So 20 some odd years ago when I first started with my CCW I bought Blade Tech holsters both AWB and OWB for my Glock 23 and 36 that I used at the time, never really a fan. I just found that a Milt Sparks Summer Comfort or one of its many clones worked far better and was more comfortable for me. The Galco Concealable became my standard for OWB.

Last year bought a Gunfighters Inc. Kenai chest holster for my Sig XTEN. Very happy with it and can attest to its retention as it went into Eklutna Lake with me on a kayaking trip gone wrong. So needed to a minimalist sized holster to fit inside the console vault in the Jeep, decided to give Kydex another try. Bought an IWB holster from Muddy River Tactical for my Sig XTEN Comp and a red dot optic cut IWB for my Shadow Systems MR920.

Thinking being with the clip easy on and off, stash it in the console vault and be able to take it on and off. First off was the Muddy River Tactical, initial comfort was ok, but after a full day of carrying was really getting tired of it rubbing against my hip while walking. Fairly easy to get on and off. Second was the We the People. Initial impression is the clip is tight and an absolute bitch to get on and off my belt. Initial comfort was ok, but like the Muddy River after walking most of the day I grew tired of it rubbing against my hip.

Not money wasted, but definitely not an EDC option for me. They work for carrying in the Jeep and the occasional short term use. Think I'll stick with the Milt Sparks Summer Comfort style holsters for that.

I’m with you. I have a Kydex product or two that I will use, particularly a knife sheath that was supplied with my favorite small fixed-blade; I also like Magholder LLC horizontal magazine carriers for certain uses (I believe those are not technically Kydex, but along the same lines) - beyond that, it’s all leather for me.

Even my Glocks got gunleather haha…

I have some Kydex holsters and they have their place in CCW and training. My addiction to high quality leather may exceed my addiction to fine firearms. I would say that 99% of my CCW is done with quality leather gear. I also would say that a quality leather IWB holster is exponentially more comfortable than Kydex. The drawback is the additional cost and the wait times which I think is a primary reason many settle on Kydex. That is not saying kydex doesn’t have clear advantages over leather gear. I am with you on not being a huge fan of Kydex.

I'm not a fan of Kydex, either, but it does have its advantages in certain applications.

E.g.: I've a Kydex IWB for my Ruger LCP for carrying in gym shorts. The LCP is so light any leather holster stiff enough to retain its shape and provide consistent retention would be as heavy as the pistol. So Kydex to the rescue.

I've Kydex IWB holsters for my Walther PPS M2 and my compact 1911s. Advantage there is how thin and light they are, while still offering good, consistent retention.

I've Kydex comp holsters for my Staccato R and Glock G34.

I wish I could make myself like kydex, I buy a holster made from it on occasion still. It just reminds me that I hate a hard piece of plastic poking me.

I have some Kydex gear around, but seldom use it. I just prefer nicely made leather holsters. All of mine currently were made by Ryan at RGrizzle. Can't say enough good things about the product.

Can someone recommend leather iwb for the Sig 365? Since it will be a try it out holster I'd hate to spend 100+ on it if I don't like it, but have not decided if I'm quite in the "kydex camp" at this point. Just started carrying my 320 Carry in a Vedder Lighttuck and it's just ok. I prefer strong side, right, 3:00-5:00 position. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by apf383:
Can someone recommend leather iwb for the Sig 365? Since it will be a try it out holster I'd hate to spend 100+ on it if I don't like it, but have not decided if I'm quite in the "kydex camp" at this point. Just started carrying my 320 Carry in a Vedder Lighttuck and it's just ok. I prefer strong side, right, 3:00-5:00 position. Thanks.

For a good quality leather holster, will most definitely spend more than $100. Brommeland Gun leathers been my choice for over 20 years. Great stuff.

I used to be a leather guy, but I've gravitated towards Kydex lately for the following reasons:

1. This is probably the biggest one - I can make my own.
2. It's cheaper (especially if I do #1)
3. Less bulk than leather, so easier to carry
4. Doesn't hold moisture like leather
5. Slips on and off easier than most leather options
6. Can be easily molded for perfect retention/contour to the body or belt fitment (again, another benefit of #1)

My stuff isn't pretty, but it's functional (and nobody's seeing it, anyway). The one I made for my EDC P229 SAS may be the most comfortable holster I own. I carry at 4:00 strong side, and it fits right into the area behind my hip. It's easy to slip on and off, the edges are all blended so it doesn't poke me anywhere, and it's only a fraction of an inch larger than the gun itself, so it doesn't have any of that extra bulk that's necessary for the re-enforced mouth of a good leather holster. It is also cooler and doesn't absorb heat or sweat like leather, and the sweat shield works well to keep moisture off the gun.

I used thin (0.65") Kydex on this one, which allowed for a better mold, but I did have to re-enforce the area where the screws for the clip attach to keep them from breaking through. Easily done by doubling it up with a scrap piece of kydex.

Belt tension is easily adjusted with spacers (I cut slices of rubber tubing), and any pokies or hot spots can be addressed with sand paper or judicious application of a heat gun. The same for adding or reducing retention of the gun in the holster.

I really do like hybrids, leather against me, and nice thin Kydex facing the world. The Comp-tac Infidel line is my go too.

I’m sure this is overkill but for striker guns I prefer kydex. I want basically 100% rigidity near the trigger guard area. It is why I also don’t use the “stickie” type holsters. I’m sure I’m being paranoid but there it is. I also prefer the complete weatherproof component of kydex. It doesn’t care if if gets wet at all. I tried Muddy River and honestly sent it back and their redo was marginally better. Ended up giving it away. Won’t buy from them again.

I wish I had the desire to make my own kydex. Honestly 90% of any complaints I have about kydex all center on sloppy. Sloppy workmanship, sloppy design, just sloppy. I’m absolutely positive I could make better holsters than most of these guys just because I would actually care.

I own dozens of one company and at least half a dozen of them I’ve gotten for free because they do something stupid like cut the muzzle end short leaving a quarter inch of muzzle out there. I try to send it back he makes me a new one. It’s frustrating and I’ve told him so. Actually on the last one I said if you are tired of making new corrected holsters I will eat this one and go elsewhere for my gear. I said it nice. He was adamant “nope we will get it right”. I appreciate that but I think everyone is struggling to get good help.

I like leather for revolvers.