Thumb break or open top?

Don, that company came to our gun show and offered $30.00 holsters for $15.00 to our members till he sold out. I figured, hell it is a $15.00 leather holster, score. I had no problems for about a year and a half, then the above situation:o I got rid of the holster straight away. Then I tell everyone who will listen not to bend over (or crawl) with that brand of holster on. If the world can learn from my mistakes.:D
 
I used to use thumbreak holsters for everything, then when I had been carrying for a couple years I realized that "concealed is concealed" and that I wasn't worried about gun grabs like I would be when I was at work. I went out and bought some correctly fitted leather (Safariland/Bianchi/Aker?just about any of the big names) and switched to open top carry.

I love open top and as long as the holster/belt/gun are all fitted together into a complete package you have no worries about them falling out. I dont' remember where I read this, but the "holster test" was to put your gear on, without any cover shirt or clothing. Make sure your gun was unloaded (triple-check) then put the gun into the holster and jump around a bit, jumping jacks, toe touches, etc and see if the gun comes out. If it does, then it's not a safe set-up to be wearing.

Just my $.02
 
to TexasCop's holster test I would add sitting in a comfy chair or sofa for a while, the kind that you sort of sink into. Watching a movie or tv you will find out if your combination will retain.
 
Milt Sparks Holsters, Inc.

I have a 1AT for 1911s and Witnesses, and an HSR for my Redhawks.

All 'open', yet none of my guns fall out.

Moo.
 
I am a contractor and once lost my pistol from an open topped yaqui style from a reputable maker when having to crawl over and duck under various braces in an attic. I think i pushed it out on one cross bar and then snagged it on another, but was sucked was there was 2 feet of blown fiber glass insulation and I really did not see it fall so i have to start scratching around looking for it. I did find it, but it convinced me that a thumbsnap was a good idea for me.
 
Just always think worst case scenario...so many movements can cause your handgun to come out, and there you stand,hopefully embarrassed is the worst of the incident...better to have it secure all the time than to worry and have to hold on to it, or lose it. PRACTICE with what you weaqr, make it a HABIT to not look at the holster when re-holstering...watch what's going on around you. Also practice holstering with one hand in case the off hand is occupied. This can take some practice with those holsters with thumbstraps, but worth the time. The next time youre out shooting, watch how many shooters watch their guns back into the holster. Strapped- in also provides some protection against your weapon being taken from you. If you've never seen a person shot with their own gun that has been taken from them by force, it will make a believer out of you.Been there, seen that, got the memories. If you're armed, remember theres always one weapon (yours) everywhere you go. It can be used against you. If you have mutiple ccw, try to use a similar holster type for each. Going from condition white, etc. to condition "brown" is not the time to try to remember which gun am I wearing and where/how is it attached to me. If you're going to carry concealed, do so responsibly. I personally cannot understand how the head of a family will not arm himself to protect them when they are together."nuff (maybe TOO muc,) said", thanks for your time. FM12, Alabama State Police, Fire Marshal's Office
 
The best solution for my was the Bianchi Carry Loc system. It is a full retention holster with no straps. The draw is not slowed one bit due to the placement of the releasse lever. I can't begin to tell you how much I love this holster. I am buying one for all my carry guns.
 
I could go either way on this. I have both styles of holsters and see the advantages of both. Like guntotin_fool, I am a contractor and while I've never had my pistol come out of the holster, I have found it unsnapped a couple times during origami activities, and safety off also. (Easy to check one handed during a 'scratch')

Consider this, most thumbreak holsters 'ears' can be sliced off with a sharp knife to become an open top. I almost did this to mine but decided against it, prefering the added security of the snap. It doesn't get in the way of a draw or a reholster if you get a good holster.
 
In my opinion, use good leather, not the mass produced stuff by any of the "Big Name Companies" and if you are concealed you won't need a thumb- break.

In short, concealed in a Sparks, Rosen or Garrity, no thumb doo-hickey needed. OWB, I want a doo-hickey to help me retain the weapon in a gun-grab.

Biker
 
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