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carry holsters.

daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
edited May 2002 in General Discussion
I'm getting a new carry holster. Which do any of you prefer?
I also have seen the t-shirt type carry holsters (by Kramer). Anyone try these?
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Comments

  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've always been a big fan of the inside-the-pants holster in the small of my back. It just feels right when it's there.

    SSG idsman75, U.S. ARMY
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The T-shirt might be a worthwhile addition to a collection, because the lycra bands we usually get for under-the-shirt wear get uncomfortable and can spit the gun out of the holster. They also look cooler to wear, with the holes in them. But I don't expect they're best in the retention department, and you always have to figure how you're going to do the draw.

    I vastly prefer good leather holsters for most wear and regularly browse the bins at gun shows looking for "finds." I like a hi-ride holster that doesn't show below a bomber-length jacket if possible, since my permit is for concealed carry. I've tried a lot of holsters. I have good ones by Galco, DeSantis, Gould & Goodrich, Bianchi. I don't care for the cloth stuff and that is most of Uncle Mike's stuff, but it does work if you're on a budget. And I'm not partial to the new Fobus plastic holsters that "click" the gun into place. Though I do like the roto feature.

    Lined holsters are better than unlined, especially for polymer guns, which tend to have more friction against unlined leather than polished steel does.

    In general, I like a forward cant and wear just behind the hip bone, not directly on the side. Small of the back holsters are convenient to reach with practice, but of limited use because they interfere with sitting, and they're only wearable if they're offset left or right from the spine. Otherwise they hurt like the devil unless you're standing all the time. The holsters I get the most use out of are hi-ride belt hosters, no longer than necessary for the barrel length. The paddle holsters are very good too nowadays, and useful if you have to take one off or put it on positively in a hurry. Now that they're making the hooks properly these retain well. There are times when that is very useful. But there is no positive retention like a belt holster. Paddles will shift a bit on you. Also, a good paddle holster can be used without much of a belt and even no belt in a pinch. I've worn one with sweatpants. Again, I like those in leather.

    I don't care for IWB suede holsters. They just gouge too much. I've had them and sold them.

    I have bought several leather holsters with thumbbreaks, and wound up using an Exacto knife to carve them off the holster. Unless you practice a lot, or have a LEO need for one, the thumbsnap slows me down and I find the shaped holsters nowadays retain well enough without the snap. I also have one shoulder holster that is not leather and the velcro thumbbreak has let me down, dropping the gun out on the ground in one case. This is why there is an extra strap for gun retention on shoulder holsters that use a velcro thumbbreak. But that of course is a disadvantage when you're in a hurry. I think if I ever have another shoulder rig it will be leather as well, properly fitted and padded.

    - Life NRA Member
    If dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
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  • pikeal1pikeal1 Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November -1
    Lots of good info Offerer, thanks for the advice.

    I personally have a Fobus paddle that I use almost daily, I switch on and off with a belly band for days when what im wearing simply won't hold the paddle properly. I'm in need of a few more for a couple of other guns...I'll take this info as a good reference.

    Alex
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  • simonbssimonbs Member Posts: 994 ✭
    edited November -1
    Depends on what you are carrying.

    I carry my Ruger P89 in the waistband of my pants (sans holster), on the right side of my back, mag-well facing right (for a right-hand draw).

    I bought one of my little sisters a Taurus M85 and I've been carrying it for a couple of weeks in an ankle holster. (Hey, she lives in OK and I live in AL, I'm just gonna hafta use it until we see each other in Aug. and I can give it to her )
    I'm not afraid of the dark...the dark is afraid of me!
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  • 4GodandCountry4GodandCountry Member Posts: 3,968
    edited November -1
    Ive been thinking about getting a fobus roto paddle holster for my 1911 but am concerned that it would be similar to the regular 1911 paddle holster where the full sized slide protrudes from the bottom of the holster. Anyone have any input on the subject.

    When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
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  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    Thanks all for the info.- heres the deal...
    I live in Texas and its hot! Can't wear jackets to hide the gun.
    It seems no matter where I put the gun (kel-tech p-11- although i may carry the glock 26 at times) it seems to show as a bulge ect. as I wear reg shirts and jeans. My tummy may be the only hope of hiding unless it's under the armpit. Whatayathink?
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  • simonbssimonbs Member Posts: 994 ✭
    edited November -1
    Ankle holster.
    I'm not afraid of the dark...the dark is afraid of me!
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  • lazywallruslazywallrus Member Posts: 119 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For what its worth, here's a couple things to think about. with an ankle holster you have to crouch down to draw your gun, which will definitly limit your ability to back-up and find cover.

    A front of the pants holster is a great place for concealability and speed of draw, but I dont really like the idea of having a pistol pointed at the jewells. Goes against rule #1 never point your weapon at something you do not wish to destroy.

    Your kel-tec should be small enough to carry in a pocket pouch if not I would go with a behind the back set-up,preferably with the butt down. It seems to be easier to grab that way. Just make sure to squat down to pick stuff up dont bend over or it will print.
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