I typically carry a handgun while out in the woods. (Mag-Na-Port Predator Conversion Ruger Blackhawk 44) Right now and for the last few years it has rode in a nylon holster. It has held up well to repeated field use hunting, fishing, woods bumming. In a longterm extend outdoor situation which holster material is better?
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Handgun Holsters
- Thread starter cddogfan1
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For me, outdoors, polymer is best. I really like Blackhawk's Serpa models.
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Sportster-SERPA-Holster,1146,1410.htm
I don't think they make it for the Ruger Blackhawk though.
Polymer will protect your gun, it's comfortable, and waterproof. I've yet to come across a nylon holster that I've liked, and finding the right leather can take several tries before you find the "right" one for you. Most of the better polymer holsters can be adjusted to be more comfortable for your needs. Seems a little sacrilegious with a wheelgun, I know, but they work.
Edit: I don't know if you're going to find a factory holster in polymer for a Blackhawk. Too traditional maybe. I'm sure you could get one of the excellent sheathmakers here to whip you up a nice kydex rig. Both David E and Dave Brown do excellent work.
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Sportster-SERPA-Holster,1146,1410.htm
I don't think they make it for the Ruger Blackhawk though.
Polymer will protect your gun, it's comfortable, and waterproof. I've yet to come across a nylon holster that I've liked, and finding the right leather can take several tries before you find the "right" one for you. Most of the better polymer holsters can be adjusted to be more comfortable for your needs. Seems a little sacrilegious with a wheelgun, I know, but they work.
Edit: I don't know if you're going to find a factory holster in polymer for a Blackhawk. Too traditional maybe. I'm sure you could get one of the excellent sheathmakers here to whip you up a nice kydex rig. Both David E and Dave Brown do excellent work.
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I'm a leather guy through and through, but there's no question that the synthetic stuff will hold up better over the long haul.
Excellent choice of a handgun, too. I carry a Ruger Vaquero with fairly hot handloads in an El Paso Saddlery rig; have never found the SA gun to be a disadvantage in any way.
Excellent choice of a handgun, too. I carry a Ruger Vaquero with fairly hot handloads in an El Paso Saddlery rig; have never found the SA gun to be a disadvantage in any way.
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As long as you take care of them and perform at least minimal maintaining and keeping them clean and drying them out when needed, both will last. On the flip side, I've seen unattended nylon and kydex/plastic holsters that fall apart and break when not maintained.
I use to pack a P-12.45 in a leather holster when hunting and backpacking. It held up fine and I still have it...it's endured more than some of my stuff I used in Iraq for 15 months! Dirt/dust, moisture and heat are enemies of either types. As long as you find a holster that is comfortable, provides good retention and gives you good access to draw and reholster I don't think it matters that much; I like leather, but I'll wear a quality kydex without hesitation.
ROCK6
I usually make sheaths and holsters that offer full coverage, like those below. The holster was made for my MK II .22LR and the sheath for my BRKT Aurora.
I've recently bought a Ruger Single Six that I've just started the pattern for a holster with a flap.
Thats awesome work! I was thinking of getting a nice leather holster for my S&W model 36 that has a fold over flap like that.
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Well, it depends...I have a Bowen Custom Blackhawk in .45 I carry in a Rugged strongside pancake. My normal field pistol is a lightly modified Glock 20 that I port around in a Blade-Tech Kydex...again strong-side.
In my experience the Kydex is more durable. But there is just something about a nice hand-made leather rig for your firearm. IMO, it comes down to personal preference. In holsters you DO get what you pay for.
My .02, and worth every penny you paid for it.
In my experience the Kydex is more durable. But there is just something about a nice hand-made leather rig for your firearm. IMO, it comes down to personal preference. In holsters you DO get what you pay for.
My .02, and worth every penny you paid for it.
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Kydex is probably the best because it won't hold moisture & dirt, but leather just looks good.
If you soak the leather in beeswax, it will hold-up against water & dampness. Still need to be careful about embedding grit inside so not to scratch your firearm. A flap will help keep it cleaner.
If you soak the leather in beeswax, it will hold-up against water & dampness. Still need to be careful about embedding grit inside so not to scratch your firearm. A flap will help keep it cleaner.
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I stick with good ol' leather, properly cared for. A full flap holster of waterproofed leather will keep your sidearm dry and is breathable and quiet.
Kydex will outlast you, but all it takes is one grain of sand embedded in a Kydex rig to put scratches on your handgun. Kydex can be a bit noisy, too.
Stay sharp,
desmobob
Kydex will outlast you, but all it takes is one grain of sand embedded in a Kydex rig to put scratches on your handgun. Kydex can be a bit noisy, too.
Stay sharp,
desmobob
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Very nice holster, husnel, I like that one. :thumbup: Wish more of my customers wanted hand tooling.
Right off; I have a strong preference towards leather, so I might be blind from the git-go when it comes to the advantages of other materials. I do own some nylon and plastic holsters, however it is leather that I continue to use.
I have produced many holsters for LEO's in the past. These guys use their holsters each and every day and use them hard. With their concealed holsters, I finish the leather with a flexible acrylic finish that is highly water-resistant and very durable. I have yet to see one wear out or lose its shape after years of service. The type of leather finish can really change the nature of the leather depending on what the leather is needed for. Needless to say, I don't use the same finish on holsters for cowboy action shooters.
This trim basic holster has been worn daily, for years by its owner (one of my very early ones). Though I made the leather as hard as plastic, it will never develop a catastrophic crack that plastic can develop. The clip will fail long before the leather does. Obviously it has worn better than nylon, too.
Nice work as usual, you have many skills. Wish you were close so I could pick your brain.
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I recently picked up 2 holsters that were pancake style made of leather. They were form fitted for an daily carry J frame model 49 steel frame bodygard in 38 special. The other is a 357 mag model 65 3 inch Smith and Wesson. They came from Rob Lehey, Simply Rugged, in Alaska. Nice simple work at a great price. Most of the nylon holsters I have are bulky and I don't like plastic holsters. It's leather for me all the way. Just something about the feel, look, and smell of good leather.
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Yeah, its nice to practice on their dime, but around here it seems I start loosing money on a project once I start tooling it, other than the simple rose or initials.
I dont like the embossing tools, other than the basket weave, so I cut and tool everything even though I have a bunch of the stamps I rarely use them. When I post a tooled item its usually mine. People look at me funny when they hear the price for something like this, which I expect Ill own until I die then itll be $10.00 at Goodwill
The problem with leather is water removes the natural oils and over time will deplete the oils so badly that the leather will crack. The good news is the oils can be replenished easily, just be careful to not over oil it. I made up a past of beeswax, neats-foot oil and a little vitamin E that I apply occasionally and the leather holds up very well.
I picked up an older S&W model 10-8 that needs a flap holster. That could be a decent woods revolver.
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I prefer leather because it's possible to care for it and make it last through nearly any environmental conditions. I've had nylon rot before.
Here's a crossdraw for my H&R sportsman .22 6 inch revolver. The crossdraw full flap has been recommended to me strongly for hiking and so far it works more comfortably than anything I have except a tanker holster when going without a pack.
No tooling, but it's a solid holster.
Here's a crossdraw for my H&R sportsman .22 6 inch revolver. The crossdraw full flap has been recommended to me strongly for hiking and so far it works more comfortably than anything I have except a tanker holster when going without a pack.
No tooling, but it's a solid holster.
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pattern and waterforming by me, the stitching and finish work by Sierra- she didn't want to tool that one, too big a space for her desire to stay simple. I could have done a liner piece and then had a seam all around the flap and she would have wanted to do a border.