Got a new gun, and I need a new Holster. All of my current holsters are kydex and have a nice “Click” when the gun is secure. I will probably get another kydex holster, but I wanted to see what opinions are on this holster. I’ve heard leather is comfortable, but not as secure.
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Perhaps you can find some recommendations here:
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Pure leather holsters will not have any retention adjustment or secure “click” - just simple friction. If well molded for the firearm, that’s probably enough for simple carrying. But it won’t keep the firearm in place if you flip it and shake.
I’d recommend Tucker Holster or JM4 Tactical. They have boltaron holsters (even better material than kydex) with leather inside liner. In addition they have 2 retention screws.
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I’m a kydex guy. My uncle has a DeSantis holster for his carry gun I believe. He seems to like it. Personally, I don’t own any leather holsters so I have no opinion to offer. I say give it a try & if you don’t like it, you know for yourself! 
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So far, the only experience I have with leather holsters are the long-wait Kramer horsehide holsters and one quick-ship Desantis cowhide holster. There is a significant difference between my cowhide Desantis and my horsehide Kramer holsters.
I don’t know if it is relative to the fact that they are horsehide or not, but my Kramer horsehide holsters have a little bit of the “click” feeling because the leather is so stiff. The cowhide Desantis I have has a retention screw, but it just feels like friction/mush when I put the gun in or pull it out. I don’t feel nearly as secure with the retention on the Desantis as with the Kramer (they are for short barelled firearms so I don’t know if a longer barrel would add to the retention abilities).
I feel as secure with my Kramer holsters as I do with my Kydex. Unfortunately, I haven’t tried the higher end cowhide holsters, nor the cowhide Kramer holsters to see if that makes a difference. I’ve been waiting almost two months for a Galco Fletch holster, (cowhide) to give me a comparison to my Kramers and Desantis, but it’s still on backorder.
The leather holsters are a little thicker than the Kydex. A lot thicker if they have a reinforced openning. My one IWB leather holster is more comfortable, but with proper positioning and time, my body stop noticing the Kydex holsters after a week or two.
Right now, the only thing (besides wait time and expense) of getting more leather holsters is that I like the wing/claw for both 4 o’clock and 1 o’clock IWB positions. I feel that it tucks the butt of the grip closer to the body, since my most carried compact has a 3 finger grip.
One last thing… I know that a lot of people prefer the Kydex “click” feeling, a couple mm’s difference and there’s no retention. A good leather holster will give solid friction for a longer part of the draw stroke and hence have more retention if the pistol isn’t fully seated. I feel like my Kramer horsehide holsters give me the best of both worlds, but haven’t tried competitive high quality holster manufacturers. Currently, I wait around 2 months for my Kramer holsters to ship.
Depending on your model, you might see if the manufacturer offers holsters, as sometimes they will stock higher end brands for their specific offerings that might otherwise take months to come in. Also, places like Wilson Combat also offers some higher end holsters.
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My leather experience is with 1791 Leather 4 Way holster. It has plenty of retention, and is a very versatile holster. My next holster will come from Savoy Leather. All leather, and top quality. They aren’t cheap, but they are quality.
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Also saw this, but it’s not specifically made for my 45 shield.
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I would stay away from holsters that ‘fit’ a lot of different model guns. A proper, in my opinion leather holster, should be molded to fit one type of gun only.
DeSantis makes some pretty good stuff. Really up to personal preference.
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Winthrop makes great leather holsters. Have their pancake owb for Glock 19 & 43. Have iwb for Glock 48 & 26.
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I have far more experience with leather than I do kydex holsters. With the exception of a few, all are your standard OWB type. A good leather holster will have some retention, but it will have more when it is snug on you. That said, doing a test with it off you is not going to get you complete information ( my opinion ).
To me, Kydex feels like a brick on my side. After wearing leather for a while it conforms to my contours, and feels a whole lot better. However, leather does take some care that Kydex does not.
My fancy go to meeting holsters, or bbq holsters, are all leather. One I have worn a ton over 20 years and it still is in very good shape. For my outdoors knock around holsters I have gravitated towards Kydex.
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That’s why I like hybrid holsters. Leather that conforms to my shape, and is comfortable. Kydex to hold the pistol.
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I decided to just get another Kydex holster. I do want to try a leather holster one day, but I want to buy a quality one. My budget at the moment was $40 and I picked up a CYA kydex holster. Not the most comfortable (not uncomfortable either), but very safe and easy to clip on.
Later on when you want to try leather, get in touch with Jason Winnie. https://www.jasonwinnie.com/ His J111 is pretty reasonable at $65. He has made probably 6 holsters for me. I carry with one of them almost every day. Small family business. Him and his wife are both shooters.
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After buying a basket full of uncomfortable holsters i finally found Kusiak gun leather, the “minimalist” is the most comfortable IWB ever
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If you are considering a leather holster check out this site holsterpro.com
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Thank you, I decided since then I really like Kydex. I like the adjustable retention and the “click” makes me feel nice 
. I do have a crossbreed hybrid holster on the way that I’m excited to try though!
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I know it’s been a while since this thread has had a new post, but I just came across a holster maker in Charlotte, NC.
I ordered this one yesterday. The fellow is friendly and helpful. He’s carrying a decent number of models and will be adding more I’m sure.
This one ran me $55 with free shipping. I may have it tomorrow or the next day depending on USPS.
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That’s a great price, was the added letter included?
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He puts initials for free. I don’t know how much Cesar can put on it though.
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I use a lockleather, which has an locking mechanism that will give you that click/lock. All leather and very comfortable.
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