Kydex vs. Leather

3116 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Thunderbear, Mar 13, 2006

Discussion Starter · Mar 7, 2006

I've been doing a bunch of research on various (mainly) IWB holsters and can't decide between Kydex and Leather. After perusing some sites I went to the highnoon holster website and read their FAQ section. On it they mention some downsides to Kydex: 1) Noisy 2) Uncomfortable - they say something to the effect of we've never seen any Kydex shoes. 3) scratches gun as Kydex is a dust/dirt magnet.

In favor of Kydex are claims that it forms better to the weapon (injection molded), won't stretch out over time, and actually scratches the weapon less than leather.

I was hoping those with either (or both) types of holsters could comment on this.

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madecov

· #2 · Mar 7, 2006

When it comes to holsters.
Friction is still present in either material.
Kydex tends to use a single retention point on the weapon, generally the trigger guard.
Leather tends to use the entire slide and trigger guard to retain the weapon.

Kydex will wear on the trigger guard but a bit less on the slide if properly formed.

Kydex can be rinsed in a sink, and then the dust and grit is gone. You can treat Kydex with armour all and have a super speed holster. Steel wool will refinish it.

Leather will wear the metal of a gun but not a plastic frame. Leather can retain grit and dirt causing scratches also.

leather is generally more durable under certain conditions (as in rolling on the ground ) as it won't crack.

Kydex can be just as comfortable as leather inside the waist, sometimes it can be more comfortable as it is thinner and has less of a horizontal footprint.

Just a matter of preferance. I prefer leather but do have some Kydex also.

good luck :lol:

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bigtaco

· #3 · Mar 7, 2006

everything madecov says is true. in the end, i'm a kydex guy.

pros and cons to each. for me the deciding factor was slimness. and for slimness it's tough to beat the ultra-thin kydex in fist's line-up.

i rock the c-tac myself and though it may appear bulky, it's actually VERY comfy. like all day comfy. i've actually come home and fallen asleep on my couch with the c-tac still on.

so it really is to each their own.

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hedrok

· #4 · Mar 7, 2006

"To each his own"......and that's exactly why we all have a box full of ....I guess it's NOT my own....but I own it anyway....in the search for what IS
"my own".....And the more web sites you go to...the more in a quandry you become......Aint it fun? :-k ](*,) :-k ](*,) \

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madecov

· #5 · Mar 7, 2006

Then of course FIST has a hybrid line. It is Kydex with a laminated leather outer layer.

Best of both worlds............sorta.

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DKHAN

· #6 · Mar 8, 2006

holsters

I have been using Don Hume IWB leathers for about 6 years now for off duty carry and I am very happy with them. They dont make any f/Steyr but it has been suggested that sig239 holsters will fit. I'm off to gun show this weekend to find out. I carry my duty gun to and from work in a Fobus kydex IWB. This is my first experience w/kydex and so far so good. It is very light,secure and rigid w/out being really uncomfortable. It has good retention and is fast. It is rather wider than I would like and does have one very unusual quirk. When I pull desk duty I dont wear my full duty rig,just the Fobus. I have noticed that after work when I take it off,the holster seems to collect condensation on the inside where it sits next to my body. This does not collect on the gun and may be just peculiar to this holster design or from being under my shirt for an extended period of time.

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hedrok

· #7 · Mar 8, 2006

DKAHN......I find your post very interesting....I just had to reject a Fobus paddle....I think it was a SG21.. Listed by Fobus as for Steyr....because the gun absolutely would not go into the holster. The mag pouch was so
tight as to be useless. The store owner and I triple checked everything and it was "as listed" and "as ordered".....I think these Steyr Ms are pretty much the same....we would have needed to beat the gun into the holster to make it fit.....How can that be :?: :?: The dealer had a Galco that did not mention Steyr.....and it works perfectly for M or S. Go figure. :-k

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madecov

· #8 · Mar 8, 2006

I carry my duty gun to and from work in a Fobus kydex IWB. This is my first experience w/kydex and so far so good.

Fobus is just injection molded plastic. Kydex is whole different type of thermoplastic.

If you like the Fobus you will love a real Kydex holster

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ministerofdeath

· #9 · Mar 8, 2006

I like both, but find that my leather Galco is very comfortable and has good retention. Any holster is going to cause some limited wear on a pistol's finish, but that can always be overcome with simple cleaning. I wear my pistol all day long, in the car, sitting at home, walking my dog, going to the store, so it is pretty important to me that it fit my body frame well and is comfortable.

Find a holster that fits your body frame well and is comfortable. If you like kydex I'd take a look at Bladetech as they have some nice stuff, but if I purchase another holster anytime soon it would have to be the one from FIST some of our guys have purchased on here. There are some pics posted somewhere if you look for them of the FIST holsters.

Good Luck Finding A Holster That Works For You!

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Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 8, 2006

dual OWB/IWB

In considering the various options. The FIST #43 Kydex seemed like a good option. It can be worn OWB or IWB. Is it better to get a holster that is designed specifically for OWB or IWB........or can these dual function holsters do the job well?

Part of my problem is that I live miles from the nearest gun shop....and even then I don't think they'd have anything in Kydex. To be honest... I've never seen it before. I might have to do the "order 4 holsters and send back the ones I don't like".

Still considering the leather option as well.

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Thunderbear

· #11 · Mar 9, 2006

Re: dual OWB/IWB

Steyr-boy said:
In considering the various options. The FIST #43 Kydex seemed like a good option. It can be worn OWB or IWB. Is it better to get a holster that is designed specifically for OWB or IWB........or can these dual function holsters do the job well?

Part of my problem is that I live miles from the nearest gun shop....and even then I don't think they'd have anything in Kydex. To be honest... I've never seen it before. I might have to do the "order 4 holsters and send back the ones I don't like".

Still considering the leather option as well.

I'm wearing the 43 as I type this on my laptop on the couch, very comfortable, works well in either IWB or OWB.

I think the next holster I get will have two clips though.. make things a bit easier. Go FIST, you won't regret it.

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DKHAN

· #12 · Mar 9, 2006

Holster

The Fobus I am using is only made for Glocks,my duty gun is a G22. It is the only plastic holster I've ever owned. I used synth/nylon in the past but switched to leather IWB Don Hume because the others were dust magnets. The only DH IWB I no longer use is for my snub 44, it just sits to high for my liking. With my autos they all work great; collect very little if any dust, rigid top for reholster,fast on the draw and very comfortable to wear for long periods of time (I'm 6'3"/350). They also have an outside C clip that gets the holster on and off very quick but still retains the holster good and tight to the body and the belt. If I can find one to fit Steyr at the gun show I'll post on Sunday. $25 beats $65+ anyday.

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Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 9, 2006

dual clip

Thunderbear: Does Fist make a dual clip version? If not.....suggestions?

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Thunderbear

· #14 · Mar 13, 2006

Re: dual clip

Steyr-boy said:
Thunderbear: Does Fist make a dual clip version? If not.....suggestions?

Not clips, but belt loops, I'm not sure I'm going to buy that one yet. Haven't decided.

http://www.fist-inc.com

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