CCW Holsters; Leather or Nylon?

[Adam Helmer]

For many years I used a strong side leather "pancake" holster for various CCW arms. The holsters are still on establishment and in use, but lately I have acquired a few nylon holsters that seem to do well for holding my CCW arms in readiness.

I will use both over the Summer and decide if it is leather or nylon in the future. Who else has used either or both type holsters?

Adam

[Larryjk]

Adam, I use both leather and nylon holsters and they both do fine. I also have an old Fobus holster for the .45 ACP that I really like, but they are apparently no longer available. It is very light, not bulky, and holds the gun well enough. I heard the reason it is no longer available is that it was developed for the military and I shouldn;'t have been able to get my hands on it. On the leather vs nylon; the nylon seems to be easier on the blue finish than a leather. The leather seems to be so "classic". I am trying to get an inside the trouser top leather for my S&W 60 with 3" barrel. No one seems to make holsters for the 3" gun.

[8X56MS]

I have all my holsters custom made for a particular handgun. Thats why finding leather for a 3 inch revolver or a new Semi Auto is not a problem.
I would not be caught dead wearing kydex or nylon. :D

[Adam Helmer]

8X56MS,

I will always like leather holsters and have too many on establishment. I have acquired a dozen or more nylon black and camo holsters for most of my handguns. Nylon is "kinder" to blue finish than leather. I like nylon because I got all dozen for $5 or less each on the bargain table at my local gun shop.

My nylon holsters are the regular carry holster for my treks afield because they serve me well for field use. For serious CCW carry, I use leather.

Adam

[Larryjk]

I have many custom leather holsters, leather holsters that are made for specific handguns by mass production companies (very nice units, too), and 1 kydex holster by Fobus for a 1911, and a few nylon holsters for some of my S&Ws that I want to treat nice. I figure they all have their uses and I get them for that reason. Whatever works well is my motto.

[Jack]

Larryjk, try High Noon holsters for your 3 inch J frame gun. They make an inside the pants leather holster called the softie. They say it's for 2 inch J frame S &W's. I've been using one of those holsters for a Charter Arms Bulldog, which is a hair larger frame, and has a 3 inch barrel. By adjusting the tension screw on the holster, the Charter fits nicely. The muzzle does protrude slightly from the open bottom of the holster, but not enough to let the sight catch, or for you to even feel it.
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/

[Jack]

For no good reason I can think of, all my concealed carry holsters are leather- what few I have.
I use the above mentioned inside the pants type for my Bulldog, and a simple leather belt slide for my 1911. I've had the belt slide for so long I can't remember who made it. The very few times I carry a Browning P35 instead of the 1911, I use the same belt slide.
So far, those 2 holsters have been all I use for concealed carry. Obviously, I need a few more handguns, so I can explore the leather/nylon holster issue. :)

[popplecop]

If I'm carrying a small pistol in my pocket use a nylon holster designed for that. Belt carry like what ever holds securely and is thin. Sometimes it might be leather, kydex or nylon depends on which pistol I'm carrying.