Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “How Do I Pick a Holster?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/how-do-i-pick-a-holster/.
Discussion: How Do I Pick a Holster?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Old_Me
Emissary
my first 2 AIWB Kydex holsters were from, "We the people"
the worst mofo holsters around...period..
they each cut into me like a hot knife thru butter. (1 for a 9mm and 1 for a 45ACP)
after that, i read ads, saw pics, and chose Alien Gear AIWB......
i chose NOT to ask for buying a holster advice....!!!!!!
Alien Gear.......THE BEST (for ME) bar none........
as a result...???
i only have 2 useless holsters, which i reworked 1......and bolted it to the side of the bedroom lamp table.
not a "drawer or closet full" of useless holsters.
the worst mofo holsters around...period..
they each cut into me like a hot knife thru butter. (1 for a 9mm and 1 for a 45ACP)
after that, i read ads, saw pics, and chose Alien Gear AIWB......
i chose NOT to ask for buying a holster advice....!!!!!!
Alien Gear.......THE BEST (for ME) bar none........
as a result...???
i only have 2 useless holsters, which i reworked 1......and bolted it to the side of the bedroom lamp table.
not a "drawer or closet full" of useless holsters.
Alien gear is good, most Galcos, not sure about crossbreed. Did have some local custom leather ones done. Considering Urban Carry. For a change from kydex or leather try Craftholster. Strong well made nylon that hold the HG right in a variety of formats.
Absolutely avoid uncle mikes and the cheapo crap at the sportstores.
Absolutely avoid uncle mikes and the cheapo crap at the sportstores.
Author of the article mentions that in the traditional IWB carry it's strong side just behind the hip. He also notes that crossdraw is at the 1 o'clock position. Not for me, if strong side then its forward of the hip slightly. If cross draw it's at approx 2 o'clock. Guys that I know that carry cross draw on the belt do the same - 2 or 2:30 not 1:00. YMMV.
As always the author and most others never mention fabric belly bands which are becoming extremely popular, esp among runners or women; and does not address holster shirts which are popular among office workers and executives. Why not? This is at least the 10th article where these are not mentioned. Keep up.
As always the author and most others never mention fabric belly bands which are becoming extremely popular, esp among runners or women; and does not address holster shirts which are popular among office workers and executives. Why not? This is at least the 10th article where these are not mentioned. Keep up.
USMC6094
Professional
Talk about a slippery slope LOL
Holsters are where I usually get wrapped up in the carry tanglefoot...
This is truly the expensive part of handgunning, I have more holsters I don't use, than the ones I do.
Advice from other shooters is iffy, what works best for me, might be 180 degrees off for you.
My advice is tinker with holsters as you can, just be ready to have a box full of them that you don't use.
Holsters are where I usually get wrapped up in the carry tanglefoot...
This is truly the expensive part of handgunning, I have more holsters I don't use, than the ones I do.
Advice from other shooters is iffy, what works best for me, might be 180 degrees off for you.
My advice is tinker with holsters as you can, just be ready to have a box full of them that you don't use.
Anchorite
Professional
I’m a bit stubborn when it comes to holsters - meaning I like what I like and can’t imagine considering it another way.
That said, I really prefer/like a strong side, straight drop (zero can) OWB holster. Period.
Leather for revolvers and nicer autos, kydex if it’s a polymer pistol.
I do have a few leather “pancake” styles for bigger revolvers, and I also do the HPG kit bag chest carry for backcountry.
I could see myself doing a tanker-style, but I do not own one (yet).
That said, I really prefer/like a strong side, straight drop (zero can) OWB holster. Period.
Leather for revolvers and nicer autos, kydex if it’s a polymer pistol.
I do have a few leather “pancake” styles for bigger revolvers, and I also do the HPG kit bag chest carry for backcountry.
I could see myself doing a tanker-style, but I do not own one (yet).
Retired Bum
Professional
Holsters are such a pain to choose, you will end up with a Rubbermaid tub full of the holsters that just weren't quite right! I have holsters that were good, but not good enough, and into the bin they went.
The best advice that I can give you, buy a big enough bin for the holsters that aren't quite right.
The best advice that I can give you, buy a big enough bin for the holsters that aren't quite right.
Anchorite
Professional
Over the years I’ve taken those holsters to gun shows and been able to easily sell them for very little, but I’m trying to get rid of them, and at least pay for my gas and admission.Holsters are such a pain to choose, you will end up with a Rubbermaid tub full of the holsters that just weren't quite right! I have holsters that were good, but not good enough, and into the bin they went.
The best advice that I can give you, buy a big enough bin for the holsters that aren't quite right.
The Night Rider
Hellcat
Most people select a holster by trial and error, that's why people talk about "The Box of Holsters".
When I first started carrying a gun I knew next to nothing about holsters and I bought a Bunch of cheap, crappy holsters. Not necessarily Uncle Mike's but close enough.
After I spent ~200 bucks (2007 dollars) on crap, I talked my wife into letting me buy a Galco.
I still have it and it's still in good shape.
At some point I went and asked someone with more experience than me what they used and he recommended Kramer Leather.
I've had very good experience with the three KL holsters I've bought
Except that the lead time they promise on their website has gotten longer and longer and longer each time I bought from them.
Bottom line I choose a holster by asking someone smarter than me what they use.
When I first started carrying a gun I knew next to nothing about holsters and I bought a Bunch of cheap, crappy holsters. Not necessarily Uncle Mike's but close enough.
After I spent ~200 bucks (2007 dollars) on crap, I talked my wife into letting me buy a Galco.
I still have it and it's still in good shape.
At some point I went and asked someone with more experience than me what they used and he recommended Kramer Leather.
I've had very good experience with the three KL holsters I've bought
Except that the lead time they promise on their website has gotten longer and longer and longer each time I bought from them.
Bottom line I choose a holster by asking someone smarter than me what they use.
Last edited:
Grayfox
Professional
Absolutely true!
What's perfect for one person, may be completely wrong for another.I like an OWB leather Avenger style holster carried at about 3:30. This what works best for me.
It could be completely wrong for you. The only way to know is to try some until you find what works for you.
Yep, I've got a box full of holsters that didn't work.
