What You Should Know About Holsters
Firearm holsters come in many shapes, materials, levels of retention and sizes. Thier are three basic holster catagories; duty
holsters, concealment and sporting type. The type of holster used depends on the varying circumstances in which they are used.
Uniformed security and police officers who carry their guns openly generally use what is called a retention holster. These type of
holsters incorporate a level or levels of retention. Straps or flaps that hold the firearm in place and prevent the officer from being
disarmed are most common. Duty holsters are available with varying levels of retention (i.e. Level I, Level II, Level III). A higher level
of retention makes it more difficult for someone to remove the firearm from your holster.
Concealment holster are made to be easily worn out of sight. They are generally compact, lightweight and designed to be worn
under clothing. The belt and paddle holster are among the most common concealment holster. Other concealment holster options
include the shoulder holster, ankle holster, belly band, fanny pack, pocket holster and many variations of each.
Shoulder Holsters
Shoulder holsters generally consist of two straps connected in a manner similar to a backpack with the actual holster mounted to a
strap on the right or the left side. The holster is usually mounted under the arm of your weak hand and your ammo carrier and/or
handcuffs on the opposite side of the holster. To draw your weapon you need to reach across the front of your body with your
strong hand. Shoulder holsters are generally constructed of leather or nylon type material. Some manufacturers of shoulder
holsters include Galco, Safariland, Blackhawk, Gould & Goodrich, Fobus and Uncle Mike’s.
Glorified in movies and on television, the shoulder holster is still a useful special purpose concealment rig. There are some people
who routinely carry a shoulder holster and for whom the shoulder holster makes the most sense for. There are many more for
whom, in certain times and places and under certain conditions, the shoulder holster is a special purpose item.
The shoulder holster offers a number of specialized advantages including not having to wear a belt, firearm can be drawn in a quick
and inconspicuous manner and it takes the weapons weight off of your hip. The shoulder holster is also practical if your assignment
requires you to be in a seated position. Started from a seated position, it can be difficult to draw your weapon out of a standard belt
holster, particularly if you’re strapped in place by safety belts. This is why so many police, military pilots and bodyguards use
shoulder holsters while on duty.
Ankle Holsters
Ankle holsters can be awkward to wear and feel combursome at times. Having that extra weight on one leg can take some getting
used to. They are generally used with a small calibur weapon and worn on the inside leg of your weak side. Like the shoulder rig
the ankle holster has its own specialized purposes and offers its own advantages like not having to wear a belt and taking weight off
your hip.
Ankle holsters come in several different materials including leather, nylon and molded plastic. A calf strap is sometimes an option.
The calf strap helps to stabalize the holster on your leg. A few well known ankle holster manufacturers are Fobus, Galco, Bianchi,
Gould & Goodrich and Safariland.
The ankle holster is sometimes utlized by law enforcement officers for a back up weapon while on duty. While off duty the ankle
holster serves its purpose as being a highly concealable holster for their firearm. Ankle holsters are great for those hot summer
days when you just want to wear a t-shirt or choose to tuck your shirt in.
Belt and Paddle Concealment Holsters
Concealment belt holsters come in a variety of shapes and size. The most poplular is what is often referred to as the pancake
holster. The pancake holster is attached to your belt with loops in the back of the holster. It is generally carried on the hip of your
strong side and features a thumb retention strap. This is probabley the safest way to carry your gun. Many law enforcement
agencies require officers to carry their weapon this way while off duty.
Another type of concealment belt holster is the small-of-the-back holster. this holster is also attached to your belt using loops in
the holster, but it is designed to be worn on the rear of your belt. The holster is well concealed in the small of your back. The
disadvatage of this holster is that sitting can be uncomfortable.
Cross draw holster belt holsters offer another, yet less common concealment option. They are worn on your weak side. You need
to reach across your body with your strong hand to draw your weapon. The disadvantage of this is that when drawing your firearm
you are potentially putting many people in your line of fire.
Paddle holsters generally look the same and feature the same options as concealment belt holsters. The difference is that paddle
holsters do not attach to your belt. Rather they use a paddle on the back of the holster which you slide between your body and
your pants. Paddle holsters are easy to put on and off because you do not need to remove your belt. The main disadvantage is that
they are less secure being that they are not attached to your belt with a loop system. Some paddles holsters feature a locking
mechanism on the paddle which grabs the under side of your belt. This is a little safer but still not as secure as a pancake style
belt holster.
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