Leather or Kydex for OWB holster?

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Shadow41
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Leather or Kydex for OWB holster?

Post by Shadow41 »

I just got a Shield 9 and I'm deciding what kind of holster to get. I use a Tucker leather pancake holster for what I've been carrying, but I've thought about trying something in a Kydex hybrid or maybe a Fobus paddle holster for the Shield. I know a carry gun is gonna get wear, but do non-leather holsters scratch or wear the finish a lot faster or a lot worse than leather? If anyone uses a Fobus paddle, does it hold fairly tight to the body similar to the way a pancake style does?

Thanks
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Beiruty
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Re: Leather or Kydex for OWB holster?

Post by Beiruty »

I like Custom Kydex holsters. Leather are very fine and best for OC at a BBQ Outdoors Party,
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Rrash
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Re: Leather or Kydex for OWB holster?

Post by Rrash »

I really dig my Raven OWB.
Abraham
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Re: Leather or Kydex for OWB holster?

Post by Abraham »

Consider a holster made with Boltaron rather than Kydex.

For a multitude of reasons I prefer it.

Will show less wear than Kydex and will hold up against heat better.
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TomfromTx
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Re: Leather or Kydex for OWB holster?

Post by TomfromTx »

I prefer Kydex over any other material for both IWB and OWB. It holds up well and retains it's shape no matter what I've put them through.
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Re: Leather or Kydex for OWB holster?

Post by Abraham »

Not to be argumentative, but have you any experience with Boltaron?

If not, it's a high quality plastic that's smooth as silk when pulling your pistol out or re-holstering.

Mine (OWB type) are made by Hillsmen Holsters - made here in Texas.
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TomfromTx
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Re: Leather or Kydex for OWB holster?

Post by TomfromTx »

Abraham wrote:Not to be argumentative, but have you any experience with Boltaron?

If not, it's a high quality plastic that's smooth as silk when pulling your pistol out or re-holstering.

Mine (OWB type) are made by Hillsmen Holsters - made here in Texas.
Kydex, Bolatron and concealex are all acrylic alloy. In other words the same material.
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Re: Leather or Kydex for OWB holster?

Post by Taypo »

Abraham wrote:Not to be argumentative, but have you any experience with Boltaron?

If not, it's a high quality plastic that's smooth as silk when pulling your pistol out or re-holstering.

Mine (OWB type) are made by Hillsmen Holsters - made here in Texas.
I wasn't aware of these guys, the examples look good. Probably not as concealable as I'd like but they definitely put some work into em from what I can tell.

They're showing an OK address, by the way ;)
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Re: Leather or Kydex for OWB holster?

Post by Abraham »

I don't know the chemistry of Boltaron vs Kydex, but a bit of internet research reveals how working with one vs the other, there's a big difference.

Plus, if one were to accidentally leave a Kydex holster on a dashboard on a sunny day, the Kydex holster would suffer problems the Boltaron wouldn't.

Yes, there are differences between the two.
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