Is Gunleather Dead?

[Catskillkid]

Is Gunleather Dead? - Guns & Ammo

So the article was basically just a big not-so-subtle ad for Galco, but is kydek or other products going to overtake leather for future holsters?

 

[Marine Cpl]

Yes.

 

[Catskillkid]

Yes.

Haha...care to elaborate? I mean I get all the benefits of kydek but I have a few pure leather holsters that I like.

 

[HighlandLofts]

I have a few leather holsters that I like for certain guns. Then I have other types of holsters for other guns that fit them good and are comfortable to carry.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Haha...care to elaborate? I mean I get all the benefits of kydek but I have a few pure leather holsters that I like.

That's the thing. You just like them but they aren't better. Leather stretches when wet. As a comparison of the 2 materials solely, kydex wins every time for durability and the ability to retain it's shape.

 

[GuyMontag]

It's dead for those too cheap to want pay for a quality holster.

 

[Marine Cpl]

It's dead for those too cheap to want pay for a quality holster.

That's like saying a person is too cheap to buy the latest designer jacket when a Carhartt will keep them warmer and will last year's longer.

 

[GuyMontag]

That's like saying a person is too cheap to buy the latest designer jacket when a Carhartt will keep them warmer and will last year's longer.

Not in the least Will, your analogy is a hollow one.

Spending for the sake of spending is not the same thing as pissing your dough away on crap.

Plastic is shit, leather is quality. Nuff said.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Not in the least Will, your analogy is a hollow one.

Plastic is shit, leather is quality. Nuff said.

Which one is more durable then? Be honest.

 

[GuyMontag]

Next Month in Guns and Ammo:

All the Cool Kids Appendix carry, and Why You Should Too

 

[GuyMontag]

Which one is more durable then? Be honest.

Nothing digs quite like Kydex, that's for damn sure.


I don't mind having plenty of holsters, and readily admit Kydex will survive a nuclear blast.
Given the lead times most custom guys are running, demand for leather holsters is still VERY strong.

 

[Uzi]

My first holsters I ever used were all leather. After using them everyday for years, The stitching needed to be melted at where they would begin to fray maybe every 3 or 4 months. The leather would shape itself around my leg area and might have been a little more comfortable at times, but The leather wears away on the surface too. It's not significant, but it's organic material that will degrade quicker than kydex. Many less expensive polished leather holsters simply do not offer the trigger protection that a rigid wall on a kydex holster does, even when they're quite thick. For me, the tactical aspect of kydex holsters are far superior. Leather naturally creates more friction when drawing too. Kydex is a smoother draw, and the positive "snap" in place you hear when you reholster is good reassurance that your deadly weapon that is a triggers pull away from potentially sending a bullet entering and exiting your genitals at 1,300fps is properly seated, so that doesn't happen. My matching kydex mag holster is amazing and it's also adjustable for tightness with a half turn of the allen head bolt, just like the holster is. When your leather holster stretches a little bit after getting properly broken in, there is no adjustment to snug it up anymore.

 

[Deplorable Me]

I bought 3 leather and 3 kydex this year.

 

[masterswimmer]

Leather is sexy.
Kydex is practical and utilitarian.

When I conceal I use kydex.
When I go to the range for a fun day I like leather.

My shoulder rig is leather. Don't use it much though.
My OWB is kydex.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I don't mind having plenty of holsters, and readily admit Kydex will survive a nuclear blast.

Kydex is a themoform plastic. If a heat gun will make it pliable surely the heat of a nuclear blast would.

 

[GuyMontag]

Kydex is a themoform plastic. If a heat gun will make it pliable surely the heat of a nuclear blast would.

Next gen Kydex is zombie-vampire proof, and can survive nuclear blasts.

 

[Steal2B]

Own both. Other than summer concealed carry while in work out clothes, find we use kydex for tupperware guns and leather for the guns we carry.

 

[HEX]

Well, I personally prefer leather holsters, for various reasons, by a long shot. I will say however there is most often a huge difference between serious quality leather builds and the leather ones that typically cost the same as kydex.
I don't use kydex at all for concealment; again for various reasons. I might however very much consider it if I carried IWB (but I don't).

 

[zzrguy]

Never leather will never die. There are some style of holsters you have to make it out of leather.


Hell my stainless 1911s look so sexy in my leather rig.

 

[Podmonkey]

There will always be enough people that appreciate the look, feel and smell of leather to keep holsters made of such in the market.
That said kydex and the like is more functional.

@Willjr75, since when on the hell has Carhart stuff been cheap?! I like and wear their stuff but it's damn near designer prices itself!

 

[Defilade]

Leather = Fudds

 

[Marine Cpl]

There will always be enough people that appreciate the look, feel and smell of leather to keep holster made of such in the market.
That said kydex and the like is more functional.

@Willjr75, since when on the hell has Carhart stuff been cheap?! I like and wear their stuff but it's damn near designer prices itself!

Carhartt is not cheap. I wear it too. Cheap in price but rugged quality for a working man.

 

[Marine Cpl]

At this point I believe leather is more of a sophisticated taste than actual function compared to kydex. I'm not knocking anyone who prefers it. Just like I won't knock anyone who prefers an old cowboy lever action compared to a modern rifle.

 

[Steal2B]

Leather = Fudds

Actually, just like the leftists arming themselves, Fudds love recycled kydex to save the environment and avoid leather in concession to their PITA significant others.

 

[Podmonkey]

Carhartt is not cheap. I wear it too. Cheap in price but not rugged quality for a working man.

The quality makes it cost effective. I've been wearing the same duck cotton coat for 6 years now. And one of their goodies for about the same period of time.

 

[GuyMontag]

Well, I personally prefer leather holsters, for various reasons, by a long shot. I will say however there is most often a huge difference between serious quality leather builds and the leather ones that typically cost the same as kydex.

BINGO!!

So true Hex, there's a big difference in a premium custom build from a typical leather holster, and lots of guys won't pay that premium and don't know the difference. I'm not against Kydex, I simply prefer leather.

 

[spat]

Nobody has mentioned the hybrids.

I like leather next to the body, with a kydex shell for the firearm.

 

[Steal2B]

Seriously, kydex will never outclass leather.

 

[Podmonkey]

Nobody has mentioned the hybrids.

I like leather next to the body, with a kydex shell for the firearm.

I have a Crossbreed for my Shield. Problem with hybrids is once the leather molds to the gun you lose most of your retention. I will be replacing it with a kydex holster at some point.
Kydex is impervious to moisture and will not collapse making re-holstering easy. Kydex also offers a level of retention leather can't match.
Leave leather holsters to the BBQ guns I say.

 

[zzrguy]

Leather = Fudds

Kydex = Mall Ninjas