjustable cant from Rounded by Concealment Express, shown here in a left handed version in photos from their website:
I like this one a lot, very smooth draw and reholster, with a satisfying click when it locks into place. Adjustable retention tension as well. Easy on and off. It became my primary carry holster for a number of months in addition to range duty.
About a month ago I received a Lobo Gunleather Enhanced Pancake:
I've been carrying with the Lobo since. It's very well made, very comfortable, and provides for a ready draw, easy reholster, and good retention. And, as you can see, it's leather.
My view is that the Lobo offers somewhat better concealment, and comfort, and is a piece of gear that I like wearing everyday. It's a nice piece of craftsmanship. I think the kydex holster will likely remain my preferred range holster for the P365, and that it provides for a smoother draw and reholster. (Not necessarily faster, but smoother.)
No kydex for my revolvers though. Ever!
This thread is about my search for the right holster for the P365, and the preferred holsters for this gun of other forum members: Holsters for Sig P365
First a Galco Tacslide, a hybrid kydex and leather holster. I initially liked this a lot as it is comfortable and easy to draw and reholster. I soon realized, though, that the zero cant tended to make the pistol butt print when I bent over. Good for the range though.
I next got a kydex paddle holster with adjustable cant from Rounded by Concealment Express, shown here in a left handed version in photos from their website:
I like this one a lot, very smooth draw and reholster, with a satisfying click when it locks into place. Adjustable retention tension as well. Easy on and off. It became my primary carry holster for a number of months in addition to range duty.
About a month ago I received a Lobo Gunleather Enhanced Pancake:
I've been carrying with the Lobo since. It's very well made, very comfortable, and provides for a ready draw, easy reholster, and good retention. And, as you can see, it's leather.
My view is that the Lobo offers somewhat better concealment, and comfort, and is a piece of gear that I like wearing everyday. It's a nice piece of craftsmanship. I think the kydex holster will likely remain my preferred range holster for the P365, and that it provides for a smoother draw and reholster. (Not necessarily faster, but smoother.)
No kydex for my revolvers though. Ever!
This thread is about my search for the right holster for the P365, and the preferred holsters for this gun of other forum members: Holsters for Sig P365
Malysh
Member
I always have been and will remain a leather guy.
Too old to change.
Too old to change.
