No Holster Materials Are Equal
One of the main criteria of a good holster is material, which affects not only the wearing comfort and safety but also the effectiveness of its use. Moreover, it has a great part in protecting the gun itself. The most common materials used to produce holsters are leather, Kydex, and nylon. Let us take a closer look at all of these.
First thing first: No materials are equal
Kydex and Hybrid Holsters
Kydex was used for the first time in 1965 when introduced by a company Rohm and Haas. This material was primarily used in the aircraft interior. Not long after Kydex found its wide use in everyday life and for example car industry. In 1987 was the Kydex product range acquired by Kydex, LCC, which is producing the material in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Today, the company is a part of the SEKISUI SPI group.
Technically, Kydex is a plastic alloy extruded from a special mixture of acrylic PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It is a thermoplastic material that softens when heated but does not lose its form and is easy to shape. It is a composite material that acquires strength and ductility form acrylic, and toughness and resistance to many chemicals from PVC. Thanks to its relatively high hardness (“R” 90 according to the Rockwell hardness scale) and the grainy surface, it is abrasion-resistant and has a high resistance to impacts and scratches. It is temperature stable, well-formed by drawing and pressing. Its great advantage is also in secondary processing, it is easy to grind and can be drilled into it without any problems. Under normal conditions, the properties of the Kydex do not change (it does not expand or shrink), which makes it an ideal material for self-locking sleeves. Today, Kydex offers a variety of design options.
Pros And Cons Of Kydex Holsters
One disadvantage of Kydex Holsters often stated by the gun owners is its sturdiness that might create a discomfort. This issue is more common with inside the waistband Kydex holsters. The favorite solution or compromise to this are hybrid holsters. The combination of a leather platform and Kydex front shell ensures you can enjoy advantages of the both materials in one holster.
Main advantages of Kydex material summed up:
- Easy to clean
- Chemical stability
- Scratch resistance
- Waterproof
- Frost resistance
- Shape stability
- Safety
Leather Holsters
When the first guns emerged, so were the first holsters created – leather ones. Since the formation of the first holsters, cowhide has been the primary material for their production. In those days it was the only material suitable for holster production and is highly demanded nowadays too. Leather as a material has excellent properties and ensures high comfort and durability. An undeniable pro is leather’s aesthetics, offering a wide range of options from stitching, initials embossing, or coloring even the edges. A common feature is an added Suede under layer that increases the level of gun protection. Almost all gun designs we see nowadays have their ancestors in a leather variant. The production process is very demanding since it consists of several phases such as cutting the cowhide, molding, drying, tanning, oiling out, and finishing with laquer. Of course, a lot depends on a quality of a used leather. Leather quality is measured in its weight. Top level of the skin is usually the sturdiest and deeper parts are softer. We in Falco offer 4 leather types.
1. Basic Leather
Holsters made from hard leather, which is usually available only in black color. These holsters are made for those, who are looking for a cheap, yet functional holster. This holster type has only a basic construction requirement.
2. Suede Leather
Comfort leather holsters are made of suede leather. It is a leather from a underside of the calf skin. This type of leather molds to the carrier very easily and it is soft to a touch which makes it the best option for those who seek pure comfort. Suede leather is usually used in combination with classic leather to reinforce parts that are under the stress such as belt loops, thumb-break, or mouth of the holster.
3. Classic Leather
Classic leather holsters are made of the first-class pre-colored hides. Thickness of the leather is the same as with premium leather. They are colored and lacquered in the tannery of our Italian supplier. Once we receive these hydes in Falco it is solely in our hands. We cut the leather to the shape of the requested holster, mold & stitch them completely in-house. Classic leather is still very beautiful, however, it does not shine as Premium. It is also a tiny bit softer, because of different coloring processes. It offers a great price/quality ratio.
4. Premium leather
This type of leather represents the best quality of leather processing we can achieve. The production process is solely in our hands from the very start all the way until the end. We start with premium 1/8” thick and 7-8 oz heavy full-grain Italian leather (only 1 out of 4 cowhides fits this requirement). In the beginning, it is in a natural ( skin ) color. The production process starts with a cutting to the requested shape and then continues with stitching. We tan & mold it using the wet molding technique and oil it using vegetable oils. Once dried out we conserve this beautiful package using lacquer based on a natural basis. The result is a leather holster with its characteristic smell, shiny color, and sturdy and long-lasting build quality.
Pros And Cons Of Leaether Holsters
The biggest disatvantage of leather holster is fact it can soak in the liquid. This means that in case you live in a humid enviroment, this material can degrate faster than usual. Leather requires to be cleaned and oiled regularly to assure the longest possible lifespan.The main advantages of leather as a material summed up:
- Years of tradition
- Aesthetics
- Silent draws and reholsterings
- Comfort
With the right usage and care, the lifespan of a leather holster Is equal to that of a gun itself.
Quality Of a Leather
As stated earlier only one of 4 leather hydes is good enough for our premium full-grain leather holsters. Also at FALCO Holsters, we are committed to eco-friendly practices. This means that every leather holster, accessory, and product boasts the mark of certified biodegradability. Our commitment is not limited to select items but extends across our entire range of leather products, providing a comprehensive choice for environmentally conscious consumers. It is not easy to source such leather, so how can we achieve and upkeep the quality our customers are used to? It is thanks to our reliable and accredited tannery.
Nylon Holsters
Nylon first appeared in 1930 in a DuPont laboratory, United States. It was originally the trade name for only polyamide 6.6. but has later expanded on the whole group of polymers. Basically, it is a synthetic fibre based on polyamides – macromolecules that repeat endlessly. It is made of coal, water, and air. An important feature of nylon is a thermoplastic – able to melt fibres. This allows for seemingly endless possibilities of shapes and sizes. The material is used in many areas. Due to constant development, nylon has been greatly improved recently. Adding other fibres to the blend, such as cotton, polyester, and spandex the Cordura was formed. Cordura is a high-quality material with increased shape holding ability. Nowadays we can see three types of nylon holsters that differ not only in width and firmness of the foam but also in quality and type of its topcoat:
1. Basic nylon
Mainly holsters made from the most basic nylon type. Usually very simple design. These holsters are still functional and effective, but not at all ideal for EDC. The greatest advantage is the low price.
User favorite models are:
IWB: A501
2. Classic nylon
These holsters are commonly made from Cordura 1000, which is basically a topcoat. They have resistant and thick foam in the middle, enclosed by soft breathable nylon. Most often they consist of sandwich material.
User favorite models are:
OWB: C702
Shoulder Holsters: D709
Today there can also be found holsters from so-called combined nylon, also referred to as premium nylon. It is basically a combination of nylon, leather, and plastic. By combining these materials, the cases can retain their shape, which in practice means that they allow easier and faster re-holstering. Also, they offer an integrated plastic guide rail to protect the sights. Falco Holsters provides the most sophisticated Premium Nylon. These holsters have combined the qualities of leather and nylon into one.
User favorite models are:
Shoulder Holsters: D874
In the community of shooters, the nylon holsters naturally tend to lag behind Kydex and leather holsters, is often joked about. However, high-quality nylon cases provide unique properties for which it is worth considering getting one.
- Low weight
- Temperature resistance
- Travel friendly
- Versatility
- Breath-ability
- Simplicity
- Great design range
Conclusion
It should be said that the disadvantages of each material often do not derive from the material itself, but the wrong choice of a holster type. If you know where your needs are, you can easily avoid these disadvantages. This means it is ideal to keep several holster types for each gun. This will allow you to choose the right one for any given situation.
“Everything you need to rely on at 100%, requires care”
If you want your holster to serve well, you need to pay attention to it. Provide the maintenance, do the cleaning, tighten the screws, oil it, and dry it. Whether it is Kydex, leather, or nylon.
This article was last edited on October 10th, 2024.
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Michal Bernadič
2.7.2020
