All posts tagged Tactical Holsters

Securing firearms in a holsters is important…

But don’t forget about all of your other gear.    Many of my previous blog posts have mentioned that I regularly attend training seminars and trade shows and I see and feel lots of gun gear and accessories.    I’ve seen plenty minds changed with gun holsters once the physical stuff starts.   I’ve busted a few CCW in my life usually during the Summer months when they are sitting back on a lawn chair and I see a fully loaded Sig 220 magazine laying on the ground next to them.    Another one of my friends fell asleep on a long car ride and woke up with an empty pistol magazine pouch, it was being held by the guy sitting behind him.

Those sound like funny stories, but it should be a wake up for anyone that is CCWing.   Gun accessories on firearms should normally have loctite on them, but you can’t do that to keep your gun magazines in place.   Those cheap nylon magazine holders are actually very secure, but some don’t like the image of cheap Army surplus stuff.   Blackhawk holsters are known for their locking Serpa holsters, but the double stack and single stack magazines are outstanding.   I’ve never lost a magazine during training and they are easy to retrieve unlike something with a flap.

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5.11 tactical holsters do they still make clothing?

I’m not going to get on the bandwagon and say 5.11 is a bad company, but I will say that the company has far out extended itself.   I have an own many items from 5.11, but after a failed attempt and trying to get back into wearing some of their stuff with the 5.11 jeans, I’m really annoyed that if I want to try to order any of the other pants online, I’m probable going to have sizing issues.  I have to wear a full size large in the pants that I presently own and I have no idea how they got so out of  hand when it came to consistency.   I see 5.11 watches and holsters, but I’d like to see them go back to making clothing right.

The 5.11 thumb drive holsters are another way of doing something, and if it floats your boat, they float it.   I don’t like jumping around with too many  holster variations because like driving many different vehicles in a short time  period, there will eventually be a time you reach for something and it’s not where you thought it was.  Retention or locking holsters can be very important,  but sometimes its nice to just put on  Fobus holsters and you’re all ready for Winter/ Jacket carry or open carry.  Sometimes you have to stick to the  basics and consistency is paramount

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Spring and Summer holster options

With the advent of the Glock pistol, I have thought that it was smart to consider getting gun manufacturers to move in that direct, and I think just about everyone is on the bandwagon now.   I think firearms are like Golf Clubs and baseball bats, and everyone is going to have to find one that works for them and not expect every person to be using the same one.   There is a difference between someone that does investigation in a PD and someone that is showing up on the scene of a crime and rifles and handguns are should be chosen in the appropriate environments.

I have ruined a few firearms whether it was pitted or rusted out screws, and pretty much removed leather holsters from my non-Winter carry options.   My paddle holsters are all Fobus and Blackhawk holsters and I have no real concerns about using them, but I am still finding rust on some of my pistols.   I have taken the plunge into carrying Glocks for a few months just to see if I can adjust to the feel.   I’m still not very comfortable, but I will give it a few more months and possible look into getting a Springfield XD or a Smith & Wesson M&P pistol.

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Another way of doing things, the Fobus Level II

I don’t carry with a Fobus paddle holster very day, but I’m probable sporting some of their stuff a few times a month.   I recently found out about the Level II holsters from Fobus with the thumb lever.   I have to say that I have not had a lot of experience with these so I’m not going to rave about them or pass any criticism on them.   There are many ways of doing the same job and the job that a gun holster is suppose to do for you is hold your firearm.   I have tossed a few holsters in the trash after wearing them out, but I spent a lot of money on upgrading some of my primary medium and full size holster selection after sitting in on a few Carbine courses.

There is no difference in my opinion between a 1911 cocked and locked and a Glock 19 in a Blackhawk Serpa holster.  Each one of them is not ready for firing until a finger, take your pick, releases a safety in one way or another and the gun comes out and plays.   Fobus holsters are very well made and I have yet to ever break one.   They are not bullet proof and they will hurt to roll on, but they get the job done for $20-$30.   My Beretta 92FS always goes in a Fobus holster because it’s the most comfortable way of carrying it.

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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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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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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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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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