I have to agree, I like the look of a fine handgun in leather.

 

Leather just doesn't do it for me. After awhile alot of them get flimsy and ugly. You can clear your gun with one hand and a kydex holster, and reholstering is easier for me. Out of the box it's no question, leather is far more beautiful.

 

I can't remember who but someone make a leather covered kydex holster... If you looked I'm sure you could find it.

 

http://garrettindustries.mybigcommerce.com/silent-thunder-iwb-with-tuckable-belt-loops/

 

I agree 100%, hell even most of the polymer combat pistols to me are fine pieces of workmanship. Not like a 1911 but I still enjoy seeing members post photos of there rigs. For me the kydex hybrids are the most comfortable IWB's. I have only one leather holster from a top maker, a milt owb tk-60 which is also very comfortable. So would a 1911 inside kydex be considered desecration of a 100+ year iconic design?

 

Fine leather holsters, like a fine sidearm, belong together..... regardless if either are ever 'seen'.

I also have leather and kydex holsters in my 'drawer'. I love my leather AND the functionality it serves. All of my kydex holsters are purchased with the sole purpose of function and fit.... to be used for the carrying of my sidearm. My leather is purchased for function, but it has to be well made and look good.

I'm onboard with your feelings regarding the 1911 platform as well. That platform, from one of the master craftsmen (Volkman comes to mind, but there are others that I respect and covet as well), is well regarded, respected, and truely beautiful......as long as your not 'lucky enough' to be viewing one of those 1911's barrel first...........:image035:

 

If I were going in to a line of work where I could carry on the job (Education. Maybe the gov't will wake up in my life time), I would invest in a nice OWB holster to go with my suits, but I see no point in paying for beautiful leather when I am just going to shove it down my pants. I'm a hybrid kind of guy.

 

I think if you have a OWB holster then looks matter... But if you carry IWB then I should be about function and comfort.
I just picked up 2 "Crossbreed" type holsters from Theis Holsters. They work great for how I carry.

 

Leather or Kydex? Much of it is personal preference. I will say that a leather holster can be functional as well as beautiful. Let's also not forget how leather will mold itself to the wearer which Kydex will not do. I have also never seen a holster by (just to name a couple) Milt Sparks or Pure Kustom get soft and cause reholstering problems.
Then I guess also for IWB the combination Kydex & leather can offer the best of two worlds.

The bottom line is that a cheap, lousy, holster will still be a lousy & cheap holster no matter if it's made from lleather or Kydex.

So....pick your poison and buy the best that you can afford.

And...don't forget to invest in a good gun belt while your wallet is cracked open. :biggrin2: That's also VERY important. :yup:

 

Kydex will mold to the user... so long as the user is heat tolerant. :wave:

 

I like Kydex for my "plastic" gun, for OWB. Kydex IWB is VERY uncomfortable for me. Leather, however, looks much nicer, IMO.

 

It took everything I could muster to avoid getting an American Holster Company Invisi-Tuck. Those are beautiful holsters! I finally convinced myself that a hybrid holster would be thinner and better for IWB, and I really didn't want to wait 14-16 weeks for a holster. Hopefully I made the right choice. My next holster will be a leather OWB though.

 

I have a Silent Thunder due any day now. The only problem with fine leather holsters is the long wait. I'm just going to have to order me something and forget about it until it shows up. Kydex is great for my G22 (I keep it in a CBST), but I just don't want to subject my new 1911 to kydex. I know there are those who will poo poo on what I'm about to say, but I care about keeping my weapons looking good as well as functioning well. Although I carry IWB (on my property and in my business), I still appreciate the beauty of a good leather holster.

 

i prefer leather for iwb and not kydex but specifically a blackhawk cqc for owb. but never put a 1911 in a kydex holster i agree its just wrong.

 

Kydex has it's place but I prefer the functionality of leather. it molds to the gun, you, and your belt. It does wear and becomes unservicable but so does Kydex. I've had a "split" kydex holster as I'm sure you have. I tend to use leather almost exclusively because of comfort and fit but I do have a great Kydex for a Ruger 22/45. It was really the only holster that met my needs for that particular gun. Never could get myself to ordre a crossbreed type holster. Seems like they're great but they just don't work for me. I guess it's a personal thing like picking out a pair of shoes!
Gideon

 

the holster for my 1911's (kimber, para, and now colt) are combination from kholster leatehr and kydex

 

I guess I'm old fashioned. I like leather, I like good leather, I like Pure Kustom Leather!

 

I am kind of new at this carry stuff, but kydex is noisy getting the weapon drawn. I really don't like that as I would prefer, should the situation ever arise to reach back and quietly clear, then hold it against my leg hidden from the threat. I use a kydex paddle for the Glock at four o'clock.

Doesn't leather wear the finish off a gun. The military 45s had wear on all the sharp corners. Rarely shot and always in that hard leather holster. Maybe it was the bad fit of the holster that made the wear.

I use a soft DeSantis pocket holster for the little gun and belt clips for IWB on the 9mm pistols. I can get everything out quietly except the Glock from kydex.

 

I like a fine piece of hand crafted leather as well. I carry IWB and I can't see getting all the exotic leather trim on a IWB. If I was allowed to open carry, I would have some exotic's added on.

 

In my opinion functionality is paramount in defense. Newer non leather holsters offer better retention via thumb brake. For those that OC, the retention is desirable. That said, I agree, leather looks great with a fine pistol.

 

I use the CB Supertuck when carrying at work, or when I'm doing more strenuous activity; I use the Falco It 92 when wearing cargo shorts or jeans. The Falco is definitely more attractive.

 

One of my very first posts here! I had to chime in on this one.

I do agree that kydex is more functional than leather. It gives you a hard point to work the gun off of during malfunction drills. But if you have yourself a custom 1911, say a Wilson Combat or a Nighthawk Tactical, that costs in excess of $3000, you can't be using a kydex holster. A fine investment requires a fine home. The more pride you take in your investment, the more you'll take care of it. Get a top quality leather holster from a well-known master leatherworker who's got crazy lead times, and it will last you for a lifetime with proper care. Sticking a beautiful 1911 into a kydex holster is kind of like sticking a Ferrari in a storage unit, IMO.

 

LEather all the way. I'd never put my 1911 on anything kydex yuk!!! My Glock G19 on other hand is hybrid style. Very comfortable.

 

While I like and use both, I’m slowly swaying to the “dark side” of Kydex after being a hardcore leather fan. The functionality just can’t be beat in a lot of cases. IMHO, retention in a quality Kydex holster is superior without the use of a thumbsnap, they’re also impervious to sweat and moisture. It’s also a lot thinner, while my PPQ is thicker than my 1911’s, the PPQ/KC package is thinner than the 1911 and Sparks VM2.

Les Baer Stinger in a Sparks VM2 with matching mag/light carrier:

Walther PPQ-9 in a Kaluban Cloak setup for IWB:

When it comes to modularity, I think Kydex wins hands down, the KC for instance goes from IWB to OWB to IAWB to MOLLE, and you can change the cant, just by changing hardware or position.

For maximum comfort AND functionality of Kyex, there’s the Hybrid, best of both worlds:

Chuck

 

I prefer leather (although I have CB Supertuck for certain situations, it is a good quality holster). If your leather holster does not exhibit good retention, then you need to toss it and buy a good one. They might be pricey, but worth it. My Pure Kustom holds my 1911 snug as can be but still has excellent draw and re holster capability.

 

I don't have the luxury at this time to be able to afford anything too expensive. I think both selections each have a lot going for them but I have to choose functionality over style.

Right now I have an Uncle Mike's nylon that has been the fastest draw I've had, it conceals good & best yet I got it free with my pistol purchase. Otherwise it's about $16. Maybe in a few months I'll hopefully have to make the decision between leather & kydex.

 

I carry everything in leather, most of it from Galco. I just like the feel and looks of a good piece of leather.