I really like the kydex clips, I find they don't tear up a gun belt as bad as metal, but they are expensive and I don't build my own. Also one of the big things I like about them is that if they get broken they are easily replaced, and the company I buy them from makes several versions for different people, C clips, j hooks and such. R&D is one of my biggest issues also, I'm usually so busy with building orders I don't find much time for it.