I have changed my mind about Kydex holsters.

[If1HitU]

I love leather holsters,so I decided to buy a Kydex holster for my new Sig p365 pistol about a week and a half ago. I now have one for my .M&P .40 shield, G 42,380, G 48 9mm, Taurus G2's 9 mm & .40 Cal. and i'm very happy with them.

 

[unclenunzie]

In my time using both types, I've come to feel that both work well but in different ways. Leather offers comfort that kydex can't match, and style, well, different league. That's not to say kydex can't be comfortable, it can be, it's just that leather in a similar style will always be more comfortable. Except for really hot and humid days, or when you need extreme thinness.

Design matters a great deal, and type of clip and number of attachment points, I have found. In IWB single clip kydex I like PJ holsters because the clip design doesn't annoy me. In dual attachment types any of the hybrid types work well, but I have found excellence in R Grizzle town&country II, a leather IWB that is similar to the VM2.

Whose kydex did you pick, if you don't mind my asking, for your 48?

 

[JERRY]

regarding IWB, I find kydex great for a clip on and go rig for short time frames, but for all day gimme leather.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I primarily use Kydex these days.

Too many benefits for range use and CCW to ignore.

I like the LAG tactical ones the best, so far, but have been dabbling in making my own.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I have both leather and kydex, I like that the leather seems to be closer to my side and I like that I can just clip kydex on my belt and run. My kydex has screws that adjust tension and I like that also

 

[Jeff H]

I can't seem to find a leather holster that can get thin enough and stiff enough for IWB carry. I'd prefer something more comfortable than Kydex, but it really does the job well and I love that I can just clip it on and go.

Only time it is truly uncomfortable is driving with the gun at 7 O'clock. But it is easy enough to take off or just slide to 9 O'clock with the Kydex.

 

[bikerdoc]

50 years of carrying a weapon and for .most of them my choice was leather.
THEN, about 10 years ago I discovered kydex. Specifically kydex paddles.
Comfortable and made me a believer.

 

[Fiv3r]

Kydex makes life a lot easier. I have found a good kydex holster that holds a gun high and tight is much more enjoyable to carry and easier to conceal.

It makes a 5" 1911 nearly disappear even at 3 o clock owb. Shifting it to 1 o clock and I can walk around all day with a loose flannel. The solid hold on the gun and rigidity are superior to leather in most regards. This is coming from a guy who makes most of his own leather holsters.

 

[Jasper9117]

I had never used them always leather but I got one in trade with a bersa thunder cc and its fantastic , I live in Tennessee and it gets hot so leather sometimes is not a good option . I have a sig p229 that I carry alot and I thinl I would like a kydex for it any thoughts Sugestions . I am worried about holster wear.

 

[bikerdoc]

I'm totally converted to Kydex paddle holsters for EDC. Comfortable and light and minimal holster wear.
Like you I have one for my Bersa Thunder CD 380. Fantastic.
But where they really shine - for me - are with my big heavy autos , and 1911's CZ 75's .
Makes carrying big iron easy.

 

[JTQ]

It makes a 5" 1911 nearly disappear even at 3 o clock owb. Shifting it to 1 o clock and I can walk around all day with a loose flannel. The solid hold on the gun and rigidity are superior to leather in most regards.

I have both kydex and leather and like both, but I'm interested in what kydex holster you're comparing to what leather holster.

I'm totally converted to Kydex paddle holsters for EDC. Comfortable and light and minimal holster wear.
Like you I have one for my Bersa Thunder CD 380. Fantastic.
But where they really shine - for me - are with my big heavy autos , and 1911's CZ 75's .
Makes carrying big iron easy.

I don't doubt they may be comfortable, but I find one characteristic of a good OWB concealment holster is a trailing loop, especially for a large gun. Without a trailing loop I'd expect the grip of the gun to stick out quite a bit. Since most paddle holsters lack this feature they typically don't pull the grip of the gun close to the body and don't conceal very well.

 

[Fiv3r]

For my needs Kydex is superior to leather simply due to the fact that they don't wear like leather. When I carry a striker fired gun without a manual safety, I don't have to worry about the mouth of the holster getting bent over with use. Kydex is generally more cost effective and holds up to rain and sweat better. I like the locking retention of a hard plastic holster. They can be made to permanently fit the outline of a gun at any angle.

Now, I do love leather. A 1911 deserves to be seen in a classic leather holster. It fits the gun. I have been working with leather for over 15 years. Sheaths, belts, wallets, quivers, scabbards, and holsters. I can appreciate bending. I love carrying my six irons in a pair of pants I have made for them. I've got a rather cool rig I made for a .357 Blackhawk that allows for an optional loop of ammo to be carried around the body of the holster should one OC or removed to make it more jacket friendly and hidden.

That said, for most of my needs and applications Kydex does a better job at a bettet price. Just personal preference.

 

[Wanderling]

I wear a Remora IWB against my bare side in summer and I think it would get uncomfortable if it was kydex.

 

[hotshot357]

I bought a new holster for my CZ 75 It's a Kydex holster that's suede lined! The suede keeps the kydex from damaging the finish. It's made by Frontline. It fits the pistol like a glove and the lining is bonded & sewn to the kydex.

 

[unclenunzie]

Interesting holster, very nice Pistol

 

[Obturation]

I love leather but it just can't compare to quality kydex. I think an owb leather holster once broken in is a great thing to have. For any other postion kydex is ideal. Iwb holsters have the rigidity for one handed holstering, will not hold sweat or leach acidic "stuff". Leather will creak and can lack retention or lose retention once broken in.also it takes a skilled craftsman to produce a proper leather product, kydex can be made easily and cheaply.
All that said my most carried holster is a galco king tuk ( leather backing with plastic shell and metal clips) its old , so well worn and comfortable but most of my other holsters are kydex. It helps that i can see black rhino concealment from where i work, now and then i wander over and have something awesome made to exact specs i want- their products are very good.

 

[bersaguy]

I bought a new holster for my CZ 75 It's a Kydex holster that's suede lined! The suede keeps the kydex from damaging the finish. It's made by Frontline. It fits the pistol like a glove and the lining is bonded & sewn to the kydex.View attachment 868566

Very cool holster, awesome CZ. How in the world did you find the satin stainless 75....those are about as rare as unicorn turds in my neck of the woods

 

[hotshot357]

I've got a very good LGS. Most generally he has what I want. I wanted a "94" Winchester, he had one. I wanted a BHP, had one. The shop has been there for 40 years and he is a very good guy. I guess I'm extremely lucky!!!! I went into the shop and said I would like a CZ. He laid out a 75BD and the stainless one. He then proceeded to say I'll sell you the BD for $610 or the stainless one for $620. The stainless one was used (50 rounds). Guess which one I took!!!

 

[Logwood]

I use only leather holsters (IWB and OWB) with my Commander, Hi Power and CZ-75 compact. My Glocks and Sig 365 all ride in kydex. I did use a kydex rig for a Combat Commander during a few trips to Afghanistan. Worked fine, just feel the gun deserves leather. One thing, in a sandy, dusty environment like you find in most of Iraq and much of Afghanistan, the kydex rig is much easier to clean and maintain. I'd imagine the same thing would be true during any long visits to much of South America or South East Asia, where mold and mildew might quickly become a problem for leather goods.

 

[FL-NC]

They aren't "old school sexy" like leather, but when they fit the gun well, they are hard to beat of they are of any real quality.

 

[WheelGunMan]

I have a Kydex IWB for my LCR that I wear in the1:00 position. That position is very comfortable even while driving. Most days I forget I'm wearing it.

 

[doubleh]

When kydex holsters first showed up my thoughts about them were " just more ticky-tacky cheap plastic junk" just like I though the same about "plastic" gunstocks and while we are at it, "plastic" handguns. OK, all the "plastic fantastic" stuff has evolved and to some extent so have I. I have never seen any of them that I would call pretty but some of each are certainly efficient and I have to give credit where it's due. I was just looking at a friend's new 380 Browning and kydex holster rig yesterday and though the holster was a great setup. Ugly but very handy. So handy I'm going to search for a similar one for my Baby Rock. There is a first time for everything and I've decided it's time for a kdyex holster.

 

[ilbob]

I don't much care how things look. Function is what really matters to me. I have never quite understood the attraction to leather that some people have. I just doesn't do anything for me so unless there's some other reason to use leather I'm as likely to use something else. I do like leather belts. I've tried fabric belts and plastic belts and I never liked the results much so I've stuck with leather for belts.

 

[JTQ]

I don't much care how things look. Function is what really matters to me. I have never quite understood the attraction to leather that some people have. I just doesn't do anything for me so unless there's some other reason to use leather I'm as likely to use something else. I do like leather belts. I've tried fabric belts and plastic belts and I never liked the results much so I've stuck with leather for belts.

Paraphrasing the late Paul Gomez

"The advantage of kydex is it's fast. The disadvantage of kydex is it's fast." Leather typically has a retention advantage. See at around the 4:45 mark.