The Wrong Holster!

[@flaco5581]

Another problem... I was standing in line one night waiting for buttered popcorn at the local movie theater when I felt my Springfield armory mod 2 in .45 acp roll out of my belt and fortunately it just hung upside down instead of falling on the floor. Problem with this pistol and many others is the short barrel doesn't really anchor in the belt because all the weight is above the belt. If I'd have had a cheap holster it could have been a real tragedy.

[@jamesshank7918]

I taught both LE and Civilians for decades. It never seemed to amaze me that the same students that would drop thousands on a custom firearm, private training, and actually buy ammo for practice by the case... Will still cheap out on the holster. I covered the same points you did in my classes, and what I would hear was is... "This holster will do for now." A year later, same cheap holster.

[@fmgpubs]

I know what you mean. Ditto for ammo usually too. I’ve seen them show up at a class they spent $3000 to attend, with a week’s of shooting ahead, with a cheap holster and crummy reloads. Ahem … Roy

[@longhunter5935]

Conversations around this topic are needed.

[@longhunter5935]

Also often overlooked a stiff belt. A poor belt can reduce your excellent galco to a setup that’s less than optimal

[@fmgpubs]

Yes! Time to do a quick video on good belts. They make ALL the difference! - Tom

[@jtdundee]

Good subject and treatment, Tom. My fondest dream is to someday see an article that deals with good quality kydex IWB holsters wich include some retention for my 2" Colt Detective Special. Wink Wink! There's a million IWB holsters for semiautos but not so many for snubbies. After my long career in LE and training, lemme tell ya you nailed it with saying the gun has to stay with you while running or rolling around! Thanks

[@fmgpubs]

Going from memory here but I think Blackpoint Tactical makes a Kydex holster for J-Frames. I've had good luck with their holsters for semi-autos so maybe worth a look? BlackpointTactical.com, I believe... - Tom

[@gunkylol]

For my first concealed carry handgun I used a floppy holster…for about a week. Gun show the next weekend I bought a proper holster and never used the floppy one again.

[@SandhillsMediaEmpire]

I use Sticky holsters for pocket carry, and for storage to protect the finish of my handguns when they are in a drawer or in a case with other handguns. I don't carry IWB in one, though.

[@fmgpubs]

This brings up a good point. Didn't address the suitability of similar holsters for pocket carry. Whole different scenario and they make a lot more sense used that way IMHO - Tom

[@stubryant9145]

Bought a belly band holster, kydex with velcro then another velcro wrap over it. The belly band part didn't work out for me, but the well made leather & kydex modular jolster works great as a pocket holster. My only kydex, but it is perfect. Otherwise, leather rules.

[@harryhellmold2512]

Correct holster is as important as the right firearm and ammo. Don't save money on safety/reliability..

[@fmgpubs]

Buying a nice/reliable gun with a cheap holster is like buying a Ferrari and putting 8-year-old lawnmower gas in it... - Tom

[@TheSuburban15]

Reholstering with a floppy/dquishy holster takes two hands and finesse. What this usually means is that you don't practice draws enough because it's so inconvenient. And, yes, I think John Conmor should achieve legend status.

[@fmgpubs]

Good point! - Tom

[@ronaldmyers6984]

I am retired and don't have the money to waste on buying one after another . Because of that I have gotten a few that felt terrible so they sit in a drawer . I have been carrying in my pockets for a long time with one of the cheep ones that covers the guard. It keeps everything situated. As to nothing else in the pocket, that is why I like cargo pants. Have good day and finish your book.

[@DG_2725]

I honestly dont think they are that bad. I have been able to use my Glock 19 gen 5 holster for a sig P365XL and a even a glock 43X (both have mounted lights) and I have found them to be very comfortable and secure. Yes, I do prefer a little more retention in my guns but with a belt or tight drawstring on athletic shorts, it does the job. Obviously, they aren't great for quick draws as the material on the inside restricts the movement of the gun, and it might come with it. The single clip isn't bad. There is also a version without the clip on the holster and I did not like the idea of my gun free-floating in my waist line for AIWB. I just returned it and went back to the original until i could get a better one from a company that makes more solid holsters. Also, everyone has their own preferences on holsters so those more rigid holsters from some companies may be great for certain people, while other styles are great for other body types like those with larger stomachs.

[@furmanmackey5479]

There is a brand of "floppy holster" that is getting a lot of advertising here on YT. I've seen and handled exactly one of the company's products at a local gun store and came to the conclusion that the $100.00 price tag for what was essentially a 1970s-1980s Uncle Mikes holster was a bit steep. I don't mind paying $100.00 or even much more for a well-made holster but I ain't goin' to pay that much for a few pieces of foreign made and sewed together nylon and Velcro like material that I expect to last very long.

[@garyreadler4886]

Great topic Tom. I have a couple of your previous books and have a box o'holsters, no floppies though. I have had semis for about 8 years and finding quality kydex there are many choices to be made, I like them alot as you showed the retention can be made just right. However, I just got my first revolver and it's much more difficult to find a quality Kydex for a small J frame. I have opted to get a leather holster for it and I'm not sure yet. My revolver is so tight in it I need 2 hands to draw, not convenient. I will keep at it to try and break in this leather holster to hopefully get it right. I don't want to toss it into the box o'holsters , just yet. Thanks for the timely article.

[@fmgpubs]

See the other response here - I think BlackpointTactical.com might have a Kydex one? - Tom

[@brandiwynter]

The biggest problem with holsters is you have to spend $80-150 for a decent holster and then hope it works for you. I've heard a lot of people say they have a tote or bucket or drawer full of holsters they bought and didn't like but for many of us we have no choice other than to just pick something we hope will work and use it even if it's not really a good holster because of the costs. I recently got a Canik Mete MC9 which came with a "holster". I use quotation marks because it's barely a holster. No matter how you adjust the retention screw the holster will fail the upside down test. I know you said you use an unloaded gun but an unloaded gun that passes the the upside down test can fail it once it has a full mag so I do mine with an empty chamber and a full magazine. I'm thinking that's probably what you meant when you said "unloaded" though.

[@fmgpubs]

Good point - I really meant "safe" as you're right, that pile of cartridges adds a lot of weight! - Tom

[@johncaudle6703]

I can say from personal experience that the internet has too many of these cheap holsters available and especially for a revolver which allows it to become a opportunity for someone to try one out and they end up keeping it till they try something else.... holster bag is full in my closet....lol

[@antonino34]

While it's not a floppy holster, I use a Sticky holster for my J Frame and Hellcat when wearing sweatpants or gym shorts. Otherwise it's a Kydex for the Hellcat and leather for the J Frame

[@laurence1643]

For 50 years I've been using an appendix carry suede holster , the metal retention clip has a retention hook which is attached to the holster with a heavy piece of belt leather. It stays put on my pants belt. I carry a colt detective special or S&W model 10 2inch. Retired SDPD

[@fmgpubs]

We used to make and sell those when I worked at Bianchi right after retiring from the PD. I was the LE sale director and always loved spending time on the production floor having them show me how to make things. We did appendix carry before it was a thing. “They” think they invented it lately! Roy

[@TheJHMAN1]

Once I could afford a decent leather holster I bought one, and never looked back. I never have got into the Kydex holsters.

[@oldtanker4860]

I have a few of those kind of holsters. I use them to protect the pistol in the safe and in the gun bag on the way to and from the range. Because I pocket carry 99% of the time I use a "sticky" brand holster. One thing I am VERY disappointed in is that today it is hard to find an economical thumb break holster for a revolver like a K frame or L frame S&W. Safariland and Bianchi were my go to for decent leather OWB holsters and I do not like open top holsters. If I do carry my semi autos IWB I have kydex holsters.

[@fmgpubs]

I think DeSantis makes a leather thumb break and maybe it's an OWB? - Tom

[@laurence1643]

How is "Odd Angry Shot" any different than the book "Gun Crank Diaries" ??

[@fmgpubs]

Do very different columns by Connor. Angry Shot was in Guns and can be a bit darker, edgy and hit you in the gut at times. I recommend it. Roy

[@gunkylol]

I’m guessing the story of the guy attacking people with a machete would be in this book. Very intense story.

[@fmgpubs]

It is indeed. A true story. Roy