Let’s face it: a pistol is much less useful without a holster. Whether you carry a pistol for duty, competition, or self-defense, you need an appropriate holster for the job. Fortunately, we’ve got SDI’s own Rick Casner here to break down some of the nitty-gritty details of holster materials.
Holster Materials
The vast majority of holsters come in one (or more) of three materials: KYDEX®, nylon, and leather. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each material.
KYDEX Holsters
To put it simply, Rick likes KYDEX holsters. It’s the most durable holster material out there, and you won’t have to worry about it deforming after lots of use. KYDEX holsters also make it easy to re-holster your gun without looking down at it. Specifically, Rick likes pure KYDEX holsters, not the hybrid kind with a KYDEX sheath and leather or nylon lining.
Finally, KYDEX is a great material for making your own holsters. All you really need is an oven or heat gun to make the KYDEX malleable, along with some OSB or plywood to use as a mold. Rick mentions that this is a great way to get a start making firearms accessories.
Nylon Holsters
Next, Rick discusses why he’s not a fan of nylon holsters. He mentions that he’s seen guys open carrying with nylon holsters and it’s always felt off to him. I agree, and I’ll take it one step further: I cringe every time I see someone open-carrying in a cheap nylon holster. They’re flimsy, usually offer poor retention, and require you to use two hands to draw your pistol.
Leather Holsters
Finally, Rick talks about leather holsters. Leather is a bit of a double-edged sword as far as a material for holsters. On one hand, it offers great passive retention. It’s also fairly gentle, and won’t scratch or scuff your firearm. On the other hand, if not properly cleaned, leather can hold moisture, dust, and debris, which can actually wear down your firearm’s finish more quickly than KYDEX would.
Learn More About Firearms and Accessories at SDI
Holsters are just one aspect of the robust industry that’s arisen around firearms. At SDI, we’ve been giving our grads the knowledge they need to compete in the world of firearms. If you want to learn about the skills you’ll need to break into the industry and explore the programs available at SDI, click here.
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