chrom tanned verus veg. tanned leather

[Lobo]

The chemical salts utilized in chrome tanning will DEFINITELY cause corrosion in either carbon steel or stainless steel, if left in contact for extended periods of time. Also, many of the newer handgun finishes are manganese phosphate (a type of Parkerizing) which will also be damaged by extended contact.

Regarding suede (as was pointed out in an earlier reply) yes, that is made by a chrome tanning process. In addition to the potential problems there, suede has much more surface area because of the buffed, porous surface; so suede has the tendency to attract and hold more moisture. This can make a suede-lined holster a big problem in areas of high humidity.

All leather attracts and holds moisture. Firearms should NEVER be stored in a leather holster or case. All firearms should be removed from the holster after use and wiped down with a lightly oiled cloth before being put away, even for overnight.

Yes, I have seen these types of problems many times on blued, stainless, and coated pistols.

The type of corrosion noted by an earlier poster on cartridge cases in a veg-tanned carrier is known as vertigris, a mold-like substance that forms when brass (or any copper-containing metal) is left in contact with any type of leather. It will usually wipe off, and serious vertigris deposits usually can be cleaned with club soda (although this may require touching up the leather finish).

Vegetable tanned leather is the only real choice for leather holsters, period. All chrome tanned leather should be avoided when possible; linings (including suede) require treatment of the handgun on a daily basis; while valuable in protecting the gun's finish from holster wear, they create additional problems due to moisture absorption.

37 years of holster making, 24 years in law enforcement, and 40 years of carrying a handgun daily provided me with a little knowledge on these subjects.

As always, my opinions are free and worth every penny of the price.

[Greybeard]

The chemical salts utilized in chrome tanning will DEFINITELY cause corrosion in either carbon steel or stainless steel, if left in contact for extended periods of time. Also, many of the newer handgun finishes are manganese phosphate (a type of Parkerizing) which will also be damaged by extended contact.

Regarding suede (as was pointed out in an earlier reply) yes, that is made by a chrome tanning process. In addition to the potential problems there, suede has much more surface area because of the buffed, porous surface; so suede has the tendency to attract and hold more moisture. This can make a suede-lined holster a big problem in areas of high humidity.

All leather attracts and holds moisture. Firearms should NEVER be stored in a leather holster or case. All firearms should be removed from the holster after use and wiped down with a lightly oiled cloth before being put away, even for overnight.

Yes, I have seen these types of problems many times on blued, stainless, and coated pistols.

The type of corrosion noted by an earlier poster on cartridge cases in a veg-tanned carrier is known as vertigris, a mold-like substance that forms when brass (or any copper-containing metal) is left in contact with any type of leather. It will usually wipe off, and serious vertigris deposits usually can be cleaned with club soda (although this may require touching up the leather finish).

Vegetable tanned leather is the only real choice for leather holsters, period. All chrome tanned leather should be avoided when possible; linings (including suede) require treatment of the handgun on a daily basis; while valuable in protecting the gun's finish from holster wear, they create additional problems due to moisture absorption.

37 years of holster making, 24 years in law enforcement, and 40 years of carrying a handgun daily provided me with a little knowledge on these subjects.

As always, my opinions are free and worth every penny of the price.

Thank You Mr. Lobo, I feel vindicated. As always, Your Years of Experience are deeply appreciated and we learn from you daily...

[Shifty]

Thanks to everyone, out with the chrome in with the veg. I am just a 58 yr old newby.