Holster Questions

[HotBrass]

I recently bought my first handgun and am waiting on my CCP to come in. I've fired weapons my whole life so i am comfortable with them but i've never carried before. I went to Green Top the other day and was looking at their holsters. The thing that caught my eye was a Galco OWB button release holster(sorry i don't know the real name of it), this thing was really nice IMO but i'd rather have an IWB because i think it would be more concealed(definitely with my love handles ) but like i said i've never carried or worn one so i don't know.

To you experts who do this everyday, my question is what brand of holster and what type of holster do you suggest for carring a weapon everyday that would be the most comportable but also not take away from useability?

Thanks!

[zephyp]

I favor the Bianchi Pro IWB cause they are quick simple reliable and quite functional....made in sizes to fit most guns...

[allingeneral]

Here's a large selection of Bianchi holsters to browse through: http://all-in-general.com/index.php?man ... ter_id=781

[Palladin]

I'm in the same predicament, and it looks to me like you'll wind up with several different holsters, and a couple of favorites.

I can't do IWB without getting a new set of clothes, seems like there's always a little more money to be spent..

[HotBrass]

Ya i know what you mean, IBW during the summer, Shoulder rig for the Fall/Winter and so on.. I was trying to avoid buying more than one but i guess trial and error are the only way to get what each individual is comfotable with. Of course with the least favorite holsters, theres always the marketplace to unload maybe someone else with like them. WTB section, duh i'm gonna see if i can get some used ones and save some $$.

[davasmith]

Once you find a holster you like design wise, you can always get a custom holster made for your gun. I've done this several times and can honestly say that market holsters are great and do their jobs, but a custom holster is made specifically for you and generally are nicer in appearance and function not to mention resell value if ever needed. IMHO, that is.

[HotBrass]

How expensive are those? I imagine being custom, its gotta be at least twice as expensive. but i see where you would save money from never having to get another.

[OakRidgeStars]

I had a custom OWB holster made for my FN FNP-45 by Wild Bill. The price was about the same as a quality off-the-shelf leather holster.

http://www.wildbillsconcealment.com/shop/

[HotBrass]

Wow thats a great! If i can't find a used one, i might have to do that.

From experience, on the IWB holster would you recommend a Clip or a Loop system? I would imagine the loop would be more secure, and the clip a possiblity of comming off. Please correct me if i'm wrong, i'm assuming and we all know what happens when you ASSume.

[zephyp]

Wow thats a great! If i can't find a used one, i might have to do that.

From experience, on the IWB holster would you recommend a Clip or a Loop system? I would imagine the loop would be more secure, and the clip a possiblity of comming off. Please correct me if i'm wrong, i'm assuming and we all know what happens when you ASSume.

I carry several diff pistols in IWB rigs with clips only on my trousers...I hate belts...never had an issue...

[b2unit]

One thing for certain, you will most likely end up 10 years from now having a box full of various holsters. I have tried so many over the last few decades, a few I swear by, and a bunch I thought were the greatest thing since sliced bread but learned otherwise after some practical use.

Nothing wrong with buying some used holsters till you find what suits you, there are a ton out there on the net. Personally I use Comp-tac and Blade-tec paddles as I usually find myself taking the weapon off and on throughout the day and they go on easy/come off easy and retain the weapon well and have never come off during presentation drills (hundreds of thousands of times)

Cost effective too !

I do have a few leather holsters that I use for certain tasks as well, Galco/Bianchi and a few others are all quality

But that's just me you have to find out what works for you. Good luck

[HotBrass]

Thanks for all the advice, you guys have got me thinking about a few different options instead of the narrow minded track i was on about such holsters.

[smltooner]

I have one of these and love it.

http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=53

[derek141]

Here's a large selection of Bianchi holsters to browse through: http://all-in-general.com/index.php?man ... ter_id=781

The Bianchi Black Widow ("#5") is a good one and was my favorite for a number of years until I went to a no-cant (straight drop) holster. Either way, I've never been big on IWB, since I buy my pants to fit my waist, not what may or may not be riding on it.

[derek141]

Ya i know what you mean, IBW during the summer, Shoulder rig for the Fall/Winter and so on.. I was trying to avoid buying more than one but i guess trial and error are the only way to get what each individual is comfotable with. Of course with the least favorite holsters, theres always the marketplace to unload maybe someone else with like them. WTB section, duh i'm gonna see if i can get some used ones and save some $$.

FYI- only because you said you're new to this- think carefully about choosing a shoulder rig. The draw takes more training to execute safely, and this is why you'd be hard pressed to find a range that allows them.

[HotBrass]

FYI- only because you said you're new to this- think carefully about choosing a shoulder rig. The draw takes more training to execute safely, and this is why you'd be hard pressed to find a range that allows them.

Really? Why is it harder to execute safely? Do you flag more people when pulling it out?

I don't plan on getting one, i just figure in the winter with a big jacket it would be better. My original thought was a IWB but with all this information and expert testimony i'm thinking maybe a paddle holster for the convience of taking it off and on all day. Of course as indicated i'm probably going to end up with both and a few others, then end up with a few favorites.

Thanks again for taking it easy on me, i'm definitely interested in learning and being corrected.

[ProShooter]

FYI - Holster options/selection is one of the topics that I discuss in this class:

http://proactiveshooters.com/general-co ... rry-in-va/

[user]

Personally, I rarely use an IWB, precisely because I am a man of enhanced girth, and I find them uncomfortable. There are situations, though, in which a pretty small gun in an IWB is the best combination.

My wife spends an hour in her special closet every morning deciding on her "fashion accessories". So do I, only my time is spent on gun/holster combinations.

[derek141]

Really? Why is it harder to execute safely? Do you flag more people when pulling it out?

I don't plan on getting one, i just figure in the winter with a big jacket it would be better. My original thought was a IWB but with all this information and expert testimony i'm thinking maybe a paddle holster for the convience of taking it off and on all day. Of course as indicated i'm probably going to end up with both and a few others, then end up with a few favorites.

Thanks again for taking it easy on me, i'm definitely interested in learning and being corrected.

Proshooter is right on that you should get some professional training, and there's no such thing as too much- this is why I intentionally didn't go into detail about the shoulder rig. You need better training than our comments and opinions.

That being said, I have shoulder rigs for two circumstances: heavy cold weather gear that blocks my access to my hip, and sometimes for long road trips. Not for routine carry.

Yes, you are correct. 1) If not executed correctly, you sweep 180 degrees around you with your muzzle. 2) You also risk sweeping your support arm. 3) Reholstering is now a two-handed exercise that 4) involves the muzzle covering whatever is behind you. 5) If you're supposed to train like you fight, you would need plenty of your own land because proper ranges (including the most prestigious LE ranges) prohibit shoulder rig usage.

Many of us use competition as a form of practice to maintain some level of proficiency. There is no pistol competition circuit that I know of that allows shoulder rigs.

They have their place as I noted in select circumstances- say you're a military pilot in a flight suit- you have no belt. But this is not IMO an adviseable way to start out your new way of life carrying. Probably the most useful place for the shoulder rig is the TV/movie set where a smaller camera shot can film the gun. We're in real life, not the movies.

Just my $0.02.

[gunderwood]

One thing for certain, you will most likely end up 10 years from now having a box full of various holsters. I have tried so many over the last few decades, a few I swear by, and a bunch I thought were the greatest thing since sliced bread but learned otherwise after some practical use.

Nothing wrong with buying some used holsters till you find what suits you, there are a ton out there on the net. Personally I use Comp-tac and Blade-tec paddles as I usually find myself taking the weapon off and on throughout the day and they go on easy/come off easy and retain the weapon well and have never come off during presentation drills (hundreds of thousands of times)

Cost effective too !

I do have a few leather holsters that I use for certain tasks as well, Galco/Bianchi and a few others are all quality

But that's just me you have to find out what works for you. Good luck

+1

IWB offers better concealment, but OWB is going to be more comfortable. You'll end up with a bunch of you carry often. I have several Galco's and they make a good product, but there are certainly lots of competitors who do too. IMHO, a good sturdy belt is a must. My Galco contour belt has worked very well.