Holsters - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

From concealment to deployment, holsters are a vital part of your defensive firearms system. The style and material should be carefully considered and consistent with the mission. Don’t you just love the way firearms instructors talk!

Simply put, your choice of holsters is important and no one holster is perfect for every situation. If you ask any long-time pistol carrier how many holsters they have, you might be surprised at the number. Most own fewer shoes!

Holsters are made from a variety of materials with leather, ballistic nylon and plastic being the most common. Leather is sturdy and comfortable. Ballistic nylon is inexpensive and tough but lacks sufficient stiffness to provide a stable platform for strong side holsters. Plastics, especially Kydex, are becoming very popular. They are extremely durable and rigid. But because plastic offers little friction, most incorporate some kind of retention mechanism.

For the purpose of this discussion, we’ll break holsters down in four categories: Strong Side, Shoulder, Off-Body, and Other.

Strong side holsters are carried at the waist on your strong side (your right side if you are right-handed). Most can be attached directly to your belt or attached over your belt and held in place by a paddle. Some called “IWBs” fit Inside your Waist Band may even offer the wearer the option of tucking in their shirt. Firearms carried in strong side holsters are easily concealable and readily accessible.

Shoulder holsters require the wearing of a harness but can be very comfortable, especially if you spend most of your time seated in a car or at a desk. They are easily concealed with a jacket or vest. They do, however, require a "cross-draw" which creates another whole set of considerations. A cross-draw is more difficult to master, may require that you sweep innocent bystanders, and is easily blocked in a close quarters encounter.

Sometimes your choice of clothing may not accessorize well with a holster. Rather than be unarmed, you might choose to carry Off-Body. Off-Body holsters include modified purses, day planners, vests, jackets and fanny packs. This is a popular choice among women and in warmer climates. They offer excellent concealment but it comes at a price. There is a greater potential for becoming separated from your firearm.

Other options are as varied as your imagination. Holsters can be built into your t-shirt or your underwear, concealed behind your back or stashed in a pocket. They can be attached to your ankle or your thigh or worn around your chest.

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