educate me on kydex holsters

You can make a Kydex holster yourself w/ little equipment.

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the pricing on them is insane

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Keep looking. You should be able to find one pretty cheap. I think i bought one off ebay once.

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Long time carrier and just never used a holster.

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rofl

How have you been carrying without a holster?

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How have you been carrying without a holster?

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5'oclock position. Leather belt with some give is the key. Longer grip makes it easier than the shorty ones on say a G27. No print whatsoever. I've been doing it for over 15 years. Not brave enough to go appendix like that though.

Appreciate the suggestions. Will check em out.

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Now, I think the appendix carry is probably the way to go and started looking at protecting myself.

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I prefer appendix or cross-draw (if OWB) which you can put at appendix or further around. I won't do appendix IWB without kydex covering the trigger, though.

Crossbreed holster. I'll never go back.

Carrying without a holster is a concern. Either you keep an empty chamber for safety (which is the only method that I would use but this slows your presentation) or you risk having a much higher risk of negligent discharge when replacing the sidearm to your waistline. In front, (appendix carry) your muzzle is oriented toward your femoral artery much of the time, not to mention the other obvious concern. (That would be a sort of an essay in non-lethal Darwinism...) This is good for quick draw, but is the highest risk of a negligent discharge and offers the highest likelihood of major injury to the carrier. Cover that trigger!

IF you must appendix carry - place the handgun into the holster and then put the assembly into position EVERY time so that nothing can contact the trigger on reholstering. Slow, but safer.

Having covered my standard lecture on using holsters, you need to consider how you plan to carry so that you can narrow your many options.

Openly outside of your belt?
Covertly outside of your waistband?
Covertly inside of your waistband?
Shoulder?
Ankle?

Think - will you be spending more time:

Walking outdoors and concealment is secondary? inside or outside the belt style holsters are considerations. Now think where - front, side or 5 o'clock mounted?

Working indoors such as at an office where concealment is vital. Inside the pants, shoulder or ankle might be considered.

Driving? cross draw or shoulder are considerations. Some might suggest appendix, but I will not.

Working at manual labor outdoor? likely outside the belt strong side for comfort

Kydex is a molded hard plastic. The advantages are it inexpensively holds a sidearm pretty securely with friction and requires little to no maintenance. These generally enclose the trigger area safely. Many offer adjustable mount angle and a few other helpful features.
However, many are pretty fat and bulge. they can also print badly and they press and rub against your body when worn for long periods of time and during some activities.

Also, be careful to not let anything fall into these types of holsters as you return a sidearm - especially a toggle from a jacket drawstring. These toggles are the source of frequent unintended discharges - especially with striker style semi-autos. The toggles drop as you lean forward and they are lowered by your movement into the holster with the trigger guard as your gun is returned. The toggle contacts the hard holster and stops - then it stops the trigger with a bang. This often causes injuries to feet and lower legs. Cut these toggles off or wear another jacket!

The lack of comfort of many designs of kydex holsters led to the creation of hybrids which are intended to ease the hard plastic feel by placing some softer material against the body. These also separate the belt attachments from the width of the sidearm to print less. The hybrid lessens the retention of the pure kydex holsters, but they tend to be good enough. Some work better than others. I tried Alien and it never worked for me so I gave up on the hybrids.

I have cheap generic kydex inside the pants and outside the belt holsters for a couple of guns and just ordered another from CYA Holsters for a PSA Dagger with optics. Under $40 to my door. I will know in a few days how well these work.

But for all day carry comfort and proper angle and frequent drawing, I prefer a quality leather holster. My favorite is Milt Sparks inside the waistband styles which I have used for well over 30 years. Horsehide and cowhide are similar in price and both give great service. These are very expensive and they are always behind in filling orders, but the quality and utility make them well worth the cost and wait - IF you are serious about your weapon carrying.

Be safe!

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In front, (appendix carry) your muzzle is oriented toward your femoral artery much of the time, not to mention the other obvious concern.

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I read stuff like this all the time and I was worried about this until I started carrying AIWB. It's very comfortable. 1. make sure you have the entire trigger guard covered by a secure retention holster made for your specific firearm and 2 never holster the gun while it's in your pants.

It's not a danger if you follow the golden rules of firearms. Guns dont just fire without the trigger pulled. My muzzle is never pointed towards my twig and berries and I never re-holster blind or even with the gun loaded. I don't see the point. I practice taking my holster off to re-holster every time.

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place the handgun into the holster and then put the assembly into position EVERY time so that nothing can contact the trigger on reholstering

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100% this. This is solid advice for anyone who carries appendix.

I use an aliengear shapeshift for my LCP Max and Shield. I love the aliengear for these two guns. They fit me well and the material is comfortable. It pretty much disappears both from view and from feel when i have it on.

I use a Vedder lighttuck with a claw for my VP9SK. It’s not as comfortable as the alien gear, but for a larger gun like the Vp9sk or a Glock 19,etc I find custom molded adjustable retention Kydex much more concealable and secure.

The thought of carrying without a holster is terrifying to me and I don’t understand it. You should always fully cover the trigger guard of your carry gun regardless of what position you carry.

I havent made the jump to a custom leather yet. But I’ve been looking at them for a while now.

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I havent made the jump to a custom leather yet. But I’ve been looking at them for a while now.

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Lots of good choices out there. I have one from a larger company, DM Bullard, and one from a one-man-shop, UBG, stands for "ugly bald guy". The UBG is without question nicer, has more attention to detail and was cheaper. If you want to support a small shop he's a good one.