Photo Credit: USCCA

“I recently acquired my concealed carry license and am looking into getting a holster for my handgun. With the variety of brands, materials and styles that are available, what are the best holster option(s) for me?”

I will provide the most common conceal carry options available, as well as, the pros and cons to consider before you decide on the right option for your needs. I will also list the brands that I prefer as not every holster is produced from good quality materials.

Considerations

Similar to choosing the right firearm for you, some considerations to take into account when choosing the right holster(s) for your needs are:

• Your size and the way you normally dress.
• When and where you plan to carry.
• The weather and time of year (ex: you might carry a larger handgun during the colder as opposed to the warmer months as the larger handgun is less likely to print through the layers of clothing).
• The holster’s level of retention (i.e. Level Zero or Open Top, Level One, etc).

Conceal Carry Options

Let’s get into some common conceal carry options before we get into the holster brands that I’ve recommended to people when I worked in firearm sales.

Outside the Waistband (OWB)

Hip holsters are designed to be worn on the belt, outside the waistband. These holsters consist of three options: 1) belt loop, 2) pancake and 3) paddle.

My personal favorite is the Alien Gear ShapeShift OWB Paddle holster because it features a fully adjustable retention bump and a thumb release that adds to handgun retention. Furthermore, the retention lip keeps the paddle firmly in place and will prevent the holster from being forcefully removed. A con to carrying OWB when it comes to conceal carry is the risk of the handgun and/or holster printing through the clothing, unless you utilize a coat or a leather lay flat holster by Bulldog (this won’t completely eliminate printing but can help minimize it).

Pocket Holster

Pocket holsters provide an alternate carry option that allows for deep concealment. With the back pocket holster, for example, the solid piece of leather behind the gun faces the outside of the pants, breaking up the outline of the gun. As you draw the pistol out, the holster is supposed to stay in the pocket. A couple options include the SM-4 Small Sticky Holster and the Super Fly by DeSantis.

Inside the Waistband (IWB)

IWB holsters are tucked inside the pants, usually secured to the belt with a loop or hook system. This allows the holster to be concealed even when just a golf shirt or t-shirt is worn. It’s recommended that if you decide on an IWB holster, you select one that’s rigid and molded for your specific firearm.

A popular option, if you aren’t wearing a belt, is the PHLster Enigma. My personal favorite is the Alien Gear ShapeShift Appendix holster. It does take some time to get used to. I had to wear my appendix holster every day for approximately 2 weeks before I became used to the feeling. The most difficult aspect to get used to during those 2 weeks was sitting down and getting up.

Ankle Holster

While ankle holsters offer deep concealment, there are a couple drawbacks. The handgun can be difficult to draw from and it feels like you’re wearing an ankle weight.

Car Seat Holster

The car seat holster allows you to holster the gun in an easily accessible position such as in between your legs. I’d recommend this option if you’re not comfortable with carrying on your body while driving.

Fanny Pack Holster

While a fanny pack is more discreet than open carry and, in my opinion, a slightly better option to a purse, it’s still not as accessible as a hip holster but close.

Purse Holster

When it comes to utilizing a purse to carry a handgun, the purse must have a separate, hidden compartment that should contain NOTHING but the firearm (ex: mother accidentally shoots daughter) and you should loop the purse around your neck to retain control over your firearm. A con to purse holsters is, if someone gets a good hold of the purse, not only do they have your credit cards, ID and so on but they also have your firearm! 

The video below will explain why I’m not a big advocate of carrying off-body, regardless if it’s a purse, fanny pack or otherwise.

Brands

The holster brands that I recommend, in no particular order, are:

• PHLster
• Alien Gear
• Tenicor
• HolsterCo, LLC
• Dark Star Gear
• DeSantis Holster
• We The People Holsters
• Safariland
• Bianchi
• Blackhawk
• Versacarry
• Sticky Holsters
• Stealth Operator

Conclusion

While I didn’t cover every possible holster option out there – belly bands, shoulder holster, thigh holster, bra holsters, etc – I hope this post has provided you with some things to consider, as well as, assisted you with choosing the right holster(s) for your needs. It’s less than likely that you’ll purchase only one holster; instead, you’ll purchase multiple options as your needs change. It’s important to note that regardless of the option(s), you must train continually so that if and when the occasion arises when you’ll need to defend yourself, you’ll be prepared especially since the extreme stress – which leads to poor manual dexterity – can make it difficult to manipulate safety devices, zippers, and so on. It’s also important to note that an improper holster or one that does not provide adequate function can lead to disastrous results.

Interested in improving your skills? Register for our Defensive Pistol course! If you’re unable to join us for a class, you can contact us for a virtual consultation on Smeeple and Minnect.