Kydex scratching?

[gr7070]

I found a number of tiny scratches on my cylinder in the same spot just to the left of each flute in the cylinder. I suspect these are from a brand new Kydex holster. I've only drawn it a couple dozen times. I can feel the scratches with my fingernails.

While i bought my 686 to shoot, a lot, I also don't want it beat too badly after countless draws.

Anything I should do? Sand the holster a hair in this spot? Can I expect these to get pretty deep after a decade? Should I care, much?

 

[Dot_mdb]

What brand is the holster and what type of holster is it? That scratch looks like it is likely from some type of attachment hardware like where the belt loop is attached to the kydex. I had a similar problem with Fist holsters and I resolved it by placing some tape at strategic locations.

Bill

 

[gr7070]

It's a Comp-Tac Belt Holster. I don't see anything that could be scratching it???

I didn't notice them till after I received the holster.

 

[OKFC05]

KYDEX is probably not doing the scratching, since it is about as hard as a toothbrush handle.
However, a chip of steel embedded in the KYDEX can scratch a gun, as can the metal hardware.

 

[gr7070]

Agreed on the kydex not being the culprit. There isn't any metal hardware that could be doing it either. Nothing is apparently stuck onto the kydex either, at this time.

I presume something was stuck to the kydex hoster that was doing it. Unfortunately I have a number of scratches around my cylinder now. Looks like I'll have to use the heck out of it and distress it further to hide these.

 

[one eye joe]

Naah ! ! Don't beat that 686 up any more than you have to. There are several excellent threads on this forum that explain the use of a series of progressively finer abrasive pads to polish out scratches like yours. I use my guns HARD and maintain them mechanically and cosmetically with little effort. That's one advantage of a stainless gun....

 

[gr7070]

These scracthes probably would come out reasonably well. I'll have to check out the pad threads.

I was just kidding about distressing intentionally. I will be using it a lot hopefully and I'm sure It'll get a ding or two, but I'll try to keep it as nice as possible. Thus the initial reason for my thread.

Much thanks all!

 

[Matt C.]

Can tell you from experience that kydex knife sheaths DO scratch. I don't know if the steel used in gunmaking is immune to this, but I'll stick with leather.

 

[szuppo]

It is most definitely the Kydex, you can "polish" them out with a scotch-brite pad but the use of Kydex will only bring them back......... Get leather.

 

[JB4570]

What ever you do, Don't polish out the holster with scothbrite, it will make it more attractive for grit and dust which sounds like whats causeing the scraching, I have had the same problem with mine as well, you can litely polish your cylinder with scothbrite but use one that has been used a bit.
I have used Kydex holster for years and thats one of the draw backs, but with stainless the scothbrite is the ticket.

 

[borntoraisehogs]

Kydex with scratch blued guns ,

 

[H Richard]

I recommend Leather holsters.

 

[TSQUARED]

Irrespective of the holster material you will get some rubbing marks on the finish - it's called "holster wear". Any dutu gun show that wear. Kydex will show rub marks faster than a smooth leather or suede leather lined holster.

 

[one eye joe]

Stick with leather. Kydex doesn't feel, smell, or look like a REAL holster. A holster should protect not damage a gun. A minimal amount of holster wear is inevitable on a blued gun even in leather, but NOT scratches.....

 

[oldman45]

I say stick with leather. Not just any leather holster but a quality leather holster.

Synthetics are fine if you do not care about your gun but when you have a nice brand name gun that sells for a decent price, you want to take care of it.

I have maybe 100 holsters. All but maybe 10 are custom made leather, some lined, some are not.

Why pay $1,000 for a gun and then drop it in a $50 holster?

A quality leather holster will look better, be more comfortable, last longer and will keep a gun looking new.

The various materials used in some holsters will cause more than scratches. They are made cheap to sell cheap so they can sell more. Not all leather holsters are good either but you get what you pay for.

 

[Dot_mdb]

I have maybe 100 holsters.

Please say more about your 100 holsters.

Bill

 

[Big Cholla]

All Kydex holsters scratch all guns some place or another. Reason; Kydex attracts and holds dust. The dust can't move away from the gun when in a firm form fitted Kydex. Dust can move away from a holstered gun when in leather. I competed for years using Kydex. I just accepted a little more scratching. Stainless steel handguns are the way to go when using Kydex because of the ease of refinish. ..... Big Cholla

 

[oldman45]

Please say more about your 100 holsters.

Bill

Over 50 yrs of collecting guns, a person will get holsters for about everything he owns. Many times I have bought or had made several holsters for the same gun. I have holsters in plastic, leather and all the possibilities in between. Got shoulder holsters, SOB holsters, IWB, pancake, ankle, cross draw and door panel holsters. Got clip on, loops and combination belt holsters. Got expensive and cheap. Got lined and unlined.

I buy and try. Often they do not work as expected and they go on the walll in the riggings I have to identifiy the holster for the gun it fits.

Just had one made for me by a guy in AR that is likely the best I have ever worn and it cost me only $55.

 

[Alk8944]

All Kydex holsters scratch all guns some place or another. Reason; Kydex attracts and holds dust. The dust can't move away from the gun when in a firm form fitted Kydex. Dust can move away from a holstered gun when in leather. I competed for years using Kydex. I just accepted a little more scratching. Stainless steel handguns are the way to go when using Kydex because of the ease of refinish. ..... Big Cholla

Exactly! Kydex, or any other holster material softer that the steel, does not scratch guns. It is the dirt that accumulates and becomes embedded in the holster that does the damage. This applies whether the holster is Kydex, plain leather or lined leather, smooth lining or suede.

If you get something like a grain of sand jammed between the Kydex and the gun it is more likely to cause a significant scratch than a leather holster would, but that is because there will be more pressure on the grit than in leather.

 

[gr7070]

Fwiw, these are countless scratches. Some full length of the cylinder; some a half inch long.