| Kydex holsters continue to gather a following in nearly | | | | kydex could be beneficial. In addition, leather will stretch |
| every facet of the shooting industry from range use to | | | | out over time, while kydex will retain its original form. |
| competitive shooters to concealed carry permit | | | | *Water/moisture Resistant |
| holders. Today nearly every style of leather gun | | | | One potential downside of leather is that it isn't truly |
| holster is available in a comparable kydex version. If | | | | waterproof. Over time, leather holsters can and will |
| you follow any popular gun forums, youll eventually see | | | | absorb moisture.That moisture can soak into the |
| someone post a question about kydex holsters and its | | | | holster and affect the weapon finish, as well as |
| advantages or disadvantages. To answer questions | | | | produce a foul odor. Kydex is virtually waterproof, |
| about kydex, we first need to define exactly what | | | | making it an excellent choice for holster use in humid or |
| kydex is. Kydex is a durable acrylic/PVC thermoplastic | | | | tropical climates. |
| manufactured and marketed by the Kleerdex | | | | Like everything in life, kydex also has a downside: |
| Company in Bloomberg, P.A. It is manufactured in a | | | | *Weapon wear |
| wide range of different colors, patterns, textures, | | | | First, we need to talk about some facts in regards to |
| thicknesses, and grades. Produced for long-term | | | | finish wear.. Wear on the weapon is generally |
| durability, kydex has a assortment of diverse end-use | | | | associated with friction that takes place each time the |
| applications. | | | | weapon is drawn and holstered. Over time, that |
| In addition to gun holsters, kydex is also used for: | | | | repeated friction causes wear on the weapon. This |
| Aircraft interiors, Medical products, Food processing | | | | type of wear occurs on weapons that are holstered |
| equipment, Electrical components, and Store fixture | | | | and unholstered no matter what the holster itself is |
| components | | | | made of. |
| First produced in 1965, kydex was introduced to the | | | | Now do kydex holsters cause wear? |
| market by a company called Rohm and Haas. | | | | The short answer is yes it will, but several other |
| Originally designed to be used in commercial aircrafts, | | | | factors will play a big role in the level and amount of |
| its strength to weight ratio and durability made kydex | | | | wear. To further explain, leather holsters are molded |
| an excellent choice for other commercial applications. | | | | specifically to fit a particular weapon. The close fit of |
| Shortly after its inception, kydex was quickly adopted | | | | the leather grabs the weapon and keeps it in the |
| for use by United, American, Delta and other major | | | | holster. Kydex holsters typically provide retention |
| airlines. | | | | through specific points within the holster that "grab" |
| The rights to kydex were eventually sold to the | | | | onto the weapon itself. These specific retention points |
| Kleerdex Company in 1987, and they began producing | | | | are usually located around the trigger guard, and front |
| it at their P.A. plant. | | | | of the muzzle (front slide area for semi-automatics). |
| As with any material, Kydex holsters have pros and | | | | Over time, repeated holstering and unholstering will |
| cons compared to traditional leather holsters. Here are | | | | most likely cause some finish wear at these points. In |
| a few pros: | | | | most quality kydex holsters, the amount of wear is |
| *Durability | | | | usually dependant on the frequency of draws and |
| Using the pound for pound analogy, kydex is a more | | | | re-holstering. |
| durable material than leather, and has a much higher | | | | Hopefully this information will be helpful to you and |
| impact resistant rating. Accidentally spill gas or some | | | | answer some of the common questions that you may |
| other solvent on your favorite leather holster, or catch | | | | face when deciding on a kydex gun holster. |
| that holster on a sharp object, and you'll see where | | | | |