National Carry AcademyChoosing the Right Holster for Concealed Carry
September 6, 2018
When you are selecting a holster, just like with your weapon choice, it becomes a balance between what you’d like and what will best conceal your weapon.
The holster needs to encase your weapon so it won’t slide out or drop out. It also has to ensure that you have easy and quick access to your firearm and that the trigger is encased.
A good option is to look first at holsters especially designed for the concealed carry gun you’ve decided upon. Often you need look no farther.
An important consideration is also where you intend to carry your firearm. There are holsters specifically intended for inside waistband, outside waistband, shoulder, ankle, pocket or purse. So, that is definitely a deciding factor.
Retention holsters are built to fit your body and also the physical contours of the handgun you’ve chosen. The holster is formed around the pistol. It molds to the gun’s trigger guard, barrel sights, and every other detail.
You can look at all the literature you want. You can check out what’s available at gun stores. These are good beginning strategies. But the ultimate test is the same as when you are buying a new car: Take it for a test drive. Live with the holster you think you want. You need to become comfortable with how it holds your firearm and how you can draw from it. What seems perfect in a magazine or a YouTube video isn’t reality until you actually try it and it feels right. It is crucial that your holster does exactly what it is intended to do. Guns that slide, drop out or are too tightly enclosed can spell disaster.
You bought your concealed carry for your personal, family, and property protection. Your gun and holster must work in combination. If they do so properly they will give you: comfort. Wherever you decide to place your firearm and holster must feel right. If it doesn’t, you will do one of two things: You will quit wearing it or you will keep changing it looking for the most comfortable spot. The former defeats the purpose of having a concealed carry. The latter wastes time because you have to start over every time you change the location. Moreover, the holster you chose for your waistband is not likely to work at your shoulder or ankle!
There are good places to start like waistband at four o’clock. There are common types that please the majority like the paddle holster. However, you may not be part of this majority. But, it’s a good start. Keep in mind when it comes to concealed carry the least gun, least holster, least chance of exposure is often the goal.
A good one to try is Bianchi’s Frontier Gunleather Stryker belt holster. It offers great retention, fast draw, and open top design.
Look at the options for belt or paddle holsters. These work with many subcompact weapons.
Another consideration is the pocket holster. This is comfortable almost from the outset because carrying your wallet or cell phone already has you conditioned to reach into your pocket. The pocket holster works equally for men and women and with whatever you are wearing. It also makes concealed carry easier. Pocket holsters are available in several styles and materials. Just be sure it ,obscures the shape of your weapon, provides solid retention, gives you easy draw and the holster stays upright in your pocket. The best material choices for pocket holsters are “tacky” surface. This will adhere to the fabric of your pocket. Leather rough side out suede pocket holsters also work well.
You may mix and match types of holsters and means of carry. But, you need to start with what works for you and your handgun.
Choosing the Right Holster for Concealed Carry
September 6, 2018
When you are selecting a holster, just like with your weapon choice, it becomes a balance between what you’d like and what will best conceal your weapon.
The holster needs to encase your weapon so it won’t slide out or drop out. It also has to ensure that you have easy and quick access to your firearm and that the trigger is encased.
A good option is to look first at holsters especially designed for the concealed carry gun you’ve decided upon. Often you need look no farther.
An important consideration is also where you intend to carry your firearm. There are holsters specifically intended for inside waistband, outside waistband, shoulder, ankle, pocket or purse. So, that is definitely a deciding factor.
Retention holsters are built to fit your body and also the physical contours of the handgun you’ve chosen. The holster is formed around the pistol. It molds to the gun’s trigger guard, barrel sights, and every other detail.
You can look at all the literature you want. You can check out what’s available at gun stores. These are good beginning strategies. But the ultimate test is the same as when you are buying a new car: Take it for a test drive. Live with the holster you think you want. You need to become comfortable with how it holds your firearm and how you can draw from it. What seems perfect in a magazine or a YouTube video isn’t reality until you actually try it and it feels right. It is crucial that your holster does exactly what it is intended to do. Guns that slide, drop out or are too tightly enclosed can spell disaster.
You bought your concealed carry for your personal, family, and property protection. Your gun and holster must work in combination. If they do so properly they will give you: comfort. Wherever you decide to place your firearm and holster must feel right. If it doesn’t, you will do one of two things: You will quit wearing it or you will keep changing it looking for the most comfortable spot. The former defeats the purpose of having a concealed carry. The latter wastes time because you have to start over every time you change the location. Moreover, the holster you chose for your waistband is not likely to work at your shoulder or ankle!
There are good places to start like waistband at four o’clock. There are common types that please the majority like the paddle holster. However, you may not be part of this majority. But, it’s a good start. Keep in mind when it comes to concealed carry the least gun, least holster, least chance of exposure is often the goal.
A good one to try is Bianchi’s Frontier Gunleather Stryker belt holster. It offers great retention, fast draw, and open top design.
Look at the options for belt or paddle holsters. These work with many subcompact weapons.
Another consideration is the pocket holster. This is comfortable almost from the outset because carrying your wallet or cell phone already has you conditioned to reach into your pocket. The pocket holster works equally for men and women and with whatever you are wearing. It also makes concealed carry easier. Pocket holsters are available in several styles and materials. Just be sure it ,obscures the shape of your weapon, provides solid retention, gives you easy draw and the holster stays upright in your pocket. The best material choices for pocket holsters are “tacky” surface. This will adhere to the fabric of your pocket. Leather rough side out suede pocket holsters also work well.
You may mix and match types of holsters and means of carry. But, you need to start with what works for you and your handgun.