belt slide holster for concealed carry: Retention?

B

btmj

New member
Up to now I have carried IWB. But I am considering an OWB leather belt slide holster, using a covering garment like a jacket.

Like most IWB holsters, mine have no positive retention feature, they just rely on friction.

But OWB holsters come both ways, and I can see some advantages to a thumb-break holster. But I can also see it as being slower.

Thoughts?
 
I'd say err on the side of retention.
With practice you can get reasonably fast out of a retention holster.

In a recent thread several people were arguing about how fast they could draw as compared to an assailant closing at x speed. They didn't consider that they may be grappling with an assailant before they realize they need to draw.

Besides a thumb release keeps that embarrassing metallic thud from happening.
 
You didn't mention what pistol you would be carrying but here are my 3 suggestions for OWB (which is the only way I carry):
El Paso Saddlery will last a lifetime
Tagua Gunleather lifetime warranty
Fobus (for the G models) inexpensive and good
 
Thanks for the recommendations... I am partial to High Noon, but I will keep all of these in mind.

The weapon is a Walther PPS 9mm

I am still interested in the pros - cons of retention vs open top holsters.
 
All of my OWB have retention straps. Was just more comfortable with them. With that said, I'm in the market for a an open top 1911 OWB holster. After carrying for several years OWB with a strap, I don't know that I really need the retention.
 
Fobus

I have Fobus paddle holsters for my Bereta 92, My 1911 and my Smith 66-1 revolver. While not having a thumb strap, they are retention holsters that work very well. I am always carrying OWB with one of these holsters in the woods and have never had a gun come out that I didn't draw. They work with my body frame in keeping the pistols close and high, which for me works. When carrying in an urban setting, I either carry my Walther PPK in a Bianchi or the Bereta in a Crossbreed Supertuck, which are both IWB.
 
I have a TheWilderness Zip-slide which is made of nylon and I've used it for years for carry and IPSC. Still in excellent shape !
These types of holsters must be made very carefully to be effective !!! They must fit the gun precisely ! There is of course the problem of the barrel and slide sticking out below the holster and care must be taken to avoid bumping the slide upward but that I found I learned quickly.
 
When I 1st started carrying ( S&W J frame ) all the local store had was a cheap Uncle Mikes nylon with no thumb break... I dropped my revolver ( an air weight, aluminum frame ) into the parking lot / drive ways 3 times, getting out of my truck... my new & discontinued at the time revolver, never discharged, but got horribly gouged & scratched up... after that I decided I liked thumb breaks... later refined to liking formed leather holsters...

not totally sure what you are calling a belt slide holster... I have one called a "slide style" but I've never seen a thumb break option on that style of holster... incidentally, I've never dropped my gun out of my "slide holster"
 
BTMJ,
I Carry 1911s in OWB holsters. A properly boned holster, made for your weapon will hold your weapon without a thumb strap! Take a look at http://www.ritchieholsters.com/ They make outstanding holsters!!

Holster1b.jpg
 
I carry my 1911 in a SOB and OWB (Mitch Rosen 5JR) - both without retention straps with no issues. Getting in/out of a SUV or sports car, hiking through rough terrain....never a problem with a properly fit holster. I have also carried in a Galco that worked well. My only retention problems were in the nylon holsters (not kydex) - they seem to be less of a snug fit.

If you want to save some money, look at the Blackhawk OWB's - paddle and belt slide option - no retention strap, but the Sherpa has a "pivoting lock" that helps hold your weapon.
 
I carry mine (RIA CS) in a Galco Avenger and my (S&W 469) in various Triple K holsters with no retention straps. I ride horses at least 3 hours a day and have been thrown a few times, but I've never have had either gun fall out.
 
I've got a couple of Tagua holsters. The second was to replace the first which was unacceptable. But it is also junk. Poorly made. They paint the metal clip, which flakes off. Warranty doesn't substitute for poor quality in the first place.

Here's a nice beltslide holster from Lobo. Good price too.

http://www.lobogunleather.com/10_belt_slide_style
 
I make quite a few OWB holsters. My thought is that "tighter" is always better. Personally, I'm not a fan of thumb-breaks. I mold all of my holsters to the point that the gun is actually difficult to remove at first.

Obviously the leather will stretch with use, but if the molding and stitching are good, you should be able to break it in to the point where you have a smooth draw... but can still do commando rolls in your back yard without losing your gun ;)

Here is a pic of a Baby Desert Eagle, upside down in the holster. It's a fairly heavy gun... I could shake the daylights out of it and the gun stayed snug in the holster.

300_0430.jpg
 
Sixer,

Do you sell your holsters?

I myself am also partial to OWB and thats pretty much how I carry these days. IWB and pocket carry just were not cutting it for me anymore. I carry a 637 in a leather pancake holster and I couldn't be happier. A lot of people say its too much holster for too little gun but I think it's the perfect combination. For me, there is nothing faster or easier than drawing from 3 o'clock. It's also comfortable and conceals very well. The gun is already small, light and thin (in most places) so on a belt it's pretty much nonexistent.

The first holster I tried was a Black Hawk Serpa. I never really been into the whole Serpa retention thing but it was a gift from my little brother so I gave it a try. After trying it out for a day around my parents house I found it to be one of the worst holsters I've ever used. It's near impossible to get out of your pants and sticks out to the side a good few inches.

Not to long ago I picked up custom made pancake holster from a guy named Rick Garcia. He's easy going, keeps in contact and makes a great holster.

425754c7-44f1-2a75.jpg


The holster has no real retention built into it but it's well molded to the revolver and holds tight with a belt. I have a belt and speed strip pouch on the way from the same maker, I think it will make one sweet carry rig. So, in closing, If you can pull it off, OWB all the way.
 
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Shadi,

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