Leather Vs Kydex

First holsters were all Kydex. Leather works better for me during many years of carry.

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Looks like it left a bunch of red scratches on the CZ :rofl:

I am currently wrestling with which leather holster to get for a 5" barrel 1911. I really like the Bianchi 19L Thumbsnap, but it only comes in brown. Runner ups at this point are BIANCHI 56 Serpent, and Galco FL212RB Fletch

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I find a strong correlation between preferences on this topic, and age.

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About to turn 51- I grew up with firearms. My experience is my teacher.

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I really like Galco I have had several for years mostly for my large revolvers but just got an Avenger for my 4" 1911 and love it that is to replace a plastic holster that broke on me

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I have a Black Arch leather/kydex hybrid that gets used the most. I have 3 leather backings and 1 molded kydex front for it. The kydex shell can be moved from backing to backing to produce 2 configurations of IWB and 1 OWB configuration.

In leather, I also use a Galco V-Hawk IWB and a Galco Concealable OWB.

These are the only 3 I really use. All the ones that stay in the drawer are 100% kydex. They stay in the drawer not because I have anything against kydex, it’s that they are neutral cant and I prefer forward cant for concealed carry.

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I would humbly suggest maybe if need be saved a few more dollars and have a good custom holster made. I’ve had all the holsters you mentioned and now they are in the box some of them were okay but none checked all my boxes. I highly recommend TT gun leather. For custom they are reasonably priced turn around time is faster than some of the better known like milt Sparks and others. I have three of these and can confidently say the quality is every bit as good and maybe a little better than the better known custom shops. I say that from experience. I have had milt Sparks, mernicle , kusiak, holsters and they were all good but very expensive. Some of those I mentioned I probably would still be wearing but leather does not survive flood water well.

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Thanks @ShooterRick , I contacted them to see if they ever add a thumbbreak …

It looks like they are lined to protect the pistol finish?

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All of mine are smooth inside very slick

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Unfortunately, this was the verdict:

“I am sorry I do not offer thumb breaks.”

I really want a thumbbreak because I expect to open carry this one, plus it is safe queen :slight_smile:

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Check out Galco they have thumb breaks

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I understand, to each their own even though I would never open carry. I have two thumb break holsters that aren’t too bad that I got from Craft holsters. Not as high quality as a custom but they seem to be okay. Craft holsters are actually made by a company called Falco. If you go to Falco there is a much wider choice. They are made in Eastern Europe but pretty decent.

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I have custom holsters for my EDC and my competition handguns. I even have a custom case for one of my AR’s.

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Blackhawk Compact Askins: Italian leather, adjustable tension, secures AND conceals amazingly well, fits S&W M&P 9/40 PLUS my S&W 9mm and .45 Shields.

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I ordered 2 different çraft holsters that were advertised as custom/hand made and got 2 fit all nylon holsters that were junk I personally will not buy from craft again

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I’ve never ordered a nylon holster from Kraft so I can’t say but I have ordered two leather holsters from Falco that were okay. They’re not great by any means nothing close to my custom holsters but I can’t say they were junk. But again I never ordered nylon holsters.

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For open carry I recommend what the cops use, Safariland with multiple active retention devices. IMO a leather holster with a thumb snap is really only useful to keep the gun from accidentally falling out (since leather tends to lack the retention a good kydex can have via friction or trigger guard area adjustment).

But a Safariland holster with both ALS and SLS, now that’s what I want when working weapons retention force on force drills

My last holster purchase (It lists G17 and X300U but also works with G19 and TLR-1 HL BTW)

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Since I never open carry I don’t really have an opinion other than it looks like a very secure holster Nathan. I also don’t use a separate holster for range work although I know some people have what they call their range holster. Never understood why you would use a different holster at the range unless you were just looking for something to stage your firearm in while you were doing other things like loading mags. For a Time I did have a separate holster that was inexpensive and I added velcro to so that I could stage that holster in my truck.

I am thinking about a gun magnet for my car. If anyone has done this I would appreciate guidance and opinions.

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I suggest checking out some of the threads about having your gun attached to your vehicle instead of attached to you.

But also, January issue of USCCA Concealed Carry magazine starting on page 85

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I didn’t order nylon either but that was what I got

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