Hybrid Holsters

Toby_H

Toby_H

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Charlotte, NC
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I've been seeing these more often lately. Its a kydex holster with a leather backing. They claim to be more comfortable and feel less gross when sweaty.

I'm a bit concerned with sweating on the raw side of the leather, as that has the potential to get a little gross in it's own right.

The retention seems comparable to kydex. Trigger protection seems just as safe as kydex.

Does anyone have any pro or con experience with them?

Does anyone have any brands they'd like to brag or rag on?
 
These are my preferred style of holster. I'm a fat guy so I easily get sweaty. No issues with the leather and I do no maintenance.

Personally I exclusively use our own @chiefjason I have several of his. The hybrids are awesome and the full leathers are gorgeous in their simplicity and function as well.
 
Hybrids are great. All day comfortable and they really do a good job of spreading the load across the belt and your body. Most are tuckable, but it’s kind of a pain in the ass to tuck them.

I’ve never had a problem with the leather getting gross or damaged.

I have a Chief Jason hybrid that is good. I also use several from a guy named Theis that seem to work really well for me. I always get the full coverage and premium leather option. His are not cheap, but like I said, they work for me and don’t end up in the holster drawer.

theisholsters.com

TheisHolsters

Hand crafted, custom fit gun holsters, mag holsters, gun belts, and clips.
theisholsters.com theisholsters.com
 
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Comfortable holsters if you carry at 3:00 or better. I would suggest horse leather over cow if you can find any. I used to make them for a while. Now I carry appendix and I don't think they work well in that position.
 
Toby_H said:
I've been seeing these more often lately. Its a kydex holster with a leather backing. They claim to be more comfortable and feel less gross when sweaty.

I'm a bit concerned with sweating on the raw side of the leather, as that has the potential to get a little gross in it's own right.

The retention seems comparable to kydex. Trigger protection seems just as safe as kydex.

Does anyone have any pro or con experience with them?

Does anyone have any brands they'd like to brag or rag on?
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I like them for bigger heavier guns like my FS 1911 because they spread the carry load out better. For poly guns that are 4" and under I like a good kydex holster made by a local on here named RR (Ranting Redneck). I just got 2 new holsters and 4 mag carriers. I need to get some clean pics to post.
 
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The style has been around a long time, definitely not new by any means. I think they’re the best thing going for IWB carry.
 
Dirtydirtysouf said:
I like them for bigger heavier guns like my FS 1911 because they spread the carry load out better. For poly guns that are 4" and under I like a good kydex holster made by a local on here named RR (Ranting Redneck). I just got 2 new holsters and 4 mag carriers. I need to get some clean pics to post.
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Now that you mention it, I carried a G30 with a hybrid for a long time. That thing is a brick.
 
Dirtydirtysouf said:
My wife carries her G30 in a Cross Breed and I didn't like the feel. Had RR make me a IWB kydex and it carries so much better.
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makes me feel nostalgic, maybe I'll carry the G30 more in Fall. I really like the horse hide leather better than cow. Much softer and doesn't get stiff and weird with sweat like cow.
 
I didn’t know Jason made any hybrids.

I have several leather lined holsters from Tucker Gun Leather. Great quality, style selection, colors and just all around good folks to deal with. Check out thei offerings anyway.
 
Ben Jefferson said:
I didn’t know Jason made any hybrids.

I have several leather lined holsters from Tucker Gun Leather. Great quality, style selection, colors and just all around good folks to deal with. Check out thei offerings anyway.
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That's what got me into making holsters. I've moved more of my focus to leather but still make some hybrids here and keep a few listed on eBay.
 
I have been using this type holder for years and I have tried every major brand. Most of the ones I have tried are comfortable, but I have back issues and nerve pain in my leg and I am a little more sensitive. With that said the ones with the single ply (Crossbreed) of leather is less comfortable for me. Some of that comfort does depend on the gun too. I have found I like the ones with a suede type backing best. It helps hold the gun in place especially once it has been worn a while. When the gun is not pulling your pants down it is more comfortable. I carry in FL in the summer with this style and it does not bother me at all.

My number one choice is the Hidden Hybrid Holsters. The build quality of these holsters are far beyond anything else I have tried in this style. Think Milt Sparks fit and finish. They are pricey but this is what I use now for every IWB gun I have. The gun stays put and it is very comfortable. You also get 2 holsters in one with this one. This holster handles heavy guns very well also due to the build quality.
https://hiddenhybridholsters.com/

Another style that I will use in the summer is the SteathGear VentCore. I have only tried the 1.0 version, but the vented cloth mesh is comfortable. It does not stay in place as good as the Hidden Hybrid. This holder is great with Glock 43's or Sig P365 size guns. I tried it with a 4" 1911 and did not like how it held that gun I think it was too heavy for it and the backing had too much flex.

Inside the Waistband Holsters | StealthGearUSA

StealthGearUSA Holsters to wear Inside the Waistband
stealthgearusa.com stealthgearusa.com
 
I use one of these for a G23. Kydex interior/leather exterior/locking owb holster.
safariland.com

637 ALS® Concealment Holster

The Safariland Model 637 is a great combination of superb retention and concealability. This belt slide holster features the ALS® locking retention system, which secures the firearm in place once holstered, allowing an instinctive, straight-up draw once the release is deactivated via the thumb...
safariland.com safariland.com
It works well. The leather belt loops allow a snug pull without deforming the pocket. Also IMO one of the better looking holsters that Safariland makes. Most of their holsters are kydex tactical operator/cop stuff. This one at least has some character.
Disclaimer; I'm a big fan of the Safariland ALS holsters.
 
CCW007 said:
Another style that I will use in the summer is the SteathGear VentCore. I have only tried the 1.0 version, but the vented cloth mesh is comfortable. It does not stay in place as good as the Hidden Hybrid. This holder is great with Glock 43's or Sig P365 size guns. I tried it with a 4" 1911 and did not like how it held that gun I think it was too heavy for it and the backing had too much flex.

Inside the Waistband Holsters | StealthGearUSA

StealthGearUSA Holsters to wear Inside the Waistband
stealthgearusa.com stealthgearusa.com
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Been using one of those on a walther pps for many years. Gun doesn't slip, even when i'm crawling around under the cars. It takes a lot to sweat through the moisture barriers. It can be done, but it's not a quick process.
They're an expensive option, but they're a really solid option.
 
I don’t carry in hybrids anymore, but I have the wrong body type for them. I tried Crossbreed and Galco options.

They seem to work best on fatter huskier bodies. They also work really well behind the hip on “hippier” body types.

I don’t think they’re designed to have the leather backer curved too much. It messes with retention and makes the butt of the pistol poke out. They conceal great when the leather can lay flatter.

Edited to respect the human dignity of @Dirtydirtysouf
 
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JRV said:
I don’t carry in hybrids anymore, but I have the wrong body type for them. I tried Crossbreed and Galco options.

They seem to work best on fatter bodies. They also work really well behind the hip on “hippier” body types.

I don’t think they’re designed to have the leather backer curved too much. It messes with retention and makes the butt of the pistol poke out. They conceal great when the leather can lay flatter.
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I'm not fat, I'm husky.....
 
Have a single Crossbreed IWB and hate it. Harder to put on, harder to adjust, hotter than kydex, prints more, and more abrasive on the guns finish. For IWB carry, I just don’t see myself changing from kydex with a claw/wing.
 
DrScaryGuy said:
Been using one of those on a walther pps for many years. Gun doesn't slip, even when i'm crawling around under the cars. It takes a lot to sweat through the moisture barriers. It can be done, but it's not a quick process.
They're an expensive option, but they're a really solid option.
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Yeah I could see it working well with a PPS. They are a quality holster; I still have and use mine for P365. The issues I had with it was with larger heavier guns.
 
You won't really know if it's right for you unless you try it. I had a horsehide crossbreed for a sig938. I had issues with retention and my pistol actually fell out a couple times when crawling under junk vehicles. I did adjust the kydex to make it tighter on the trigger guard but it seemed not to help. I couldn't get it as tight as an all kydex holster.

I personally avoid them because they do not work for me and the sweat guard tends to roll over if there's no pistol in the holster which is a pita when dry fire practice.
 
I have a CompTac hybrid the generous sweat shield and wide footprint works well with heavier guns. I bought mine for a FULL size 1911. They claimed more versatility than Crossbreed stating that you could order different kydex for other guns and use the same base which is the whole reason for buying it.When I attempted to purchase a kydex shell for a compact 1911 they said sorry.. we no longer make that holster😡
Really chapped my cheeks..!
 
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Love them, my preferred holster.

I’m a Crossbreed guy. Have them for my 1911, M&P9, G19, and G43x
 
@Toby_H - what firearm are you interested in finding a holster for? If its a P365, you're welcome to check mine out if you're ever in the South Charlotte area.
 
Supermatch said:
@Toby_H - what firearm are you interested in finding a holster for? If its a P365, you're welcome to check mine out if you're ever in the South Charlotte area.
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Same. I think I have @chiefjason hybrids for a G43, G26, G19 and G17 over in the Mint Hill area. Also have several OWB you could try. Pretty sure I have a new Alien Hybrid for a G19 I bought off here for a fundraiser I have never used if someone wants it.
 
Dirtydirtysouf said:
I'm not fat, I'm husky.....
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I'm not fat. I'm fluffy.

Well no, I'm fat. No way I could ever appendix carry. It'd be like a safety flap.

Anyway, I personally like the AlienGear. I have them for my P32, XDs45, and P320. My Colt Officer only gets soft leather.

If I ever get a P365 I've been looking at, I'd check out @chiefjason . I have an OWB he made for a J frame I really like
 
Squanchy said:
🤢
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I've only ever had one issue with Alien Gear. The retention screw came loose and I lost the little rubber spacer. I called them and had two replacement packs in 2 - 3 days. I was previously using DeSantis. I broke multiple clips and even cracked the kydex shell on two of them.

I find the Alien Gear to be more comfortable than the previous DeSantis
 
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