George Hill
Staff Alumnus
I have seen several folks who believe that holsters need to be tilted forward by as much as 45 degrees.
This whole thing about canting the holster is just out of hand. Literally.
You dont need the gun tilted forward at all in many cases.
I may be going out on a limb here but I think many of us need to do a self check on the way we carry.
The 2 things a holster needs to do is:
1. Protect the gun.
2. Keep the gun in place where it will be available when needed at an instants notice.
With a hogleg canted too far forward it is putting the grip at a different angle than what you hand will be. For a clean, fast and safe draw you hand should naturaly come to the pistol and assume a good solid firing grip while the gun is still holstered. If your having to bend your wrist to do that - its not the right angle for you. Simple as that. The grip should align with your palm in such a way that all you need to do is close your hand and BAM! You got that right grasp on your gun. Solid and Firm.
If the gun is worn as a Police officer - Strong Side directly under the arm, most likely the angle that works best is straight up and down. Many holster makers no longer make a straight up and down rig... This is sad. Many CCW holders carry in the same position - right on the side... yet with the wrong holster or angle of the holster. This is not good.
The FBI Tilt works best when the gun is worn behind the hip. When behind your hip your arm reaching back changes the angle your palm aligns with the gun. Tilting the but of the gun forward lets the grip and your palm align in such a way that lets you get that good grasp on your gun - allowing for a good solid safe and fast draw.
Same thing with cross draw. Look at the way your hand is when it reaches the gun.
All this is important if you want to do a rapid and instinctive draw that lets the gun just leap into your hand. If you have to adjust your grip after you draw your weapon - then something is wrong.
People put a lot of time into Holster selection trying to get a good match of just the right leathers and names to match that favorite pet gun - which is just fine... but not enough thought is actually given to the way the holster will carry the gun.
I recomend getting a holster that allows for forward and back tilting for some testing. Wear that adjustable holster where you would your entended concealable rig and adjust the cant to the angle that allows you to natuarally grasp your gun and draw with out a second thought. A draw should be like a light switch - the gun is OFF - in the holster and ON - in the hand. Between the two should be as minimal as possible.
Once you find that angle - remove the rig and check that angle. However you wear your rig is up to you... but when you go out shopping for a good quality holster I suggest you find one that matches that angle you found. If you have an odd angle or cant find that special holster you want in that angle - there are PLENTY of custom leather makers that can taylor you a custom holster for your pet gun that will fit you and your gun like a glove. THAT is a good match.
Who cares if you have to spend a couple extra bucks for a holster - as long as its JUST RIGHT for you. There is no point in spending a wad of cash for an expensive holster if it doesnt fit YOU.
Take some extra time considering this.
It's well worth it.
------------------
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.
This whole thing about canting the holster is just out of hand. Literally.
You dont need the gun tilted forward at all in many cases.
I may be going out on a limb here but I think many of us need to do a self check on the way we carry.
The 2 things a holster needs to do is:
1. Protect the gun.
2. Keep the gun in place where it will be available when needed at an instants notice.
With a hogleg canted too far forward it is putting the grip at a different angle than what you hand will be. For a clean, fast and safe draw you hand should naturaly come to the pistol and assume a good solid firing grip while the gun is still holstered. If your having to bend your wrist to do that - its not the right angle for you. Simple as that. The grip should align with your palm in such a way that all you need to do is close your hand and BAM! You got that right grasp on your gun. Solid and Firm.
If the gun is worn as a Police officer - Strong Side directly under the arm, most likely the angle that works best is straight up and down. Many holster makers no longer make a straight up and down rig... This is sad. Many CCW holders carry in the same position - right on the side... yet with the wrong holster or angle of the holster. This is not good.
The FBI Tilt works best when the gun is worn behind the hip. When behind your hip your arm reaching back changes the angle your palm aligns with the gun. Tilting the but of the gun forward lets the grip and your palm align in such a way that lets you get that good grasp on your gun - allowing for a good solid safe and fast draw.
Same thing with cross draw. Look at the way your hand is when it reaches the gun.
All this is important if you want to do a rapid and instinctive draw that lets the gun just leap into your hand. If you have to adjust your grip after you draw your weapon - then something is wrong.
People put a lot of time into Holster selection trying to get a good match of just the right leathers and names to match that favorite pet gun - which is just fine... but not enough thought is actually given to the way the holster will carry the gun.
I recomend getting a holster that allows for forward and back tilting for some testing. Wear that adjustable holster where you would your entended concealable rig and adjust the cant to the angle that allows you to natuarally grasp your gun and draw with out a second thought. A draw should be like a light switch - the gun is OFF - in the holster and ON - in the hand. Between the two should be as minimal as possible.
Once you find that angle - remove the rig and check that angle. However you wear your rig is up to you... but when you go out shopping for a good quality holster I suggest you find one that matches that angle you found. If you have an odd angle or cant find that special holster you want in that angle - there are PLENTY of custom leather makers that can taylor you a custom holster for your pet gun that will fit you and your gun like a glove. THAT is a good match.
Who cares if you have to spend a couple extra bucks for a holster - as long as its JUST RIGHT for you. There is no point in spending a wad of cash for an expensive holster if it doesnt fit YOU.
Take some extra time considering this.
It's well worth it.
------------------
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.
