GUN HOLSTERS
The Definitive Guide
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about gun holsters and how to select the perfect holster.

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QUICK START
Introduction
Like most people when you purchase your first handgun you will then wander over to the holster section of the store only to stare at a wall holsters in many different styles and configurations. Knowing which handgun holster to choose can be bewildering and confusing to a person new to concealed carry. Yet having the correct holster is a vital part of concealed carry and will ultimately determine how comfortable, safe and accessible your handgun is when carried. Holsters are a bit like clothing in that they are very personalized to each individuals needs and body shape. Choosing the wrong holster can result in an uncomfortable and unsafe experience while choosing the correct holster will make carrying your gun a joy. I hope this article will guide you to just such an experience so please read on.

One Holster You Need To Own
Visit any gun shop and you will be confronted with multiple choices in sizes, colors and configurations. Specific models of guns will have a holster made just for that gun. There will certainly be a model 19 holster for a glock model 19 handgun. And that is just the start of the different options you will need to take into account. So don’t worry about all those options for now.
Start with a Galco Royal Deluxe holster or the Alien Gear Cloak Mod OWB paddle holster made for your specific handgun and you will be of to a good start.

Thats It!
So that’s it, start of with one of these holsters and it should tick all the boxes. I have seen so many people start with this style of holster and never look back. It is the one style I can say I use the most, it just does the job. Personally I like the OWB pancake holsters made by Galco Leather. Some other factory brands you may consider are Desantis, and Bianchi. At the handmade high end you should look for Soteria Leather, Rosen, Milt Sparks. I know from experience that if you only buy one holster and you make it a leather, pancake style, strong-side, configured for outside-the-waist carry, and pair it with a good gun belt you will be very happy.
Want A Different Holster Type?
Ankle
The best ankle holster
Bellyband
The best bellyband holster
Shoulder
The best shoulder holster
IWB
The best inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster
OWB
The best outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster
The best pocket holster
SOB
The best Small of Back (SOB) holster
Gun Belt
The best gun belt
Gun Belts
Don't forget about the belt! You don’t see too many people writing about gun belts. And that’s a mistake because there is not much point in having a good gun and holster if you hang it from an inferior belt. A good gun belt is essential if you want to carry your weapon in comfort and maintain functionality. Check out our review to find out what the best gun belts are.

To support your holster, ammo, and gun you will need a good belt as the foundation. This belt from Relentless Tactical is one of the best you can get.
Quick Guide Summary
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HOLSTER CARRY MODES

Inside the Waistband (IWB)
IWB carry is the way to go if you want to conceal a medium or large sized gun. The holster is attached to the belt with either metal clips or leather loops and rides inside the pants which offers better concealment. You will need to buy a larger size in pants for it to work comfortably and some will always find it too uncomfortable. In case you are not sure if this mode is for you then I suggest you purchase a dual mode OWB/IWB holster like the Galco Double Time which you can switch from IWB to OWB configurations.

Outside the Waistband (OWB)
OWB holsters ride on the outside of the belt. They are very versatile but slightly more difficult to conceal than IWB holsters and will need a shirt or jacket to conceal. OWB holsters like the popular Blackhawk Serpa are easy to access and comfortable. They will usually have either an open top or retention strap to hold the gun in. The open top will allow for a quicker draw but I prefer having a retention strap in case a person tries to grab the gun from behind.

Strong Side Carry

Weak Side Carry (Cross Draw)

Small of the Back (SOB) Carry
Just over the lower spin on a persons back and at waist height is a natural indentation that is perfect for concealing a handgun. One great holster that works well in this carry mode is the Gold Line Small-of-Back holster made by Gould & Goodrich. This mode is a bit slower than others as you need to twist your torso to reach your back and grip the gun, you will also require a bit of flexibility to achieve this. It's also not a good carry mode if you are driving as the gun will be pressing against your spine while you are driving and very difficult to reach with a seat belt around your body. SOB carry is best reserved for special situations and not recommended for beginners to concealed carry.

Shoulder Carry

Ankle Carry

Off Body Carry

Appendix Carry
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HOLSTER MATERIALS

Leather-Synthetic Hybrids

Crossbreeds Supertuck was the first hybrid holster to catch on. For comfort it has a leather pad that is placed against your body and a kydex sheath for the gun is attached to the leather pad. This setup provides excellent concealment with a good degree of comfort.

Bianchi have developed the Allusion range of holsters that has a synthetic holster with leather stitched to the outside. So you get a fast draw from the synthetic plus the comfort and good looks that leather offers.
Nylon
Breaking in a Leather Holster
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HOLSTER RETENTION SYSTEMS
Retention Levels

New holsters often have too much friction and the holster will need to be broken in. Over time the leather holster will conform to the shape of the revolver or pistol that is placed in it. You will find that if the gun is pulled from any angle other than the normal angle it will tend to lock itself in place. This is at best a basic retention system but one that has proven to work.
If the leather is of good quality the holster will achieve its optimum retention after the break in period and retain that retention for many years if given occasional leather treatment.
The Blackhawk SERPA CQC is a level 2 retention holster. The screw on the side controls tightness providing passive retention while active retention is provided by the Auto Lock release on the side
For an accurate example of a level 2 holster we only need to look at the Blackhawk Serpa CQC, a very popular holster among those who carry handguns. It has a gun lock that will only release once a button is pressed plus tension adjustment screws for level 1 friction. Another level 2 holster I have used on many occasions is Safariland's ALS Paddle holster which has a thumb operated release. You will find it slightly slower than the open top holsters but there is a reassuring click when you re-holster your handgun.

The Safariland 6360 holster can be changed from a level 3 holster to a level 4 by adding a century device.