OC holster choice

[Satdiver]

What type of OC holster do you use i.e. levels of retention? Do you use an open type holster where the gun is held only by the tension of the holster, Or one with a thumb strap, or a button that needs to be pushed to release the gun? Maybe a shoulder rig?

I know there are varying opinions on the levels of retention one should use when OC, so which do you prefer and why?

If possible please post pics of the holster type(s) you prefer with links to purchase.

Thanks.

 

[color of law]

I carry my OCW in a Blackhawk SERPA that requires a straight draw against adjustable tension after opening the trigger guard latch.

Consider the muzzle sweep with a "shoulder rig", indeed, with any other than a vertical hip holster. Put a laser on the barrel, turn it on in a dark room and walk around, draw, holster, while watching the spot.

My CCW holster is a Versa Carry.

+1
But. you will get some that will say the holster is the most dangerous holster ever. They are nuts. The .0002% of so called problems are operator negligence or failure to use the product as intended. Blackhawk has sold over 6 million Sepra holsters. If the holster is dangerous then you better sell your Glock because it is just as dangerous.

 

[Grapeshot]

My EDC holster for OC and most frequently for CC is the same - Blackhawk Serpa CQC.

On those rare occassions when I CC a non mechanical retentive holster, it is often this Galco:
http://www.galcogunleather.com/avenger-belt-holster_8_4_1023.html


Edited to add: My CCing has been fairly much restricted to weddings and funerals where I do not want to cause a distraction from the primary point of the gathering.

 

[Firearms Iinstuctor]

Most of the I carry my glock 23 in a serpa or my 1911 in a serpa my revolvers and some of my autos are carried in pancake types with thumb breaks.

I prefer some type of positive retention besides friction or gravity.

When doing very active things like cross county motor cycling, atving, canoeing, repelling, I also add a lanyard.
Or just use a fanny type pack belted to me.

I also have other holsters that get used on occasion.

 

[Griz]

+1
But. you will get some that will say the holster is the most dangerous holster ever. They are nuts. The .0002% of so called problems are operator negligence or failure to use the product as intended. Blackhawk has sold over 6 million Sepra holsters. If the holster is dangerous then you better sell your Glock because it is just as dangerous.

I think their issues are with the latch not operating if debris enters and interferes with the mechanism, disabling being able to draw the weapon. Generally, I do not have reason to crawl around on the ground, while others may.

That being said, I have carried a Blackhawk Serpa for years with no issues.

 

[WalkingWolf]

I carry a five finger retention holster...

OK seriously I am currently using a Don Hume border patrol holster with thumb snap cradling a GP100.

 

[JamesCanby]

I have a Serpa for my M&P 9 "duty sidearm" (yeah, yeah ... anything that doesn't start with a .4 is a "girly gun")

When I carry my Sig .40, it's in a leather Galco with a thumb-break strap.

 

[OC for ME]

I have a Serpa for my M&P 9 "duty sidearm" (yeah, yeah ... anything that doesn't start with a .4 is a "girly gun")

When I carry my Sig .40, it's in a leather Galco with a thumb-break strap.

Nooo...anything that starts with Glock is a girly gun.

 

[Grapeshot]

Nooo...anything that starts with Glock is a girly gun.

Aren't all handguns Glocks? There interwebs told me so. :lol:

 

[OC for ME]

Aren't all handguns Glocks? There interwebs told me so. :lol:

Well, there ya go, if it's on the Interwbez it must be true. ya know what they say about the Interwebz...can't put nutthin on the Interwebz if it ain't true. This is what happens when you mess up the Interwebz stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j3NoLeJiRU

 

[Freedom1Man]

Aren't all handguns Glocks? There interwebs told me so. :lol:

You're just reading libtard sites again.

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk

 

[JamesCanby]

By the way -- and I know it might have been mentioned before -- but regardless of which holster you end up getting, know that "retention" begins with active Situational Awareness. Having a sharply pointed object quickly available in your weak-side pocket will be of great help in case someone gets through your personal zone and close enough to actually grab for your firearm.

 

[WalkingWolf]

Nooo...anything that starts with Glock is a girly gun.

A person carrying a Glock must carry one of the 10mm Glocks, or a one of the 45acp Glocks to retain their man card. I traded my man card for a A hole card years ago, only one rule needs to maintained for that card, and it is not sex specific.

 

[WalkingWolf]

By the way -- and I know it might have been mentioned before -- but regardless of which holster you end up getting, know that "retention" begins with active Situational Awareness. Having a sharply pointed object quickly available in your weak-side pocket will be of great help in case someone gets through your personal zone and close enough to actually grab for your firearm.

Or just glue thumb tacks to the grip of the handgun... :lol:

 

[Grapeshot]

Or just glue thumb tacks to the grip of the handgun... :lol:

Receiving unit from dog shock collar might be adaptable too. :uhoh:

I'll stick to situational awareness and my strong side elbow resting there upon when prudent.

 

[Firearms Iinstuctor]

Aren't all handguns Glocks? There interwebs told me so. :lol:

All good handguns. :monkey

 

[HPmatt]

For my Beretta Px4 storm 9mm I like the leather Beretta belt holster w thumb snap retention.
My Walther PPQ 9mm likes its Tucker leather gun holster (OCDO sponsor) w just friction and sharp elbow retention.

Everyone in our house loves the Glock Free Zone.

 

[Satdiver]

OC Holsters

Thanks for the replies, seems most prefer more than one level of retention holster, i.e Serpa or similar.

I found this in an article concerning the recent OC law in TX.
“Retention” Holsters v. Non-Retention Holsters

There is an old saying among experienced handgunners, “Every step toward holster retention is a step away from rapid deployment.” In layman’s terms, this means that the harder it is for a bad guy to get your gun out of your holster, the harder it is for you to get it out when you need it.

So does anyone use a friction only retention holster, i.e. Predator pancake
http://www.wrightleatherworks.com/products/predator-pancake-holster

Or Aliengear OWB holster
http://aliengearholsters.com/alien-gear-cloak-slide-owb-holster-outside-the-waistband.html/

Or custom leather OWB holster
http://aceleatherworks.com/

Or custom leather shoulder rig
http://www.armoryexpressoutlet.com/Shoulder-holsters_c_62.html

I only ask because before I found this website I would only CC my XDM Compact .45 ACP. I have several CCW holsters, N82, Aliengear, Crossbread appendix, a custom leather holster, custom shoulder rig, and few others. Personally I do not like CC as I really have not found a holster I truly find comfortable and it gets to be expensive buying a holster only to find out you really don't like it. I still CC on occasions where I know I will be asked to leave with an OC pistol, i.e. movie theater, casino, etc.

So back to OC holsters, I find that an OWB holster is much more comfortable, and I can use some of my holsters as an OC but they only have the friction retention, which for the most part I am okay with. I have even used the holster that comes with the XDM to OC and its actually quite comfortable to wear.

I appreciate everyone's responses and welcome all input, recommendations, and thoughts i.e. PRO's / CON's of Retention vs Non-Retention holsters for OC.

 

[OC for ME]

Training training training! Practice practice practice!

I use a Desantis Viper, brown leather, for more formal attire carry. A Serpa CQC Sportster for less formal/everyday carry. The thumb break on the Viper adds a fraction of a second over a friction only holster. With the CQC, after regular practice, I cannot determine a difference in the draw timing.

Not that I'm the fastest draw in the west, it is what it is. Hopefully my draw would be fast enough...hope to never find out either.

Choose what you like and what you can afford. Ask the supplier/retailer what their return policy is, buy holsters that interest you and if they do not work out return them.

 

[Grapeshot]

Remember the banished user/member who said he could draw faster from CC than we could from OC? :lol:

He may have been fast, but he didn't shoot straight (with us) - he missed his target and paid the price. Such is life.