How to Keep Sweat Off Your Gun While Carrying

Sweat, or perspiration, is essential to your body’s ability to regulate temperature during the warmer months of the year. Unfortunately, sweat containing ammonia, urea, salts, and lactic acid, can corrode metallic surfaces.

When you’re carrying a firearm concealed for self-defense, you must minimize the exposure of your weapon to the corrosive effects of sweat.

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Rust and Corrosion

Rust or corrosion can impede the function of your weapon. Handguns contain several moving parts that must work together smoothly for the gun to be reliable. Rust accumulating on these metal surfaces can cause the weapon to malfunction.

IWB vs. OWB

IWB, or inside the waistband, carry is the standard for concealed carry. Your carry gun remains hidden and discreet by placing the weapon between the inside of your waistband and your body.

However, this also increases your gun’s exposure to sweat that permeates your clothing. Wearing moisture-wicking clothing can help keep you and your weapon dry when it’s hot or humid.

OWB decreases exposure to sweat at the expense of reduced concealability.  To effectively conceal an OWB holster, you need to wear a covering garment, such as a jacket or untucked shirt.

Firearm Maintenance is Key

Cleaning and lubricating your firearms is essential to keep them in proper working condition. Regardless of your choice of wardrobe, the type of holster you wear, and the gun you carry, your weapon may still be exposed to sweat and need periodic cleaning.

Whenever you carry your firearm for a protracted period, especially during the warmer months, it’s generally a good idea to wipe the external surfaces with a lint-free cloth soaked in a cleaning, such as Hoppe’s No. 9 or CLP.

To prevent rust from forming, apply a thin layer of gun oil before holstering your weapon. This can act as a barrier to moisture, both from your body and the environment.

Holster Design

When a holster has a sweat guard, the rear part of the holster extends upward, covering the weapon’s slide or frame and cylinder. This prevents sweat from coming into contact with the metal surfaces of the firearm, reducing the risk of damage to the surface finish.

In selecting a holster, the sweat guard may partially or fully cover the slide or frame. The priority, however, should always be comfort and accessibility.

Holster Materials

The two most common holster materials in use today are leather and Kydex.

Leather, consisting of tanned animal skins and hides, can be durable and comfortable to wear. However, leather can also absorb moisture and deform when wet.

Kydex, a water-resistant thermoplastic, is unaffected by sweat and won’t swell or lose its shape. As a result, Kydex holsters are generally considered optimal for use in humid or wet environments.

Handgun Materials and Surface Finishes

The type of handgun you carry also determines its vulnerability to rust. For example, traditional blued alloy steel is more susceptible to corrosion than steel that has undergone parkerization (i.e., zinc or manganese phosphating).

Companies that manufacture modern self-defense and combat handguns, such as the popular Glock series, typically apply a type of ferritic nitrocarburizing (e.g., Tenifer), which significantly increases corrosion resistance. In addition, polymer-framed handguns have fewer points that could rust or corrode when exposed to sweat than aluminum- and steel-framed weapons.

Snub-nosed revolvers, such as the Smith & Wesson Model 642, use a combination of aluminum alloy and stainless steel parts to protect against corrosion, allowing you to conceal them deeply and snugly.

The Right Holster Matters

At Incognito Concealment, we offer a wide variety of  Kydex holsters thermoformed to fit specific handgun models. Kydex, since it is impervious to water, solvents, and other chemical contaminants, can protect your weapon under a variety of environmental conditions.

Give us a call at  (586) 333-4240, and let us help you determine the best holster for your everyday carry needs.