Holster Lining – Yes / No

This was found on Leatherworker.net Forum by LOBO

There are at least as many reasons not to line a holster as there are reasons to consider a lining. Linings were popular for many years because they were thought to reduce holster wear on a polished and blued handgun. Allow me to address some of the linings in common use:

1. Suede: sueded leather provides a lovely and soft feeling lining for a holster, in great demand. Unfortunately, there are several problems with suede linings: (a) sueded leather has far more surface area than veg-tanned leather, meaning that there is a far greater tendency to absorb and hold moisture (moisture, held in close proximity to a handgun, equals more tendency to induce corrosion); (B) almost all sueded leather available is chrome tanned, meaning that the salts used in the tanning process remain in the finished leather, and these chemical salts can AND DO cause damage to blued guns, hard surface coatings (like manganese phosphate, very popular right now), and even so-called stainless steel; all can be etched indelibly by these chemical salts.
2. Glove leathers and other soft-finished leathers are almost always chrome tanned, with the same chemical salts that are harmful to a fine finished firearm.
3. Chamois leather has been used by some makers. Also very nice to look at, and very soft to the touch, chamois is chrome tanned and contains the same chemical salts; also chamois is WELL KNOWN for its ability to attract and absorb moisture.
4. Felt, and other fabrics, have been used by some makers. It only takes a moment to think about how easily these materials attract and hold moisture!

Swede’s opinion:

I really do not like lined holsters, the benefits are not there. (except for looks). When I line a holster it is with veg tan leather, usually 1-2 oz. It looks good, but does not make the blueing on the firearm wear better.