Gear

Why is a holster not just a holster? The material matters

Jul 6, 2021 WARAGOD

Welcome to another article that will help you choose the right holster for your firearm. In the first article, we made a short intro into the world of holsters (/blogs/news/ako-vybrat-spravne-puzdro-na-zbran-zaciname) and in the second we answered 3 questions that are good to think about before choosing a holster itself (/blogs/news/3-otazky-pred-samotnym-vyberom-spravneho-puzdra).

Today we will focus on the actual materials of holsters and talk about their advantages and disadvantages. And why focus on materials? Because it is precisely the material that determines not only the comfort of carrying and safety, but also the effectiveness of use in a crisis situation. Last but not least, it also has a great influence on the protection of the firearm itself. On our market, you can most often encounter holsters made of nylon, Kydex, leather, plastic, or a combination of some of these materials.

Kydex holsters – the phenomenon of recent years

How did Kydex originate?

It was first produced in 1965, when it was introduced by the chemical company Rohm and Haas. This material was primarily intended for use in aircraft interiors. It did not take long for Kydex to find wide use in everyday objects. In 1987, the Kydex product line was taken over by Kydex, LLC, which manufactures the material in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, USA. The company is now part of the SEKISUI SPI group.

So what is Kydex?

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 shape and is easily formed. It is a composite material that gains strength and formability from acrylic, and toughness and resistance to many chemicals from PVC. Thanks to its relatively high hardness („R“ 90 on the Rockwell hardness scale) and grainy surface, it is abrasion resistant and shows high resistance to impacts and scratching itself. It is temperature stable, easily formed by both drawing and pressing. Its great advantage also lies in secondary processing – it is easy to sand and can be drilled without any problems. Under normal conditions, the properties of Kydex do not change (it neither stretches nor shrinks), which makes it an ideal material for self-retaining holsters. Today, Kydex offers a wide variety of pattern options.

Advantages of Kydex holsters

Easy to clean
Chemically stable
Abrasion resistant
Water resistant
Frost resistant
Shape stable
Holster personalization (color, logo,...)

Disadvantages of Kydex holsters

Not very comfortable for inside-the-waistband carry – they are hard (it's more a matter of habit)
May scratch the firearm
One holster = one firearm
It is “noisy“

Nylon holsters – versatility above all?

Nylon holsters in the shooting community tend to seemingly lag behind Kydex and leather holsters. However, quality nylon holsters offer specific properties that are certainly worth considering...

How did nylon originate?

Nylon first appeared in 1930 in the laboratory of the DuPont company in the USA. Nylon was originally a trade name for polyamide 6.6, but later this name began to be used for an entire group of polymers.

What is nylon?

Basically, it is a synthetic fiber based on polyamides – macromolecules that repeat infinitely. It is made from coal, water and air. An important characteristic of nylon is thermoplasticity – the ability of the fibers to melt. This allows for seemingly endless possibilities of shapes and sizes. It is a material that is used in many areas. Due to constant development, nylon has been considerably improved in recent years. After adding other fibers to the blends, such as cotton, polyester, spandex, Cordura was created. Cordura is a high-quality material that increases shape retention. Today, with nylon holsters, we most often encounter 3 types, which differ not only in the thickness and strength of the foam, but also in the type and quality of the outer material:

1. Basic nylon

These products are mostly the most basic type of nylon. It tends to be very simple. It is functional from the point of view of protecting the weapon, but from the point of view of efficiency and all-day carry, it is not entirely ideal. Its advantage is a low price. It is most often purchased for cheaper gas pistols.

2. Classic nylon

Holsters are made mostly of Cordura 1000, which essentially serves as the top layer. They have a durable and dense foam in the middle, which is enclosed by soft, breathable nylon. They generally have a “sandwich“ character, and after holstering, the holster presses against the body. This makes holstering more difficult.

3. Combined nylon

Today, we can also find holsters made of so-called combined nylon, also known as premium nylon. Essentially, this is a combination of nylon, leather and plastic. By combining these materials, the holsters are able to maintain their shape, which in practice means that they allow for easier and faster holstering. In addition, they also offer an integrated plastic guide rail to protect the sights. These holsters “try“ to combine the comfort of leather and the strength of kydex.

Advantages of nylon holsters:

Affordable price
Lightweight
Versatile (some types can be used on multiple weapons; some types can be used for both inside and outside carry)
Maintenance-free
Temperature stable
Breathable and adaptable – more comfortable to wear
Combination of options (cuts, shapes,...)

Disadvantages of nylon holsters:

Mostly unreinforced – not shape-stable
Cannot be personalized much, mostly only available in black.

Leather holsters – a timeless classic

Aesthetics, elegance, a natural material proven over the years... That is what leather holsters are.

History of leather holsters

With the emergence of the first weapons, the first holsters were also created – made of leather. Since the emergence of holsters, cowhide has been the primary material for their production. In those times, it was the only available material for making holsters, and to this day it remains highly sought after. Today, it is already possible to personalize leather holsters quite nicely. They offer a wide range of options, from contrasting stitching, embossing initials, to coloring the edges themselves. For increased protection of the weapon, there is also the option of a suede lining.

Leather – a material proven over the years

Leather as a material has excellent properties and ensures high comfort and durability. They are mostly made by hand, and the production process itself is a bit more complex than for holsters made from previous materials. The manufacturing process is demanding because it consists of several parts, such as cutting the leather, shaping, drying, coloring, adjusting and smoothing. Of course, not all leather is the same, and today with holsters you can most often encounter 3 types:

1. Basic - split leather

Holsters are made of hard split leather, which is most often available in black. This line of holsters is intended for those looking for a cheap, functional holster. This type has only basic construction requirements.

2. Suede

Holsters are made from soft, pleasant suede combined with hard leather, which is used to reinforce the most important parts of the holster, such as the security straps, belt loops and the top part of the holsters. This type of leather is very comfortable for IWB carry and gives the holsters a nice appearance. The major disadvantage, however, is the high level of care required.

3. Classic leather

Holsters made from classic leather are usually made from top-quality leather. Sometimes this leather is already dyed and lacquered in tanneries, so the manufacturers only shape and sew it by hand. And sometimes even this production process is handled by the manufacturer. The thickness of the leather itself is very important.

Advantages of leather holsters:

Aesthetic and elegant
Comfortable to wear (natural material)
Shape-stable (not long-term)
Personalization
Combination of options (cuts, shapes,...)

Disadvantages of leather holsters:

Price (varies depending on quality, leather thickness and workmanship)
Significant care required
Passive retention
Slower draw compared to Kydex

(prelink to your offer of goods with leather holsters)

Hybrid holsters – a combination of the best of the best?

The imaginary gap between the individual materials is filled by so-called hybrid holsters. Most often this is a combination of leather and Kydex. For example, a leather platform with a Kydex holster. This combination also has its advantages and disadvantages arising from what was mentioned above.

Berny's advice in conclusion

Every holster has its advantages and disadvantages. But the basic attribute is that it suits you. Your requirements. After that it's more or less about habit... I myself use and combine 2 -3 holsters, depending on the situation and requirements. In any case, anything you want to rely on 100% requires occasional care. Maintenance. Whether it's just cleaning or just tightening the screws... Do not underestimate the choice of holster. Because the holster ensures that you will find everything where it is supposed to be. Remember that the best “defense“ in any crisis situation is prevention!

Berny

My goal is to sell knowledge and experience that a person needs not only when wandering in nature but also in everyday life. My task is to spread awareness about responsibility and safety, not only for oneself, but also for those around us. My idea is that life is too short to do things we don't enjoy, and that's why I help people in today's fast-paced world find not only the charm and beauty of nature and our rich history, but also push their limits.