Question about Mika Holster

[Goffman]

Hi All:

I asked this question in another thread, but I received only one response (probably because it was an old thread about a different topic). The one response was much appreciated, but I am hoping for an n>1, if folks have time to offer input.

I recently received in the mail the Mika Pocket Holster that I ordered for my 340PD. It's a very nice holster (and Robert Mika is a super nice guy), but I noticed that the inside of the holster is made of a somewhat rough material, not sandpaper-like but not smooth either. I suspect that the material helps with "gription", but I'm wondering if anyone has had any problems with this holster rubbing the finish of a blackened (blued?) revolver such as the 340PD? I'm particularly concerned about the end of the barrel (the dangerous end) because it leads the way into the holster and appears to receive the most rubbing on the way. Granted, I didn't buy a pistol for "show" purposes, but I would like to keep the finish in decent shape if possible.

Any input/experience with this question would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Erich]

I own, oh . . ., a half-dozen of Mika's holsters, and have used them extensively. The cloth lining of all the holsters I have has never struck me as something that would damage bluing (and, in fact, it has never damaged even antique bluing or scratched stainless). (You ought to bear in mind that any friction will, over time, wear physical objects.) However, I have no idea whether what's lining your holsters is the same as what's lining mine. Perhaps some photography on your part might be in order . . .

 

[Goffman]

Thanks for the reply, Erich. Let me dig around and find my wife's camera, and then I'll post some pics. Just to be clear (since these threads are searchable to the larger world wide web), it is a very nice holster. I have no complaints about the quality of the workmanship or anything of the sort. Quite to the contrary, it looks like the holster may last as long as the firearm it contains. I'm just a little concerned about premature wear of the finish due to abrasion.

 

[Goffman]

Here are some close-up pics. Turns out that it's difficult to take clear photographs of the inside of a black holster.

 

[1965]

It looks to be somewhat like denim?

Holster wear is inevitable, but for a "pocket-rocket" like what you have, I really don't think it will hurt the finish. I carry a Beretta 92FS at work and it has worn away some of the bluing, but the weapon is unholstered (leather lining) multiple times a days for years. Your 340PD probably won't be leaving its "home" enough to damage the finish.

 

[Goffman]

You're right: it is somewhat like denim...just a little bit rougher.

 

[flop-shank]

You're good to go!

Those pictures are fine, Goff. That fabric looks the same as the stuff inside my two Mika holsters. My guns show no rapid, or unusual wear.

 

[Erich]

Goffman, that's the same stuff that lines my holsters - I agree with friend flop-shank.

 

[Gebe]

Goffman, that's the same stuff that lines my holsters - I agree with friend flop-shank.

I disagree!

Goffman,
This really is incredible as I just came aboard to post the EXACT same thing!

I asked if there was a pocket holster that would fit my S&W Model 317 with a 3" bbl without the wait. I was told that this and that would fit it and no one knew what they were talking about. I even bought a holster that was GUARANTEED to fit by a member here but it didn't!

I went with a Mika custom that so many here recommended and waited for a month.

I finally received it and unlike flop-shank, it's exactly the same as Goffman's. It's so rough inside that it would defintely wear a gun with just a few draws and withdrawals! It's almost like sandpaper!

I just sent Mr. Mika an e-mail about this and am awaiting a reply. Let me say that Mr. Mika is a class act and he answered all my e-mails about this holster and again, I FINALLY found a pocket holster that fits my 3" 317 but with 317's clear coating, it won't last long in this holster.

 

[flop-shank]

Gebe, mine feels rough on the inside, but I've noticed no issues with my 360 PD. I've also carried a Taurus 605, SP-101, nickel 586, and 686 in my Mika holsters. While many of them are stainless, there is no advanced wear and none got scratched up. Any painted, or blued gun will show wear on the edges if used in holsters for any length of time, but the Mika holster has caused no more issues than any other holster I own. I was very concerned about my nickel 586 getting badly scratched, just like Goffman is worried about his, since the inside of my Mika IWB feels sandpapery also. Experience has shown my fears to be unfounded.

 

[Gebe]

flop-shank,
Thanks for your input. The inside of the holster below the inner ridge doesn't concern me as it seems soft enough. It's the ridge that is very rough.

I e-mailed Mr. Mika about it. As always, he e-mailed back quickly and said that the roughness is from the glue he uses to seal the top of the holster. He recommended using some fine sandpaper to smooth it out.

That might help some but I believe it's also the rough cuts of the material and the heavy stitching he uses which of course is what you want in a rough use holster.

I'm not going to obsess about it and it wouldn't bother me all that much with another gun but since I had it made for my 317, which has a clear coat, it did concern me.

I will say he nailed the fit and he is a good guy and answers e-mails quickly. The holster is no work of art but it looks like it'll do what it's supposed to.

 

[flop-shank]

The real art of the Mika holster is after it's been in your pocket for a month and gets broken in. It conceals extremely well and better than any other pocket holster I have at that point.

 

[Furdog]

Mika Pocket Holsters

Like most of us I have a bunch of holsters that didn't work. The Mika pocket holster is my most used holster. Like someone else said, wear it for a month or so and it sort of softens to you and the gun. It gets more comfortable and more concealable the longer you use it.

One plus to the Mika is that is is waterproof. You can get your pants wet or sweat through your clothes and your gun is still protected. I have worn it on 100 degree days and in the rain and never had the gun get damp.

The only guns I own that don't show holster wear are the ones I don't carry. I prefer stainless guns due to mostly using IWB or pocket carry and the humid weather, and they do also hold up better to carry related wear. But my blue ones also get a lot of use.

I have one J Frame that was basically NIB three years ago. After almost daily carry in the Mika it has polished edges and barrel sides, but I doubt three years of carry in any holster would be much different.

For me the absolute utility of the Mika far outweighs any possible finish wear.

 

[myanof]

340PD with disabled lock

This represents about three years of carry in a Mika pocket holster. I don't see any excessive wear.

I hope this helps.

 

[flop-shank]

That was what we needed, Myanof. My 360PD shows a lot more holster wear than that. It's not all scratched up, but the sharp edges are shiny. This is the best part, while I sometimes carry it in my Mika PH, the lions share of it's wear is from use in a Kramer PH. IMO it still looks good. A gun can show holster wear and that's fine. The guns that look like a steaming pile are the ones that don't get adequate care.

 

[Goffman]

Myanof, Flop-shank, Erich, Gebe, Furdog, et al., thanks for the responses. The info (and the pic) have been very helpful to me. In fact, I have learned so much from this forum generally (this thread and others). I really appreciate y'all taking time to reply to my various questions.

 

[akviper]

The only way to keep the gun as new is keep it in the box. Any gun will show holster wear even stainless. If you carry it in any holster with any type of lining, the edges of the gun will eventually wear. If it's any consolation, a well worn finish usually means the gun's owner put in the time to develop proficiency by actually practicing with his firearm.

 

[Gebe]

The only way to keep the gun as new is keep it in the box. Any gun will show holster wear even stainless. If you carry it in any holster with any type of lining, the edges of the gun will eventually wear. If it's any consolation, a well worn finish usually means the gun's owner put in the time to develop proficiency by actually practicing with his firearm.

Hi Joe,
I do realize this and all my guns have small scratches and marks because THEY ARE USED. I sold off the few safe queens I had years ago.

However, I still like to take care of my guns as much as I can as I do with my cars or whatever else my hard earned dollars have purchased. I still have my 1988 Subaru that I bought new and while it has plenty of scratches and dings and lives it's life outside in the snow, ice and heavy rain, it still runs almost like new because I take care of it.

If someone is going to pocket carry a gun, he's generally going to use it now and then and not worry about every little scratch.

This pocket holster is very rough inside the top ridge and evidently Goffman's was too and it just surprised us when we received them. I, like him, do appreciate all the replies and opinions.

As an aside, I've been pocket carrying it now for a few short days. I live very rural with no close neighbors and can shoot on my property and use it on the gray squirrels around here as they are true pests and get into everything.

I've been drawing and holstering it and I do like the holster but the top of my rear sight is dragging on the rough texture on the inside ridge and is definitely wearing the black coating off the top of the sight, (I have an older 317 with the regular black adjustable sights).

Again, the gun is getting used but I'm going to glue a small piece of thin leather on the inside top of the rough ridge to alleviate further wearing of the top of the sight. There is no other wear so far anywhere else on the gun from my several dozen holsterings.

 

[Greenbeanie67]

i have two of his holsters and have not had any problem carrying my J frames in them. One is a round bottom and the other is the square bottom. Which one depends on the type of pants I use. I usually carry a 638, or a 42 lightweight. I have noticed no wear on either of the weapons. I have one of these with me at all times.

 

[chief38]

I never had a Mika holster, but I have used a DeSantis "Nemesis Pocket Holster" to carry my M60 for 7 or so years and I must say there is little to no wear on the finish. I carry this gun every day for at least 8 hours per day, and I have not babied the gun at all. The holster is kind of sticky on the outside so it does not come out when you draw the revolver, and very smooth inside. I have been VERY happy with it, and when it finally does wear out, I will buy another one with no hesitation.

chief38