How to Choose the Right Gun Holster
Choosing the right gun holster for your needs is a crucial part of gun ownership, use, and safety. It’s important to consider how well protected your gun is and how quick you can draw it safely. A gun holster has to match the needs of your gun and style of carry.
Quick Links:
- Concealed Carry Holsters
- Open Carry Holsters
- Duty and Tactical Holsters
- Holster Materials
- Retention Methods
- Conclusion
Concealed Carry Holsters have two main functions: to hold your weapon securely and to be hidden on your body. In addition, you want a holster comfortable enough to be worn throughout the day. With this in mind, we get rid of traditional bulky systems in favor of low-profile leather.
Inside the Waistband Holsters
Inside the waistband (IWB) holsters are the most popular option for concealed carry. They are designed to provide maximum concealment while still allowing quick access. The holster is typically attached to a belt or waist with clips or straps. The holster holds the firearm in an upright position, allowing for inconspicuous and comfortable carry. IWB holsters are typically used with semi-automatic pistols and revolvers.
Outside the Waistband Holsters
Outside the waistband (OWB) holsters come in three types: belt slides, pancakes, and paddles. A pancake OWB concealed carry comes with two pieces of material held together, with the firearm passing through them. Their paddle counterparts feature clips attaching to the belt and a solid back. These holsters have wing wings that help smooth out the shape underneath your clothing. OWB holsters can conceal larger gun sizes, provide more comfort than their IWB counterparts, and allow for a faster draw and fire. However, they’re less stable and require a dress code of jackets, blazers, or large-fitting tops to hide concealed carry.
Pocket Holsters
Pocket holsters are simplest concealed carry holster. No gun belt is required with this one. Slide your gun into a holster, place it in your pocket, and you’re ready to go. Pocket holsters use the friction and pressure of your pocket to keep your gun secure in the pocket. The holster allows for a clean draw, and they can be moved easily between garments. Typically, pocket holsters are best used for concealing smaller framed pistols.
Ankle Holsters
Ankle holsters are often used as a back-up gun and work well with subcompact pistols and small-frame snub-nose 0.38 revolvers. It’s easily concealable under loose fitting pants and can be missed if someone is doing a quick, hasty pat-down. However, it has a slow draw time and is uncomfortable with a lot of physical activity
Shoulder Holsters
Shoulder Holsters shine when it comes to comfort. The harness has loops around each shoulder, connected by a rear strap, which helps spread the weight of the firearm. This is especially helpful for people who spend lots of time sitting, whether it be a long-drive or an office job. Shoulder holsters are positioned at the side of the body, allowing for a quick draw. They easily conceal your firearm under a jacket or sweater. Lastly, shoulder holsters are versatile and can be used for a variety of firearms. Unlike other holsters, they can accommodate revolvers and semi-automatic pistols
Belly Band Holster
Designed to conceal a handgun for self-defense, belly hand holster is a stretchy, elastic band that fits snugly around your waist with an integrated holster and it allows lightweight clothing to conceal smaller firearms. These holsters are ideal for individuals with an active lifestyle, however not all elastic bands secure the gun tightly and they’re not known to be the most comfortable of choices.
Belt Holster
Belt Holsters are the most popular choice for open carry. Without the need for concealment, the design is built for comfort. Belt holsters are secure, giving you the confidence to know exactly where the gun will be. They keep the firearm out of the way, but easily accessible. There are more retention options to stop the pistol from coming out until it’s needed to. If you plan to open carry, an open-topped belt holster with a means of retention or a strap, will be the way to go.
Shoulder Holsters
However, there will be times when a belt holster isn’t the right choice. Similar to critiques of belt vs. shoulder holsters in concealed carry, if you spend a lot of time driving or sitting, a shoulder holster is the way to go. Shoulder holsters generally are the same for concealed and open – the main difference being a jacket over the holster to keep it concealed. Shoulder holsters allow for a variety of firearms to be carry, and this versatility makes it an invaluable holster to have.
Belt Holsters
Belt holsters are traditionally used in the police and military kit. An equipment belt is ideal for a holster because it keeps all of your equipment together.
Police belt holsters generally have an open top with some kind of retention. These specifications are important to note because the open top allows for a quick draw, yet with modern retention devices, there’s little chance of anyone else getting ahold of the weapon in combat.
Military belt holsters are a bit different. For soldiers, handguns aren’t their primary weapon. Because of this, a quick draw is desirable, but not necessary. What is more important is protection. They’re carried in dirty, wet, muddy conditions for long periods of time. It’s a rough existence for these handguns. Therefore, most holders are full-flapped designs that cover as much of the gun as possible.
Shoulder Holsters
A shoulder holster can be cumbersome in a full combat load – they become awkward to draw when you’re reaching around heavy and loaded down gear. For troops with lighter gear, however, they offer the same advantages as they do for open carry – comfort from well-distributed weight, versatility with an array of firearms, and it’s easy to draw when driving or sitting.
Chest Holsters
Most notably, chest holsters are used for backcountry hunters and hikers. When carrying heavy packs for days on end, having a shoulder or belt holster just isn’t an option – a chest holster positioned over your sternum allows for a quick draw and doesn’t interfere with other equipment for the activity.
When a shoulder holsters isn’t a viable option in the military, a chest holster works well with armor. They usually attach to a PALS grid on any MOLLE-compatible armor.
Shop Tactical Chest Holsters >
Drop Leg Holsters
Drop leg holsters, also known as thigh holsters, boast a quicker access to your firearm - even quicker than the beloved belt holster – in nearly all situations from standing to sitting to kneeling. They have become increasingly popular with wide use by law enforcement officials, military personnel, civilian shooters, and hunters.
Drop leg holsters are suspended from your belt with a strap around the thigh to keep them in place. Extension kits allow most military belt holsters to be converted to drop-leg. Kits often contain a tight panel with a PALS grid and attached retention straps.
Though, drop leg holsters claim a quicker draw – it’s not a flawless product. Some critiques say the weapon isn’t as secure as the belt style, while others find it hard to adjust and even some say it’s more awkward to draw. Regardless of its legitimate critiques, it’s another beloved and often used holster to carry your firearm
Leather
Leather is the timeless material of the ages when it comes to a holster. Back in the day, when very few options were available, leather served dutifully to provide a durable and soft material to carry guns. Leather is flexible, versatile, long lasting if properly cared for, and comfortable on the body.
Though, it has its drawbacks. Particularly, when it comes to breaking it in, it can take a while to mold to your body. It requires maintenance and care to last a long time, and when exposed to elements like rain or sweat, without maintenance, it can collect moisture and sit uncomfortably on your body. Another drawback is that there is a limited availability of retention options (generally a button strap) and adjustment options.
Kydex
Kydex is a thermoplastic that was invented in 1965. Gun enthusiasts and companies quickly found its place as a viable option for a gun holster. This is the most popular material today, due to its durability and cost factor.
The main benefit of using Kydex is its durability and its lightweight and maintenance-free design. The material is easy to clean and doesn’t absorb dirt, water, or sweat. Additionally, the holster retains its shape and is shaped to the gun design.
It’s only downsides are that it can scratch your gun over time and the stiff design can be uncomfortable.
Synthetic
Many synthetic fabrics have been used to make holsters such as nylon. Synthetic fibers are usually tough and low-maintenance, making them a great option for a holster. Often, these types of holsters are equipped with shape-retaining stiffener and hook-and-loop fasteners so you can customize the way you carry.
Some perks of synthetic materials are that it’s cheap, drawing from the holster can be quiet, and synthetic holsters are considered more universal because they aren’t molded for a particular firearm. This is useful if you want one holster to fit multiple weapons. These holsters are often more comfortable than Kydex because they are more yielding and offer some padding.
However, solidly made holsters can be bulky and not conceal as well. Less structure often means less structural integrity and less security. Synthetic holsters are also harder to keep clean that Kydex holsters.
Now that you have your gun in your holster. What’s next? You need to make sure that your gun is in your holster until you’re ready to use it – and when you want it in your hand, you need it quickly. There’s a number of retention methods that can make this happen.
Friction
Many holsters don’t have any retention system; they rely on friction between the gun and the holster to keep it in place. Most concealed carry holsters come into this category. This usually works just fine because most people won’t know you have any weapon at all, and you probably won’t be moving around too much for it to escape. In this situation, a well-made, well-fitted holster will keep your gun in place. Some modern holsters now have a retention screw that can alter the amount of friction and how securely the gun is held.
Straps
Straps work well when you don’t need to protect your gun from the environment. A thumb break strap secures a gun in a holster and is often used in traditional police and open carry holsters. Straps protect well from your gun falling out, but it doesn’t stop someone from snatching it – just as you can release the strap easily, another person can, too.
Flaps
Flaps are often used in traditional military holsters, where its important to keep the firearm secure and also protect it from the elements – like rain and mud. The caveat is that they’re slower to draw because you have the extra step of opening the flap to get your hand on the gun.
Trigger Guard Locks
A modern innovation has been created on many rigid holsters, especially for police use – trigger guard locks have a hook or post to secure the weapon and to unlock it, you need to use a button on the outside of the holster. It’s not hard to use, but if someone is clawing at your gun, it’s unlikely they’ll succeed.
Finding the right holster can be a challenge, but using this guide to focus on your needs will help you narrow down to the right holster just for you. Shop LA Police Gear's selection of holsters right here, now that you are armed with the knowledge you need.
