Proper Holster Design, what constitutes a good holster

[Koda]

What constitutes a good holster design? Is there a list from some official source somewhere, please share a link?


My mandatory list:

• must fully cover the trigger guard area and enclose the trigger. This is probably a subject on its own
• must have some kind of retention system, it should retain the gun well enough to prevent falling out under normal stress and use.
• must remain open for one handed reholstering.

Whats your list?

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[Tlock]

I just mexican carry and tuck it in the small of my back.....

Everything you have on your list plus comfort and concealability

 

[Koda]

I just mexican carry and tuck it in the small of my back.....

Everything you have on your list plus comfort and concealability

For OWB comfort i like a holster thats molded to the outside of the gun, an example is the Galco concealable leather holster but the concept is the same for kydex. I also prefer (tacware?) clips to remove the gun still inside the holster without having to remove half the belt when needed.

 

[Tlock]

Something like this?

 

[The Heretic]

What constitutes a good holster design? Is there a list from some official source somewhere, please share a link?


My mandatory list:

• must fully cover the trigger guard area and enclose the trigger. This is probably a subject on its own
• must have some kind of retention system, it should retain the gun well enough to prevent falling out under normal stress and use.
• must remain open for one handed reholstering.

Whats your list?

That, but I need/want extra retention; e.g., a "loop"/et. al. holding the gun in the holster. I don't want the gun to fall out no matter what happens. I am not worried about "fast draw".

 

[Tlock]

The one I posted a of will not fall out!

 

[Koda]

Something like this?View attachment 2067912View attachment 2067913

Yes, very much like that. I prefer the molding to be all on the outside, brings the gun closer to the body and with a smoother curved holster surface for comfort but its hard to find holster makers that "get that".
The clips are good for quick removal, id prefer loops but i have to disarm/rearm at least once a day so it needs to be super fast and super discreet typically while seated in a vehicle.

To show what I mean heres an example of a holster thats entirely molded to the outside of the "pancake" design...

 

[Koda]

That, but I need/want extra retention; e.g., a "loop"/et. al. holding the gun in the holster. I don't want the gun to fall out no matter what happens. I am not worried about "fast draw".

The one I posted a of will not fall out!

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Retention needs get subjective. Ive never had an open top holster that totally prevented the gun from falling out. For most average ccw use open top holsters are fine, but some people are concerned about situations where if taken to the ground or attempts at taking the gun then higher levels of retention are warranted.

 

[The Heretic]

----
Retention needs get subjective. Ive never had an open top holster that totally prevented the gun from falling out. For most average ccw use open top holsters are fine, but some people are concerned about situations where if taken to the ground or attempts at taking the gun then higher levels of retention are warranted.

For me it is less about grappling with a human, and more about me falling. I fall at least once a year and I anticipate that as I get older (I am approaching 71YO), that frequency will increase.

 

[CamoDeafie]

The following are typical of bad holster design features, IMO...

No secondary retention (mainly flap holsters without inserts)

No reinforcement in the materials unless it's all good leather or all kydex (most nylon holsters are terrible to be honest)


Only fits a certain width of belts (1.5"), doesn't fit 1.75", or slots are not wide enough to fit thick belts through

Releases by sticking finger into trigger guard area (Blackhawk SERPA)

 

[1775usmc]

IWB?
OWB?
Duty?

What is your use?

 

[1775usmc]

For EDC I strictly use Tenicor holsters.

Duty would be Safariland.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

What constitutes a good holster design? Is there a list from some official source somewhere, please share a link?


My mandatory list:

• must fully cover the trigger guard area and enclose the trigger. This is probably a subject on its own
• must have some kind of retention system, it should retain the gun well enough to prevent falling out under normal stress and use.
• must remain open for one handed reholstering.

Whats your list?

I don't have a list. I like the urban carry which combines kydex for retention with leather for comfort but I don't like how it makes the gun sit high. If it sits high it ruins the whole point of concealed carry. I have to find someone to lower the belt clip on it. other than that it would be perfect.

 

[Koda]

IWB?
OWB?
Duty?

What is your use?

Non LEO, average ccw citizen.

 

[1775usmc]

Non LEO, average ccw citizen.

Tenicor. Hands down. It took me a lot of time and money to land there. But I will be there forever.

 

[Koda]

Tenicor. Hands down. It took me a lot of time and money to land there. But I will be there forever.

Those look really good...

 

[1775usmc]

Those look really good...

They are amazing. Best retention I have ever found in a Kydex holster. I can literally shake a loaded gun upside down and it won't fall out. But the minute you go to unholster it comes out no problem.

They don't make a ton of options but they are the best at what they do.

My go to is the Certum3. From the time I wake up until I go to bed.

 

[Catbox]

In the last year or so that I have been carrying, I have found that I like the Vedder Comfort Tuck holster.
I carry a PSA Dagger Compact and it rides in the 4pm position inside my waistband.
I am a large fellow and it sits and rides comfortably all day long.
Sitting in my office chair, sitting in a car, it has felt good in all situations so far.

This was when the holster was brand spanky new.
I have since lowered the clips one spot so that it rides lower on my side.
It fits all the requirements that were outlined in the 1st post for me.

 

[thorborg]

"Proper" and or "good" requirements for safety may be definable, but as any one with long history of actually using many guns will attest when examining their overly large box of holsters they have acquired; access and comfort are a monumental aspect and as individual as there body shapes, sizes and personalities.
The one holster works for all, will never happen.

 

[1775usmc]

In all honesty what I look for in an EDC IWB holster is proper retention, trigger coverage, and the method in which it attached to the belt. So for me personally - Plastic clips are out and most leather/hybrid holsters are out.

I also carry appendix so these things are very important to me. What is poor retention in my eyes may be great to another. As well as clips, attachments, materials etc.