Just wondering what your favorite holster material is? Leather or Kydex. I understand the appeal of kydex but I just don't care for the look and feel. I like good leather, preferrably in some shade of brown, russett or naturel. I guess I am old fashioned; I prefer an analog watch, micrometer or vernier scale precision tools, and I still use a flip phone.

AKJ Concealco for my Ruger Speed Six



Lawrence 120 for my K-22



And; for my 1911 a Lobo model 1 pancake

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Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA

I like leather. I have a good quantity of Kramer in Cordovan and black. The fit is so good the guns snap in almost like kydex. The horsehide does not loose shape over time. I have one .45 mag pouch that has loosened up some but not enough to be unserviceable. It’s nice to have options.

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Answer has to be both. Someone (here?) I recall saying, “Plastic gun -> plastic holster”, and there’s a lot of truth there.

The holster I use the most is one of the Sticky-style pocket holsters, so neither leather or Kydex.

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Uvidíme se později, aligátore.

I have tried Kydex from; multiple makers, mild to wild and very cheap to most costly leather lined... Just can't get comfortable with them...

Both- I’ve long been a fan of Alien Gear and Foxx IWB holsters with a leather pad, kydex shell.

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Some Might Say.

The only modern holster I have bought in the last 20 years is the Urban Carry Loc Leather. It's leather with a Kydex snap insert that locks into the trigger guard doing away with the need for a strap. Not an expensive but seems to be well made. Havent had it long so the jury is still out.

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

I didn’t vote because I like both.

I have multiple holsters for the guns that I carry.

If I carry IWB then I insist in leather.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I have both, but use leather holsters more often than I do Kydex. By far I use Milt Sparks leather more often than anything else.

i like the kydex because of the retenion. have a Jackass holster, leather, well built, a comfort to carry. checking the mount / angle screws on the kydex, none have ever been loose. have a Hunter holster i have stiched the rotted stiching several times, but still carries the weapon.

I have both, the majority of which are leather. I have kydex for the Glocks and Galco, El Paso Saddlery for the others. I can't bring myself to put a revolver in Kydex, leather only for them.

I know leather comes from cattle but what kind of an animal does Kydex come from?

LOL

Leather for OWB, Kydex for IWB.

Can’t beat the easy re-holster of the rigid material.

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Richard

I like the look, smell, and feel of leather, and it is what I use for the most part.

I do keep a couple types of "synthetic" rigs for various handguns I am likely to open carry out in the woods when its raining, kayaking, ect.

When I carry IWB, I have pretty much switched from Kydex to leather. Synthetic is better when you are sweating, but leather is more comfortable. Being retired and all, I try not to sweat anymore...

Larry

I put plastic holsters in a class with plastic guns. For me horsehide is preferred

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I could never warn up to plastic holsters (Kydex). I'll stick with my Kramer Horsehide Leather holsters, belts and ammo carriers.

Have Kydex from military days when working in water. But now it is leather only for both guns and knives.

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V/r,
Markham

Okay, call me old school, but I like leather. There's something about it that Kydex just doesn't have. I like the way it looks, the way it smells, the way it molds to the firearm. And the more it's used, the better it looks. When quality leather is exposed to the elements...sun, rain, wind, etc....through honest use, it achieves a patina that just screams "classic!!!"

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Pack light and cinch tight.

It depends.

Kydex and its variants are easily cleaned if wet or dusty/greasy. Some Kydex-like products are even friendly to gun finishes. Kydex, being heat set, has to have a little extra care in really hot environments. It won't stretch or shrink.

Good leather is gentle on gun finishes and is more comfortable for IWB carry. It does not like getting really wet and is difficult to clean at times if nasty products get splashed on it. Due to its ability to change shape, it works well with pancake style holsters.

Both have the ability to retain firearms well as well as, in a properly designed holster, producing a quick, safe firearm presentation.

Leather. I'm as likely to buy a plastic holster as I am to buy a plastic gun.

Leather all the way for me. I’ve tried kydex a few times and just don’t like it. It’s not as comfortable as leather, it tends to cut into my skin, it squeaks, and just feels like cheap junk. Life’s too short for cheap junk, give me a Milt Sparks holster any day over plastic.

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NRA Life Member

It's leather holsters and wood grips all the way for me. Oh, and steel guns too!

Most of my holsters are leather, but like and use both for revolvers and autos. For Kydex I like LAG and Blade Tech.

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213th FBINA

Pick up a Kydex holster ... smell it .

Now smell a nice new Leather holster ... which one smells better .

Don't tell me smell isn't important and don't tell me plastic smells better than Leather ... I'll take a Leather Holster everytime ...it smells good !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

I prefer leather for my own carry and range time. It’s simply more comfortable.

That said, I SO in IDPA and prefer shooters use kydex as I can hear the gun “snick” into the holster.

I’ve seen both type work well and work poorly, so quality is important regardless of material.

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Guns + Dogs= Bliss

PLASTIC holsters for PLASTIC pistols

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S&W Accumulator

Leather for me, mainly due to comfort and it seems to be less harsh on the guns.

As OP mentions, both have their benefits and there are few things as reassuring or soothing to the ears as the click when you holster a gun in kydex. My brother uses a kydex holster and when he sends me videos of his draw/re-holster drill the click is always something I envy.

I only had one Kydex holster which was custom and cost me a decent amount only for it not to fit my gun. Not only that, I found the kydex to be extremely uncomfortable. I am sure this had more to do with the maker than material, but I never tried Kydex again after that.

For me if it is not comfortable, I will not wear it. Leather is more comfortable than any kydex I have seen so that is my pick.

How well does leather work for reholstering when used IWB? I don't want to have to drop my pants to reholster.

I can re-holster my Speed Six while wearing it. You may have to push to get it started but not an issue

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Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA

Here's my feelings on the matter. If you have a Nice gun that was built with a lot of craftsmanship, like a Python, upscale 1911, older S&W (pre Hillary hole), then your holster should exude the same level of craftsmanship. Likewise, a cookie cutter gun that you can buy at any sporting chain store needs only a holster produced in the same manner. If it's a metal frame gun then leather should be the choice, but if it's plastic, then Kydex is appropriate. Caviar does not go with soda crackers, and a bottle of Chardonnay is wasted on hot dogs.

I have had both... both have their uses.

I do prefer leather though! Looks, the beauty, the smell. Old School stuff. Kydex is good, it's practical, but it's just a soulless piece of plastic to me at the end of the day. It works, just doesn't look fancy or feel as nice as leather doing it. What I do like about Kydex though, no worry for moisture!

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Go ahead... make my day.

I just don't think Kydex looks good in basket weave or floral design. Leather for me, in fact I don't even own one Kydex holster.

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Kevin in Oregon

my late father did custom leatherwork... so... leather is my first choice... I do have kydex holsters... but they are only for the guns without souls...

The James Bond side of me picks leather. The John Wick side goes with kydex.

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balin
NRA Life Member

I'd say a polymer pistol goes in Kydex. A nice old Smith goes in leather.

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No baby we aint

I kind of like leather better for its feel and aroma but I like Kydex for its ease of use, and the way a pistol snaps into it.

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Come and take it!!

I carry IWB in a Garrett Silent Thunder. It's a leather lined Kydex shell. Kind of best of both worlds. Leather lining is easy on the gun's finish, and the combination keeps a firm grip on the pistol. I have two, and if I'm carrying on my belt, it's one of them. I guess my answer to the poll question is BOTH.

I haven't given it the smell test yet

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What could possibly go wrong?

hybrid iwb double loop because concealment then comfort are major priority's for my purposes. Yes, it does wear the finish giving the gun character. Theis is my preferred maker, and am not carrying high end firearms. In winter, am using a pocket holster because of heavy outer clothing.

Looks like it's holding at leather 7 to 1

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Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA