Lined vs unlined

[oldman45]

Which do you like the most?

I am in discussion with one of the groups holster makers about making me a custom holster for my new 1911 for dress work.

Today I ordered a custom holster that is lined and plain for rough work. I have a lot of holsters and not one of them are lined. Now I will see if I want the dress holster to be lined or not. They began work on it today and said they can have it out in five days so we shall see.

But which do you like best, lined or unlined?

 

[Smith357]

I like lined for blued guns, I feel it's a little easier on the finish. Unlined is fine for stainless.

 

[oldman45]

I like lined for blued guns, I feel it's a little easier on the finish. Unlined is fine for stainless.

This is a custom S&W 1911 in stainless.

While I want to protect the looks as much as possible, I am hoping for a smoother draw.

 

[TxShooter]

My vote is for lined. all of my Alessi holsters are lined with smooth cowhide. I dislike suede lining due to the tendency to trap grit and moisture.

 

[Bert Man]

This is a custom S&W 1911 in stainless.

While I want to protect the looks as much as possible, I am hoping for a smoother draw.

I have owned both unlined and lined holsters over the years. I will admit that lined can be kinder to really nice finishes. During many years of LE duty I have almost always chosen unlined holsters for everyday carry however as they actually seem to allow a smoother draw than most lined ones especially in areas with high humidity whereas lined models often stick, drag somewhat during the draw. My opinion is for occasional carry of finely finished firearms lined holsters may be the way to go, but for regular defensive carry I will choose unlined every time. Only you know exactly what will work for you. How about getting both?

 

[oldman45]

I have owned both unlined and lined holsters over the years. I will admit that lined can be kinder to really nice finishes. During many years of LE duty I have almost always chosen unlined holsters for everyday carry however as they actually seem to allow a smoother draw than most lined ones especially in areas with high humidity whereas lined models often stick, drag somewhat during the draw. My opinion is for occasional carry of finely finished firearms lined holsters may be the way to go, but for regular defensive carry I will choose unlined every time. Only you know exactly what will work for you. How about getting both?

I am thinking of getting both. One made by a firm in AR and the other made by a person on this forum that uses a handle that rhymes with Earp.

We have high humidity in Louisiana all year round. But most of my guns run less than $1,000 but this one cost me a lot more than that and is a beautiful gun. I would like to keep it that way.

Now if I think my gun may be exposed to harsh elements, I will carry a Glock. They are so ugly any thing that happens to them is likely an improvement.

 

[Skeeziks]

My vote is for lined. all of my Alessi holsters are lined with smooth cowhide. I dislike suede lining due to the tendency to trap grit and moisture.

Ditto, for me.

 

[Srigs]

I make a dual layer "lined" leather with rattle snake inlay for my 1911 Officer a while back. See below...

You need to ask about what they are lining it with. If it is the wrong lining you can store water against the finish or if it is chrome tanned leather it will eat the finish even stainless. If you get a rough in leather you can add some talc or baby powder to the inside because it will help fill in the pores of the leather and protect the finish (you don't need to much to make it work).

 

[Dave Nash]

Which do you like the most?

I am in discussion with one of the groups holster makers about making me a custom holster for my new 1911 for dress work.

Today I ordered a custom holster that is lined and plain for rough work. I have a lot of holsters and not one of them are lined. Now I will see if I want the dress holster to be lined or not. They began work on it today and said they can have it out in five days so we shall see.

But which do you like best, lined or unlined?

If you take a look at the accompanying thread within this category entitled “Current Bianchi 5BHL Review”, you will find a number of references to just this matter: the use of suede for the lining of certain holsters.

As I contributed to part of it, I should tell you that I am in the camp of those that now believe that suede should be avoided (it holds moisture, it holds contaminates, it can present chemical issues, etc.) and if a lining is felt necessary, a slicked up cowhide layer is generally felt to be a better approach.

I also agree with one of the statements made here in this thread regarding suede’s affect on the draw. Looking back at my use of this material in holsters that I employed back in the 80’s and 90’s, I too saw some amounts of drag if the material was wet (or even just over-treated with spray or liquid silicone, which was often the practice at the time). But it should be recognized that this phenomenon was probably a function of the lining and the finely detailed, heavy molding that many of the higher end, suede lined holsters also employed during this period.

Rather than repeat everything here, I would suggest that you just review that other thread.

And I would also tell you to seriously consider not employing a suede lining but a (preferably vegetable tanned) smooth cowhide one instead, if you feel that a separate lining is needed for your application.

Hope this helps.