All posts in Holsters

Why you should still consider a locking system for open carry

Open carry discussions have been banned from several of the gun forums that I use to dwell on because they became so full of “what ifs” that people would always find a way to tear the other persons logic down and if you were a Moderator, it go annoying really fast.   While Open Carry is legal in many States, all you have to do is look at the statistics for the number of Police Officers that have been killed by their own firearms.   The snap button system works for it’s intended purpose, but it is an old way of doing something. When you are carrying a full size handgun, paddle holsters tend to be a more comfortable option.

You should always be aware that you may run across an expert criminal, but from my experience, many robberies ect. are not really the best tacticians.  If you are open carrying, remember that you firearm is a liability to you know if you are not aware of your surroundings.   There are several new locking systems but the best that I know of are the Blackhawk holsters.   The Blackhawk Serpa system is more reliable than a thumb snap and it’s easier to put your firearm away.   This system prevents you firearm from flying out in a ground scuffle and it also slows down someone that is trying to get your gun from you.

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IWB causing discomfort?

There have been several times recently where I have serious considered changing the type of gun I am carrying because after working 7 days a week in over time IWB has taken it’s toll.   I’m noticing I am getting bruising on the side where I carry my firearm and it really has gotten uncomfortable.   I find IWB to be the best concealed carry method for me, but it will catch up to those who carry all the time and do a lot of physical work.   My Sig 228 is a medium sized auto that is one of my favorite and I don’t feel like spending another $500 for a smaller firearm.

When you move from carrying a firearm inside the waistband and want concealment, you are probable going to have to consider wearing a vest or a jacket.   Once you get into Summer weather, a vest may not work for you at all all.  The Galco holsters that I like to wear as outside the pants holsters are the Galco Combat Master.  These have an angled slant to them which I prefer to defensive shooting.   Everyone has different body types and arm lengths so this may not work for you.  Many of my friends like the Roto holsters for the same reason.

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Anyone want to bash Uncle Mike’s think again

I probable own more Uncle Mike’s holster than any other holster manufacturer and I do admit that many of them are sitting in a box, but I am a firm believer that you should have at least one holster for every firearm you own even if they are not getting used that often.   For instance, I have taken many first time shooters to the range and for those that were taking one of my defensive shooting courses, I always keep a paddle holster for every medium to large size handgun for such a situation.   Uncle Mike’s kydex holsters are as well made as Fobus gun holsters and I have never had an issue with them not working.

If you want to spend $100 or more  on a fancy leather shoulder holster, go right ahead, but I have 3 Uncle Mike’s gun holsters for my Sig autos and a 1911 and Beretta 92FS gun.   I prefer to carry large guns in a  shoulder rig although I know that this tends to not be safe to wear during training events.  The only thing I would not have a very high opinion of are the clip on IWB holsters.   These have failed me during practice even with a good gun belt.  If you are as physically active as I am, you will find ways to dislodge the clip from the belt and it will come off of you.

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Glocks and the Blackhawk Serpa holsters

I remember all of those arguments about the 1911 being a bad CCW back in the 1990’s and the early part of the last decade.  There was a big move towards large capacity firearms and Glock firearms pretty much became kind of that world for awhile.  I also remember seeing more and more stories on the news about shoot out involving 50-100rds of exchanged fire and nobody got hit.  In the inner city, there were more innocent people killed in fire fights than the people that were actually shooting at each other.  The Military dropped the M16A1 and went to the M16A2 because they realized that the full auto option really just meant wasting ammo and not more insurance.

There is something to be said for knowing your firearms.   I have along with several of my counterparts witnessed experienced shooters use a 45acp 1911 and engage 100yd targets and another friend learned to shoot from a guy shooting a Glock 40 at a 200yd target and did better with it than most people would have done with a 30/30 lever action.  Blackhawk holsters have a retention device that will help retain your firearm and keep it from falling out or being taking from you.  Every gun has it’s good an bad points and there is no difference between the 1911 thumb safety and the Blackhawk Serpa holsters.  Train to use what you have an know why you are carrying it.

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Sig 230 for CCW

There seems to be a wave of .380 CCW and after watching this trend for almost 2yrs, I have to say that it does seem to be a fad.   I am aware of a Police shooting where a Philadelphia Police Officer was killed by a bad guy with a .380 pistol and I later found out that she was hit in the head.   I hate having to be so gruesome in talking about shootings like this, but carrying a firearm means you are carrying a tool that may kill someone in self defense and we all know we don’t want to use the cheapest tools in the tool box if we are worried about keeping something of value in good condition.

The Sig 230 handguns have been around for a long time and from my experience the only down side to them is the lack of a normal magazine release.   All .380 handguns should be viewed as minimal, I wouldn’t carry one as a primary weapon or use it for home defense.  I have Don Hume holsters for my Sig 230 for inside the waistband.   The clip on belt holster is very reliable and the gun is already thin enough that carrying IWB is a non-issue.   .380 ballistics are something  you need to look into and train your mind to implement your weapon accordingly.

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Going lite with a shoulder holster

In the world of firearms, to each his own, when it comes to gun holsters.   I’ve got that notorious pile of holsters in a box at home that I rarely dig around in and mostly only use 3 or 4 holsters all year long. On a rare occasion I may get dressed up with my rig if I taking a course or teaching a class.   Sometimes it’s nice to bring out the old rack queens and use them and married life has taken a toll on a few of them.   There are multiple reasons to go from pocket carry options to combat mode, but the somewhere in between usually gets it’s way.

One of my favorite gun holster makers makes a very diverse product line, but that leather holster look tends to be my favorite when it comes to even a j-frame revolver.   Just because you are carrying a small gun, doesn’t mean you can’t use a paddle holster or shoulder holster.  Galco holsters have multiple carry methods for the j-frame 38 Special CCW holder and one of my favorite Professional looking rigs is the Galco Classic Lite.   When  you carry in this manor you can easily carry speed loaders ect without packing too up extra on the belt line.

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Pocket carry the way for the White collar

I got a recent phone call from a few LEO’s that were getting moved to investigations and it was time for them to rework their working attire.  I think it’s safe to say that wearing a uniform all day is not as comfortable as wearing jeans or your preferences in shirts, pants and shoes.   I’ve had to wear boots all day for 5yrs straight and when I get a rare occasion to wear sneakers my feet and legs feel like they move faster.   Carrying a gun is something very similar to wearing boots.   If you have to carry a full size Beretta 92FS, you’ll feel the same way when  you are carrying a Rohrbaugh R9S in your pocket.

I have watched many of my LEO friends go from street work and SWAT Team apparel to white collar “is that the same guy I knew before” looking individuals.  Blackhawk holsters do make a pocket carry holster for the white collar work.  Guys that have to carry briefcases or laptops aren’t going to want to carry 50rds or more of ammunition when their job is to do office or investigations work.   You want to be able to show up at doors and not notify the neighbors of the people you are talking to that a cop is investigating a grim in the area.

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Putting a safety on a firearm

There are many things to concern yourself with when you choose to carry a firearm.    People training to  hit holes on paper and maneuver themselves around a firearm range, but if the shit hits the fan, not everyone is mentally prepared for a fight.   Many that have become victims of crime tend to be the most proficient at my training courses because they know what the receiving end of crime feels like.   Having that feeling is not something the less experienced will easily learn to know.   I have personally witnessed people freeze up in hostile situations that I would normally think would be fighters and sometimes people can just become off balance and loose themselves.

Everyone has a different reason for carry the firearm that have chosen to carry and that is your personal choice.   I have issues with carrying firearms that are high maintenance, but to each his own.  One thing to consider when carry a firearm out in the open though is to have some level of retention device.   I am not big on using these for CCW, but for open carry, it’s wise to have something like the Blackhawk holsters that have a locking device that is easy to release but a BG that tries to grab a hold of your gun in a fight will have extra fiddling to do if they want to get a hold of your Sig Sauer, Glock or Springfield XD.

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Nice looking holsters

The entire gun holster market is so diverse now that it sometimes makes my head spin just thinking about recommendations for friends.   You can do google or yahoo searches for gun holsters and  you’ll find some of the largest makers of firearm holsters, but I still wouldn’t hesitate to try a customer holster maker.   I have  a friend that makes Kydex holsters and they are very original even though at first glance they look very much like other kyder holsters.   With the advent of lasers, flashlights and customer gun smithing, gun holsters can get really complicated.

There have been times when I was taking a gun course where I’d take out a leather  holster that I don’t normally wear to the range and my Springfield 1911, although it’s not the most carried sidearm I own, I have more Galco holsters for this firearm because it’s so cool looking in a leather holster.   I have the Miami Classic shoulder holster, the Fletch and the Avenger.  The Galco combat master is a fast draw holster that if worn with a nice belt, nice pants and a good shirt, will definitely get you more girls, I’m joking…

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Ankle holsters and gun weight

This is something I have never been able to get away from, if a gun is heavy, you’ll eventually start to feel it.   I hear guys constantly brag about how they carry a 1911 or a full size Springfield XD 45acp in a holster all day, but when I start to question how much of the day, days of the week, and how much physical work they do when carrying, the answer is always less than what it seems.   I have said many times that I have often been amazed by some of my fiercest and most knowledgeable friends are packing some of the smaller firearms and they are confident.   A J-frame 38 special can be had in a lightweight frame and that gives it more versatility compared to a heavier frame.

Ankle holsters are not for everyone, if you aren’t in good physical shape this isn’t for you, from my experience this is a wedding or backup carry method.   One thing to consider with Galco holsters or similar types of holsters is how much weight can you comfortable handle.   You have to watch the type of pants you wear so they don’t bunch up, and expecting to carry a heavy firearm in this manor and be able to walk around without feeling like you have a ball and chain wrapped around you is something that foresight is needed.

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