Kydex Holsters?
Last year, a North Carolina woman was shot in both feet by a single bullet at Valley Hills Mall.
The woman was at the mall with her child and the child’s father.
When the father went to pick up the child, the kid kicked a pistol from the dad’s waistband and it fired.
The victim received non-life-threatening injuries and the Hickory Police Chief, Thurman Whisnant, said it was clear the discharge of the gun was accidental.
Chief Whisnant said, “We just hope folks will be responsible. If you are going to carry, carry legally and safely.”
This is a perfect example of why you should always carry with a proper holster.
Often, people spend hundreds of dollars buying a quality handgun.
Then they turn around and buy a cheap holster for their new gun.
Now, you don’t need to break the bank on a holster…
But, you shouldn’t go cheap when it comes to securing your firearm.
With that in mind, one of the most popular, affordable and quality type of holsters today is a Kydex holster.
Kydex is thermoplastic that is impact resistant.
It was first designed for use on aircraft parts because of its durability.
Kydex is flexible and shapeable, so it can be used in several different ways, and be shaped to detailed specifications.
The only way to change Kydex’s shape is with very high temperatures.
Otherwise, it is hard to scratch and has little friction with other materials.
One major advantage of Kydex is that it is impenetrable to water.
It’s not affected by moisture, and it will not mold, rot, shrink, or corrode over time.
When it comes to using a holster is extreme conditions Kydex is one of the most popular options.
Compared to other holster materials like leather or nylon, Kydex is maintenance-free other than wiping it down.
But, as good as Kydex is, there are a few drawbacks…
The biggest problem for Kydex is when the holster is empty.
Meaning, when there is no gun in the holster, it is possible the Kydex could break, but it would take extreme force.
Additionally, some people don’t like the feel of Kydex against their body.
Personally, I like Kydex holsters and I own a ton of them.
If you don’t own any, here are a few that you may wish to check out…
CrossBreed MicroClip: The MicroClip is designed for smaller guns such as the Ruger LCP and similar models.
This holster is made from custom-molded Kydex.
For comfort, the holster mounts to a soft but firm leather backing.
It’s secured inside the waistband with a single metal clip.
The retention is adjustable and holds its place well.
Blade Tech Total Eclipse: For decades, Blade Tech has made reliable holsters from Kydex.
The Total Eclipse conversion kit is included with the holster.
The kit allows the user to adjust from right hand to left hand.
And the holster can be modified for carry IWB (inside the waistband), OWB (outside the waistband), or FBI canted.
The holster also has Blade Tech’s positive lock trigger guard.
So, when the firearm is fully seated in the holster you’ll hear a “click,” and you’ll know your gun is secured.
The edges of the holster are rounded to make the holster more comfortable for the user.
Fobus Concealed Carry Paddle Holster: The Fobus Paddle Holster comes in many different pistol options.
This holster has a paddle style design, with a leather guard inside the pistol, and a trigger guard lock.
The design reduces printing and protects your hip from a hot muzzle.
The Paddle holster rides high on your hip, but has a low profile.
It has excellent retention and is lightweight.
There is no adjusting of the guard lock, so you’ll need to buy the specific holster for your pistol.
The Fobus Paddle Holster starts around $30 depending on your specific firearm.
Bottom line: when it comes to securing your firearm, Kydex holsters offer more durability compared to most other holsters.
If you don’t own a Kydex holster, I suggest you try one to see if it’s a fit.
