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What Is a Paddle Holster?

Not an expert, but in my years of trying different styles of holsters, I have probably tried 4 or 5 paddle holsters.

Every one of them had more offset from the body than I liked for concealed carry. They were way too visible under a shirt without an extra loose covering garment.

Thwy would have been ok for the range and say winter or late fall but only with a very loose covering garment
 
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This is the only paddle holster I've ever owned.


It's a Safari GLS 578.

It's a Level I retention holster which means I have to release one retention device to draw the gun. I would not use that holster for an Open Carry assignment. Speaking as somebody who has had had people try to take my gun at work the 578 is not a suitable retention holster.

I bought it for my very last assignment. I was working nights, by myself driving all over Colorado Springs running psychotic homeless people off of various Properties.

I was supposed to call the police to remove them but every time I did (mostly to document that I'd followed protocol) I was told my call was extremely low priority and my expected wait time for a response was going to be hours. IOW they weren't coming.

I decided to carry a gun in violation of company policy for my own protection.

I occasionally got asked to pick up a coworker and drive them to work or I would arrive at work and find out I was training someone.

I wanted a paddle holster so I could do shift change unarmed then put the gun on at my first stop (empty office building) and take it off again if I got asked to pick someone up or (rarely) meet the Field Supervisor during my shift.

I took it off at my last stop of the night (Compassion International) before going back to the office to clock out.

I use it now if I'm going to an appointment at the VA or somewhere else that I don't want to carry a gun to.

That particular holster is very concealable under a fleece vest or flannel shirt.
 
Hi,

I've got paddle holsters for a couple of my larger pistols. I only wear them to train OWB at the range because they have no level 1 or 2 retention. If I were to open carry I would certainly have units with proper retention. Otherwise I'd have to wear a coat to make an attempt at concealment.

And that's my profound glimpse into the obvious for today. :D


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
One thing not mentioned is that paddle holsters are great when you have to go to a non-permissive environment (court, federal building, cop shop, etc.) Where you cannot carry. It's easy to slip off to secure in your vehicle, then slip back on to continue with your day.
 
DanP58 said:
One thing not mentioned is that paddle holsters are great when you have to go to a non-permissive environment (court, federal building, cop shop, etc.) Where you cannot carry. It's easy to slip off to secure in your vehicle, then slip back on to continue with your daday.
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You sure about that?


The Night Rider said:
I use it now if I'm going to an appointment at the VA or somewhere else that I don't want to carry a gun to.
Click to expand...
 
I have Comp Tac International holsters for both my XDM Elite Tactical OSP and my new Echelon 4.0c Comp. Both pistols have optics mounted and these holsters are used for range work (when the range allows drawing from the holster) and with my Mantis X10 using their universal picatinny mag rail that sticks onto the baseplate of the (used for dry fire) magazine.

I haven't tried the paddle attachments with these and probably won't. I carry IWB and recently decided 3 o'clock works better than 4, especially carrying the Echelon with the bigger grip. Using a Rounded Concealment kydex holster without the claw and set at a forward cant (not sure what degree the default is), it works great, is concealable under a loose shirt, and is also more comfortable while driving.
 
I like paddle holsters for winter carry otherwise... Not really. I DO love my two craft paddles though. One's for a 1911 and the other is for my Ruger Alaskan in .44 which I LOVE to carry during the winter. I probably won't need to shoot a bad guy though I'll probably just beat him to death with it LOL...


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