I was looking at holsters and giving it some thought. I have had both leather and Kydex holsters (though no leather from one of the top makers). I have to admit that I have always admired 1911's. They are not only a time proven design, but are works of art in themselves. Kydex is functional, but leather is beautiful. I never get tired of looking at 1911's in fine leather holsters. They seem to be a combination made in heaven. I know some here view their guns as nothing more than tools, but I'm just a little different. I believe a gun has to function (and beauty is no substitute for function), but is it a bad thing for a gun to be both? Is it a bad thing to want to house your beautiful gun in a beautiful piece of gun leather? Although my preference is for IWB where no one but me knows what my holster looks like, I still want it to be beautiful. The masters of leather holsters are craftsmen and artisans. The make something that is the perfect union of beauty and function. These are just the ramblings of a man who is bordering on insanity.
Illusive Man
I like the look of leather holsters, but they are really not practical for me much of the year here in North Texas. I carry aiwb and leather holsters quickly get saturated with sweat when I'm outdoors. I generally carry right next to the skin......... Kydex has other advantages......they are generally thinner than leather and don't wear out. I started carrying using Galco leather holsters (still have a few), but have since gone to Dale Fricke kydex holsters yearround.
I like leather the longer you have it the better it gets.
It molds it's self to the weapon over time.
just don't mess with it by putting creams and softeners on split leather holsters.
hard leather a wipe now once a year or so seems to work.
It molds it's self to the weapon over time.
just don't mess with it by putting creams and softeners on split leather holsters.
hard leather a wipe now once a year or so seems to work.
kydex. mis/vangaurd/etc. in my case. functional. i will be getting a custom made black tooled leather holster for my d.e. .50 cal when i can afford it. i might even have to open carry once and a while to show it off.
Leather vs Kydex is like S&W vs Ruger or Glock etc........ Everyone make up their own mind. I have leather and kydex...but I've learned that the combination won't work for me. Beauty? I've never seen a beautiful firearm however I've seen beauty in them. Artistic perhaps, but this means nothing in the end game. Kind to the eyes is like a 12 year old girl aiming an AK47 at you. It's going to make you question your own soul before you think about pulling the trigger. To me......thoughts are dangerous and could very well cost you your life in seconds, much less the time you've spent over-thinking things in the meanwhile without action. Time is ticking away.
I have carried everything in all sorts of leather holsters for years. I eventually cave and tried some hybrids. Just recently I got talked into buying a Bladetech all-kydex and I have say it's the most comfortable holster I have ever owned. Leather is beautiful, but I may be a kydex convert now.
Leather vs Kydex is similar to the steel vs. polymer, 9mm vs .40S&W vs .45acp discussions. Ask 100 different people, get 100 different answers. I've worn leather OWB pancakes, leather/kydex hybrid IWB setups, leather/kydex OWB setups, all kydex IWB, all leather IWB, and now all kydex OWB holsters. I've found that OWB kydex is my favorite, most comfortable form of carry. I agree that handcrafted leather holsters are beautiful, but my utilitarian SIG that I carry is just fine making its home in my homemade diy kydex rig. As far as leather being able to conform to your body shape and kydex won't, that's true but kydex is very easy to reshape and mold to fit each person, just a little time and patience with a heat gun is all you need.
As for me, it's a polymer frame 9mm in a kydex holster.:xyxwave:
As for me, it's a polymer frame 9mm in a kydex holster.:xyxwave:
I carry my G22 in a CBST, and I carry my 1911 in a Silent Thunder. I have to admit that I find the Silent Thunder a great combination. Its' quite comfortable with adjustable cant and retention. That being said, the only thing that has stopped me from ordering a top quality leather rig is the wait time. I tend to be real impatient. I might have to order one, and just forget I did until it arrives. I'm not advocating one or the other (leather or kydex), but I have to be honest and admit that I like to try different things.
I've got leather (IWB) for my Colt 1911 and kydex (OWB) for my Walther P99. Can't bring myself to put my Colt in kydex.
I have and use both. But I really prefer leather. It's just so supple when it breaks in.
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