subject: Canvas Vs Leather Shooting Accessories [print this page] When it comes to shooting accessories like ammo belts and shotgun slips, there are two basic materials manufacturers use heavily: canvas and leather. Some are clear advocates of one or the other Guardian Canterbury shooting accessories, for example, are leather all the way but both materials have their virtues and shooters should consider carefully what conditions they need their accessories to weather.
Cost
While leather represents a good long-term investment, since the scuffs and wear it will inevitably acquire only improve its looks and heirloom quality over time, in the short term canvas will almost always be the better choice economically. The Guardian Heritage gun case in canvas will run you about 100; a leather gun case of similar quality and style could be three times that amount.
If your shooting accessories are of good heavyweight quality, then they are likely to be waterproof and laminated to protect against the weather, providing good protection for less cost. Beware, though poor quality canvas may wind up costing you if a rip lets water into your case and subsequently your shotgun.
Weight
Canvas is a lighter material than leather, which makes it ideal for shooters who expect to spend a lot of time carrying their equipment on their backs. This means that when it comes to carrying cases and slips opting for canvas can save you significant effort. If you are going to carry your gear, every bit of weight you save is literally a load off your back.
Looking back at Guardian Canterbury, shooting accessories like cartridge belts and ammo bags represent a negligible weight increase and are absolutely lovely to look at, but the all-leather cartridge loaders case may be better suited to those who prefer to shoot on the range than in the woods.
Longevity
Theres a reason we still use leather even though there are countless lightweight, cheap alternatives leather simply cant be beat for looks. Over time, where canvas can wear or rip and the colour can fade, scuffed and scarred leather can actually deepen in attractiveness. If youre planning to pass down your shooting accessories to the next generation, leather endures in a way that canvas simply cant match.
That said, if looks arent your priority, canvas can have fair longevity with a little upkeep on your part. Canvas is a relatively easy material to work with, and provided you have a patch, a needle, and some thread handy you should never encounter you should never encounter a problem you cant fix assuming you got quality canvas accessories in the first place.
Leather and canvas both have their virtues. It all depends on where youre planning to take them, who you intend to impress, and how long you hope theyll endure in your family. After all, the worst thing that happens is you cant decide leaving you to acquire a full set of each. Though we can think of worse things than your Guardian Canterbury shooting accessories rubbing shoulders with your Guardian Heritage ones.
