Holster Buying Guide

What is a Holster?

A holster is a leather, fabric, or plastic case typically used for carrying and or securing a firearm on a person, a saddle, or in a vehicle; A holster can also be a specialized article of clothing or a device, worn to hold, or restrict the undesired movement of the item it's carrying. Holsters are generally used and or required as a safety device for some sort of weapon or device that can harm another. Holsters are also usually placed in an area that will enable the person to access it easily.

Selecting a Holster

When selecting a holster for a firearm, there are several factors that one should consider such as the holsters safety, finish, comfort, conceal-ability, draw ease/re-holster ease, durability, retention and adjustability. Safety designates that a well designed holster will provide protection to the handgun as it is being inserted into or removed from the holster or also while being carried. This will help prevent accidental disengagement of the safety mechanism, and helps prevent accidental pull of the trigger. It also helps prevent forward or rearward movement of the hammer. A well designed and finished holster should not snag the weapon or abrade its finish and also be comfortable. A holster that provides for an adjustment of the weapon can aid in both comfort and concealment. Concealment can also be important because usually one does not want others to know that they are armed. Drawing ease is also a large factor for shooting, sporting and duty holsters because of the need to be able to draw the weapon quickly. Rigid-walled holsters are good for re-holster ease because one may put it back with one hand while flexible holsters sometimes cave in after the gun is drawn causing one to use both hands in order to re-holster the weapon. A durable holster should be long lasting and should not have mechanical complications. If a holster is made with retention features this means it will hinder some one else from removing the weapon from the holster. Modern duty holsters have several hidden retention devices to help prevent undesignated individuals from removing the gun. Holsters are also often custom designed for a specific model of gun so different holsters for different models of guns may be needed.

Holster Types and Holster Styles
Firearm holsters come in many different shapes, materials, and retention/release mechanisms. Holsters types include leather pouches (hanging from a belt) to protective holsters with flaps that cover the whole handgun. There are also adjustable competition holsters that hold the handgun at a certain position and release instantly when the right amount of pressure is applied. Since there are so many different types of holsters which can be used in many different circumstances its important to take the time and figure out the right holster for the application.

Duty Holsters
Duty holsters can be made of leather (plain, basketweave, or glossy), nylon, or plastic. Duty holsters are designed to be attached to a duty belt and worn on the strong-side of the user. Duty holsters are generally only found for full-sized and mid-sized handguns. Duty holsters are also designed to have a higher level of retention which helps make it more difficult for another person to remove a gun from the user. Since the retention may slow down the drawing and reholstering ease of the gun, its good to look for a balance of speed and retention when selecting a duty holster.

Tactical Holsters / Military Holsters
Tactical holsters or military holsters are usually made of nylon or plastic, with most being a drop-leg design. There is sometimes a flap design that slows down the draw of the gun, however, this design provides protection for the firearm.




Concealment Holsters
Concealment holsters are typically lightweight and designed to be easily concealed. Mid-sized hand guns are usually used in concealment holsters because they are easier to conceal. Concealment holsters are typically designed to be worn under clothing and protect the handgun from body perspiration. Since, these holsters are designed to fit close to the body it is important to find one that is comfortable for the user. Sometimes the outside of concealment holsters are broader which helps disclose the shape of the handgun from showing through the users clothing. Pocket holsters, a type of concealment holster, have an external flat side that has a rougher surface (the nap), which holds the holster in place when drawing the gun.

Sporting Holsters
Sporting holsters include a wide variety of fast draw holsters including adjustable holsters used in IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) and pin shooting, high retention holsters, handgun hunting holsters, and there are holsters used to hold a handgun while out plinking (informal target shooting). Sporting holsters can be specialized to suit specific gun sports. For example, hunting holsters are designed to carry the largest handguns. The largest handguns are usually carried in holsters that are worn across the shoulder, and are removed when the firearm is drawn. Slow drawing ease is not a hindrance for these holsters since they are not being used in defensive circumstances.

Waistband Holsters (Belt Holsters)
Waistband holsters are typically classified as either OWB's or IWB's (Outside the waistband, or inside the waistband). OWB's are most common in police and military use. IWB holsters, which clip or mount to a belt typically allow one to securely holster the weapon inside the pants, some IWB holsters give the wearer the option of tucking a shirt over the firearm and holster.



Shoulder Holsters
With shoulder holsters there are typically two straps (kind of like a backpack). The holster is attacked to the right or left strap. In order to conceal the holster from others, the user must wear a jacket or some other article of clothing that will keep it out of sight. This type of holster is also typically easier to carry because it is attached towards the center of the body. Shoulder holsters can typically position the handgun in a vertical position (with the barrel pointing downward), in a vertical position (with the barrel pointing upward), or in a horizontal position (with the barrel pointing behind the user.

Belly Band Holsters
Belly Band holsters have an elastic belt with a built-in holster. This type of holster is typically worn under a shirt which is not tucked in for drawing ease. There are different kinds of belly band holster, some can be attached anywhere around the belt line, and the gun can be placed either in front or behind the armpit.

Small of the Back Holsters / Middle of the Back Holsters
When using small of back the holsters the weapon is placed over the center of the back. This holster is great for large handguns because the user can carry it while eliminating the outline of the gun from showing (printing). The holster is typically comfortable, however, there is risk of spinal injury if the user falls on the weapon.



Groin Holsters / Thigh Holsters
Groin holsters or thigh holsters place the firearm below the waistline. The user is able to have increased mobility, and is able to have fewer clothing restrictions. Thigh holsters are common military and police tools. They hold the sidearm on leg and provide quick drawing access.



Ankle Holsters
Ankle holsters are great to use when the user desires to carry a secondary weapon. Secondary weapons are usually used as a back up for the primary weapon. Ankle holsters are often used by Law enforcement officers.




Open-top Holster
Open-top holster do not have a security strap (which holds the handgun). The leather is designed to fit snugly around the trigger guard as well as other parts of the frame. The grip is exposed, and is unlatched for a quick draw. There are also typically two foldable flaps, one flap forms a pocket that fits the barrel and trigger of the gun, and the other is detachable by a snap fastener.

Belt Scabbard Holster
A belt scabbard holster is attached to the belt, by belt loops or a tunnel and it hangs outside the belt and pants.

Sight Track Holster
Sight track holsters typically have two strips of fabric sewn in front. The holster has a groove where the handgun’s front sight slips when it is being drawn. The handgun holster can be positioned in a rake, cant or tilt on the belt. When the holster hangs straight (zero degree angle) on a belt it is called a neutral rake.

Holster Materials
The traditional material, particularly for handgun holsters, is leather. Ballistic nylon is a commonly used fabric for holsters because it's stiff, wear resistant, and thick in order keep the firearm protected. Molded plastics, such as Kydex, are also becoming popular.

Holster Mechanisms
Various holsters provide security straps, retention, and foldable flaps that can also be detachable. There is also a tilting forward unlocking mechanism that acts as a trigger guard restraining device when tilted forward. There is also a pistol retaining mechanism that is similar to the tilting mechanism. This mechanism releases the pistol when the barrel of the pistol is tilted downward. Security holster locking assemblies are common for different holster types. They are used for securing the firearm.

Holster Care and Maintenance Leather treatment may be rubbed inside the holster to prevent it from clinging to the handgun during the draw. When breaking in a leather holster, work the firearm in the holster repeatedly until the desired fit is achieved. Do some practice draws to test out the fit if necessary (hey its kind of like breaking in a baseball glove). Also just in case, make sure the firearm is unloaded before breaking in the holster. Note that some holster brands should not have oil applied to them. When cleaning a leather holster use a damp cloth, and if it is really dirty try using saddle soap (hard glycerine soap), rub with a damp cloth, and dry with a soft cloth. Leather balm or conditioner may be applied once or twice a year when necessary.