Holsters: Leather or Plastic?

[fm451]

Question to Michael Bane:

I've been enjoying the Season 2 DVDs for"The Best Defense". In one of the episodes, during the Concealed Carry part, you asked "Leather or Plastic" in regard to concealment holsters. You then listed the good and bad elements of both leather and plastic holsters (inside and outside the waistband).  Very interesting. However.....

You did not make any reference to nylon holsters, such as those sold by Uncle Mikes, Blackhawk!, and Bianchi.  The best quality nylon holsters seem to offer the best qualities of leather holsters (pliability, conforming to your body), weigh/cost less than leather, and won't rot or mildew.  Yet they are seldom mentioned in firearms media (including Best Defense).  Please advise - why do you think this is so - too bulky, poor performance? etc.

Thanks!

[tombogan03884]

My guess would be because they are not "latest and Greatest" Kydex/plastic, nor are they "traditional" leather.
Because they don't fit either category they are ignored.
Funny thing is, the only Kydex holster I ever owned came with a AO 1911 I bought in '03,  it was a Fobus I threw away since I didn't want some plastic POS, I wanted either Leather or Nylon. And I never regretted it.  

[fightingquaker13]

I have an Uncle Mikes nylon IWB for my G19 and a no name (since I've forgotten it) OWB for a revolver. The IWB is comfy, BUT the top has gotten soft and its not a sure smooth draw. Its a range only holster now. The stiff OWB is going strong, but it doesn't get used much either. I wear it on hunting trips and that's it. OTO, I have used leather for serious duty and liked it. I only tried Kydex once. It was a holster for a Glock and I literally had to have the sales rep hold the holster while I drew the gun out of it (with both hands after I put it in firmly ). He said it would break in. I said no thanks. It might have been a one off, but I really don't want something that "secure". (Did I mention the embarassment? The damn thing was like a Brady Bunch Roach Motel. Guns go in, but they don't come out") Leather works just fine for me. That said, I am tempted by the Nemisis pocket holsters. FWIW.
FQ13

[tankerdad]

There was probably a tension screw that needed adjusting.  Most of them have one.

[bbbean]

Funny thing is, the only Kydex holster I ever owned came with a AO 1911 I bought in '03,  it was a Fobus I threw away since I didn't want some plastic POS, I wanted either Leather or Nylon. And I never regretted it.  

The Fobus isn't Kydex - it's plastic. There's a difference - a HUGE difference. Try a Bladetech, Comp-tac, Gcode, or similar before you write off Kydex.

[Sponsor]

[2HOW]

I use leather for IWB and have 2 fobus paddles for OWB but they dont hold the pistol close enough or high enough for concealed carry, but are good field holsters IMO with good retention also. My shoulder rig and ankle holsters are nylon and work well.

[tombogan03884]

The Fobus isn't Kydex - it's plastic. There's a difference - a HUGE difference. Try a Bladetech, Comp-tac, Gcode, or similar before you write off Kydex.

It's not so much the exact material  BBB, I'm just not into the whole "Hard holster" thing.
Call me old fashioned, I won't argue.  (On that at least, anything else is still open     )

[seeker_two]

I've been impressed with the quality of Ace Case holsters....haven't tried their tuckable holsters yet, but I plan to....

http://acecase.com/

[mkm]

I have plastic (Fobus, owb), kydex (aholster, pocket), hard nylon (Bianchi, owb), soft nylon (uncle mike's, owb), and combo leather/kydex (Crossbreed, iwb) holsters for my glocks.

The Fobus, Bianchi, and Uncle Mike's holsters all came with my 19 when I bought it.  The soft nylon just doesn't do much for me as it is a "universal" size that neither exactly fits my gun nor stays open for easy reholstering.  I like the bianchi as a good protective holster to keep my gun in while it's in standby mode in a drawer or truck door, but it's more of a duty holster and not that great for concealed carry.  I actually like my fobus and it was my primary concealed carry holster (often just under a t-shirt) when I lived/worked in very small towns and rural areas.

I got the Crossbreed when I came back to a college town because I decided the fobus might not be concealing enough for a less-forgiving area.  It also holds all glock sizes which is a major perk considering I also got a 26 to farther increase concealability.  It's now my primary holster for both guns and I love it.  It seems to provide the best of both leather and kydex.  Pliable, durable, and stays open.

I got my aholster pocket holster shortly after I got my 26.  It's a great little holster that both functions well and provides protection the the gun.  I keep the 26 in it when it's not in the crossbreed.

Tom, my guns are plastic.  Why not have a plastic holster to go with them?  

[tombogan03884]

Soft nylon is as far as I'm willing to go. My guns are steel and the only reason I don't use leather is cuz I haven't found one I liked AND could afford. (Although one of my shoulder holsters is Leather )