Author Topic: HOLSTERS- LEATHER OR NYLON (Read 1569 times)

HARD-CORE · « **on:** February 16, 2003, 04:27:51 PM »

HI GUYS,

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD NYLON HOLSTERS AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH HOLSTER WEAR. BUT I HAVE BEEN EYEING THE LEATHER BIANCHI MODEL 5 BLACK WIDOW, BELT SLIDE RIG. HAVE ANY OF YOU GUYS HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH LEATHER WITH YOUR GLOCKS?

THANKS

HARD CORE

Slug-Gunner · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2003, 07:44:34 PM »

When I first started using handguns, the only material available was leather for holsters. Leather was good at the time, but could be heavy if it had to be thick enough to retain special shapes required in modern semi-autos. It also absorbed and retained moisture too easily. The biggest problem I had with it was that it could cause corrosion or discoloration problems over long term use. I learned the HARD WAY about storing a pistol in a leather holster - every place that made contact with the leather had "green" corrosion on it. Once they got "soaked" in the rain, it could take weeks for them to dry naturally. If you "forced heat" dried them, they would get stiff and tight. Even constant "high humidity" could have an effect on "formed" holsters. If you kept them properly oiled with neatsfoot oil, then they were more apt to pick up and retain dust and dirt and then discolor, sometimes unevenly. If you didn't, they'd get dry and crack.

Needless to say, when the new "tactical nylon" holsters came out I was enthusiastic to try them. First, I found them lighter and generally, much slicker for drawing quickly. If they ever got wet from either rain or perspiration, they dried very quickly, yet retained their shape. At first, most people thought the tactical nylon holsters were "tacky" looking, but over time, they started being accepted for their advantages and were more commonly used in many competition matches. Tactical nylon and velcro slowly replaced leather and snaps in many applications except law enforcement duty wear.

Now there is another "new kid on the block". That is the FORMED MODERN SPACE-AGE PLASTIC HOLSTERS like the Fobus and Kydex designs. I purchased one of the Fobus GL-2 Paddle holsters when they first came out and now LOVE IT for use with my Glock 23. It fits very well and is not affected by either water or perspiration. It is SO LIGHT you almost don't even know it's there when you remove the gun from it. When first new, they can be a little "tight", but a little silicone spray and about an hour in front of the TV pulling it in-and-out of the holster can really "slicken" up the draw. It uses NO RETAINING STRAP to hold the gun, but offers excellent retention even under extreme physical demands.
The canted angle seems ideal to me, but the Roto model offers some adjustment in this area. The Fobus is mfg in Israel and is used by their military and police almost exclusively, therefore it has a PROVEN RECORD of reliability and service. The best part is that the price is around $25 or less, depending on the model and where you buy it. The Kydex line is very similar, but their prices start in the $50 range and go up.

Before you put out any BIG $$$ for custom leather, you might want to try the Fobus line of paddle style holsters. Their extra mag carriers are excellent also and I have both the single and double mag models that I use. You didn't state what model Glock you use, so not sure what model you need. Try this hyperlink:
www.fobusholster.com

:twisted: :lol: :wink:

Mainspring · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2003, 05:33:21 AM »

It usually takes me a long time to get used to the idea of using new stuff to replace older proven stuff, so I still use leather 98% of the time. I suppose there's really no good reason for that, but that's the way I am. I've never had any problems with leather, and have never noticed that it slowed me down any. I have tried some of the more economically priced nylon shoulder rigs, and hated every one of them. Every one had slippery straps that required sewing in place to keep from literally falling apart (slippery straps sliding through buckles). In the past I've gotten (in one form/brand or another) nylon holsters when I've picked up a pistol that won't fit any leather that I had on hand, but they have always been replaced with leather once the Sock Fund could stand the hit.

I have to say, though that some of the Bianchi AccuMold stuff looks promising, but I've never tried any of it. As for Kydex/Kydex like holsters, I've just never been brave enough, nor have I seen a need for me to be brave enough, to rely on them. I know several guys who have them and like them, but I've just never been that attracted to them.

One thing to consider is that if you're going to use this holster professionally, there may be some agency and/or OSHA considerations for you to wade through. Some agencies don't care for synthetics, and OSHA doesn't care for leather. There's a fine line there somewhere...

HARD-CORE · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2003, 05:45:53 AM »

HI SLUG-GUNNER

I ALSO HAVE THE G23 AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT. I NEVER HAD A LEATHER HOLSTER BUT ALWAYS LIKED THE WAY THEY LOOK. I'VE ALWAYS HAD UNCLE MIKES PRODUCTS. MOSTLY BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE CHEEPER IN PRICE THAN LEATHER. AND THIS WAS ALWAYS GOOD FOR ME BECAUSE UNTIL RESENTLY I HAD SEVERAL DIFFRENT SIZED REVOLVERS AND HAD BELT SLIDE,IWB AND SHOLDER HOLSTERS FOR ALL. BUT IM DOWN TO 3 PISTOLS NOW, MY GLOCK 23, RUGER SINGLE 6 .22, AND S&W MODEL 10 .38 . I BOUGHT A UNCLE MIKES BELT SLIDE FOR MY G23, AND LAST WEEK A DESANTIS INSIDER IWB LEATHER HOLSTER WHICH I JUST GOT BUT HAVE'NT USED YET. I DONT KEEP THEM IN THE HOLSTER WHEN NOT IN USE BUT WAS WORRYED ABOUT WEARING OFF THE FINISHED FROM INSERTING AND REMOVEING.

THANKS

HARD CORE

HARD-CORE · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2003, 06:02:48 AM »

HI MAIN SPRING,

THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT. I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH UNCLE MIKES HORIZONTAL HOLSTERS. I WAS WALKING THROUGH WALMART WHEN MINE FELL APART WITH MY SMITH M66 IN IT. IT ALMOST FELL ON THE DECK WHICH WOULD OF MADE ME AND EVERY ONE ELSE AROUND ME $H!T WHEN THAT GOD AWFUL SOUND OF 37 OZ. OF STEEL HITTING THE DECK AND SEEING THAT GUN JUST LYING THERE. THANK GOD IT GOT HUNG UP IN MY JACKET. AFTER THAT I GOT MY WIFES SEWING KIT OUT AND MADE MY SIZE ADJUSTMENTS AND SEWED THE STRAPS SO THEY WOULD'NT GO ANYWHERE AGAIN. LESSON LEARNED THE HARD WAY I GUESS LOL.

HARD CORE :wink:

kevin · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2003, 11:49:13 AM »

Hi hard core, well ive also got both nylon and leather tyhe duty gear is in both nylon and leather and all my hunting stuff is nylon simply because if it gets ruined i wont care too much, but for just for carrying any of my pistols or revolvers i use leather and for the money try out don hume at www.donhume. com , for the money their prodocts are inexpensive and are realy great products i do not work for them but do use their stuff and enjoy them well.
kevin

Alice Cooper · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2003, 08:11:28 AM »

i carry a g21 in a yaqui slide (leather) and the fobus.one good point, with those you can draw and reholster with one hand.with the floppy uncle mikes you usually cant.i like the fobus,especially if i'm out wading,as water won't hurt it. the yaqui i love for the way it carries, high enough that you don't notice it even driving, and the g21 is a big frame.i don't want snaps and flaps on a holster i carry for social problems either.they can get you killed.oh, the fobus paddle holster makes it easy to remove the whole outfit when going in places you can't carry.don't worry abouit finish wear on the glock, the slide will get shiny after a loooong time, but if it bothers you, glock will refinish it for a price,but be aware that the black coating has nothing much to do with corrosion resistance, so don't worry about it.

KING · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2003, 05:02:59 PM »

:grin: Evening guys. Im kinda heading toward leather on this one. I can remember of owning maybe two nylon type holsers,but,it seems like everything else is leather. I really dont think that there is much else to carry one in,im old fashioned,but guns and leather just go together. Stay safe King

Old Griz · « **Reply #8 on:** June 07, 2003, 07:25:36 PM »

I'm old fashoned and I love leather holsters--BUT--I tried the Fobus paddle holster with my Glock 21 and it's the best thing going, I promise. Unlike other paddles I have tried in the past, the Fobus paddle is so thin and so comfortable you won't even know it's there. It holds the gun securely--without straps--and with a sharp tug it's out. I wish they made them for short K-frames (so far only Js).

daddywpb · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2003, 12:10:18 PM »

I like the Fobus holsters, but they sure aren't as pretty as leather. I have Kramer holsters for both of my Glocks and a S&W Mountain Gun. I prefer the look, feel and smell of a good leather holster.

1GLOCK · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2003, 06:35:43 AM »

Ive got about 10 holsters for my G17 and G22, everything from tactical to fobus but I always come back to the leather. The tactical just isnt practical for carry, the fobus dosent like to let go of the gun and the nylon just dosent hold up to my standards. I have the nylon shoulder rig and hate it, its just not built strong enough for my tastes unless you sew it up to reinforce it (tried it, still hate it). I prefer a leather belt slide or thunb break, the belt slide is great for concealment because it rides high and yet has no snaps to shave off those critical 10th of a second in draw time, the thum break i love for the boonies, nice and secure but still holds well unsnapped. acctually the thumb break is just as fast as the belt slide once you get used to it, the problem is remembering what holster youre
wearing. My best advice would be whatever holster you choose, use it exclusively or youll never develope that critical draw time under stress, you dont whant to have to stop and think about if you have to unsnap it or not to get it clear, you want it to be instinctive.