Hello, I've been a member for a while, but this is my first time posting. I recently started shooting with a practical shooting group, and purchased an Uncle Mike's Tactical Reflex Holster for it. I'm curious about long term use and the finish on M&P's. Not real concerned about it, but I do want them to look good when I hand them off to my kids and grandkids (a long time from now).

Thanks

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MP22, MP9, MP45, MPR8, MP15

The cheap injection molded holsters are not the easiest on a finish, but even with the best holsters, losts of competitiion and practice will show.

If you want to really get serious about competition, the usual line is "buy 2 guns and wear the first one out in practice!"

Comp TAC, Blade Tech, and Safariland make popular premium holsters for competition.

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Science plus Art

Repeated drawing and reholstering will cause wear on any pistol. If you look at some police trade in revolvers and orther pistols you will see that they do have holster wear, the older ones acquired that with leather holsters.

The more that you use it the more wear that will show. There is no way around that. The Uncle Mikes holster will probably cause some wear to show on the pistol but it won't be next week or next month, it will take some time. I am of the mindset that wear is character and shows that a pistol or rifle has been used and isn't a safe queen. The beauty of it is if it wears down too much for your liking you can get it refinished, or possibly do that now with an option such as Cerakote or Duracoat but I don't know how much if any more durable they are.

Welcome to the forum from Texas.

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James
On the Llano Estacado

Welcome from the panhandle of West Virginia.
I said it before and I'll say it again, there's nothing wrong with some honest holster wear.

Kydex holsters will rub your finish off. It doesn't matter if it's a "top quality" holster or not. That is just the nature of metal rubbing against plastic.

These guys make a kydex holster lined with leather. Garrett Industries, LLC Designers/Manufacturers of Custom Kydex and Leather Holsters and Tactical Gear This is the only holster that won't be too hard on your finish.

That said, the Melonite finish on the M&P is super durable. It will take a few presentations from the holster to have any appreciable wear on your gun.

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Freedom isn't free.

Thanks to all for the replies and welcomes. I haven't made any decisions yet, but it's helpful to narrow down the field of choices. I'll be proud of the wear like on my father's and grandfather's guns, just not an excessive amount.

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MP22, MP9, MP45, MPR8, MP15

I love my Safariland paddle holster. It's lined with suede to reduce finish wear.

Model 6378 ALS® Paddle Holster | Safariland?

OK, you have my attention. I'm not a fan of mass produced or cheap holsters, but this one looks interesting.

How do you like the ALS? Is it difficult to use or do you find it natural?

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Freedom isn't free.

I too have the same safariland holster for my FS M&P 40, when I first got it I didn't like it much, it was quite tough and tight on the gun, after some break in time, it became easy to draw from the holster. Keep in mind I've been using Blackhawk Serpa holsters for years, so I was used to their Retention system. I found the ALS much more natural. The suede inside the holster does a good job at protecting the gun. I actually like the paddle on this, it's comfortable and stays on well

I use an Uncle Mikes Reflex holster for IDPA matches and pracice. Don't know how many draw cycles I've done, but I'll guess at least 500, probably 1000+. There is no noticeable wear on the guns finish. Not sure what the plastic is, but it feels slick and is softer than kydex On the first few draws the front sight did dig out a little furrow on the inside of the holster.

The holster comes with both a belt attachment and paddle. The paddle is made with lugs that grab your belt and keep it in your pants when you daw.

Once you learn the relese technique the draw is fast.

With no honest holster wear the kids and grandkids with think you were an armchair ninja instead of a shooter.