All of my Milt Sparks holsters are open at the bottom, and they are what I carry/use everyday, if that tells you anything. That goes for all the Sparks IWB and OWB holsters that I own.

Looking in the holster box, the Kramer scabbard is open as well, as are the Galco's and Bianchi's.

 

All of my Milt Sparks holsters are open at the bottom, and they are what I carry/use everyday, if that tells you anything. That goes for all the Sparks IWB and OWB holsters that I own.

Looking in the holster box, the Kramer scabbard is open as well, as are the Galco's and Bianchi's.

My VM II's and MTAC's are open at the bottom. I notice a bit of lint on the front sight and the front of the ejection port, after a month or so if we haven't been to the range, but I seriously doubt it will impact functioning of the gun.The worst thing I can imagine happening is that the tritium front sight will be a bit dimmer. Maybe.

When I clean all that off, it reminds me to put a couple drops of Militec on the slide rails, barrel hood and the barrel/bushing.

 

I haven't noticed any alarming amt of lint collecting in mine

 

All of my holsters are open end to allow nothing to collect in the bottom of them and possibly introduce anything into the muzzle of my firearm when I holster it.

 

What is it your keeping out?. Dust, lint, skin collect regardless. Clean when needed. If full of water I want it to drain out.

 

Most close bottom holsters aren't actually sealed at the bottom, to the point they'd retain water.

 

I like open-bottom holsters. With my Kahrs, I went from PM to P-sized pistols without changing holsters... and I went even further, adding the Kahr ported barrels to my P9 and P40.
I just bought an LW ported barrel for my G30S and it fits all of my open-bottomed holsters.

I've never noticed a problem with the barrel end collecting lint... it's the upper part... the back of the slide that gets yucky. I just vacuum and wipe them down once in awhile... when I think about it.

 

Open bottom holsters allow for ventilation so humidity doesn't cause moisture to collect in your barrel

 

Maybe it is my imagination but it seems to me that closed bottom holsters were more popular a couple decades back. I do not remember ever seeing an IWB holster that had a closed bottom.

 

It's a built-in alert to let you know your gun needs a wipedown.

If it really bothers you, stick a foam earplug in there...lol

Oh, geez...now we're gonna debate the velocity losses to belly button lint, a foam plug or the chance of a ka boom.

 

It seems to me that closing the bottom would make for a better fit, and it would keep lint, dirt, sweat, etc out of the muzzle/barrel.

The only argument I can think of favoring "open" holsters is that if something gets into an empty holster, the open end can drain it.

What say you? And can anybody recommend a closed holster? Thanks

Exactly why most are open bottom. I have a few leather rigs that are closed, but I just don't have that lint/debris issue with my guns?

 

I don't need a closed holster but I sure do like a little protection between the crown and hard, abrasive surfaces such as cement, rock, steel, etc. It also helps to keep stuff out of the barrel when transporting the gun 'off-body' in a duffel with other hardware.

 

Get new underwear?

Stop carrying IWB in sweatpants?

 

Don't over think it too much, the open bottom helps mitigate moisture collecting in the barrel.

 

My G17 rides in an old Bianchi 4/4L open-end holster. I keep a round-trimmed piece of tape over my muzzle to keep the lint out.

 

Is the tape on the muzzle end of the holster, or the muzzle itself?

 

Check the lint filter in your clothes dryer.

 

Yes, I recall my lands and grooves looking somewhat like a dryer lint filter. Not any more with my muzzle cover. I have drawn a smiley face on the white tape muzzle cover. Now if anyone falsely accuses me of brandishing will have to comment on my smiley face muzzle cover.

 

I have a Milt Sparks VMII for my G 19 and G 26, the 19 is open and the 26 is closed. I ordered them bought from Sparks.

 

What immediately came to my mind was 3", 4" and 5" pistols, one holster.

 

There are a number of different body designs that keep the muzzle off your skin and/or inhibit some of the lint buildup, although I've never had a problem with that.

I don't like holsters that can retain a case. That can be pretty inconvenient in a match, and I guess potentially worse in a defensive situation.

 

OCD much?