Shield IWB Holster - Kydex/Leather or Kydex?

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onrope

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I've been using an all-leather, single clip, tuckable holster for my M&P Shield for a few months. I'm not very happy with it. It's thick, and the shape creates a large gap at the front of the holster (I carry around 4 o'clock).

I've been looking at the leather/kydex holsters like the King Tuck (specifically Theis Holsters) and all-kydex (Raven or Bravo Concealment).

I can find good comparisons between holsters of similar style, but I can't find much comparing these two styles.

I'm not packing any extra around the middle...I'm around a 30" waist. I'm looking for comfort as well as something that won't look odd if worn with a shirt tucked in. For the later, I'm not just talking about printing, but how the holster alters the contour of the pant.

Any feedback is appreciated.
 
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I have a blade tech all kydex holster that is made specifically for the shield, (it even has, the shield on the holster) and i absolutely love it. It os also IWB.
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Check out Latour Custom holsters. He is on FACEBOOK. Also check out PJ holsters.Both are super comfortable and no printing problems.
 
i have been carrying my 40c in an old faithful holster...Quick-Assemble-Kit - Inside the Waistband - Hip - Gun Holster Kit - Old Faithful Holsters but in an owb. it is designed to be worn around the 4 o'clock position and is as comfortable as you can get. i can hardly tell the gun is even there. the only difference i would make if choosing another holster would be to get their iwb, instead of the owb. the flexible leather on the skin has to feel much better than the rigid kydex.
 
BamaBrad said:
I have a blade tech all kydex holster that is made specifically for the shield, (it even has, the shield on the holster) and i absolutely love it. It os also IWB.
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Click to expand...
Which one is that? I can't seem to find it on their website.

Thanks! Jay
 
It's been my experience that kydex holsters will scratch up your gun's finish. I try to go with leather when possible.
 
I carry in a kydex/leather because they were the only 2 i came upon that were left handed (otherwise i'd have to order). One is a Galco King Tuck for my Glock 19 and the other is a Crossbread for my S&W 5946.

Im a 32-34 waist and i dont wear baggy clothing. I find both holsters comfortable as long as the jeans are just a little loose without the holster. Not baggy but requiring a belt. I also prefer the 2 clips spread out vs only one or two close together. This allows the weight to be better distribution. Ive been running these holsters for about 3 years and have yet to see any finish wear on my guns. Might be a different story with blued guns

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
 
i like leather on most of my guns. that said my glocks almost all ride in kydex. i have a couple of hy-brid type from galco and minotaur. the hy-brid type seem to be the most comfy IWB. OWB, custom kydex by RDR Custom Kydex works best on the job. all my S&W's get the leather treatment. kydex is no doubt rough on finish, but no break in required. leather on the other hand, gets better with age... much like me...
 
I made mine in the Crossbreed style and it is very comfortable. I use horsehide and after about a week it has formed to the body and kind of disappears. The kydex does wear on guns though.

Who can recommend a good leather IWB that doesn't take a year to get?
 
I've used whitehatholsters maxtuck, whitehat owb sideslide, foxx hybrid holster, foxx little fox and a blackhawk paddle holster. I've also got a 30 inch waist.
The only comfortable option for me was the OWB whitehat sideslide, and the foxx little fox holster.
The maxtuck is really nice, and the foxx hybrid is inexpensive but they just took up too much surface area for me(gaps as you mentioned). Foxx kydex is fairly thin, while whitehat has very thick kydex. If I wear 32/33 inch waist pants, the extra width of the holster doesn't bother me. If I wear my 30 inch waist pants, things get pretty rough. I can swing wearing the little foxx, but still wouldn't recommend it.

The OWB from whitehat is very nice but I don't think the price is justified. Also doesn't help when you need to tuck a shirt in.

I wear the little foxx holster whenever I have to wear a dress shirt and tuck it in. Takes up very little surface area, only one clip showing and draw is nice and easy. You can adjust the cant a little bit, but no rise changes.

Never had an all kydex holster, and won't even bother talking about the blackhawk holster in depth. It is great for open carry, but would not work concealed unless it's winter and you have a huge jacket to cover it.
 
The most comfortable and most concealable IWB holster I have to date (and I have LOTS) is the hybrid. Mine is a WhiteHat max tuck. Although it also has the most material, it spreads everything out wider surface area, making it less noticeable...at least in my experience.

Tracy
 
Jayiw, Well I guess they have discontinued this model and I dont know why, it is all kydex but it is molded for the gun and I have carried it religiously and there is no wear whatsoever on it but they do have a skelotonized design that is made for the shield.
8ebuqyry.jpg
 
I'll repost a post I made a month or so ago:

I carry a 9mm shield in a PJ Holster custom tuckable kydex holster. It is very minimalistic but very concealable. I got the regular belt clip so my belt carries the weight of the gun. This part is visible, but I don't think it is conspicuous enough to draw attention. In the 4 o'clock position it is tucked up next to my iPhone holster which shades the clip a bit.

The other nice thing is that it works as a regular IWB with normal cover (I don't need to tuck it when I am dressed more casual).

Here is a few pictures:

Normal:
92410b0a7cf120021d347dd1046d7bbf_zpsf78b390f.jpg

Shirt pulled taught:
dceb919a81067743792070000b724bee_zps8baf060d.jpg

Exposed:
719fb1fae47291ceac7a86f80cd9d8a3_zps642031eb.jpg


I got the deep concealed 30° cant.

There is also a very good video on YouTube at PJ Holster - Custom Kydex Holsters - YouTube
 
I haven't had any draw problems in practice. The draw is discussed a bit in the YouTube Video at 5:00 min mark.
 
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