Why-dex?
So, presumably you are here because you have a gun or are thinking about buying a gun. This is good. You are taking steps in the right direction. Welcome to The Magical World of Firearms Ownership, where the sun is always shining and butterflies and unicorns romp in the meadows. (That’s right, I said “romp”. WHAT?).
Now we should to talk about how you are going to carry your gun. First, you need to make sure that you are following all of the proper procedures for your state including obtaining a Concealed Carry Weapons License, if necessary. Once you have that license, you’ll need a holster to carry your gun in. There are many holster options available. Not all holsters are ideal for all guns. Some are better than others. I’m assuming you are reading this because you are smart and you’re doing your research, which is exactly what you should do when you are looking to buy a holster.
If you’ve done any shopping at all for a holster so far, you’ve probably run into the word “Kydex”. In case you are unfamiliar, Kydex is a thermoplastic sheet product. It has a number of industrial applications in fields like aviation, health care and mass transit. It is also remarkably well suited for making holsters and knife sheaths due to its strength, durability and chemical and flame resistance. Holster-makers also like the crisp detail achievable in the molding process both for the aesthetics and superior retention of the firearm.
Kydex also offers distinct advantages over a leather or nylon holster since it doesn’t deform or compress over time. This means that the shape of the holster won’t change, so you can be assured that your gun will always be where you it need it to be. The rigidity of the material makes Kydex holsters good training tools also. You’ll get the same draw and re-holster every time, which can help you improve the consistency of your movements. Considering the retention properties and ease of use, if you’re going to be training aggressively or just moving around a lot with your gun, a well-made Kydex holster could be a good choice for you. Additionally, Kydex quite is durable, making it a perfect choice for hard wear-and-tear activities. And since it’s plastic, you can basically just hose it down with soap and water when you’re done. This is a distinct advantage over other types of holsters, which may be difficult or impossible to clean.
The downside of Kydex is that it can become uncomfortable in certain positions or after a long period of time, since it is so inflexible. This can be especially unpleasant during an extended car ride, when your holster and the car seat can engage each other in an epic fight to the death, in which your back and side will be the main casualties.
There is also the issue of body type to be considered. A leather holster is going to conform to your individual shape as you wear it, but a Kydex holster will pretty much be the same shape forever. There is a certain amount of flex in the plastic, especially if it’s made from a thinner sheet of Kydex like .08 or .06 thickness. If you are wearing your holster on a heavy duty gun belt (which you should), when you tighten it up, your holster will flex slightly and snug down to your body. However, it’s never really going to “break in” the way a leather holster would. Mostly, this is a matter of personal preference and just getting the right tool for the job.
If you decide that you want to take the plunge and get yourself a Kydex holster, some of the big names you might want to check out are Raven Concealment Systems, Blade-Tech and Comp-Tac. These companies all make perfectly functional holsters, though personally, I don’t think they are the prettiest ladies at the ball. Luckily, there’s been a flood of smaller companies that have recently cropped up to accommodate the demand for custom-made Kydex holsters with more of an eye towards design and comfort. Some of my favorites are GunFightersInc., Sentry Gun Leather, MultiHolsters and PHLster. In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I actually work for PHLster. This means I am biased, but it also means I spend a lot of time around Kydex, talking about, testing and helping to design holsters. I know the benefits and the disadvantages of carrying a Kydex holster.
Here are some things I think you should consider when shopping for a holster:
What are you planning on using the holster for? Is it an every day carry holster or will you be using it just at the range or in your home? If it’s going to be your EDC holster, can you wear it in a way that is comfortable, concealable and secure?
Is a Kydex holster the best bet for your particular firearm? Since it is a relatively hard plastic, a Kydex holster can wear the finish on your gun over time. Are you ok with that? Personally, I run my M&Ps in Kydex all the time, but my Kimber Raptor has never seen the inside of a Kydex holster and never will. In other words, if you’re looking for something to carry your amazingly gorgeous Ed Brown Custom 1911 in, I would pass on the Kydex.
And finally, if you are going to be ordering a custom holster, are you confident that you are getting what you want? Oftentimes, when buying a custom holster you are ordering based solely on photos you’ve seen on a website. If you have the opportunity to examine and try on some holsters in real life, do that first. It will give you a better idea of what you want and make the ordering process much smoother.
Ask a lot of questions, even if they seem obvious. I spend a lot of time at PHLster answering emails and I would much rather have 20+ email exchanges with you than send you a holster that you won’t be happy with. Knowledge is paramount in the firearms community, whether it be about safety, training, gear or guns themselves.
If you have questions or want to talk to me more about holsters or Kydex or guns or unicorns, you can email me at rebeccaguns@gunnoob.com. Also, check out PHLster.com for awesome stuff. Happy holstering!
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