What causes more holster wear on a handgun

[carlson1]

Kydex or Leather

[MoJo]

Dust. Keeping the interior of your holster clean aids in preventing heavy holster wear. Suede lined holsters are the worst culprits because the suede holds on to dust particles.

[carlson1]

I like leather to. I guess I will go back to Comp Tac infidel holster.

[03Lightningrocks]

My observation is that it depended upon whether or not I kept the handgun in the holster long term. I have left handguns in kydex holsters with never a problem. I have done the same with leather and noticed my handgun was beginning to discolor from the leather. My thought was that it had to do with moisture retention. Leather is more likely to hold moisture that can damage a gun.

Most of the time I don't keep my gun in its holster overnight. I can't say I have noticed any difference in wear between my kydex holsters and leather holsters. Maybe it is because putting a gun in once a day and pulling it out once a day is not enough to create any significant short term wear on a well made weapon.

[flechero]

In my experience, they wear finishes very differently.

Kydex is more prone to put "drag lines" in the finish where leather more often leaves "rubbed" or smudge looking areas. Any holster will wear a finish; and as already pointed out, dust and debris is the worst... if you live in an area with sandy dust, as in central or western areas of Texas, it's downright brutal on finishes.

If you keep leather clean, it will be pretty gentle on your gun's finish... but if you practice regularly, it's almost impossible to prevent any wear from either material.

Hard chrome or some of the finished like Robar makes are extremely tough and may never show wear in your lifetime.

[Divided Attention]

I am by NO means an expert, but my first hand observations are as follows:

I started with a total leather holster - cow hide - I hear horse hide breathes/wicks moisture better. My M&P 9C rusted within 9 months of carrying. I had it redone (new slide and takedown lever by S&W) and 6mos later - rusted again. This time I went to "Grip Reductions" and Mr. Honeycutt did a beautiful ceracoat on it. Shortly after my hubby got me a combo holster with horse hide and kydex. No change in habit as far as wiping with a silicone cloth at night etc., but over a year and no rust. Now I know you asked about holster wear. I do have some, but to me I had more with the all leather holster (cow hide) than with the combo. I like the retention of the combo holster better, and adjustability as well.

Besides... to me holster wear is a sign of a well loved sidearm