Am I the only one who strongly prefers kydex over injection molded plastic (IMP). My guess is that IMP is a lot easier to work with, not to mention cheaper to manufacture compared to kydex. IMP just feels cheap to me and IMP holsters tend to be more bulky. Am I alone?
Kydex vs. Injection Molded Plastic
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Bloodnut said:
Tell you what, You are right and wrong at the same time!!
The Blade-Tech revolution is one slick holster, bot a Injection Molded Holster!!
I have one sample here, and the M&P Flies off the Holster!!
http://www.blade-tech.com/Revolution-pr-1034.html
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I'm with Bloodnut. The folded holsters look much nicer than the IMP, especially by a couple of makers. I would guess that an IM wold work fine, but I haven't tried one. If I ever run across a LEFT handed IM one, I might try it. Function isn't the issue for me here, though, and I'm sure the IM ones work great, too.
I was just looking over 3 different maker's Kydex holsters last night, amazing how many detail differences there are, and when compared to the pics of the IM holsters, I'll keep them.
I was just looking over 3 different maker's Kydex holsters last night, amazing how many detail differences there are, and when compared to the pics of the IM holsters, I'll keep them.
sheepdog said:
Please give us brands you have been looking at??
I have seen some decent IM Holsters, some good ones and some Horrible ones!!
BTW, I have also seen some pathetic examples of Bent Kydex, the fact that you have Kydex does not assure you of quality, reliability or performance.
Y
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I was looking at what I own: Ky-Tac .5 (holster, two types of mag pouches), Blade-Tech (two belt holsters, now one, one type of mag pouch-none IM type), Talon Tactical (one holster) and Comp-Tac (four now three holsters with, two types of double mag pouches), and two "not commonly known" maker mag pouches-my only example of not as good bent Kydex. I know what type of performance I get out of each.
The IM holsters I looked at have been Uncle Mike's in the flesh (hard finish an unattractive to me), Fobus (different plastic, still IM, it appears, not visually appealing either) and only pictures of the new BT IM and a brief look at what I think was an older IM Blade-Tech. Remember, I was not not arguing with the function, just appearance...UM and BT injection molded may work fine. But when I look at DETAILS, I see differences. There were some customer service differences, too. I agree, I have seen some pathetic looking bent Kydex out there, I just never bought it...because it looked bad. I agree 100%, the mere fact that I have bent Kydex does not assure me of quality, reliability, or performance. The fact that I have well designed and crafted Kydex from good companies does. And again, not running down the molded models!!! I'm always up for cheap AND good if I get a chance to try one. Maybe in molded IWB, really thin, would be worth a try, but I don't expect that to happen for a lefty, BT seems to make right handed ones only. I gather the molds for that type of thing aren't cheap and they have to count on sales from the majority of shooters, not us left-handers, to make it back.
To repeat, please, no offense or insult to BT or you meant, and just because it's Kydex doesn't mean it's good craftsmanship.
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I like my BT belt holster just fine, but it is a lot better looking holster than their injection molded ones.
I'm trying hard to say something nice about Fobus...best I can come up with is that some folks like them. I can't help but think anyone who likes a Fobus would love a Blade-Tech, Comp-Tac, or Talon Tactical. Nothing is nicer than good leather for appearance and pride of ownership to go along with the performance, I would never argue that. I have had a few and still have a one nice one...but I'm an impatient man, and a couple of my favorite Kydex holster makers can get me a new one I really, really like in a week. 8)
Construction materials and the level of craftsmanship don't necessarily have anything to do with one another. I've got a couple of leather holsters that I made myself, bit I am not deluded into thinking they are the paragon of quality. Is there kydex crap out there? Sure. Leather junk? Absolutely. IMP? Yup. Soooo, with that out the way...
Whoever mentioned the Uncle Mikes hit the nail on the head. It exudes cheap! Which is ironic given that IMP likely has more up-front costs with the molds that have to be machined and all. Of course, once that is done, they can forevermore churn those puppies out for pennies apiece (hmmmm). Kydex, on the other hand, is likely much more of a PITA to work with on a large scale. Probably costs a lot more per unit to manufacture.
Kydex seems to have a natural spring to it that IMP lacks. IMP is just regular ole hard plastic that relies on rubber washers (or whatever) to adjust tension. It lacks the give that kydex has.
My priorities for gun gear are: function first and above all else; cost; then aesthetics. If it doesn't work, then it's not worth any price, not matter how inexpensive. But if it works correctly, I'm all for cheap (witness my homemade holsters). I could care less about ugly (good thing considering what I see in the mirror every morning).
Honestly, the thread on the BT Revolution is what prompted my post. I was part way thru a reply in that thread when I decided this would be better discussed as a general topic elsewhere. BT got their start in quality kydex and I understand there are some super folks behind the company. BT has an outstanding reputation. Good on them! The move toward IMP, however, takes me out of the customer pool. I'm sure BT will do just fine without my patronage.
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PS. I never understood how folks can pay $500 plus for a pistol, and then carry it in a $20 holster. Particularly when you consider that the pistol rides in the holster much more than it rides in our hands.
Whoever mentioned the Uncle Mikes hit the nail on the head. It exudes cheap! Which is ironic given that IMP likely has more up-front costs with the molds that have to be machined and all. Of course, once that is done, they can forevermore churn those puppies out for pennies apiece (hmmmm). Kydex, on the other hand, is likely much more of a PITA to work with on a large scale. Probably costs a lot more per unit to manufacture.
Kydex seems to have a natural spring to it that IMP lacks. IMP is just regular ole hard plastic that relies on rubber washers (or whatever) to adjust tension. It lacks the give that kydex has.
My priorities for gun gear are: function first and above all else; cost; then aesthetics. If it doesn't work, then it's not worth any price, not matter how inexpensive. But if it works correctly, I'm all for cheap (witness my homemade holsters). I could care less about ugly (good thing considering what I see in the mirror every morning).
Honestly, the thread on the BT Revolution is what prompted my post. I was part way thru a reply in that thread when I decided this would be better discussed as a general topic elsewhere. BT got their start in quality kydex and I understand there are some super folks behind the company. BT has an outstanding reputation. Good on them! The move toward IMP, however, takes me out of the customer pool. I'm sure BT will do just fine without my patronage.
PS. I never understood how folks can pay $500 plus for a pistol, and then carry it in a $20 holster. Particularly when you consider that the pistol rides in the holster much more than it rides in our hands.
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UNquestionably!
That being said, I just wanted to add that I did come up with something nice to say about Fobus holsters...they are quite...greenish...yep, that's it. They indeed are. Quite.
Sorry, couldn't resist a good natured dig at the Fobus guys here.....
Bloodnut said:BT got their start in quality kydex and I understand there are some super folks behind the company. BT has an outstanding reputation. Good on them! The move toward IMP, however, takes me out of the customer pool. I'm sure BT will do just fine without my patronage.![]()
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Does that mean that you will never buy a Ford because they made the Focus??
Or a Chevy because they made whatever they make for Cheap??
Blade-Tech Makes Holsters for every need and every Pocketbook!!
BTW, I don't work there, I just shot some pictures for them!!
But IMHO, they are going the right direction, more holsters for all tastes and budgets!!
Newbie shooters might now want to spend $$ on a Kydex Holster, but they might be interested in a IM Holster to start with, when they get hooked, they will eventually buy a Kydex. That IMHO is the Intent and principle of USPSA's Production Division, get new shooters involved and then they can evolve into the more expensive gear and Divisions!!
Y
I would say it's more like I would not buy a Focus whether it was made by Ford or BMW.
In the interest of fairness, I'm going to hit the BT site check out their offerings. IM stuff won't be of interest to me, but any kydex stuff might.
Just for the record, none of this was directed at BT specifically, but more at the IM offerings of any manufacturer. Like I said earlier, they are a good company with a good reputation. Obviously a lot of folks like what they have to offer. I guess my perspective is that IM seems like a step backwards, but I suppose it's a price point issue.
In the interest of fairness, I'm going to hit the BT site check out their offerings. IM stuff won't be of interest to me, but any kydex stuff might.
Just for the record, none of this was directed at BT specifically, but more at the IM offerings of any manufacturer. Like I said earlier, they are a good company with a good reputation. Obviously a lot of folks like what they have to offer. I guess my perspective is that IM seems like a step backwards, but I suppose it's a price point issue.
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