Thoughts On Sweat Shields

[katsass]

Well, being a somewhat slow, grumpy, obtuse thinking, and kind of 'old school' type of individual, I finally actually noticed that there seems to be a fairly recent penchant for holster makers to add a 'sweat shield" to their line of pistol carriers (designed to protect and carry in an easily accessible manner) a chosen firearm for use in that possible instance in which TSHTF. Looking and contemplating (over an adult beverage or two) the actual reasonable application of this addendum to a decent holster, I submit the following:

A prime attribute of veg tanned leather is it's ability (affinity?...) to absorb moisture. Just what we want right up next to our chubby 'Luuuv-Handles" in a humid, warm climate, (on the one side)....and our piece of machinery upon which our own existence may depend on the opposite side. Right? The sweaty moisture eases right from a cotton T-shirt (hopefully you are wearing one) into the leather (remember, no matter what, leather 'taint waterproof) and that moisture works right on through to the other side...right to where our life saving shooter is. Now, this isn't just Kentucky spring water oozing through...this stuff leaching through your pores consists of water, oils, minerals, acids and the residuals of that Italian Sausage you munched down as a quick lunch yesterday. The enclosed pics are of a belt worn for just under a year in the desert southwest.......that dark stuff is sweat stain on a plain old work belt. It goes all the way through the belt leather (9/10 oz veg tanned)

Now that we can reasonably consider that a chunk of leather may not keep sweat off of our chosen life support system, I decided to look at that chunk of cow skin snuggled tightly next to my undergarment, and between it and my chosen shooter. Well, as said, the moisture from the cotton undershirt is available to wick right into the leather 'SHIELD', and said shield is right up against my life support system, and said nasty bodily fluids can easily leach into the mag release, cylinder release, trigger mechanism...... etc. as the leather is permeated. That shield, after a reasonably short time in a nasty climate....'taint stopping much of anything.

OK....lets just slide past all of the preceding....some of you will will anyway...and think about what we do when that time comes.......(ever been there? ..I have) We have our life preserver. (holster is an IWB or OWB.... it doesn't matter) hanging right where we want it. We are attired in our normal manner for concealed carry, T-shirt over the chubbies, holster on a solid platform, shirt, sweater, jacket etc. covering the concealed shooter ....and then all hell breaks loose. Grab for your defensive weapon (to be utilized in a very offensive manner at this point) and .....with the 'shield'....... where does your strong hand thumb go????? Odds are.....10 to 1 you will grab for your shooter, and get your thumb between your t-shirt and the leather shield and damned near rip your trousers off while trying to figure out why the hell that shooter refuses to leave the holster. I spent 15 years as a Police Firearms instructor.(I still teach firearm handling but prefer to work with trap shooters....less stress for me). Worked with wheel-guns , auto pistols, AR's, some damned good anti sniper rifles, and even an old WWII 'M-3 Grease gun (it was a kick...and surprisingly, a pretty damned accurate short range carbine ..once you learn to 'tickle' the trigger).

My point is.......If in a very inclement environ, do as we have done for years. Wipe your shooter down completely at the end of shift. Care for it.......it just may allow you to go home for a Friday night fried chicken dinner. To think that a chunk of leather is going to do anything positive is laying your hopes on a pile of damp sand. If the climate isn't that extreme, why have an extra piece of leather hung out there to get in the way anyhoo?? If necessary,go to a stainless weapon in the real bad climates...with proper lube....I know it costs money.....But if you don't believe it's worth your toukus....'taint no skin off my nose. Once wet, allow the leather to dry out completely, then condition it prior to reusing it. This may take the expense of more than one holster....maybe even more than one handgun. Surprise! Finally....rely on the tried and true......gimmicks come and go....(anyone remember the 'guttersnipe?). Take care of your stuff and you have the best chance of going home to play with the kid's mama. Just the thoughts and ramblings of a grumpy old........whatever. Mike

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[Haystacker]

Mike,

I have never liked sweat shields either. But folks want them so I make them. My other pet peeve is extreme forward cant. For concealing reasons, I can see some cant. But I have folks tell me that the extreme forward cant is easier to draw the weapon. I don't see it.

My rants too.

Jeff

[Lobo]

Well said, Mike.

Trends come and go. Marketplace demands vary over time. Peoples' expectations are tittilated by reading every gun magazine or internet blog they can subscribe to. The bottom line is this: 40 states have adopted "shall issue" type concealed carry laws, requiring the issuance of a carry permit to anyone not otherwise prohibited that meets minimum standards (I think this is a good thing). Roughly 20,000,000 to 30,000,000 people have chosen to carry a weapon as a simple exercise in enlightened self-interest. Many of those nice folks have little or no experience, and rely upon (first) what they see and read, and hopefully (second) on an experienced hand that can guide them toward a carry rig that fits their needs, wardrobe, usual activities, etc.

Those of us having a few decades of experience carrying defensive handguns can share what we have learned with others, as you have done in your original post. Those of us who have both the experience and the ability to craft the necessaries for discreet, comfortable, and functional concealed carry rigs can help folks even more. That is what I have based my little business on, that is what has led me to several unique holster designs, and that is what keeps me busy filling orders. I am sure that your business is much the same. People come to you for your experience and expertise as much as for your craftsmanship and artistic abilities. What works? Tell them. What doesn't work? Tell them. Most will listen to the voice of experience.

Best regards.

[Warpe]

Actually, the main reason for the "sweat shield" is not sweat, but to keep the safeties or other protrusions of the firearm from digging into your skin when sitting. Why they started being called sweat shields is beyond me....it all boils down to personal preference of comfort. I carry both styles of holster, and because of my slim build, i find the shields to be more comfortable on IWB's. Also, a majority of the manufactures now cater to the "low profiles" and actually carry very nicely without shields. Again, it is personal preference.

Warpe

[Southtexas]

Actually, the main reason for the "sweat shield" is not sweat, but to keep the safeties or other protrusions of the firearm from digging into your skin when sitting. Why they started being called sweat shields is beyond me....it all boils down to personal preference of comfort. I carry both styles of holster, and because of my slim build, i find the shields to be more comfortable on IWB's. Also, a majority of the manufactures now cater to the "low profiles" and actually carry very nicely without shields. Again, it is personal preference.

Warpe

I agree completely. Some of my handguns 'bite', others don't. The ones that 'bite' get the shield...

As to the sweat, in South Texas that's a given. And so is constant cleaning of all carry pieces.

[BigRiverLeather]

I've always had "sweat shields", "slide guards" or what ever you want to call them on my holsters unless they are requested without them. I think that total is 2 in 3 years. I didn't do it because I thought it was a fad or something that I thought would set me apart, I did it because for comfort I wouldn't carry any other way. My slide guards are built is such a way that if my thumb is placed where it is supposed to be on the draw, there is no leather there to interfere.

I also believe that some sweat protection is better than none. Maybe in southern climates every day carry will result in the same thing, a sweat soaked sweat shield. For those who do not live in those climes, that same shield can offer quite a bit of protection from body fluids. Even on very sweaty days, that shield is still preventing some fluids from penetrating the firearm. Against a bare body or Tshirt, that sweat is going to run a lot deeper into the firearm than without it. Yes, either way, the weapon needs to be wiped down or stripped and cleaned regularly.

Again though, my primary reason for building that into my holsters is for my protection with the guns protection secondary.

What I've often wondered is what purpose does an abbreviated guard serve? Too short to protect from the safety, too short to keep sweat off.

[TwinOaks]

I build for comfort as well, and have included the sweat shield on almost all my IWB holsters. I think the finish on the leather also plays a large role in things, as I've seen very little soak through when I've properly sealed the leather. That said, if the entire holster is IWB, then that little piece between the back of the gun and our skin/shirt is probably seeing LESS sweat than the rest of the holster. Still, I've had a 1911 stab me pretty good with the BTGS, so I started including them. So far, no complaints about them. I also thin it down to where it doesn't interfere with the firing grip. The bit about wiping down the weapon, daily, after holster wear, is somethingm that I've always done, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to mention it in the 'care and feeding' notes about the holster....this day and age, it seems like every customer needs an itemized list of what to do with the holster.

[woodandsteel]

I'm a "new guy" both to carrying and to holster making, so the current trends in carrying are all I've seen. Thus far, I've made all my holsters with a sweatguard, because, as mentioned, it seems to be the expectation these days. I sweat a lot, and have those same dark stains on the sweat guard of one of my holsters that I left natural and didn't seal ( I was lazy, and rushing to cobble together an appendix holster for myself). My gun still gets moisture on it, but not as much as if it was against my skin.

I find the sweat guard to contribute to comfort as well, though, smoothing out sharp corners.

Katsass, how was that belt sealed? I'm curious to know if it was an acrylic or oil finish.

Edited July 10, 2011 by woodandsteel

[Rayban]

I don't believe it has anything to do with "trend"...I built this one for myself without a "body shield" and the safety lever started working away at my side...leaving hickies.......not very comfy....

I re-made it with a shield and fixed the problem.

Edited July 10, 2011 by Rayban

[ebarber]

I do like a shield depending on the ride height of the gun. I know whenever carrying IWB on a hot day, anything that isnt covered by the guard has a little sweat on it after taking it off.

No big deal for me as I mostly carry Glocks but if a guy was carrying say a blued 1911 or similar he might have a problem after a short perod of time.

I include them on all of my IWB holsters and a few of my owb's.

I have had a few requests to cut them down which isnt a big deal and its alot easier than adding them after building them.