Leather or kydex? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

UberDuper · 09-13-2005, 03:58 PM

I'm looking for my first holster. I'm expecting to go with an IWB but can't decide which material to go with.

What are the pros and cons of each?

My situation is this:
I live in AZ, so there's heat and sweat to contend with.
I sit at a desk all day long, so sitting comfort is a big concern.
I'm fatter then I should be and poorer then I'd like, so it's going to be a tight fit until I:
A) Lose a couple inches
B) Buy new pants.
I wear shorts/jeans and tshrits 99% of the time.
I'm left handed.

I've gone through a lot of the holster threads here and I see a lot of unquantified recommendations. I've seen a wide range of products recommended to other people, but that doesn't really get me any closer to a decision for myself.

A little guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
UD.

one-eyed-fatman · 09-13-2005, 04:13 PM

Your on your own dude. It's all trial and error till you find what's right for you.

**Ed Ely** · 09-13-2005, 05:08 PM

Good luck!

Ed

40SWXDSHOOTER · 09-13-2005, 07:12 PM

Like every other gun owner that carrys by the time you find just the right one you will have a big ( pick one - bag,box,drawer,duffel bag) you get the picture. I like leather holsters, but sometimes I like kydex. So I guess thats no help.

Once you do think that you know what you want rember that you do get what you pay for.(Milt Sparks Summer Special= $80.00) and it's worth every penny. I carry a Springfeidl Light Weight Comander in 45acp, or a STI BLS in 40s&w in one almost every day. I just haven't got one for an XD yet, and the XD still needs night sights to by my every day carry gun. I think I will order them right now.

So like ED said good luck.

Arnisandyz · 09-14-2005, 06:54 AM

Expect to see a lot more unquantified recommendations! People are just giving opinion of what works...for them. Its up to you to decide what works for you. I can only give my experience. I first got a hume clip-on leather IWB - thought it was a good deal and I still use it occasionally when i'm running out the door and don't have time to put my rig on. I then got a Hume open top OWB leather holster. Another good deal. This one is really comfortable and hides just about as well as an IWB under an untucked T-shirt. Some people invest alot of money (for me) in a top of the line Holster, I like to get good holsters at a good price. Although I could drive a BMW, my Honda does just fine.

RoughNTough · 09-14-2005, 09:49 AM

I use a nylon IWB that is fine in hot weather, but I honestly HATE the holster. I am waiting for Eric Larson to drop me an email about a COM3 and I think that should fit my comfort bill nicely.

kujo929 · 09-14-2005, 10:06 AM

I can only speak for a 1911 carry holster but I use a Sparks VM2 and love it. It was expensive but in my opinion worth it. It hides a 5" 1911 with only a t-shirt and is comfortable for all day carry. It is one of the most popular conceal carry holster with the 1911 crowd.

I also have a kydex in the waist band and for me it is fine if I will be standing but not for sitting. And even standing it is not as comfortable as the VM2. It is very quick for the draw though.

good luck.

UberDuper · 09-14-2005, 11:09 AM

Well I think it's safe to say that I won't be ordering a Sparks VM2 or a COM3 or any other custom handmade for a while. I'll probably end up at a local sporting goods store and pick up the first left handed IWB I can find. Gotta get that box'o'holsters started I guess.

Thanks,
UD.

SLCDave · 09-14-2005, 11:36 AM

Here's my advice on how to not go broke buying holsters that don't work for you.

The first thing you need to figure out is HOW you want to carry. IWB, OWB, location on the body, etc. If you want to carry IWB, unload your gun, and slip it in your waistband. If you want to carry OWB, you might need to rig up something a little more creative to experiment with, like a short piece of rope looped at 2 ends, that you can run your belt through. Try a few different positions, see what feels comfortable, and practice drawing.

Once you figure out how you want to carry, get a cheap Uncle Mikes-type holster and actually carry that way for a while to see if it works (A #15 IWB nylon Unkle Mike's will fit a Service model XD). If it does, NOW you should consider the material, maker, etc. of your holster. If this doesn't work, you've only out a $10 holster, and not a pricey rig. Go back to the drawing board, and figure out where to try next.

My advice is, know for sure HOW you want to carry before you buy the leather rig. Even if you mess up and get one you don't like, more than likely you will be able to get some of your money back selling it here on the trading post.

Good Luck!

one-eyed-fatman · 09-14-2005, 12:04 PM

I only deal with businesses that have a return policy. That's how I ended up with two holsters instead of five.

09-14-2005, 09:49 AM	#6
RoughNTough XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kokomo, IN Posts: 137	I use a nylon IWB that is fine in hot weather, but I honestly HATE the holster. I am waiting for Eric Larson to drop me an email about a COM3 and I think that should fit my comfort bill nicely. __________________ Springfield V10 .40 Springfield XD9SC Winchester 1300

09-14-2005, 11:36 AM	#9
SLCDave XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 1,983	Here's my advice on how to not go broke buying holsters that don't work for you. The first thing you need to figure out is HOW you want to carry. IWB, OWB, location on the body, etc. If you want to carry IWB, unload your gun, and slip it in your waistband. If you want to carry OWB, you might need to rig up something a little more creative to experiment with, like a short piece of rope looped at 2 ends, that you can run your belt through. Try a few different positions, see what feels comfortable, and practice drawing. Once you figure out how you want to carry, get a cheap Uncle Mikes-type holster and actually carry that way for a while to see if it works (A #15 IWB nylon Unkle Mike's will fit a Service model XD). If it does, NOW you should consider the material, maker, etc. of your holster. If this doesn't work, you've only out a $10 holster, and not a pricey rig. Go back to the drawing board, and figure out where to try next. My advice is, know for sure HOW you want to carry before you buy the leather rig. Even if you mess up and get one you don't like, more than likely you will be able to get some of your money back selling it here on the trading post. Good Luck! __________________ We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. Thomas Jefferson Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

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09-13-2005, 03:58 PM	#1
UberDuper XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 201	Leather or kydex? I'm looking for my first holster. I'm expecting to go with an IWB but can't decide which material to go with. What are the pros and cons of each? My situation is this: I live in AZ, so there's heat and sweat to contend with. I sit at a desk all day long, so sitting comfort is a big concern. I'm fatter then I should be and poorer then I'd like, so it's going to be a tight fit until I: A) Lose a couple inches B) Buy new pants. I wear shorts/jeans and tshrits 99% of the time. I'm left handed. I've gone through a lot of the holster threads here and I see a lot of unquantified recommendations. I've seen a wide range of products recommended to other people, but that doesn't really get me any closer to a decision for myself. A little guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, UD.

09-13-2005, 04:13 PM	#2
one-eyed-fatman XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 10,179	Your on your own dude. It's all trial and error till you find what's right for you.

09-13-2005, 05:08 PM	#3
Ed Ely XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: 37.65N -84.76W (Elev. 932 ft) Posts: 7,651 Blog Entries: 1	Good luck! Ed

09-13-2005, 07:12 PM	#4
40SWXDSHOOTER XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 891	Like every other gun owner that carrys by the time you find just the right one you will have a big ( pick one - bag,box,drawer,duffel bag) you get the picture. I like leather holsters, but sometimes I like kydex. So I guess thats no help. Once you do think that you know what you want rember that you do get what you pay for.(Milt Sparks Summer Special= $80.00) and it's worth every penny. I carry a Springfeidl Light Weight Comander in 45acp, or a STI BLS in 40s&w in one almost every day. I just haven't got one for an XD yet, and the XD still needs night sights to by my every day carry gun. I think I will order them right now. So like ED said good luck.

09-14-2005, 06:54 AM	#5
Arnisandyz XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 298	Expect to see a lot more unquantified recommendations! People are just giving opinion of what works...for them. Its up to you to decide what works for you. I can only give my experience. I first got a hume clip-on leather IWB - thought it was a good deal and I still use it occasionally when i'm running out the door and don't have time to put my rig on. I then got a Hume open top OWB leather holster. Another good deal. This one is really comfortable and hides just about as well as an IWB under an untucked T-shirt. Some people invest alot of money (for me) in a top of the line Holster, I like to get good holsters at a good price. Although I could drive a BMW, my Honda does just fine.

09-14-2005, 10:06 AM	#7
kujo929 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3	I can only speak for a 1911 carry holster but I use a Sparks VM2 and love it. It was expensive but in my opinion worth it. It hides a 5" 1911 with only a t-shirt and is comfortable for all day carry. It is one of the most popular conceal carry holster with the 1911 crowd. I also have a kydex in the waist band and for me it is fine if I will be standing but not for sitting. And even standing it is not as comfortable as the VM2. It is very quick for the draw though. good luck.

09-14-2005, 11:09 AM	#8
UberDuper XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 201	Well I think it's safe to say that I won't be ordering a Sparks VM2 or a COM3 or any other custom handmade for a while. I'll probably end up at a local sporting goods store and pick up the first left handed IWB I can find. Gotta get that box'o'holsters started I guess. Thanks, UD.

09-14-2005, 12:04 PM	#10
one-eyed-fatman XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 10,179	I only deal with businesses that have a return policy. That's how I ended up with two holsters instead of five.