To Thumb Break or Not to Thumb Break?

R

Rich Miranda

New member
I am considering a leather holster for my Sig 226 which I intend to carry. I realize this is a big gun but I am a pretty big guy (280 lbs.) and I think I'll be able to conceal just fine.

My question is on thumb breaks. I think I prefer to not have a thumb break but what is the likelihood of the Sig falling out? If there is significant chance of this, I'd rather not risk it.
 
I've carried both open holster and with thumb break holsters. I prefer thumb break. Unless you are rolling around on the floor, I doubt your Sig is going to fall out of an open holster though. When I open holster carry, I do find myself ensuring its well seated fairly often.

I carry thumb break because I prefer the added security and retention.

Overall, if you buy a quality leather holster, you shouldn't have much to worry about either way.
 
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Depends on the holster really. I have a couple thumb breaks, Sig 220 and SP101.

Sometimes the SB holsters have more bulk at the top, and you'll see more 'pooch' in that area. The one for my Sig is like that.

Some holsters are incredibly retentive and you don't have to worry about it popping out. Might want to look at the BladeTech/CompTac style for your Sig. It's a bulky gun, try and find something that fits really close to the body.
 
I am 6'3" and weigh 260 so we are in, more or less, the same size range. I regularly carry a SIG P220 which is the same size as your 226. I have carried concealed for a long, long time and in a variety of conditions and situations and have never found a thumb break to be all that helpful or necessary. If you find that you need a thumb break to feel personally secure then, by all means, that is your choice.

I suggest that if you get a quality holster (either leather or kydex) and hang it on a quality gun belt then you will be able to achieve a safe, secure, comfortable and functional carry with your 226 without a thumb break. No matter what your choice good luck.:D
 
I have and use both. On certain OWB holsters I prefer the thumbreak but for IWB it just isn't necessary. I carry my Sig p229 in both a Don Hume open top holster and a DeSantis viper paddle holster. The Don Hume is a pancake type holster which I find don't need a thumbreak, but I feel better with one on a leather paddle holster.
 
I vote "no" on a thumb break. Anything that gets in the way of your draw is a problem. If the holster is a quality item and made specifically for that gun, it will hold it tightly unless you're wrestling gorillas.

The Kydex holsters do a really good job of holding your piece in place (it actually "snaps" out when drawn), as do the quality leather holsters made by people like Desantis and others.

I'm about to buy a Blade Tech Kydex paddle belt holster for my Steyr S9, a big, heavy 9mm auto with a 10 shot mag and 3 1/2" barrel. No thumb break and I'm not worried.
 
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I only have experience with one leather, open top, belt mounted, OWB holster. I've played soccer with my daughter, mowed the lawn, and gone grocery shopping, but the gun has never moved from its seated position.

Fly
 
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