How Do You Train With a Non-Traditional Holster?

B

Bartholomew Roberts

Moderator
Over the years, I've seen a number of attempts to be innovative as regards holsters for daily carry. There are the belly bands that position the pistol below the belt line. There are the products like Versa-Carry where the pistol sits on a rod through the barrel. And there are the "minimalist" holsters like the Raven Vanguard line.

One of the reasons I've never taken to crossdraw holsters is that they are impractical for classes and many ranges since you can't draw from them without sweeping everyone on your weakside. If I can't train with the holster and pistol I am going to carry, I tend to feel less confident in them.

When I see a lot of the non-traditional style of holsters, they just seem like a pain to actually train with. It looks like you'd spend half your training time just trying to reholster after every string. I've actually tried belly bands and the one I tried was like trying to pull a chew toy from my dog's mouth to unholster - and because the stretchy spandex collapses when the pistol comes out and it sat low on the beltline, reholstering was a pretty comical affair.

I was just curious to read how some of the people who use the non-traditional holsters deal with these challenges (or why they might not be as much of a challenge as they seem).
 
That's a good question. I've got a Veil Ghost holster that wouldn't be suitable for taking a class or practice at the range. The only way I can think of training with it would be in dry fire practice with an unloaded or blue gun. I think because I don't train with it, I don't choose it for carry.
 
I carry a Glock 26 in a Smart Carry (its a BUG), and sometimes an ankle holster. I do practice regularly with both methods of carry, but mostly in dry fire, as, as was mentioned, its a little more difficult to reholster, especially with the Smart Carry. It makes for a somewhat slow practice night, but its well worth the effort, and with a little time, you have the draw down smooth and thoughtless.

I shoot the 26 pretty much weekly, and when I do, the first draw is from the holster, and after that, I usually start at the point just past the draw when I shoot (Smart Carry). Saves me from having to fiddle with the reholster each time. I do reholster with the ankle holster though.

I dont think there is much difference in what goes on between dry fire and live fire presentations, as long as your accustomed to drawing and shooting a "live" gun, and not bothered with it. Ive seen some that were a bit freaked out and uncomfortable with that, especially the first few times. If you treat the gun as loaded in your dry fire practice, as you should, its a non issue once you start working with a loaded gun. Its the lack of regular "realistic" practice, both dry fire and live fire, that I think is where the danger lies.
 
Wogpotter - if I'm reading his post correctly, it's not so much reholstering after an altercation as it is doing so during training. Reholstering with a minimalist holster is a significantly slower process than with a standard IWB/OWB rig.

I sometimes use a minimalist set up. It's located in the exact same spot as my traditional holsters would be, and the draw stroke is nearly identical. The draw from a Pistolwear PT-1 is noticably slower (even with practice), but is better than being without - NB: it's also not a "daily carry" holster; it has a very specific application.
 
Same as anything else. Use it when dry fire practicing drawing, etc.
Cross draws and shoulder holsters aren't allowed in the shooting games because of the 'sweep' issue. Work best when sitting in a vehicle anyway. More revolver things.
The "minimalist" holsters look decidedly gimmicky to me. Anything with moving parts can and will break.
 
the comments are priceless...
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Yea, you hear it around here a lot too. Mostly from those who have never seen, or had any experience with one.

I think the Smart Carry is the most misunderstood and underrated holster out there. I also consider it one of the most versatile holsters I have, and wont be without one. I wear one everywhere, and short of a metal detector, you'll never know it, even in a pair of shorts and no shirt. Ill also have a "real" gun and a reload along, when many these days, feel they would have to carry a mouse gun or go unarmed.

So make all the snide comments you want, Ill laugh right along with you, especially knowing that you dont have a clue about whats right in front of you. :D
 
In Florida & other hot climes, they're almost the only way to do it without everyone knowing...
as hot, sweaty shirts print like crazy...and anyone wearing a lot of clothes gets the hairy eyeball anyway...
but ya dang sure better keep your finger off the trigger when holstering & unholstering ;)
 
I was just curious to read how some of the people who use the non-traditional holsters deal with these challenges (or why they might not be as much of a challenge as they seem).
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Just train in a non-traditional way:D
 
In Florida & other hot climes, they're almost the only way to do it without everyone knowing...
as hot, sweaty shirts print like crazy...and anyone wearing a lot of clothes gets the hairy eyeball anyway...
Click to expand...

I've been legally carrying in a town a bit south of you for well over two decades, with an IWB holster being my most used one by a considerable margin, and dressing professionally five or six days a week. I don't mean to be offensive, and in fact I am glad you found other solutions, but I would rather we not advise people that such things are impossible or nearly so.
 
In the recent past, during those sweltering hot, humid days of South Florida Summer, I resorted to carrying a fanny pack. I practiced some but could never get the same speed as my strong side OWB carry. In light of recent world developments, I reached the decision that regardless of the heat and humidity, I will only carry strong side OWB. It works for me. I train that way. During those oppressive days, I wear shorts, a t-shirt (to keep my gun away from the perspiration) and a short sleeve shirt over it unbuttoned. Now all I have do is practice drawing from concealment from where my gun is most comfortable for me.
 
Put me down in the strong side OWB camp. Long hot summers where I live also. Just so much smoother and quicker to present from this method of carry, for me.
 
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