Positioned so the weapon's butt is over your sternum, they give a fairly easy draw. If you're a driver or vehicle crewman these are a good option. Shop Chest Holsters. Leather is the traditional holster material, and it's still popular today.
Leather is hard wearing, versatile and looks good. Modern leather holsters vary from traditional styles to stiffened, molded ones designed to fit a specific model of pistol.
Leather is a great choice for concealed carry. It's flexible and, with wear, molds to both the body and the weapon. A good leather holster doesn't add much bulk, which helps with concealment. There are downsides, though. Leather is maintenance-heavy. Poorly maintained leather can collect moisture from rain or sweat, and you really don't want wet leather wrapped round your sidearm all day.
It also collects scratches and gouges, which won't damage the holster's function but degrade its looks. Leather also tends to soften and crease as it ages, and this can be dangerous. Plenty of people have holstered a pistol in old leather which folded, got inside the trigger guard and fired off a round. Shop Leather Holsters. Kydex and other rigid plastics are excellent holster materials.
They're tough, can be molded into just about any shape and really protect the weapon. Their rigidity also makes them ideal for holsters with retention systems. Usually they're shaped for a specific weapon. The main drawback of rigid plastic is that it's often uncomfortable for concealed carry.
It doesn't mold to your body the way leather does. Rigid holsters also tend to be bulkier and more obvious. These materials are low maintenance and don't absorb water, sweat or dirt. Even if they're dripping with mud they can be easily cleaned.
Shop Kydex Holsters. Many synthetic fabrics have been used to make holsters. Synthetic fabrics are usually tough and low maintenance. Their other properties put them somewhere between leather and Kydex. A solidly made nylon holster is pretty bulky, so they're poor for concealed carry. They're also harder to keep clean than Kydex. They're generally more waterproof than leather, though, and protect the weapon well.
These holsters are also more forgiving of slightly different weapons then than they were specifically designed for. That's useful if you don't always carry the same model of pistol. Finally, they can be more comfortable than Kydex because they're less unyielding and offer some padding. Shop Synthetic Fabric Holsters. So your gun's in the holster.
Now you need to make sure it stays there until you want it to come out — but when you do want it in your hand, it needs to be able to get there quickly.
There's a variety of retention methods to make that happen. Many holsters don't have any separate retention system; they just rely on friction between the gun and holster to hold it in place. Most concealed carry holsters come into this category. For everyday use it works fine. Nobody should be trying to grab a concealed weapon from you they won't know you have it, because it's concealed and you probably won't be running around too much, so a well-made, well maintained holster that fits your gun well should hold it in place just fine.
Many modern holsters have a retention screw that can be adjusted to alter the amount of friction — and how securely the gun is held. Most traditional military holsters have a flap that covers the butt of the weapon and keeps it secure. These designs are very good at preventing your weapon from falling out, and they also do a great job of protecting it from rain, dust and mud. The downside is that they're slower to use, because you need to open the flap and then get your hand on the gun.
Flap holsters are great for use in the field, but a poor choice for everyday civilian carry. If you don't need to protect your pistol from the elements for weeks at a time, a thumb break strap is a better alternative to a flap. The straps fitted to most traditional police and open carry holsters can be released very quickly. However, while they do protect your gun from falling out, they don't do a lot to stop someone grabbing it — they can release the strap just as easily as you can.
Thumb loops — which usually go over the hammer — are similar to straps but don't have a fastener. A more modern solution found on many ridgid holsters, especially for police use, trigger guard locks have a hook or post that locks into the weapon's trigger guard. To unlock it you need to operate a button or other device on the outside of the holster.
These usually don't take a rocket scientist to work out, but if someone's trying to grab your weapon they won't be able to do it quickly. Holsters are typically rated by retention level. A higher level means it's harder for someone to grab your weapon from the holster without your cooperation - but it also usually means your draw will be slower, so more retention isn't always better.
The right level for you will depend on why you're carrying. If you're a cop or a civilian who open carries, someone trying to grab your weapon from the holster is a real worry. If you're a soldier, a flap that stops the weapon falling out should usually be fine. Level 1 relies on friction to hold the weapon in place. A well-fitted Level 1 holster, especially if it has a retention screw, is secure enough to keep your gun in place through most activity - but it does nothing to stop someone else taking it.
Most concealed carry holsters are Level 1. Shop Level 1 Holsters. Level 2 has a second retention method as well as friction. Once considered too diminutive for personal protection, cartridges like the. These sub-compact pistols have joined the venerable snub-nosed revolver as the "pocket guns" of today. When you carry a gun in your pocket, you need a holster that helps mask the outline of your gun and keeps the gun's grip oriented vertically for easy access.
Uncle Mike's Inside-the-Pocket holster does both. Its non-slip band helps ensure the holster stays in your pocket when you draw your gun. The inside-the-pocket holster can be purchased to handle everything from small autos like the. Blackhawk's Detachable Slide Leather Concealment Holster allows users to place or remove the holster without removing their belt.
Unlike traditional slide-style holsters that are designed to loop your belt through, Blackhawk's Detachable Slide Leather holster is secured to your belt by angle cut belt loops featuring non-reflective black snap covers. This enables you to strap your holster on and take it off without having to remove your belt. This holster's adjustable thumb break ensures your gun stays put until you need it. The holster's forward cant facilitates a proper shooting grip when worn on or behind the hip and its streamlined profile aids in concealment.
The detachable slide leather holster is available in several models to accommodate many popular handguns. The Sidekick Ambidextrous Holster can be worn inside or outside the waistband. This versatile holster's reversible belt loop allows you to wear it either inside or outside the waistband.
It's even convertible for right or left handed use. The hook and loop retention strap and molded thumb break offer superior retention to open-top holsters without hindering your draw stroke.
Its padded, waterproof interior provides considerable corrosion resistance to your gun and the steel belt clip keeps this holster anchored to your belt. Best of all, Uncle Mike's Sidekick has an integral magazine pouch so extra ammunition is always at the ready. Don't underestimate the importance of carrying your defensive handgun in the right holster. A good holster offers adequate concealment while at the same time, providing unimpeded access to your gun.
Remember, a holster is an important purchase. Choose wisely. Give a Gift Subscriber Services. See All Other Magazines. See All Special Interest Magazines. All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. You also need to ensure you have a proper belt and we'll discuss that in a further section. The paddle then sets against your side and the holster hangs over the outside of the pants. To maximize the performance, you should still wear a belt with these holsters but a definite bonus is they can be taken on and off relatively quickly without needing to unhinge your belt.
They often come with "teeth" that will hook under the belt while worn to help ensure the holster can't simply pop-out of your pants, but important note that just prying the paddle back a little will let the belt slip free of these "teeth" and again make the holster easy to take on-or-off.
Another bonus to a paddle is it provides a broad base that fits up against your body and can help to prevent any twist that might occur during a draw motion, making them very reliable for a smooth draw.
The downside is they do tend to push the firearm a little further from the body and this can cause some of them to be harder to conceal.
The vast majority of IWB holsters will use clips or loops to secure to your side. Some are designed to allow you to even tuck your shirt in around the firearm and holster, but always behind the clip. This then lets you have a tucked in shirt while you are wearing your holster.
There are many different types of clips and many manufacturers even make different types for the same style holster. Some clips are designed more for durability, some more for concealability trying to show as little of the clip as possible to an observer.
Ultimately, you should again be considering what wardrobe you intend to wear with the holster on a daily basis, like if your daily routine may require a stronger attachment or one that's simply more discreet. HARNESSES - Holsters that use a harness can be very comfortable since they help to redistribute the added weight of a firearm across a wider surface and most often over your shoulders, which are better suited for carrying additional weight other than a waist.
Many harnesses also come with attachments and additional securing points that allow the user to customize their rig and incorporate other tools like, flashlights, pepper spray, handcuffs, knives, multi-tools or just about anything preferred. Additionally, since all of these tools, pouches and holsters are all setup on a harness, it makes it incredibly easy to take the entire rig on-or-off. There are now a great many systems available that can allow you to quickly customize your entire kit, including where you put your holster.
In the civilian or plain clothed law enforcement sense, some of these systems allow you to keep the same holster for your firearm but have multiple mounting points located throughout your daily environment so that you don't always have to keep the firearm on hand.
An example of these style of systems in this capacity was explained in the "Universal" Mount section above. With a more tactical approach for military or law enforcement roles, modular systems are incredibly common, for example when something is MOLLE compliant. Many tactical style gun holsters come with adaptive kits to help you latch the holster to a battle belt, tactical vest, or possibly a drop-leg rig.
Drop-Leg Holsters are designed to fit below the body armor usually worn in these capacities and make the firearm much easier to access. Usually attached by a strap at the top to the belt and then secured by straps around the thigh, there are a wide range of holsters designed for this purpose and some of them have just an attachment plate that secures to the leg.
This plate can then accommodate for a holster, magazine pouches or any number of other possibilities. Often times overlooked and not considered, if you don't have a proper belt to accommodate for a holster, you are setting yourself up for hardships and additional challenges.
The kind of belts needed to be worn in conjunction with a firearm are much thicker and sturdier than traditional belts. One of the most common problems to occur with belts not made for carrying a firearm is for a twisting motion to occur during a draw stroke.
When you attempt to draw your firearm from the holster, a standard belt doesn't have the rigidity needed to prevent the upward pull on the firearm from twisting the belt and creates a pinching motion between the holster and your side making it difficult to cleanly free the firearm from the holster.
Belts designed for use with holsters are very difficult to twist and allow for a much easier and smooth draw. The two most common are Leather and Nylon Belts and should always be considered in conjunction with a holster.
Leather belts are very comfortable, but most important of all, they don't look at all uncommon to regular style leather belts that are far less durable. As with leather holsters, leather belt will actually begin to form to you the longer you wear it and will adjust to become more comfortable over time. Since a great many of these leather belts are rather fashionable as well, it actually helps to conceal the fact you are wearing a firearm as the belt seems ordinary. The only real downside to these belts is that their buckles are normally preset sizes and the belt can't fit as perfectly to your hips as belts with a more slide style buckle.
Available in many traditional colors, leather belts are perfect choices for every day concealed carry or for professionals that carry firearms routinely in non-uniform attire.
Nylon belts that are designed for holsters have become the industry standard for more tactical style uses. Usually fastened by a slide buckle, they will fit you perfect every time you put them on.
Many of them even have additional hooks or anchors sewn into their structure and are often referred to as "Rigger's Belts". The only real down side is they have a very distinctive look to them and are easily recognizable, even to people not entirely familiar with firearms, identifying the type of belt worn by people who perform tactical style functions. Not to say that only tactical individuals wear these belts, simply that they have become recognizable as a favored among that demographic.
So while a very good choice from a functional standpoint, they aren't very discreet. Your choice in holster revolves around what firearm you're carrying, where you're carrying it i. Here are some important factors to consider and remember when searching for the right holster to serve specifics needs and functionality.
Sad to say that a great many firearms are not even addressed by most of the general style holsters designed by lead manufacturers. Most of the time, standard and basic holsters are usually made for commonly purchased or used firearms and more often than not, catered to right handed users as there are statistically less left handed individuals in the world.
While this means that the vast majority of common firearms are addressed, especially for right handed shooters, it can certainly lead to some frustration if your firearm has some kind of modification, additional accessory or work and more consistently if you're not using the same firearms generally considered to be popular models. Many times, someone will find the holster they really desire only to find out that it is not compatible with their carry firearm of choice or that it's only available in right handed when they're a left handed shooter.
A good place to begin with is your specific firearm and then work from there. In addition, one may want to consider shopping holsters in advance before purchasing or committing to a specific make or model to ensure availability and more importantly, ability for everyday carry.
This leads directly into what is commonly referred to as the "level" of holster for more info, please refer to the "Level" portion of "Understand Holsters".
However, this is not the only consideration to take into account! We now need to consider the elements of concealability, durability and which works best for your intended use. If you wish to carry concealed, then typically you want the holster to be a sleek form fitting design that hugs to the body in the location where it will be worn for it to be easier to conceal under clothing.
Typically holsters that are "Level 1" are better suited for a concealed carry vs. If you intend to wear it openly instead, then it might prove more beneficial to consider the more bulky and higher level holsters as they are designed for an easy draw for the individual wearing it as well as far more difficult for someone else to draw the firearm.
While this may be similar to the second consideration listed above, it is another important element that should be thought of entirely separately. To give an example, if you continually get in-and-out of vehicles, always consider if there is potential for the firearm to literally fall free from the holster or will the entire holster simply fall off as one goes through different positions.
If someone were to surprise you, can they dislodge your firearm or worse, gain access to it if you're not prepared? Back-track to step 2 for a second where we're thinking about the holster and firearm as worn while we are stationary and then think about outside elements that might affect every-day carry, but now think about all the different ways we would move around and interact within our daily environment always taking into account outside elements as well.
It's time to really put on your "what-if" cap and begin going through your regular day-to-day routine. As you go through each stage of your day, you should game plan a few potential scenarios that are reasonable where you might need to draw your firearm. As you go through this planning stage, you can begin to identify where on your body having a holster will prove to be the best possible use in the majority of likely scenarios. For more on some of the various carry locations available please view our "Carry Locations" section in "Understanding Holsters".
A simple way to check ahead of time is to put on the wardrobe in question, step in front of a mirror, and then go through various motions like twisting, stretching your arms or legs in various directions, sit, stand and all the while look where you're intended carry location is in the mirror. It might prove beneficial to enlist the help of a friend or family member for a second set of eyes and a very viable second opinion.
You want to ensure you have a good 3" to 4" of overlap from where the bottom of the visible holster would be. This means if you're going to carry IWB see "Hip Carry" portion of "Carry Location" section in "Understanding Holsters" then you need a few inches of clothing below the top of your pant waistband, and if you're carrying outside the waistband then you need an additional few inches, based primarily on the barrel length of your intended firearm plus approximately 2" for the holster.
Remember though that holsters that sit outside the waistband for concealment tend to push the firearm higher up on the hip. A general guideline is the trigger guard of the firearm which should always be just below the waistband of the pants. While 3" to 4" of additional clothing can help, you also need to ensure that your clothing falls loosely over the intended area. If it is too tight then realistically it will "print" the outline of the firearm through the garment.
In some states printing can still be considered brandishing a firearm and is illegal. There is no perfect answer, but the best thing to do is to find out the local laws about concealing your firearm, test out your wardrobe and just be confident before you begin selecting the potential holsters you may choose to carry.
Always double-check again once you get your holster. A good idea for people who are carrying a new holster for the first time is to simply put it on and wear it around the house for a while with an unloaded firearm until you're completely comfortable with it.
Once it isn't so new or awkward, then start using a loaded firearm and eventually working it to being fully comfortable and confident with it. If you do routinely wear a holster you should find a range that will let you safely practice using it with live ammunition.
As always, we highly recommend you routinely attend training from reputable professionals in order to ensure you're always comfortable and confident in your ability to utilize your firearm safely and effectively. Toggle navigation. Quick ordering. Wish List. Sign in. Gun Holsters. Customer Service. Contact Site Map.
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