Holster or Not ?

Moonlite37 · Dec 27, 2018

I have a couple Colt Auto Loaders. I am debating putting my best Mark IV Series 70 in a holster. I am thinking it may wear the finish. I also have an old Military that has been accurized To match quality that I cannot see any need to holster as a match gun is not carried. I also wonder if there is any problem in leaving a high quality arm in a holster as there may be some chemicals in the leather.

TimV · Dec 27, 2018

Conventional wisdom is not to store a firearm in a holster. Residual acids in leather can harm the finish, and regardless of material the lining can trap moisture against the gun, leading to rust. With The S70, if you plan on using/carrying it, some holster wear is inevitable, but like the saying goes "a ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are meant for". If it's a safe queen, so be it, but some honest holster wear is usually not a large mark-down on most guns, it's just a sign they've been actually carried.

jeffcat · Dec 27, 2018

Never store in leather. You will slowly get rub marks, stains, and rust.

Hayfarmer · Dec 27, 2018

I carried a Colt mark IV series 70, Goldcup National match for years as a duty weapon when I worked for the Sheriff's office. I don't see much wear on it. I agree that if i storage it is better out of the holster, but a good holster is definitely the way to carry it, though I have seen guys put it in the small of their back in the top of their pants, not comfortable for me. I generally left mine in the holster between duty times, but would wipe it down after working in incriment weather. Some holster wear is a sign the weapon was used

Moonlite37 · Dec 27, 2018

Thank you guys; guntalk is one of my likes. I was in Shooter's Forum but forgot my password

D beatty · Dec 28, 2018

I don't like leather and won't store a gun in leather. If you do carry in leather get a linered holster they don't scratch finish of gun. I use lined nylon holster and have guns that are left in them all the time (5-6 years or longer) and no damage to finish ( blued or SS).

caterpillar guy · Dec 28, 2018

Go buy a cheaper model of something to carry. At the distance you are likely to shoot in a concealed situation accuracy is not the first thing to worry about. 3-10 feet anything will shoot good enough.

Bret4207 · Dec 28, 2018

I have handguns that have been stored in leather holsters for years. No rust, no wear, no nuthin'. A GOOD QUALITY holster won't give you issues. Any gun you carry will get wear marks, some are just more visible than others. Obviously, you don't put a wet gun in any holster and walk away. As far as the man made material holsters, my work Glocks all had wear marks from holster wear. Just because it's synthetic doesn't mean it won't wear on the gun.

As far as match guns, a case may be a better option than a holster if you aren't going to actually carry it. I still have my late FIL's range box from back in his bullseye days. His High Standard Supermatic fit in the box and was secured with wooden toggles. Same thing used to be available for 1911's.

Blackhole49 · Dec 28, 2018

I've been carrying this Ruger in this nylon holster everyday for 7 years. It gets removed and set on the dresser or in the safe every night. I see no wear on the finish at all.

D beatty · Dec 28, 2018

I find that most of wear on finish of gun does not come from holster but from clothing that rubs the
exposed part of gun not in holster. If you carry everyday next to your body and sweat a lot gun should be
wiped down every day. The salt in you sweat will rust a gun ( blued more so than a SS).

D beatty · Dec 28, 2018

I am with you . I carry a dependable older gun with no fancy sites or lazier site. For protection most shots are going to be point blank shots and that is the way to practice.

OregonAaron · Dec 28, 2018

I am going to have to agree with Caterpillar guy. I intentionally bought a cheaper handgun for daily carry- not a cheap POS, but a lower cost reliable model. I carry it in a leather holster every day and it hasn't worn much of the finish and I have owned/carried it at least 5 years. I like leather because if you have to remove your gun it is still pliable (say you are working on a tractor/car and need to lay on your side- kydex, plastic hurt). So, my reasoning behind the cheaper gun is that I'm hard on stuff and dont want to worry about scratching up the finish on a beautiful gun!

D beatty · Dec 28, 2018

I carry an older used but good quality gun. If I have to use it to protect myself and somebody is shot the police are going to take gun away from me . If it's said to be a justifiable then I will get gun back. But when police take gun they tag it and throw it into a bin with all the other firearms and it
will get nicked and scratched.

Holster or Not ?

Moonlite37

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TimV

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jeffcat

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Hayfarmer

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Moonlite37

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D beatty

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caterpillar guy

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Bret4207

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Blackhole49

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D beatty

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D beatty

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OregonAaron

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D beatty

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