The Mans Purse

Boxes of holsters...Its a struggle to find the "Right" one.

Holsters…a mans “Purse”.  It’s the one thing we have that carries what we hope we may never need to use.  The problem with Holsters is that there are so many of them!  Hip, Pocket, IWB, SOB, Ankle, Shoulder, etc…Made out of Kydex, Leather, Nylon, blah blah blah.  So, which ones work and which ones don't?

Working at the gun counter in a big box retailer, Ive had the joy of running into so many different kinds of people who are using firearms for so many reasons and in so many different ways.  This has allowed me the ability to learn and teach the many different types of holsters, and the many different ways you can use them!

One thing is for sure…You will NEVER find one holster that “Does it All”.   Along with any real shooter/gun owner out there, I have boxes of Holsters.  “Cheapies” to Expensive.  Leather to Kydex.  Hip to Ankle.  The question you must ask is…what fits your daily usage? 






Why do you carry?  Do you carry daily for self protection?  Do you only carry when you're out hunting?  Do you carry concealed?  What type of gun do you carry?  Full size, compact, sub compact, revolver?  All these things come into play when deciding what holster you will need and will best suit your needs on a day to day basis.

So, we’ve decided there are many different types of holsters.  Ill go over a few of my Favorites and not so favorites…and a few brands that I personally feel fit the bill quality/performance wise.  I wont touch on "Dressing the part" and what to wear to properly cover the holster you choose...we'll save that for another day.

Here’s a Snapshot of some of my normal usage Holsters:

There is a mixture of Kydex, Leather, Nylon, IWB, Hip, Drop Leg, Pocket, Ankle...and a mix of Brands: Blackhawk! Industries, Galco, Uncle Mikes.  All of the holsters in this picture are for 2 Guns...You spent the money on a Great Gun...you better be sure your Holster that carries it is just as good! 

Being from a Law Enforcement Background, when I look at holsters, they have to have some sort of a retention value to them...meaning, if Joe Felon walks up and decides he wants the pistol on my hip, that holster needs to assist me in keeping my gun.  I found a long time ago that Blackhawk! (www.blackhawk.com) makes a stellar product!  With their patented Serpa Locking system, the retention value is superb.  Along with the retention, Blackhawk! makes their holsters all interchangeable from platform to platform.  I can take a Kydex Serpa Hip Holster for my Glock and put it on the Drop Leg Platform that came with my 1911....And this can be done with their Drop Leg, Shoulder and Hip holsters/platforms.

Blackhawk! also makes accessory holsters.  Their CQC Dual Rail Accessory Paddle makes it possible to carry a Weapon Mounted Light and Magazine on a belt slide/paddle combo.  Assuming you do not have a holster suited to do the same.

Blackhawk!'s CQC Dual Rail Accessory Paddle

From experience, Leather can be more comfortable than Kydex for the simple fact that its pliable.  You can move without Plastic digging into your hip.  Galco is a hell of a product manufacturer.  I have a Galco Light Bearing Holster as well. All of my IWB (Inside the Waist Band) holsters are made by Galco as they are comfortable to wear ALL day, and do not give you that "Kydex Stab".

My oldest holster of 10yrs is a Galco Leather Hip Holster made for a 1911.  The stitching has held, though the shape of the holster has "Pancaked" out over the years.  Keep in mind that Leather is normally louder than other products.  It has a "Squeaky" tendency, much like a pair of new leather boots on a waxed floor.  So if tactical silence is your game, think about the squeak.  Leather also like to absorb liquids. (Solvents, Body Sweat, Oil, etc)  If your going with an IWB leather holster, beware that pretty leather finish wont be after a couple 10hr carries on 100* days. 

Then there is Nylon.  An ALMOST "Do All" holster material.  It will not absorb liquids, doesn't squeak, doesn't really break down.  If you buy a Good Brand Nylon Holster, you'll see a LOT of usage out of it.  Sadly, the normal Nylon holsters you see are from the "universal" category.  Uncle Mikes is a big name in Universal Fit holsters.  Fits 10things good, but nothing great.  They are at an awesome price point of anywhere from $10-30...but, as far as this guys concerned....not a great choice for everyday carry.

Have you answered your own questions yet?  Here's my answers to the above stated questions:

• I carry on a daily basis for self protection.  I utilize a Blackhawk Serpa Holster 99% of the time for daily carry of my Full Size/Compact/Sub Compact Handguns.

• I carry while hunting.  Because of the gear I carry while hunting, a Blackhawk! Drop Leg holster best suits my pistol needs while tracking down fuzzy 4 legged animals.

• I carry a 5 shot Revolver as a secondary gun (Known as a NY Reload) and for that I utilize a Blackhawk Pocket Holster.

At the end of the day, I can talk your ear off about holsters, quality, what works for me and what doesn't...but in the end, you have to decide for yourself..."Does this work?".  Is this comfortable?  The only way to do that is to strap on a Man Purse, and get to carrying!

 

"Load and Make Ready"

Well Folks...here we are!

It seems everyone has a Blog now-a-days, and I have been contemplating throwing my name into that hat as well.  So, lets get it on!  I LOVE teaching folks new things, and so I wanted a place where I could pass along things Ive learned about Firearms, Firearms tactics, Gun Accessories (Holsters, Mags, Optics, Aftermarket Parts, etc),  New Guns, and of course, answering any questions you may have!  Now, I don't claim to know it all, but between the knowledge that I have...and the many friends/family members who've "Been There and Done That", we'll figure it out together!

So, if you're ready for the ride...Step Up to the Line, Get your Eyes and Ears on and Load and Make Ready...The Firing Line is about to Go Hot!