Best holster: Open top or thumb brake? Neither.

H

Handy

Moderator
Open top holsters are nice, because you can't screw up the draw when you're in a hurry.

Thumb brake holsters provide security, so if you need to chase the dog or climb a fence your gun stays with you.


My low tech suggestion: Wear a thumb brake holster, but leave it unsnapped. You still have the draw of an open top, and the optional security of the thumb brake that you can choose to snap quickly as events arise.


Aside from this seeming "sloppy", can anyone see a down side to this? I'm taking it for granted that the thumb brake holster provides the same sort of fit as the open top, as most makers offer the same holster with the snap as an option.
 
Agreed. I love my open top break holster. Works great as you said. But I disagree about leaving it unsnapped. You can unsnap and draw all in the same move.



Crystalclear.jpg
 
Actually Doug, I was trying to say that you would use that holster, but not snap it normally, and get the same ease of use as an open top.
 
I usually carried a thumb-break holster when in law enforcement. I had a few times when drunks got their hands on the butt. I just used clamped the thumb break with my thumb and fingers and used the opposite hand to peel theirs off the grips.

Most good open top holsters will retain a weapon when running or climbing. Lou Alessi and the folks at Milt Sparks can make them. Some holsters have a tensioning device that can be adjusted for more or less security.
 
Try a good Kydex holster, LOTS of security for normal motion and faster draws than you will get with leather. Kydex is wicked fast and you can run an obstacle course without losing your gun, best of both worlds.
 
+1 somerled.

Open top holsters usually have a tensioning screw adjustment so you can set how "snug" the holster holds the gun. These work pretty well in general if you set the tension somewhere between "tight enough" and "yank hard".

One advantage of a thumb-break holster becomes apparent if you have a snubbie carried in an IWB holster. Sitting for a long time (desk, car, etc.) and/or repeatedly standing/sitting can sometimes work a handgun loose in it's holster. With a snubbie's short barrel, the only warning you might get is when you feel it "wobbling" in the holster (or worse, hitting the floor).

Another is if you end up on the ground in a rasslin' match with someone and you're laying on your gun side. Open top holsters may let the gun loose (friction drag on the grips for instance). A thumb-break is less susceptible to this since the leather covers part of the gun and the strap makes it stay put.

Carrying a pistol or wheelgun in a thumb-break holster without snapping it is, IMO, kinda silly. In order to secure the gun you will have to expose it while your hand manipulates the snap. Most good thumb-break holsters do not impose much of a delay on a shooter -- as long as you have practiced drawing the gun with the snap closed. I used to carry a S&W 39 in a Safariland "Border Patrol" style duty holster and could draw & present the pistol before the buzzer stopped sounding (about .3 seconds).

And it's also possible to unsnap the holster, without it being obvious, through a cover garment if your insides tells ya to.
 
I use thumb snap holsters. Because only 2 types of people walk the earth. Those that have fallen on thier PRIDE and those that will. I know I have.:eek: Anyway, as you take your proper shooting grip before you draw. You should be able to unsnap the holster as you grip your weapon. You will not lose that much time. But you can and should train your body ( muscle memory ) to do this without thought. As most shooters did over time ( target, front sight, press, and realignment of sight for follow up shot )when we first started shooting. But this subject, as well as weapon choice and cal. is a personal choice. And each person should weigh the pros and cons, before deciding. ( STAY SAFE )
 
Handy,
I understand you meant that you mean't not snapping it, that's where I disagree with you. My question to you is: why would you not snap it? It doesn't really hinder you when you are reaching for it. You reach and pull it out while unsnapping it with almost a twitch of your thumb. All one move. At least for me.

But, I do think they are great holsters. I used to have a Bianchi with a strap over the gun that snapped on the side of the holster. You had to unsnap the holster and then grab for the gun in two moves. Never cared to much for it.
 
I grew up in the midwest. Brauer Brothers of St. Louis made basic pistol pouches IWB holsters. The holsters were a deep ride and covered most of the handgun. The holsters were often wet moulded to fit better. Retention was basically by belt tension. I cannot recall anyone having a dropped weapon. I favour Galcos Royal Guard horsehide IWBs for the same reasons and they are reinforced so that the holster won't collapse. Open is my preference. For duty, I still liked flap holsters. I did have thumb break break front duty holsters too. Our weapon retention was basic, flip the holster upside down into the body with one hand and use the baton in the weak hand to inflict pain.
 
I got rid of my thumb breaks a long time ago. Never had any troubles with my open top holsters retaining the pistol, even under heavy exertion.

Except Kydex will trash the guns finish if any grit gets in the holster.
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Leather will do the same and the kydex is basically waterproof, something the leather isnt. I've had less damage to my guns with the kydex holsters than with leather. The kydex holsters also last a lot longer, especially under hard, daily use.
 
My question to you is: why would you not snap it?
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Why do they make open top holsters?


I didn't expect this, but it is funny. There are two objections to my idea. 1) The snap is too easy. 2) Good open tops make a snap unnecessary.

Of course, everyone must be right.;)
 
A thumb 'break' holster is not needed for a concealed carry role if the open top holster is a quality piece made by someone who knows what they are doing. A thumb 'break' holster has many good points for a police officer or others who are open carry.
 
There is definitely a place for thumb break holsters, especially for those who open carry.

I hate them, however, and I'll tell you why: there are very few people who use them correctly on the range. The guys with thumb break holsters often sweep their left hands when they reholster.

*shudder*

If you have a thumb break holster, please teach yourself to reholster correctly and safely. Anchor your left hand on your belly and reholster using only your right hand. You can use the butt of the gun or your forearm to move the strap out of the way as you reholster.

If you use your left hand to hold your holster open, you are pointing the muzzle directly at your left hand, at near contact distance.

Don't do that ... :eek:

pax
 
thumb break

im getting a holster custom made, i can get it with a thumb break or without . now im use to open top holsters for ease of reholstering with one hand . seems like the flap would get in the way. just seems unatural and slow with a thumb break. xdm 40 doesnt decock and i dont want my offhand in the muzzle . ill weigh the pros and cons before it's made. i dont carry . im using it for target pratice and in home defense so it seems open might be better . i like to draw and reholster on the range . unless someone has a magical trick on pullin the flap with one hand .
 
My Crossbreed Supertuck holds my Glock 33 rock solid. I can run, jump, roll around on the floor with my son, anything at all, no problems. Yet, it releases like it's buttered when I draw. That's my solution.
 
I prefer thumb break although I have no real issues with open top. In my opinion, if you want security, snap the thumb break and practice drawing with it snapped. Very easy and still very quick.

I don't believe using a thumb break holster without snapping it really gives you any advantage however, if you like the idea, by all means proceed.

But be warned, if you carry it 99% of the time unsnapped, and that one time you actually need your gun it's secured by the thumb break, you may have one hell of a time drawing it. To me, it just isn't worth it.
 
Thumb break release becomes instant and automatic with just a little practice.

Yes, there are a few down sides to the thumb break. All of which I feel are out weighed by having your gun where you put it when you need it.
 
Leather will do the same and the kydex is basically waterproof, something the leather isnt. I've had less damage to my guns with the kydex holsters than with leather. The kydex holsters also last a lot longer, especially under hard, daily use.
Click to expand...

I am a recent Kydex convert and I would trade it for leather any day. I still use the leathers but I find Kydex holsters to be more comfortable and easy to use.
 
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