HOLSTER
SELECTION

Exposed versus Discreet Carry

• Gun owners, historically, have accepted the legal terminology and distinguished between "open" and "concealed" carry of firearms. I now prefer to view the dichotomy as between carrying a firearm exposed, both to the elements and to view, versus carrying it discreetly.
• The following discussion was originally written using the older terms and I leave them in place, partly because there are jurisdictions where citizens may only carry firearms lawfully with a permit to carry them concealed and are required to keep them concealed.
• On the other hand, there are some jurisdictions where open carry may not only be legal but accepted, whereas concealed carry may not be a lawful option, particularly if your concealed-carry permit is not recognized in that state.
  
  

  Speaking of Lawful Options
  Some states limit the manner in which a firearm can be worn or carried outside the home, even with a permit or license. However you choose to carry or transport your firearms, make sure that you do so in compliance with local laws.

  
  
• Open carry has the disadvantage that it advertises a gun for the taking to anyone who cares to try taking it. For this reason, it would be foolish to carry openly in a holster which did not provide at least one level of security via a retention device, such as a thumb-break strap or some sort engagement of the trigger guard.
• While opinions differ, many people feel that if a gun is concealed, security devices are unnecessary on a well built holster. In fact, many holster makers do not even offer concealment holsters with thumb-break straps, generally regarded as the lowest level of retention device on a holster. However, this is an issue that merits deeper thought by those likely to have close contact with others, including parents with children young enough to be carried in arms.
• In my opinion, a holster that has no security devices is suitable only for concealed carry or for competition games. Consider:
  • In Montana you may not carry a concealed handgun in a restaurant that serves alcohol but you may carry one exposed. If you comply with the law, your concealment holster becomes an open-carry holster if you enter such an establishment.
  • In New Mexico your vehicle is considered an extension of your home. You may legally carry concealed in your vehicle, without a permit, while driving in that state. If you lack a recognized permit and comply with the law while stopping for gasoline or to use a rest room, your concealment holster becomes an open-carry holster. (Additionally, an administrative rule from New Mexico DPS limits you to one concealed handgun at a time, once you leave your vehicle.)
  • Drawing and reholstering should be programmed reflexes. If you program them with a simple open-top holster, then use a thumb-break holster for a special occasion, your reflexes may not be tuned to pop that thumb-break in an emergency. Conversely, if you are programmed to pop the snap on a thumb-break holster, you may waste time seeking it the day you wear an open-top holster.
  • The same caveat obviously applies to any of the newer security-system holsters some of which may be suitable for concealment:
    • Blackhawk's Serpa - banned by some instructors and agencies because of a few unintended discharges that may have been the result of the release tab being pressed with the tip of the finger instead of the "fingerprint" - is only available for J-frame S&W; revolvers with the older-profile 1.875" barrels and a few Taurus revolvers. It is available for a wide variety of pistols.
    • While still offering the Serpa line, Blackhawk now offers a limited T-series of duty holsters incorporating a thumb-release on the belt side that is pressed in the process of acquiring a firing grip on the pistol. Offerings are limited to the more widely used Glock and SIG P320 pistols, with separate versions for those with rail-mounted lights.
    • Blackhawk's Omnivore Multifit holster is designed for use with a wide variety of pistols that place an accessory rail on the dust cover. It either engages a proprietary retention device attached to the rail or a rail-mounted light Streamlight TLR-series light. It uses a thumb release.
    • Safariland offers their similar ALS and GLS holsters for many pistols but not for revolvers.
    • Bianchi also offers their CarryLok Hip Holster for many pistols but not for revolvers.
    • 5.11's ThumbDrive holster - available for some Glock and S&W; pistols and the Beretta 92/96 - may be the most difficult to wear discreetly as it includes a guard to prevent an assailant from reaching the release lever from the wearer's front.
    • Holster development - at least for pistols - is an ongoing process. Some makers have begun offering holsters with limited retention features DeSantis's leather Variable GRD holster provides security from a gun grab from the rear while sitll allowing the user a normal draw stroke with no need to operate any release mechanism. The Pro-Lock holster from N8 Tactical requires a slight twist to release the pistol for the draw.
    • It's difficult for me to keep up with all the products and models coming onto and going off the market. At this time, the newer technology in holsters is largely offered for pistols. However, the role of California's Roster of Handguns Approved for Sale in phasing out the lawful sale of pistols to private citizens in that state seems to be stimulating the introduction of new models of revolvers. Perhaps some of the above holster makers will recognize what may become a resurgent interest in "wheelguns."
  • If it is likely that you will need to carry openly at times, it would be wisest to be consistent in the use of a holster with your chosen security system.
  • Some additional discussion about open-carry holsters is posted on the Naked Emperor page.
• Police "duty" holsters are beyond the scope of this discussion.
  

  Spotting Discreet Carry

  Most lawfully armed citizens prefer to carry discreetly, typically for the tactical advantages of not advertising that they are armed. Criminals generally prefer to carry discreetly, typically because they do not carry lawfully. This 2010 document from the US Secret Service may be worth reviewing: On the one hand, avoiding some of these "tells" that you are armed may save you some embarrassment should you need to make a brief entry into a venue that does not recognize your right to self-defense. On the other hand, recognizing that someone else - who doesn't "look right" - is armed before he draws his weapon may gain you some precious seconds or even allow you to vacate the scene before he does draw.

Belt Holsters

• There are two major ways to categorize belt holsters: where on the waist they position the gun and whether they do so inside or outside the wearer's waistband. Think of your navel being at 12 o'clock (12:00) and your spine being at 6 o'clock (6:00)
• If you point your index finger while making a fist with the rest of your hand - as if you were reaching for a holstered gun - you will notice that your finger is nearly vertical when it is around the hip joint (usually 2:30 or 9:30). If you then slowly sweep your hand back and forth along the waist from that location, you will notice that your finger starts to point forward when it goes forward of the hip joint and starts to point to the rear when it goes behind the hip joint. The farther you go from your hip joint, the greater the angle off the vertical. This should give you a good starting point for the desired angle or "rake" of the holster, according to the part of the waist where you will wear it.
• Holstering the gun at that angle will generally give you the most efficient draw (and reholstering) stroke. Compromises may ensue as the result of your belt not remaining horizontal, comfort and some degree of shifting in the angle of the holster as the firing grip is acquired.
  
  

  This outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster - Bobby Mac's DB-Mac - has belt slots fairly far outboard of the pouch for the gun. Assuming that it is worn on a belt of appropriate width for those slots, it is at one end of the stability spectrum - very unlikely to allow the angle of the gun to the belt to shift while wearing or during the draw stroke. (Photo courtesy of Bobby Mac's)	This inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster - with Ed Buffaloe's Swivel Strap option - attaches to the belt with a pivoting loop. This places it at the opposite end of the spectrum for angular stability. The swivel will likely allow the holster to rotate, to fit the contours of the body, and, if necessary, to rotate as the firing grip is acquired. (Photo courtesy of Ed Buffaloe)

• Most holsters have been designed for the build of a fairly athletic male, of at least average American size. This is not the same build as most women and not even for many men. Most women and some men are "short-waisted." As men gain weight they fall into two categories: "apples" and "pears." Male pears may also experience some of the holster frustrations of the average woman.
• Because they work best for the average man, the most common concealment holsters tilt the muzzle of the gun to the rear (FBI rake); these holsters are designed to be worn behind the hip of the gun-hand side (FBI position, typically between 3:30 and 4:00 or between 8:00 and 8:30). For the right user they are quick to access and provide a fairly direct path to the sighting plane for conventionally aimed fire. They generally do a good job of tucking the grip area of the gun into the relative hollows of the anatomy of a physically fit male. The FBI position places your gun where you can cover and protect it with your elbow.
• Potential problems with the FBI rake holster worn behind the hip include having the gun butt digging into your ribs or armpit and lack of adequate concealment. These obviously result from mismatches to one's body size and/or shape.
• One response to these problems is to shift the holster to different positions along the waist:
  • Appendix position: forward of the hip joint, still on the gun-hand side (typically between 1:30 and 2:00 for a right-handed user or between 10:00 and 10:30 for a left-handed user), this position is popular with many women. It offers good concealment to women in the drape of a loose pullover garment, rather than a coat or conventional shirt, with which the gun is exposed as soon as the sides of the garment start to separate. This carry mode may also be attractive to those who cannot tolerate the pressure of a gun holstered behind the hip, such as when seated. It is usually most practical with a short-barrel gun, particularly if holstered inside the waistband. It is typically somewhat slower to draw from this position, unless you share my preference for all draws to go initially to the protected-gun position, with the butt of the gun pressed into the rib cage - for some people it is easier to get there if the gun comes out of the holster with a rearward motion. Most people will find it easier to defend against a disarming attempt if the gun is holstered near the front of the body.
  • Front cross-draw position: moving further into the land of compromise, this position places the gun butt somewhere near the line of the navel (typically around 11:00 for a right-handed user or 1:00 for a left-handed user). Think of it as a more extreme version of the appendix position which requires more lateral arc to bring the muzzle on target. In the right holster, it may actually be useful for people who work seated. In the wrong holster or with too long a handgun - as with the appendix position - it can be uncomfortable when seated. However, with the right holster and angle, it may allow carry of a gun with a longer barrel than would the appendix position.
  • Cross-draw position: butt forward on the opposite hip, this position can offer great concealment, even greater if it goes behind the hip. It also requires a long reach to acquire your grip on the gun, unlike an assailant to your front who has very easy access. It requires a large lateral arc to bring your muzzle on target and you are vulnerable to having your arm pinned to your torso when you reach for your gun.
  
  

  SAFETY WARNING

  Even with proper training, it may be difficult to draw from the appendix or a cross-draw position while seated without having the muzzle cross at least one thigh. The odds of surviving a gunshot to the femoral artery are very remote. This is even a greater concern if you must reholster while still seated. Even when these carry positions are used while standing, the tendency to crouch under stress may similarly angle the muzzle into the pelvic area, particularly during the draw stroke, presenting a similar risk. For these reasons, I recommend that these carry positions only be used with handguns with long-stroke triggers, such as double-action revolvers and pistols, or pistols with a manual safety that requires a more conscious action than simply placing the finger on the trigger or the web of the hand on the back strap. In other words, I discourage these carry positions for pistols such as Glocks or S&W; M&P; and Springfield XD pistols that are not equipped with the optional thumb safety. If you must carry a Glock in one of these positions, the Tau Striker Control Device will allow you to disable the striker on reholstering simply by pressing your thumb on the rear of the slide.

  
  
  • Kidney position: an exaggeration of the FBI position, moving to the rear (typically around 4:30 or 7:30), this position enhances concealment for the slim user and may get the gun out of the armpit or ribcage for the short-waisted, for whom it may also may offer a smoother draw stroke. It introduces a bit more lateral motion to the draw stroke and may make your gun inaccessible when seated if you cannot lean forward or twist away from the back of the seat; this placement may also make it uncomfortable when seated for some users.
  • Middle of the back position: an extreme version of the kidney position which not only adds to the lateral component of the draw stroke but also places the gun over the spine (typically between 5:30 and 6:30). Carry in this position will set up a great fulcrum to injure your spine if you should fall on your back or be slammed against a wall.
• Remember our finger-pointing drill? The angle or rake of your holster will likely need to match fairly closely the position on the waist where you intend to wear it. Within allowable limits, it is also nice to have some choice of how high or low the holster rides on your waist. The latter, along with the option of some lateral offset - to keep the butt of the gun out of the ribcage, is often easier to find in holster that are worn outside the waistband.
• Over the years that concealed carry has become a lawful option for the adult residents of most American states, more holster makers are realizing that the old "one size" does not fit all potential customers. For example, not only are more of them offering straight-drop holster for use inside the waistband, some, who mount Kydex pouches on leather backing, are even offering some inside-the-waistband models that are adjustable both for rake and height of ride.

• One More Consideration: Suspenders (braces, in British parlance) can help support some of the weight of guns carried on belts (or in pants pockets). They may be useful if:
  • The user has a smaller diameter around the hips than around the waist;
  • Excessive weight borne by the belt produces unacceptable pressure on the spine;
  • The weight of the gun(s), especially if distributed asymmetrically, produces noticeable sagging.
  However, if you require that added support, it may limit where on the belt you can wear a holster. A suspender strap may interfere with your draw stroke in an emergency.
  • If the strap is located to the rear of the holster, your thumb may catch it as you acquire your firing grip, then rip your grip open as you proceed with the rest of draw.
  • If the strap is located forward of the holster, depending on your draw stroke, it may snag the muzzle of the gun as you proceed with the rest of draw.
  As with anything else related to equipment to be used in case of an emergency, test these things under the worst-case scenario, not the best-case scenario on a calm shooting range. In fact, these particular issues are best tested with unloaded guns, inside your home.

• This discussion of belt holsters assumes that the gun is positioned so that you grasp it with the palm of your hand facing your body. Any position such as the "cavalry draw" (butt forward on the gun hand side) or middle-of-back with the grip frame down will inevitably result in the muzzle crossing your own body as you draw under stress.

Inside or Outside the Waistband?

• When the holster is held inside the waistband (IWB), concealment is normally increased in two ways:
  1. Because most of the length of the holster is covered by the pants (or skirt), the upper body garment (shirt, coat, etc.) only has to conceal the portion of the gun projecting above the waistband and the loops holding the holster to the belt.
  2. Because the belt goes outboard of the holster, the gun is pressed closer to the body and usually does not appear to project as far to the side.
  3. There is a "tuckable" variety of IWB holster, pioneered by Dave Workman, with which the gun itself is covered by a tucked-in shirt. These designs require that the shirt first be pulled free of the pants before the gun can be drawn - a task that any potential user should ensure that he can perform with the single hand that will draw the gun. Further, with all but fairly small and slim guns, these holsters may leave a noticeable bulge. On top of that, there is the issue of whether the belt attachment will draw attention in the sensitive environments for which these designs are usually chosen. The best attachment that I've seen is a snap loop that allows carry of a ring of keys, to camouflage why the loop is affixed to the belt.
• Objections to IWB holsters include:
  1. IWB requires a longer belt and about 2 inches larger waist size for the pants.
  2. Women and pears may find the butt angled too sharply into the ribcage if worn in the FBI position.
  3. Pears may find that the muzzle end of the holster pinches a roll of fat when seated. This problem may be minimized with a design with a "flange," "wing" or even larger flexible leather backing for the pouch itself.
  4. This mode of carry becomes less comfortable the more flesh you have projecting over the belt, particularly if the gun is placed forward of the hip joint.
  5. Most IWB holsters are manufactured with an FBI rake so it may take a lot of shopping, a custom holster or one of the adjustable models to get the rake you need for your carry position.
• Holsters worn outboard of the belt may pose the following challenges:
  1. The cover garment has to come lower to cover the entire holster or length of the gun.
  2. A wider belt may be necessary to stabilize the gun in the holster. This is particularly true for autoloaders with heavy, high-capacity magazines, which place much of the gun's weight above the waistband.
     • In conventional use, OWB holsters are worn with the belt threaded between holster and garment. Depending on whether the holster has more than one belt slot and on the location of the belt loops on the pants or skirt, this may offer the opportunity to thread the belt through a loop on the garment, as it runs between the belt slots. Doing so should more firmly "anchor" the holster in place.
  3. The contours of the gun may be more obvious, making concealment more difficult.
     • With a long enough belt and suitable belt slots on the holster, some users opt to wear the belt over the pouch of the holster, placing the holster between belt and garment - snugging the holstered gun closer to the body than it might ride in conventional use.
  4. The holster may block access to pants pockets.

• Positioning an IWB holster so that the bulk of the holstered portion of the gun is pressed into soft tissue is likely to be more comfortable than wearing it with the gun pressed into a bony prominence of the pelvis.
• Positioning an OWB holster over a bony prominence of the pelvis may reduce the tendency of the belt to ride lower on that side of the body.


• A belt holster is only one half of the carry system. The belt is the other half. If you prefer a leather belt, it is not a bad idea to order a belt from your holster maker, to ensure that you get one which is designed to support your choice of holsters. Among other things, the width of the belt should match the belt slots of the holster. A holster sold with the claim that it will fit on any belt from 1¼ to 1¾ inches is really designed to fit the latter and will likely shift during a hurried draw if worn on a narrower belt.
• A holster worn outside the waistband will require a more substantial belt than one worn inside the waistband. Thus, a 1¼" belt may suffice to stabilize a "high-capacity" pistol in an IWB holster but allow it to flop around in an OWB holster.
• A belt worth mentioning is offered by the folks at Garrett Industries. The Perfect Fit Belt is a 1½" leather belt intended to provide the stiff support for a heavy gun worn in an OWB holster with less of the potential discomfort. The latter is avoided by making the belt in three sections, with the shorter section at the rear pivoted for flexibility.

What If You Don't Wear a Belt?

Paddle Holsters

• Paddle holsters are outside the waistband holsters which do not use loops to secure them to a belt. Instead they use a paddle which rides inside the waistband, to which the holster is fastened, over the top of the waistband. This last factor tends to make the holster ride fairly high, a potentially undesirable feature for the short-waisted user of one of the larger handguns.
• These holsters were originally designed for ease putting on the gun and removing it during the day. Some require the use of a belt and some do not.
• While the manufacturers must provide some means to ensure that the paddle does not slip out of the pants during the draw, leaving the holster on the gun, you cannot expect a paddle holster to resist a gun grab as well as a loop-secured holster. I would not consider a paddle holster for open carry.

Belt Holsters for Women (but men should read this too)

• In my experience, most women find belt holsters to be most comfortable in the appendix or front cross-draw positions. As discussed above, this is because the combination of rounded hips and short waist tend to stick the butt of the gun into the ribs or the armpits of most women who try to use FBI-style holsters.
• Most women can conceal a handgun in these locations under a loose, untucked shirt or blouse, such as a polo or golf shirt. Such a garment will usually drape from the breasts, giving cover to the gun. Depending on the woman's shape, this may or may not require an IWB holster for adequate concealment.
• As we have already discussed, when the holster moves forward of the hip joint to avoid this problem, the rake must be adjusted accordingly. Sometimes a straight-drop holster will work but it may well take a forward-rake holster to do the trick. However, there is a limit to how much forward rake can be built into an IWB holster without compromising the ability to acquire a full firing grip on the holstered handgun. OWB holsters, if they provide adequate concealment, are more tolerant in this regard.
• Perhaps for this reason, few people offer IWB holsters with a forward rake. However, if you've got the bucks, Mitch Rosen, America's premier holster maker, not only offers an IWB holster designed for cross-draw (Tito's Revenge), he also offers one which is worn outside the waist band, between the belt and the pants or skirt (SLM).
• As mentioned earlier, a few holster makers now have offerings with both adjustable rake and "drop" (height relative to the belt). As noted, there is a limit to how much forward rake can be used as it will eventually close the angle between the front strap of the handgun and the belt. Further, if the holster is placed higher above the belt to adjust for this, there may not be enough of a short barrel inside the waistband to stabilize the gun and the rear of the gun may stick into the front of the ribcage.
• Since not all women (nor all men) are built the same, one approach won't fit all women. Another set of adaptations to make a holster more suitable for women is the Ladyfist, which places the holster slightly lower than normal. I strongly recommend viewing the video for this holster and evaluating whether the adjustment for greater comfort and smoother draw may compromise concealment.
• Moving in the opposite direction, Mitch Rosen's Nancy Special (about halfway down the page) places the holster forward of the hip joint but higher than normal. (It may be worth noting that this holster was designed when Nancy was pregnant.)
• For those who carry short-barrel revolvers, Bobby Mac's offers both IWB and OWB holsters that are friendly to carry forward of the hip joint.
• Clearly, for women, as for men, one size does not fit all.

Other Types of Holsters

• It's pretty safe to say that no holster will be faster than a belt holster on your gun-hand side unless you've already got your hand on the gun when the balloon goes up.
• Disguised Belt Holsters: The Sneaky Pete is a belt holster disguised as a case for one of the larger smartphones, such as an iPad. It has a flap which must be lifted - a fairly easy process as it is secured by a couple of magnets. (Magnets may erase magnetically stored data so I'd avoid carrying such items as credit cards in close proximity to the holster.) Once the flap is raised, however, the user cannot yet acquire a full firing grip as the gun sits against the rear of the case. While this holster requires a two-step draw, it is a one-handed process: the tip of the middle finger is inserted at the juncture of the trigger guard and the front strap, then hooks or slides the gun upward until the grip frame clears the rear of the case, allowing acquisition of the firing grip. There may be other similarly disguised belt holsters on the market. The Safepacker, discussed below, among its many options, can also be worn on the belt. The attraction of this one is its visual compatibility with business attire.
• Belly Bands: Offered by different manufacturers at different times, a belly band offers a compromise that may be worth consideration by those who can't wear a belt, such as a woman who works in a skirt. These are wide fabric bands, usually with an elastic portion, that either have a holster pouch stitched in or stitched on. Depending on the build of the user, it may be able to position the gun with the grip just above the waistband, as with an IWB holster, or, on a shapely woman, higher up the torso, where it may be concealed below the breasts. (One - that unfortunately seems to obstruct ready acquisition of the firing grip - is marketed to women in the form of a Lycra corset.) A belly band is typically worn under a shirt or blouse, requiring that that cover garment be closed with snaps or Velcro, to allow speedy access if the gun is worn in a front crossdraw position. Because it can be positioned above the belt on most users, a belly band may offer a viable means of carry for someone in a wheelchair who might have his draw stroke impaired by an armrest if the gun were worn at the waist or on the lap. I envision such a user wearing the belly band over a shirt and, depending on the weather, under a buttoned blazer-style jacket or comparable vest that allows access through the V formed by the lapels. (If the bulge is visible, open carry of ostomy-care items may contribute to the perception that the bulge is an ostomy bag.) A downside to most belly bands is that they usually lack a rigid holster, to allow safe, one-handed reholstering, to get the gun out of the hand when officers respond to the scene. An exception is Crossbreed's second-generation Modular Belly Band, which allows a rigid Kydex holster (and magazine pouch) to be wrapped between layers of the band. For a limited assortment of pistols, a similar option may be Gladius's Vest Holster, designed to mate with the Velcro of a ballistic vest. Many belly bands will allow a Velcro section to be positioned for optimal placement of this holster, which also offers the option of "rocking" the gun free, as a crossdraw alternative to drawing it upward from the pouch.
  • A growing number of women instructors are suggesting that a belly band that uses a Kydex holster for rigidity, such as Crossbreed's modular system, may be the best carry system for many women who can't or won't wear belts. One company that caters to armed women - Tactica Defense Fashion - is offering such a rig for a limited number of small pistols. Alternatively, the Ulticlip - discussed above - could be used to clip an IWB holster into a belly band and the holster pouch stitched into the belly band.
  • Tactica also offers a women's sweater with faux pockets that provide access to a gun in a belly band or possibly in a more conventional holster positioned at the front of the body.
  A similar concept is PHLster's Enigma System. This consists of an adjustable belt, to be worn under a garment, supporting a "plate" to which a variety of of polymer pistol holsters can be mounted. The plate also includes a "leg leash" or tiedown to help stabilize the holster during draw strokes.
• Belt "Hooks": The Barami Hip-Grip is set of grips for revolvers whose right panel has a projection to go over the waistband, to keep the gun in place. It does not appear to keep the gun high enough to allow a full firing grip until the thumb has pulled the gun up from the waistband. It also may not keep the gun from shifting along waist. It is designed for right-handed shooters. Because this set of grips is of the same shape as the early, skimpy factory grips, those who use it would likely benefit from also using an aluminum Tyler T-Grip Adapter or the similar polymer grip adapter from BK Grips (only offered for S&W; revolvers). DeSantis has introduced a similar product, of "boot grip" configuration, with an integral grip adapter. Unfortunately DeSantis also appears to offer only a right-hand version. I mention these only because they may be an option for women who must wear skirts that lack loops for a holster belt. I think most men could do better. Similar products are offered for autoloading pistols. With a flatter grip area, these may be even harder to draw under stress, Further, I have serious safety concerns about shoving a pistol with a short-stroke trigger, such as a Glock, into a waistband, without a holster to cover the trigger area.
• Ankle Holsters: Not a good place for an only gun, the ankle may not be a bad location for one of two or more guns. Among its advantages, it is fairly accessible while seated, especially if your automobile safety belt blocks access to a gun on the waist. An ankle holster also gives you good access to a gun if you are knocked on your back and can pull your knees toward your chest as you roll. On the flip side, some people cannot tolerate ankle holsters because they can irritate nerves and cause abnormal sensations (paresthesias) in the leg. The nation's largest sheriff's department at one point re-evaluated the use of ankle holsters in uniform after incidents of guns lost during altercations and foot pursuits. Ankle holsters also require at least a boot-cut width of pants legs. Some makers of ankle holsters - usually those who mass-produce them - offer an optional support in the form of a band worn at the top of the calf, with a strap that drops down to the holster, much like a sock garter of long ago.
• Pocket Holsters: Again, not a first-choice location if you carry only one gun, the pocket may work well for you for a second or third gun. A man can usually get away with conducting a great deal of business with his hand on a gun in his left, front pants pocket, if the fit of his pants allows it. A gun in a jacket pocket can be an accessible gun when your other gun is buried under a closed coat in cold weather. I favor guns such as the S&W; Airweight Centennials for jacket-pocket carry, when the weight of the gun on only one side may cause visible sagging of the garment. Personally, I am happy with the heavier, steel-frame versions for pants-pocket carry. A proper pocket holster will keep the gun in a consistent position, prevent the trigger from snagging the pocket material and allow you to position your middle finger for a firing grip. Not only are different pocket holsters designed for different shapes of pocket, I find that some designs work better for pockets that open vertically, along the seam of the pants, and others for pockets that open obliquely or horizontally. As already implied, one advantage of a gun in a pocket is that it may allow surreptitious acquisition of a grip on the gun, before you have the legal justification to draw it. Many pocket holsters require a very specific draw stroke to keep the holster from coming out of the pocket with the gun, making such an early acquisition of a grip on the gun a good precaution. If you prefer a soft pocket holster - such as the DeSantis Nemesis or the Tuff Products Jr. Roo - it's a good idea to avail yourself of the low price and get more than one, then alternate holsters at least once a week. Especially with revolvers, if you allow constant use to mold the holster to the gun, you will increase the likelihood of drawing the holster with the gun.
• A Combination: Being an advocate of carrying more than one gun anyway, I have, from time to time, recommended the combination of one gun on the ankle and one gun in the pocket for a man who must work in shirt and tie. This allows access to the gun on the ankle while seated and to the gun in the pocket while standing.
• Shoulder Holsters: These combine all the disadvantages of a cross-draw with a gun which can bounce on your ribcage, particularly if you are running or riding a horse. They tend not to conceal as effectively in real life as they do on screen. While female breasts may help conceal a gun in this position, they may also interfere with access. A compromise mode of carry, in my view, it is a more acceptable compromise under certain circumstances. Someone who spends most of the day seated, driving or at a desk, may be willing to accept the challenges of drawing safely from that location, in exchange for getting the gun off the belt. Similarly, a guy with skinny hips, who could not keep his pants up with two guns on the waist, may benefit from a backup gun in that location. If you have to carry a large gun under a partially buttoned raincoat or overcoat (and can't carry a smaller gun in the coat's pocket), a vertical shoulder holster will allow you to access your gun. In general, vertical shoulder holsters tend to require less "sweeping" with the muzzle while drawing and reholstering than other variants.
• T-Shirt Holsters: The first of this genre that I recall was the Confidant Shirt from Kramer. It offers the equivalent of a vertical shoulder holster sewn into a T-shirt, giving slightly slower access than a conventional vertical shoulder holster. UnderTech Undercover offers a few similar shirts, including separate designs for women that place the gun higher and farther forward, where it is easier for a woman to reach but still provides concealment by the breast that makes such an adjustment necessary. A similar concept for women is the Nickel and Lace corset. The same folks who offer the Flashbang holster (see next section) also offer the Marilyn holster. This places a small pistol inside the band of the bra, slightly forward of the armpit, similar to a vertical shoulder holster. It is intended for access through the neckline and the cup of the bra. I cannot tell from the photo whether the draw can be accomplished one-handed. I have been told that the degree of concealment with this rig may vary with the size of the woman's breasts. If you must go to this mode of carry and are not covering the gun with some sort of scoop-front shirt or blouse, consider using a shirt or blouse that closes with snaps or Velcro closures, so that you won't have to rip off your buttons to reach the gun.
• Bra Holsters: There are a few holsters on the market that position the gun under a woman's breasts. I see some parallels between these and shoulder holsters. As with shoulder holsters, some position the gun horizontally (Rusty Sherrick's Bosom Buddy and the Flashbang). As a man who has not actually seen any of these in use, it's only my best guess what works best for a woman. However, as with a shoulder holster, I prefer the concept of carrying with the muzzle pointed downward. I recognize that the utility of vertical carry versus horizontal carry will depend on the cover garment. Vertical carry should offer better access with a front-opening blouse or shirt (with buttons or snaps) or a loose-fitting, low-cut dress. Horizontal carry requires access from below, such as that provided by pullover shirt. In my mind, vertical carry is likely to be friendlier to a one-handed draw. DeSantis's Stowaway holster offers vertical carry in a rig that essentially combines a belly band with a pair of straps to keep it in place under the breasts. Similar to the discontinued Naturally Concealed holster, it is marketed partly as a rig for runners - a role in which it may also be useful to some men, particularly if they've got well developed pectoral muscles or carry a small, flat handgun.
• Fanny Pack Holsters: This is a good way to advertise that you're carrying a gun, if that's not likely to get you arrested. Anyone in the know assumes any fanny pack of decent size conceals a gun until proven otherwise. Fanny packs offer you the same disadvantages of a front cross-draw with slower access than a belt holster in the same position. Like any carry system, if two hands are required to draw the gun, you can get seriously injured if the second hand is busy doing something else - such as deflecting an attack - when you need the gun. While not particularly discreet, DeSantis's Road Runner holster bears mention. It is basically a fanny pack that is also supported by straps that go over the shoulders and cross behind the back. Like the DeSantis Stowaway, mentioned above, it is marketed primarily to runners, who are not likely to be wearing pants with belt loops and want to stabilize the gun from flopping against them as they run.
• Deep Cover Carry: The Pager Pal is sort of an inside-out paddle holster with the entire gun inside the pants, below the waistband, with the "paddle" outside the waistband, covered by a pager, cell phone or folding-knife sheath. This system is designed for front cross-draw carry. Like many designs, it seems to work for some body shapes better than for others. It used to be pictured in advertisements with the non-gun hand pulling up the pager to bring the grip frame of the gun within the reach of the gun hand. If you have to go to this level of deep cover carry, practice a two-step draw with the gun hand only, in case your non-gun hand is otherwise occupied when you need the gun. This advice goes for any other deep-cover system, such as Thunderwear or SmartCarry, that places the grip frame of the gun out of reach.
• Thigh Holsters: There are several variants of thigh holsters, including frilly ones, suspended from garter belts, that look more like kinky bedroom accessories than combat gear. Others, with a more masculine appearance, simply support the gun with an elastic band. One problem with the latter ones is that thighs are basically elongated cones in shape and the holster is likely to slide down the leg as you go through the day. While a man could arguably access a thigh holster by unzipping the fly in his pants, that's hardly a quick-reaction technique; thigh holsters are best suited for those wearing dresses, skirts or kilts. The garter-style holster supported by a connection to a belt may be an option for the woman who is required to wear dresses. My concern, however, is consistency. If you carry in one mode on work days and another while wearing pants on your days off, your reflexes will not be properly tuned to reflexively reach for the gun in the right location on the day that you are surprised by an assault.
• Off-Body Carry: Gun purses, day organizers, etc., which conceal guns scare me! If you are a woman being attacked, what is the most likely target of the attacker? Once he's got the purse, we now have a well-armed mugger. Purses worn on straps generally require two hands for the draw - quite a gamble for what's most likely to be an arm's-length emergency. What is the likelihood that a businessman with a day organizer won't set it down in public at some point in his day? Once it is set down, it may either be grabbed by a thief or forgotten. In late December 2014, an Idaho mother was shot fatally by her two-year-old son, after she apparently left a gun purse - with the pistol in a zippered compartment - in a shopping cart with the child and turned away momentarily. You take on a lot of responsibility when you carry a gun; carry it where you can keep control of it. A woman instructor took a critical look at purse carry. In one installment, she included measuring draw times out of concealment purses. In a second installment, she assessed hit potential firing with the gun inside the purse. Neither assessment came out very high.
• An Interesting Compromise: With all of the above caveats, the Safepacker is the least distasteful compromise to me. It can be worn exposed as what is essentially a disguised flap holster, on the belt, requiring an additional step to undo the quick-release buckle. In its smaller sizes, it may attract less attention than a fanny pack. For the user who cannot wear it on a belt, it can be carried, ideally only while going to and from a vehicle, in the non-dominant hand and secured with the vehicle's safety belt while driving. I used to use one to carry a large-caliber revolver, slung with the optional shoulder strap, while hiking in bear country. This rig allowed me to add a larger-caliber revolver, that I would not normally use in town, without having to remove from the belt one of the revolvers that I normally carry in town. Overnight, the flap can be inserted between mattress and box spring, to keep the gun accessible but out of the way while sleeping. Coupled with a shoulder strap, this would allow someone to keep the gun at hand or on his person until he puts on pants with loops for a belt and holster. For a woman who does not wear such pants, it could be an all-day proposition.
• If You Have to Be Different: Regardless of all the advice and cautions on this page (and in similar sources), there's always going to be someone who will rationalize carrying a striker-fired pistol with a short-stroke trigger (e.g., Glock, S&W; M&P;, S&W; Shield) inside the pants, in a pocket or purse or loose in a briefcase or luggage, without a holster to cover the trigger area. If you insist on engaging in this form of risky behavior, the Zacchaeus Concealment Holster from Dale Fricke, while not a true holster, will cover the trigger area for you. As with a few of the other unconventional carry systems, the "Zack" will not allow you quick, convenient, one-handed reholstering, to get the gun out of your hand when you hear the sirens of responding officers.

The Frustrations of Finding the Right Holster

• Most serious gun owners who carry one or more guns routinely own a drawer full of holsters. Rarely does your first purchase turn out to be a life partner.
• The large, mass production manufacturers may be good sources of medium priced holsters which can serve you to discover the design you like. Once you discover the right design, it may make sense to think about the more costly holsters, including custom holsters.
  • Some holster makers offer custom work in the sense that many of their holsters are not made until the customer places the order. Such orders generally include choices among existing designs, model of gun, width for belt loops and color.
  • Some holster makers offer custom work in the sense that they will modify existing designs. Such modifications generally include rake, height position relative to belt and inclusion or deletion of a retention strap.
  • A few holster makers offer custom work in the sense that they will create a new design to meet a customer's unique needs.
• Good holsters can be made from cowhide, horsehide and synthetic materials. Poor holsters can be made from cowhide, horsehide and synthetic materials. I would not ignore the product of a reputable holster maker with good designs because he chooses to work in cowhide instead of horsehide or vice versa. I might compare similar holsters of different materials to determine if there is a difference which would affect my use of the product. With leather holsters, some makers seem to get by with one layer while others need two. Does the thicker construction detract from your concealment?
• A well made leather concealment holster will usually require a lengthy series of draws and reholstering to break it in (as well as to condition the user to the new equipment). The converse of this is that, in time, the leather holster may eventually become too loose to hold the gun securely, particularly if there is no retention strap. Some holster makers offer a reconditioning service, which may involve re-stitching the holster.
• Kydex offers lower cost and greater rigidity over time than leather. It may also result in a "click" when the gun is drawn. I can envision circumstances under which I may want to draw the gun surreptitiously and would prefer not to have that clicking sound. Garrett Industries lines its Kydex holsters with smooth leather to eliminate that sound. Other makers of Kydex holsters have offered suede or felt linings. This raises another issue:
  • Back when most handguns were made of blued steel and most holsters were made of leather, some holster makers offered optional suede lining. Users soon discovered that the suede tended to absorb oil from the surfaces of the gun. The oil, in turn, retained any form of fine grit, turning the lining into the equivalent of a very fine emery cloth that wore through the bluing faster than was done by unlined holsters.
  • Kydex itself is known to be rough on gun finishes but most users who opt to use Kydex holsters for the long term do so with so-called "ugly guns." These rarely have blued-steel surfaces and may have some form of rust-resistant surface below the black finish, which is the surface that is most likely to show holster wear on "ugly guns." Whether these modern finishes last longer with bare Kydex or lined Kydex has yet to be established. (Holster wear on stainless-steel guns generally takes the form of bright spots on an otherwise "satin" finish.)
  • In general, a gun that cannot show holster wear belongs in a safe, not in a holster. Having said that, some users may be more concerned with holster wear than others and not all modern handguns are equally resistant to wear and rust. "Stay tuned," as they say, for time to tell whether lining Kydex holsters with relatively soft material is a good idea. It may turn out that such lining itself my wear out quickly, when it is challenged by a rigid surface on both sides.
• With the above caveat about sound, Kydex makes a good material for the pouch of a holster. It may not be the best choice for the belt attachment, particularly if that is a clip that will be flexed when the holster goes on and off the belt. If you opt for a holster that uses such an attachment, it's a good idea to have a spare clip or two available in the event that the first one breaks.
• Kydex holsters can present a challenge to revolver users. If the cylinder recess is tightly molded, the barrel can hang up on the "shelf" at the face of the cylinder if the user reholsters at the wrong angle.
• Personally, I have never encountered a ballistic-nylon/closed-cell-foam holster that impressed me favorably. Most of them are generically sized and often do not permit a full firing grip on the holstered gun. They generally lack the rigidity to ensure that the mouth of the holster will remain open after the gun is drawn, particularly if there has been pressure on the empty holster.
• Your best friend may swear by his megabucks holster but, until you know that its design is right for you, it's a risky investment, even if it will last forever. It may be that an attractive design feature is only available on a very expensive holster, but it's likely that a somewhat similar holster is available at a lower price for you to make sure you're on the right track. Greg Kramer, for example, who works primarily in horsehide, offers a few designs in cowhide, at lower prices. Similarly, a Kydex holster may allow you to evaluate a design at fairly low cost, with the option of upgrading to leather if you do not remain enamored of the Kydex concept.

Four Cautions:

1. Make sure that you can acquire a full firing grip on the handgun while it is still in the holster. You most likely will not have the time to shift your grip after you have drawn the gun, meaning that if you haven't drawn with a full firing grip you may be forced to shoot without the gun in its proper position in your hand. This is generally a more crucial concern with a relatively flat pistol as the rounder surfaces of a revolver may provide a channel for the thumb, allowing it to hook the gun up into the palm.
2. Make sure that the mouth of your holster will remain open when it is empty, under a variety of conditions of use. You and your holster both contribute to the ability to reholster your gun one-handed with your eyes on the threat. This is a crucial gun handling skill which could be impeded by the wrong equipment.
3. Be very cautious about varying your mode of carry. If, for example, you alternate between a belt holster and a shoulder holster or even vary placement on the belt, you may find yourself reaching for a gun that is not where you're reaching, at the time that you can least afford to lose precious seconds.
4. As with your handgun, you need to evaluate your holster under the worst conditions, not the best conditions. For example, if you have a holster such as a Fobus, which only allows the pistol to be drawn at a specific angle, you may be able to use it with no trouble while standing upright. However, you may not be able to attain the correct angle and leverage if you are curled up on the ground or backed into a corner. I have similar concerns about "Yaqui slide" holsters, which consist of an open-bottom pouch, about as deep as the width of the belt. Seemingly offering the advantage of being able to hold different versions of the same model gun, with different barrel lengths, I worry about the front sight snagging the lower edge under the most adverse conditions of drawing.

From Other Sources...

• While I'm confident in my own advice on handgun selection and the above material on holster selection, this article, beginning with Step 3, includes a useful discussion about clothing choices to complement your discreet-carry system. Further, Step 4 offers some seldom seen advice on alterations you may wish to make or have made to garments for better carry and discretion in carrying. While the article is written for men, I don't think it would take that much imagination to make some of these principles applicable for women.
• Getting less specific about carry system and more specific about clothing issues for armed women, some of the suggestions in this article may prove useful.

The Defensive Firearms Tripod

• If you recall my priorities for the defensive use of firearms, the five priorities can be condensed into three categories: mind set, skills and equipment.
• Equipment is the lowest on the list. When you choose it, don't settle for the training that comes in the box!

The Defensive Equipment Tripod

• Don't forget that the holster and its support form only one leg of a tripod which also includes the handgun and its ammunition.