All posts in Holsters

Beware of being the first to buy, holsters, recalls and headaches! Fobus Holsters Production on Glock 43

Fobus HolstersThe new rage right now is everyone is calling looking for gun holsters for the Glock 43 and they aren’t happy to hear that there’s not much out there “yet”!  We actually called up Fobus Inc. to find out production dates for the Glock 43 holsters and they told us they are 2 months out.   With the way the gun industry is now, there’s a variant of just about everything and it’s a  bandwagon I’ve personally failed to jump on.   I’m pretty happy with My Government Model 1911s and Glock 19’s and J-frame revolvers and never jumped on the .380 craze that has gone on for the last several years.  Ballistics are improving which is why so many have been considering smaller semi-autos, but Glock knew that not everyone was going to be happy with a Single Stack .380 gun and that’s why the Glock 43 was released.

I think the .380 has improved so much that I don’t think it falls in the category of “under-powered” like it use to, but that great gun show purchase you got might not be your carry gun if you didn’t research what holsters you could get for it.  There are always custom kydex companies but expect wait times.   Buyer beware of first generation firearms.  We’ve been watching the release of the Sig 320 now for over a year and a local Police Department is our primary source of feedback and it seems to be doing well, but there still aren’t a lot of options for off duty carry.  We pick up the phone and call manufacturers like Fobus Holsters to get production dates so we can relay that to our customers, but think about modes of carry before you find out you can’t.

 

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Safariland Holsters aren’t just for Cops

Safariland HolstersSafariland is pretty much a staple product line for Law Enforcement around the Country, but they don’t make everything just for that leather looking State Police Officer.  If you’ve never checked out their competition shooting holsters, there’s a whole other world out there in the firearms industry that has grown to the point that it’s almost becoming a new industry within the firearm world.   There’s a reason most Law Enforcement need retention holsters but it’s not something anyone with a CCW should rule out.  Having retention on a firearm holster does not necessarily mean that it’s going to be slower to pull out.    I’d highly recommend level II holsters because I’ve seen guns fall out of holsters and heard more than a few stories of firearms ending up in toilets.

I’ve pretty much cleared out most of my Fobus holsters that were not the E2 versions because there is that extra tension I can get with the tension screw that is somewhat of a comfort zone for me.   I definitely foresee having more of the Safariland Holsters like the ALS growing in my collection because you will probable get the most variety of flashlight options for your weapon.  The paddles are very secure but somewhat of a pain to get off, not as easy as a Fobus paddle but the other factor you have to be careful about is, how far off the body your holster is going to ride.  I’ve not done exact measurements but it does feel like the Blackhawk Serpa holsters seem to sit further off the body and make CCW rather difficult.   Wearing the right type of gun belt is going to make a big difference as to weather a holster is going to be comfortable so always keep that in mind when evaluating holsters.

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Blade Tech Holsters, IWB and OWB holsters, things to consider………

Blade Tech HolstersThere are a lot of holsters out there but it pays to do research or walk into a store and hold it in your hands before you buy.   I  have seen people buy $90 holsters online and find them uncomfortable or they find the clothing they are wearing doesn’t work for the holster they purchased.  Things to think about when choosing a holster are the depth the gun will sit in it, usually a holster like the Galco Kingtuk will have some adjustability, but also knowing how much the gun might sit off your body is another.  Not all paddle holsters are the same in these regards and some sit lower than others.   Recently we had some customer stop in our store that were doing IDPA but had no idea if the vests they were buying would cover the gun.   It really isn’t just the clothing, it can also be the holster design.

I think OWB is a better way to conceal carry but that’s your decision, it usually more comfortable and easier to access.  Some of the Blade Tech Holsters that are IWB are very sturdy and I would attribute that to the double loop design, sometimes that one clip holster design doesn’t cut it and can cause the gun to cant and not be where you want it if you needed it.  Expect to see lots of Glock gun holsters, Sig Sauer holsters for Inside the Waistband, Outside the Waistband and The Blade Tech Evolution holsters.

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Elite Survival Ankle Holsters, there’s just something they did right

aahs_holsterWe’ve got enough history with certain holster companies that we can tell you what works just based on sales data.   It’s not just what sells and goes out the door, it’s also about what comes back in, whether its something that breaks or something people just don’t like.   Ankle holsters are a niche of our overall sales, but one of the most returned items until we started carrying the Elite Survival Ankle holsters.   We’ve had about a 75% return rate with other brands, Desantis, Galco and Uncle Mike’s.   I can’t blame it all on them being bad designs because there is a mentality that some people have that makes them think they want an ankle holster, but then they find out how uncomfortable and awkward it is to carry in this manner.

If you don’t have the right cut on the bottom of your pants, expect to have problems with your pant leg hanging up on the holster.  It’s not very practical for CCW and the vast majority of people actually buying them and using them properly are Police Detectives or people that do a lot of driving.   Ankle carry is very practical if you are driving a lot but other than that, you really need to consider pocket carry.  If we hear you complain too much about looking for a “comfortable holster” what you might not want to hear from us, is that you are carrying the wrong gun.   If you are seriously looking for an ankle holster, we have probable a 5% return rate on The Elite Survival Ankle holster.  The fit for the holster is very accommodating for various firearms and you can get the calf support strap for a few extra bucks if need be.

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5.11 Partners with Bladetech for the 5.11 Tactical Thumbdrive holster

5.11 Thumbdrive holstersWe have yearly cycles of sales for certain products in our store, or we get asked about the same products every time there is a graduation from a Police Academy.   There is a mad rush of people graduating that need all of the basics, they may not have their duty gear yet but they know they need an off duty holster which usually is one of the following, any Glock 9mm, Glock 45 or Sig 229 or Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm or 40 cal.   Those seem to be the most common firearm holsters every year because that’s what most of their employers are issuing.  “I just need a retention holster” or a “Level II” they say.

I’m all about letting the customer choose what they want, but if there is any hint of them being a Novice,   I push them away from the Blackhawk Serpa Holsters,  I personally think the Safariland ALS is a better starting point although the holsters are very heavy,  One other holster we have considered stocking are the 5.11 Thumbdrive holsters.  Using your thumb to release your firearm is a much safer approach  than using your index finger.   We also noticed this year that Elite Survival Systems is releasing a Thumbdrive holsters and we will do a thorough comparison between the two in the future.   Definitely consider these 3 for Level II retention, Safariland ALS, Blackhawk Serpa, and the 5.11 Thumbdrive holsters.  Bladetech worked with for their level II and it seems to be a very well accepted holster.

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Safariland Holsters vs Blackhawk Serpa

DG_6378_black_zoom_interiorSafariland Glock HolstersIn the years we have been running a retail operation we have all the sales data to tell us what our customers are continuing to use.  There are always new guns coming out like the Sig P320, Sig P227,  and Glock 42 and Glock 43.  People are coming to us about getting holsters from companies like Blackhawk, Safariland, Desantis and Galco.  It’s normally 9-12 months after a gun comes out, that the holster manufacturers come out with product and that’s always based on gun sales data and demand.   If you buy a Sig Sauer pistol or a Glock, you’re probable going to find more holster options but the more features you want with a holster the fewer your options are going to be.

When it comes to holsters with retention,  people have easily adjusted to either the Blackhawk Serpa holsters or the Safariland ALS holsters.    I tend to let people pick what they want, but if they are new to carrying a firearm, I do voice My issues with the Blackhawk Serpa design.  I’ve used them for years but just like putting Magpul B.A.D. levers on AR15s, you have to pick a mode and stick with it.  Muscle memory is extremely important for safety and under stress, if you’ve never trained for it, is going to nab you in the butt.   I’ve seen people draw firearms from holster and watch them spin in the air because they didn’t have a good grip on it, there are plenty of Youtube.com videos showing gun accidents with the Serpa, and there are also plenty of people that put a 124gr hollow point through their hand when disassembling a Glock.   It happens when you aren’t disciplined and money can’t buy that,  thumbreak holsters aren’t as common now that there is so much to choose from but I’d definitely lean towards the Safariland ALS holsters to start with, they are a bit on the heavy side but they work

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Desantis Leather Holsters, Desantis Scabbards are excellent Holster Options

Desantis HolstersOne of the first things to factor in when you are looking for a  holster is security, your personal comfort and whether you want a quick on off holster.   I’m a big fan of paddle holsters for a reason, but we sell a lot of the Desantis Thumb Break Scabbards and the Desantis Speed Scabbard holsters.   Thumb break holsters are considered to be old-school to some people, but releasing a firearm this way is very natural, just look at all of the Safariland ALS holsters, the new Elite Survival Holsters and the 5.11 Thumb Drive holsters.   Desantis Leather is probable in the Top 3 Category for best looking or nicest looking leather.   I have holsters that are 15yrs old that even though they have wear, are still very sturdy.

There are plenty of IWB holsters to choose from but I’ve often avoided leather for IWB due to the climates I am usually carrying in.  There is some angle adjustability with these Desantis Holsters with a 3 slot option.  You can play with the different angles and learn why canted holsters can be good.   This is something I often suggest for Medium or Large Frame firearms like the M&P 9/40,   Sig Sauer P229, P226 or hopefully soon the Sig 320 which really has become popular.   Glock firearms are still very popular and these holsters good for Winter Carry or Detective work.

 

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Don Hume Leather Holsters you might find what you were looking for!

Don Hume HolstersAside from Fobus holsters, I have a large selection of Don Hume holsters from IWB holsters to the don hum JIT or (just in time) holsters.    One of the major factors in owning so many of them is the fact I’m not breaking the bank and they get the job done.    There are plenty of times I have a change of scenery and usually go to a small .380 pistol when where a suit and tie, or I switch to a medium frame semi-auto like a Glock 30.  The Don Hume H715 leather holster works well for an inside the waistband for the Glock 30 and I’ve owned them for close to 10yrs and they are still performing well.   One of the biggest problems we find with these holsters is they are not always available and certain firearm holsters can be unavailable for months due to the know fact that Don Hume Leather makes great CCW holsters.

Like many products it’s really about personal preference and one holster style may not be good for all firearms.   Every firearm can have a different balance to it and it will really come out when using clip on holsters.   I normally shy away from gun holsters that don’t have metal clips but Don Hume Holsters are one of the exceptions.   I  have had holster clips fail  on me  in numerous ways from flat out breaking, to clips being poorly designed and popping off a belt if  you move your body certain ways.   If you are looking for a paddle holsters, we usually recommend people start off with Fobus holsters, but if you are looking for a leather holster, Don Hume makes a great starting point.

 

 

 

 

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Open Carry, Retention, Night Sights and Flashlights, things you need to think about

I’m all for looking for ways to improve whichever firearm you choose to carry, even if you shoot it well on a firing range and it fits your hand, how well will you shoot it in low light? How well do you shoot it in 95F temperatures on a bright sunny day?   Sight pictures with black on black in dark hazy days can mean not having a sight picture and there will be no contrast.   Even the designers of the Trijicon TA01NSN knew to put a front night sight on the backup irons.   Technology is changing and and there are reasons why you should consider updating whatever iron sights you have and even consider putting a light or laser or your firearm.   Sure there is always a balance between lightweight and bulk but even for a home defense firearm, pulling a full size semi-auto having a TLR1 flashlight is a none issue.   There are plenty of really bad stories in the news about people accidentally shooting girlfriends or wives and lighting up your presumed threat might mean not shooting.

Shooting a firearm with a light is very different than shooting without a light, you will have to practice so you don’t pull the firearm off target when you activate the light and under stress, you have to really practice to unlearn this.   I can’t say enough that people need to spend more time with firearm safety training and scenario training because there are just so many bad examples in the news right now of Cops shooting unarmed individuals and these recent South Carolina shooting is just gas on the fire.   I don’t care how decorated you are, we’re talking about defending lives and taking them, whether you are Law Enforcement or non-Law Enforcement.    If you are open carrying, there should always be consideration about levels of retention so you aren’t one of those people that discharges a firearm while sitting on the toilet.   Sounds funny but that bullet is going somewhere and can end of life.    Recently Blackhawk has released the Black Hawk Epoch holster and although it looks like they are still working on broadening which firearms they are manufacturing them for,   Safariland Holsters ALS Holsters that can also give you a Level II holster and can be used as a paddle or belt holster are excellent choices.

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What is the purpose of a Gun Holster?

Gun HolstersThe Mission Drives the gear, whether you know that phrase or not, you may want something that you can wear in the winter that easily accessible under a winter coat, but since you are planning for carrying in winter,  you need to have the appropriate holster, and if you don’t you’ll find out real fast when you can’t even get to your gun because your shirt is caught on it, came un-tucked  or you can sweep your clothing out of the way and grip your firearm.   The problem we deal with constantly, is that nobody really knows just by looking at a holster on how deep it will go IWB and this is all about body type and firearm preference.   One of the main reasons we like to push the Galco Kingtuk holsters on people is there really is a lot of versatility to that design if you are mentally willing to adapt to it.   It’s kind of a Crossbreed holster knock off, but we’ve done well with them and the only complaints are from people that think it’s too big.   Well, how many people think their car seat belt is too big?  You have to adjust it and all of the adjustments are up to you to fit it to your body when you sit down.

Something like the Galco Kingtuk, Desantis Scorpion and even the CrossBreed holsters have screws that can raise and lower the depth of the gun in the holster and there are always going to be levels of adjustment and adaptation.   So many firearms are getting smaller and more durable and recently the Smith & Wesson Shield has become the number one firearm that everyone is asking for Gun Holsters.   Everyone once in awhile I force myself to go to various firearm events, gun rentals and ask my friends to bring something with them whenever we have a group shoot, and that’s how I try to stay up with what might be catching on in the industry.   So much of the industry is geared towards Zombie Apocalypse and Competition  shooting and there are plenty of guns that just don’t do well and the holster options that are available will show it.   If it’s a popular gun, you’ll find a good gun holster if you search properly, if it’s not, better get a good gun rack in your gun safe to hang it on.

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