Kydex Holster

[JoJo]

 Watching video's of guys drawing a pistol and replacing it back in a Kydex holster I noticed that they make a noise. To me this would be a giant drawback for a CCW  or in a survival situation. Or am I wrong? Do they have advantages that are so great that they negate the noise?

[Nemo]

My cover carry holster is AlienGear.  It is a very well fitted kydex plate on an excellent leather backing.  Its kinda old, but excellent plus condition. 

No noise of any excess over any other holster I have.

Cheap quick blatant plug for Alien Gear. Read if you care to.

 I really like them.

I would quickly get another if I needed it.  Should I need another plate for a different type weapon its there, trade in old, get new, no charge, lifetime warranty.  No questions asked. Excellent pricing.

The cover part is excellent also.  Earlier this evening my wife and I went to a Montgomery/Gentry concert with another couple.  I carried a Springfield Ultra Compact 3.5 inch barrel 1911 in it to the concert and both of the other couple were expecting me to carry.  One asked if I was carrying and both, upon my request, looked but did not confidently ID where it was.  And it was where it always is, whether open or covered.  (right flank/hip)

Occasionally you can find the AG kydex plates around to trade in on something else you could use.  I have one I received as a gift and am trying to decide what I want it traded to fit.

They do things very well and stand behind their product.  Pricing is quite competitive also.

Nemo

http://aliengearholsters.com/

[Jackalope]

    I'll second the positive review of the aliengear holsters.  I received one as a gift for a H&K USP .45.  It is a comfortable IWB holster, and doesn't make noises.  As noted, they offer a lifetime warranty, and if you change model of gun, they'll send a replacement holster, providing you return the old one.  They're priced very reasonably too!

[JohnyMac]

I will join in on this fun conversation.

I prefer a leather holster. I own a IWB and OWB for each one of my handguns but one. My new Smith & Wesson M&P Pro C.O.R.E. Now with that written I did buy a Kydez holster for that new handgun - A IWB type.

My M&P does make a clicking sound when the handgun is drawn from/secured in the holster. That is the Kydex (Which is formed under heat) to match your brand, model, and style (Light no-light, sights, etc) forming a tight fit over your firearms nooks & crannies.

Now lets look at the +/-'s of leather and Kydex.

Leather

+ Quiet,
+ Pretty,
+ Long lasting
+ Ease of re-holstering your weapon
- Expensive
- Over time 20+ years the handgun will start to walk in the holster
- Needs oiling - Do this once a year.

Kydex

+ Inexpensive Vs. leather
+ Will not wear out/Indestructible
+ Holds your handgun like a glove
+ Some companies offer devices so only the user can draw the weapon. Safariland and Blackhawk comes immediately to
   mind
- I do not like how the IWB version works - Large spread between waistband clasps
- Unlike the leather holster (For me anyway) I always seem to have to look to make sure the handgun is being inserted
  into the holster with the correct alignment.
- Ugly

As mentioned earlier all, of my handguns sport a leather holster but the M&P. I have a second holster for my Browning Hi-power which is Kydex. It is a modified Safariland holster with a manual release that I use on my battle belt. It has been modified to carry the Browning in Condition 1.

In closing, I do not mind the click of the kydex holster as a handgun is drawn or secured in the holster. Like the pumping of a shotgun, it has a unique sounds that means business. 

[grizz]

I like leather more but I have and use both

BTW, I'm looking for a chest holster to use while fishing/hiking/hunting (I live in AK) and they seem to be way outside of my budget at around $200. The ones in the $100 range have a pinch clip to remove the gun which is scary slow when face to face with a grizz. Does anyone have a line on a thumb break or some other "fast" draw chest holster?

[JoJo]

 

  @ JohnyMac; In closing, I do not mind the click of the kydex holster as a handgun is drawn or secured in the holster. Like the pumping of a shotgun, it has a unique sounds that means business.
[/quote]

What about a SHTF situation where you do not want to be detected but want to be ready to defend yourself?

[CJS06]

JoJo

I use primarily Kydex holsters for both my EDC and my "duty" holsters.  For "duty" use I prefer Safariland ALS holsters for their durability and retention. For EDC I use RDR custom kydex for both OWB and AIWB holsters. As Johny mentioned there is a "pop" when holstering/drawing from a kydex holster due to the method of retention. By SHTF situation I assume that you mean a situation where you want to remain "hidden".  Granted my holsters are all well used, but it is very easy to slowly draw without making the "pop".  This just requires a nice slow draw which if you are trying to remain "hidden" is what you would be doing anyway. If you need to draw quick to get rounds out then the noise of the holster is the last thing you should be worried about.  As far as for re-holstering at that point you should be past whatever it was that caused you to need quiet and be fine with a small "pop". 

I am not against leather by any means. I still have a Milt Sparks leather holster for my 1911 if and when I carry, but I do so very rarely. For most IWB applications I prefer leather to kydex other than Appendix carry. Here I like my kydex.  I just have found that I prefer the fit and conceal-ability of my OWB and AIWB kydex holsters.


Johny- You are just getting used to re-holstering a gun with a light.  Rather than trying to index the gun and just slide into the holster try this.  Start with the gun slightly barrel forward, index the light first then "roll" the gun into position and finish the re-holstering process.

Chris

[JohnyMac]

Yeah Chris, as I was getting ready to go out for breakfast I holstered my M&P without a care in the world and she went home without issue. Then it dawned on my I just need to practice some more, an it will slide into the holster with ease, without thinking, and without looking. Muscle memory again.