All posts tagged Paddle Holsters

Comfort is the primary goal

I am beginning to grow tired of carrying IWB anymore.   I guess it’s my present work load and the amount of physical work I’ve  been doing the last year, but I’m really starting to feel it when it gets to day 6 of the week and I’m carrying IWB.   I am growing more comfortable with smaller semi-auto guns and my Ruger LCP is a fun gun to shoot and carry.   I had some reservations about carrying a small semi-auto because I’ve shot some NAA 32acp guns and I though the bite was a little much.   Any gun is better than no gun, but I really don’t like having guns that I don’t enjoy shooting.   I have sent a good bit of lead downrange with the Rohrbaugh R9 guns, but they are more of a novelty backup gun and I’m honestly afraid of breaking the gun or wearing it out too soon.

Pocket carry is the most comfortable for me, but I am having a little bit of trouble with some of my wardrobe and the types of pocket holsters I have.   I am noticing an awful lot of lint building up in my gun holsters and I’m tracing it to the sweatshirts that I own.  Now that FAll is almost over and Winter is a few weeks away, I’m wearing things that cause lint build up to increase.    I prefer to carry guns that are combat proven, but CCW is another thing.   If I notice too much build up on my pocket guns I’m going to have to do some serious overhauls in my wardrobe.   The thought of having to clean my guns more than once a week is a little impractical and.

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Concealed carry holter or tactical?

I have to admit that I do read a lot of gun magazines, I guess it’s primarily to educate myself on what is out there as far as firearms and gear and see if there is anything ground breaking.   I remember when I could name about 5 or 6 good gun manufacturers, but now there are so many people making AR15 guns that I don’t think I could really say that I have a very good point of reference if I was going to give my critisism because not all of the direct impingement guns are the same.   There have been some productions with Springfield Armory XD guns when they first came out as well as a few others, but eventually the gun company gets it right.  I have never seen so many holster modifications done in the last 2yrs as I have before.   If you had a Sig 229 6yrs ago and get one now, and put a light on it, time for another gun holsters.

I guess the real question that we need to ask ourselves is do we want a tactical gun or a concealed carry gun?   Even that can become complicated if we start putting lasers on them which many are doing for small frame revolvers and semi-autos.   I took a training course using lasers and gun holsters and learned in the first 5 minutes that a laser has an extreme advantage over non laser guns with shooting around corners.   Anyone that has taken a defensive firearms course has learned to use cover, and limit the exposure when shooting around a corner, keep your feet behind cover and try to only move the barrel and your eyes around the corner.  With a laser, you can learn to keep your gun at one firing point and your head at another which gives your threat 2 things to think about if they want to return fire.

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Don Hume paddle holsters

I have a pile of Fobus gun holsters that have served me well and I don’t ever question the money that I have spent on holsters for the firearms that I now own.  I guess I’ve gotten smarter in regards to which configurations of holsters to have around.   I rarely carry using paddle holters due to the fact that I am usually not carrying openly and when I’m carrying openly I’m usually working with an M4 Carbine.   I have had bad experiences with some belt clip on holsters but I blame 90% of the failures on the gun belts I used, but I still have had them come loose on me.

For anyone that owns a medium to large frame sidearm, a paddle holster is something you should consider having available for your firearm.   Fobus seems to be the most commonly seen paddle holster at my ranges, but since I am a fan of Don Hume holsters especially for concealed carry I decided to pick up a paddle holster from them.   The first thing I noticed when I was wearing it was that it looked nice and felt like the $50 I spent on it unlike the $20 on the fobus.   The only thing I still to this day do not like are the thumbreak release on the top.   If  you practice enough it is something you can learn to get use to, but they really aren’t for me.   If I am going to take a step from Fobus gun holsters, I prefer the Blackhawk Serpa holsters.

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Tactical gear and clothing

There are a lot of words that get thrown around in the firearm industry that are fairly broad.    Tactical clothing these days may sound like BDUs to one person and 5.11 tactical clothing to another.    Tactical gear can mean anything from a folding stock to a knife, or a $1500 rifle scope.    The word “tactical” doesn’t really tell you what something is going to be used for in the field.    I have some pretty dressed down AR15 rifles that to some people, just look like violent weapons and scare them, while most of us that are familiar with the accessorized M4 Carbine, will find a A2 style AR15 to be  pretty bland.

The so called tactical clothing and concealed carry markets seem to be new markets and these terms get thrown around a lot but don’t really tell us much.  To the trained individual, they can spot a knife in the pocket and 5.11 style pants from a mile away and loads of pockets full of tactical gear and usually that’s a dead giveaway that someone is carrying a firearm.   Think about what purpose your clothing is to serve and adapt to it.   There are more than a few good clothing companies that are making concealed carry friendly apparel.

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Galco ankle holsters

The ankle holster is a very unique method.   It is not easy to draw from when in the standing position, but for those that do a lot of driving, this is an excellent position to draw from while in the seated position.  Shoulder holsters come as a close second, but a high level of practice can probable equalize them both.   If you are considering carrying a firearm in an ankle holster.  I strongly advise that you really think about carrying the lightest firearm you can.   The Kahr P9 and J-frame revolvers seem to be the most popular because you may feel like the holster is moving around on you even if it is not, depending on how heavy the gun is.

The holsters we sell are broken down into two groups, Concealed carry and tactical holsters.   Much of the clothing we sell also fits into this category.   While some undercover law enforcement may use concealed carry methods and Galco holsters has many options, most of the pocket and ankle holsters we sell are for white colar gun owners that need to be as discrete as possible.   A new market seems to have emerged in the last year with the flood of new .380 pistols.    Many of us may have started out carrying the biggest firearm we owned when we first started to CCW, but we found out very fast that certain climates and physical situations can be very uncomfortable if we have a firearm jabbing us in the side.   Galco holsters have a very good reputation of being consistantly made and in the 4yrs we’ve been selling them, have never had a fitting issue.

 

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Deep cover, to secondary holster options

gun holstersIf I am carrying a j-frame in a paddle holster, I’m usually carrying a speed loader and about 3 reloads.    J-frames work very well for deep cover and my primary mindset it to shoot and move and not expect to put up a fight for very long when I’m starting out with 5 rounds.   I can increase my firepower and comfort by carrying the same gun, but with an OWB holster that can easily be reloaded.   I strongly recommend that everyone considers having a paddle holster for every handgun they own.   They also come in handly when going to an outdoor range where you don’t have to worry about putting the gun down on the table after every cease fire.

 

Sometimes smaller guns can work very well in pocket carry, but there are some situations where carrying in the pocket can be cumbersome in certain physical situations.   If you are going to an environment where you don’t want to have to carry another gun,  sometimes it’s a good idea to carry IWB or OWB with a paddle holster.  Galco gun holsters has a paddle holster that can work very well for even a small 2 inch j-frame.   I use one as a secondary holster option if I don’t want to pocket carry.   We can always practice to improve our performances in drawing our guns, but there are certain methods of carrying that are defanitely easier and most likely faster.

 

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Full size auto holsters

Fobus HolstersThe Beretta 92FS is one of the longest serving sidearms in the United States Military for a reason.   As much as a love the 1911, I have to agree that an average shooter will be more proficient with the M9 than with the M1911.   Carrying the Beretta 92FS in an IWB holster is possible but I doubt it would be very comfortable for 24/7, but try putting one in a Fobus paddle holster and wear a good gun belt like The Wilderness instructor belts and you won’t notice the weight.  I would highly recommend picking up atleast 1 double mag holder for your sidearm.   These are great Winter carry guns and carry  holsters, but will require a longer cut coat or jacket for concealment.

 

 

Choosing a firearm for carry is just like choosing which car to buy or which shoes to put on in the morning.  The places we go each day may make us think about using a different method of carry and possible a more powerful firearm.   Any gun is better than no gun, but I think it is intelligent to consider carry a full size auto to some environments for extra insurance.   One of my favorite holsters is also one of the least expensive.   Fobus holsters got it right when they designed there first paddle holsters and there have been a  lot of companies trying there own versions of what Fobus has had out for years.

 

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Tactical Staple for training and CCW

Fobus HolstersIf you are searching the web for a gun holster for a training class or you are looking for your first CCW Holster and your looking for a paddle holster or OWB holster, Fobus holsters are the staple for gun owners.   There are always critics of various holster designs, but for those looking to carry a gun, the Fobus Paddle holster is a very comfortable and reliablie firearm retention device.   Fobus holsters are excellent for carrying full size autos.   From my own experience, most people prefer to train with full size autos for accuracy and capacity reasons and carrying a gun IWB is pretty much a problem for most operators.

Fobus holsters were designed and develeped in Israel, Fobus was the first holster company to use injection molding technology and a leader in high density polymer holsters.    I commonly get students who need a vest or conceleant garment for a CCW course and when they ask which holster they should get I always recommend Fobus Holster.   Fobus holsters are well made and will retain your firearm and give you stability during most physically demanding situations.

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Walk slowly

Galco HolstersSelecting the right holster for you and going to take some work.   The best thing you can do before you start carrying a firearm is figure out what kind of gun you really want to carry and then go from there.   Some people want to carry a full size auto right off the bat and then find out which holster works for them.   Firearms can be carried in various ways, but situations and comfort are really the key.   I have a friend that carries a full size Springfield 1911 and claims there is no difference in carry that vs a smaller auto.

If you get a good belt like a Wilderness Instrcutor belt or something that has real support, you’ll be amazed at how those heavy pistols don’t really feel like their dragging around with you. Galco holsters has a diverse product line, people need to really know what it’s like to tote a pistol around IWB all day to know where to wear it on their belt and what their tolerances are.  If you are constantly readjusting  your gun while you are out and about, you may want to consider a different belt, holster, or firearm.   Thats one way to giveaway your concealment if you are being monitored by a BG.  Galco leather holsters come in IWB, OWB, Shoulder holster, belt slot holster, ankle, waist pack (or commonly known as fanny pack).   It may also be wise to consider summer/winter holsters and possible a t-shirt and suit and tie holster.    No one holster is going to work for all of these situations so walk slowly.

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Five Decades of Manufacturering experience

Don Hume Holsters

Some gun owners make the claim that there are huge differences between holsters designs and what’s really the best.   Well, sorry to bust your chops, but the difference between man guns and the accessories we use with them are as broad as any mans preferences in women. Don Hume holsters have been being made for over 5 decades and the company has lots of expereince in listening to their customer base.   Just think of how much firearms have changed in the last 20yrs and think about how hard it is to keep up with the industry.

Don Hume clip on holsters are a bit of a staple for most gun shops.   The disclaimer for all clip on gun belts is this and it really does come down to this for MOST practical purposes…..”make sure you use a good gun belt and you’ll be fine.   Let’s be real and not get carried away with things like “clip on holsters will fall off if you jump around a lot.   Well, not everyone is going to be jumping fences or hanging upside down from trees while CCW their firearm.  Don Hume IWB H715 are highly recommend for basic day to day concealed carry.  You can have your choose of the holster in the traditional brown or the black.  For OWB or outside the waistband Done Hume holsters also have a paddle holster.  The 7210T is a belt slotted holster for a more permanent and secure way of carrying, there are pros and cons to the slot vs. clip on, but if you’ve got a brain between your ears you can figure it out.

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