Leather Holster: FAQs

Here for a leather holster, but have some questions before you pull the trigger on a new one?

We have some of the most common questions about them that we’ve rounded up and answered here.

Are Leather Holsters Worth It?

It depends on what you’re looking for. Leather holsters offer a good fit that breaks in with time, offering a custom-like fit. Leather is also soft and supple, making it more comfortable and providing good protection for the gun.

Leather is also a good choice if you care about aesthetics, and for what it’s worth, leather will last a lifetime with proper care.

Are They Better Than Kydex?

It really depends on whom you ask. Leather is expensive, should be broken in, and needs to be conditioned. However, with proper care leather holsters will last as long as Kydex and it’s pretty much universally accepted that leather is considerably more comfortable.

Do Leather Holsters Need to Be Broken in?

Do they need to be broken in? No. However, if you break in a leather holster it will fit the gun better and will be more comfortable to wear.

The reason you don’t actively need to break in a leather holster is that, just by using it, you will break it in. it’ll just take a little longer for the organic process of break-in.

Once broken in, though, the holster will afford a custom like fit for the gun that will be hard to replicate with another material.

Can You Leave a Gun in a Leather Holster?

It is inadvisable to leave a gun in a leather holster as leather can trap moisture, which can result in corrosion to exposed steel components. However, if your gun is parkerized, nitrided, or has some other form of corrosion-resistant coating, with a light coat of oil, storing the gun in a leather holster for a short length of time should not present a serious problem.

Do They Need to Be Conditioned?

Leather holsters will need to be conditioned in order to remain viable for the long-term. When you see wear marks and creases on the leather, it’s time to condition. Those wear marks and creases will progress to cracks (which represent irreversible damage) if the holster is not properly maintained.

To condition leather, you’ll want to treat it with a leather conditioner like neatsfoot oil or some other commercial product. Apply sparingly as leather is absorbent and you can always apply more but you can’t take any out once you put it in.

Only treat as needed, or once or twice a year if the holster doesn’t get a lot of use.

Does the Inside Need to Be Conditioned?

Applying conditioner to the inside of a leather holster would prove difficult, and since leather is naturally absorbent, it really isn’t necessary. All you need to do is condition the outside periodically and you should be more than fine.

What Leather Thickness/Weight Is Best for a Holster?

Leather is available in several different grades of thickness and weight, measured in ounces. The higher the ounce rating, the thicker and heavier the leather. Usually a heavier leather will also be stiffer but this is not always the case, as leather treatment can make even fairly thick leathers somewhat supple.

Most leather holsters are made from 8-9 ounce leather, but light holsters may be made from 7-8 ounce leather, and some very heavy, thick leather holsters may be made from 9-10 ounce leather that will usually be very stiff when new.

What Holster Is Best for Concealed Carry?

That really depends on how you intend to carry, but arguably the two best types of holsters for concealed carry are IWB (or inside waistband) and shoulder (or cross-draw) holsters. Pretty much the only type of holster that is unequivocally unsuitable for concealed carry is an OWB (or outside waistband) holster.

What Are Holster Levels?

Leather holsters are rated according a system of “levels” as follows:

• Level 1 holsters: These holsters provide only a friction fit; there are no snaps, locks, or retaining straps.
• Level 2 holsters: Level 2 holsters use friction and one other form of retainer, like a snap, a strap or a flap.
• Level 3 holsters: Level 3 holsters use friction and two other forms of retention, as detailed above.
• Level 4 holsters: Level 4 holsters use friction and three additional forms of retention, as detailed above. These are fairly rare, whereas the first three levels of holster are fairly common.

Shop a Wide Range of Leather Holsters

Whether you’re looking for a leather 1911 holster or a leather revolver holster, we carry a wide range of options compatible with many modern and historically significant firearms. You can shop gun parts kits here too.

Shop our full collection of leather holsters via the previous link and if you have any questions about fit or compatibility, get in touch with us directly.