holsters. I have no clue.

zedex

zedex

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
53   0   0
Location
Right here in B.C.
Hi guys. Looking for a leather holster for my p229. OWB. There are a million of them, all a bit different. And its not like i can try one out. So basically i have to order one and cross my fingers.
What im looking for is something comfortable for the range. Good quality. I would like some type of retention so gun cant fall out accidentally. I see some that hold your gun vertically, some that have the gun canted forward. Some where the barrel hangs out. Recommendations and advice would be great and dont be shy posting photos if you got em.
Thanks
 
Sorry, I have no experience with leather holsters, just curious as to why leather over kydex? I'm assuming you prefer the look of leather, I really like the look myself, but the kydex holsters work amazingly well. Also, are you going to use it for competition, or is it just for range training for yourself? If I were going to shoot competition, like IDPA, I would look in to a Solely Canadian concealment holster. If you are wanting a leather holster for sure,, I have no doubt others will chime in on what a good leather option would be for you, but it really is worth taking a look at one of Solely's kydex holsters, fantastic product.
Good luck in your search, like you say, there are so many options it can be overwhelming :)
 
Any reason you want a leather holster? Kydex ones are so much better. Smoother draw/ reholster, doesn't hold moisture, less bulky, almost zero maintenance.

The only advantage a leather holster has is they look a lot nicer esp a good quality one.
Most come very tight. You need to wet it and insert your gun ( wrapped in plastic wrap) to stretch the leather. Leather holsters require multiple draws and re-holsters to smooth out which may ruin the bluing on your gun.

Depending on what you use your holster for, anything vertical or a 5-10 degree forward cant will work. Also depends on where you wear the holster. Range use is usually at 3 o'clock. CCW/ IDPA use is closer to 5 o'clock so the forward cant works better. The forward cant at 3 o'clock may be a problem for your wrist angle.
The ones with the barrel sticking out are the minimalist Belt Slide style. They work well and the advantage is they usually don't look like a holster when there is no gun in them. I use one for IDPA with my Glock. It is my favorite CCW holster. Mine is in Kydex though.

My favorite brands in leather are DeSantis, Alessi, and Milt Sparks. DeSantis made an excellent hi ride OWB with a thumb snap retention that was my favorite holster for a long time. It came very smooth and supple so easy to use right away.
It basically looks like your standard detective holster seen on tv.
http://ww w.desantisholster.com/THUMB-BREAK-SCABBARD

Alesia holsters are thinner than most other brands but are a legend in the 80-90s crowd. Mine is 25 years old, looks a bit beat up but still works!

I see edgy beat me to it! Good points buddy!
 
Last edited:
Different holsters for different applications.

What is your application? (Range/Target, IPSC, Steel Challenge, 3gun)
 
You don't need a retention holster for range use; they are for defeating gun grab attempts. Friction alone should be sufficient to keep the gun from falling out.
 
Kydex is easier on the gun, doesn't require break in, has better retention (assuming it's well made) is easier to put on and take off, last longer, requires virtually no maintenance, doesn't absorb sweat or water doesn't collapse when you roll around on it, doesn't move as much and costs less. Why did you want leather again?
 
Thanks guys. I guess i dont want leather after all. :) I will check out kydex. I figured leather was easier on the finish and will be selling the gun at some point and dont want the edges worn off. This is just range use, would like to practice draws. No competition.
 
I would look at offerings from Soley Canadian or Bladetech. Both are good and reasonably priced. Don't go cheap like Fobus, you will regret it. As I did.
 
Be aware that most competitions (PPC, IPSC, IPDA) require that the trigger guard be completed covered. Not all holsters do that, especially old-style leather ones, so I would make sure yours does.
 
Still alive said:
The ones with the barrel sticking out are the minimalist Belt Slide style. They work well and the advantage is they usually don't look like a holster when there is no gun in them. I use one for IDPA with my Glock. It is my favorite CCW holster. Mine is in Kydex though.
Click to expand...

This would interest me. Can you give me a brand name? Gun is p229 with rail.
.

Keep the suggestions coming with brand name so i can search them out.
Thanks
 
zedex said:
Thanks guys. I guess i dont want leather after all. :) I will check out kydex. I figured leather was easier on the finish and will be selling the gun at some point and dont want the edges worn off. This is just range use, would like to practice draws. No competition.
Click to expand...

It's inevitable that your pistol will eventually show holster wear if you use a regular style holster. Leather or felt lined holsters would be even worse because if you're shooting at an outdoor range on a dry dusty day, the leather would trap more dust (esp if damp with sweat) than a kydex one and turn to fine grit sandpaper. You will never be able to clean the grit out of the leather. With kydex, you just wipe it down or rinse it under your tap.
 
EdGCNM said:
Be aware that most competitions (PPC, IPSC, IPDA) require that the trigger guard be completed covered. Not all holsters do that, especially old-style leather ones, so I would make sure yours does.
Click to expand...

Thats why I was asking what is the application. Cause some also require closed fronts. Some have min "Concealment" requirements. Some need extra retention for those stages where you have to do cartwheels over a shaky platform.
 
zedex said:
Hi guys. Looking for a leather holster for my p229. OWB...something comfortable for the range. Good quality. I would like some type of retention so gun cant fall out accidentally...
Click to expand...

Rusty Sherrick or Kramer, in horsehide.

zedex said:
...I see some that hold your gun vertically, some that have the gun canted forward. Some where the barrel hangs out. Recommendations and advice would be great...
Click to expand...

For your purposes, straight drop (i.e.: 'zero cant') is best. It's the Fastest with the Mostest.

Full-coverage of the pistol is best (the pistol is better protected and less likely to be inadvertantly dislodged).

zedex said:
...I guess i dont want leather after all. :) I will check out kydex. I figured leather was easier on the finish and will be selling the gun at some point and dont want the edges worn off. This is just range use, would like to practice draws. No competition.
Click to expand...

Blade-Tech Classic OWB or Raven Concealment Phantom.
 
enefgee said:
Solely Canadian is, in my opinion, as good as Raven - and I'm a huge fan of Raven (been using them since 2007) and made in Canada at a a better price.
Click to expand...

I'm not 100% thrilled on my soley can Concealment one. After about 8 hours of wearing the sweat sheild has basically rubbed me raw. And km talking about actually concealed carry (in Washington FYI). It felt great before I actually wore it all day with movement. The edge is just way too rough/sharp.

But I guess 99.999% of you that doesn't matter, but for me it does.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom