What type of holster to choose?

It is obvious that the choice of a weapon is made according to the type of mission that the user may encounter. Whether it is the service weapon of our law enforcement forces, the SP2022 acquired in 2002, or the Glock 17 Gen 5, the standard weapon of the French Army adopted in early 2020, the choice of these semi-automatic pistols (PSA) was made according to a precise specification and extremely rigorous tests. But did you know that such a process is carried out both on the weapon and on the holster that accompanies it?

Retention, weight, maneuverability, speed of implementation... each holster has its own characteristics that will suit certain types of use. You can have the best PSA on the planet, if your holster does not meet the requirements of your mission, there is a good chance that it will be affected, and the consequences can be dramatic. A holster therefore occupies a crucial place in your professional equipment. In this practical guide, we will detail the different models used by defense and security professionals around the world, and how to make the right choice.

Visible Carry Holsters

A visible carry holster is worn on the user's uniform and is therefore visible to others. There are 3 possible configurations.

Belt Holster: Traditional configuration among military and law enforcement members, this type of holster is worn on the user's belt.	Thigh Holster: Suspended from your belt and secured to your thigh with adjustable straps, thigh holsters are very useful when the user is in a seated position, for example in a vehicle, but also when you want to carry the PSA with a plate carrier.
Chest Holster: Configuration used by military or intervention forces, it is actually a quick connection system that allows the holster (and therefore the weapon) to be transferred almost immediately from one MOLLE platform to another, whether on a belt loop, a thigh platform, or an assault vest, allowing for multiple carry systems in one.

Concealed Carry Holsters

There are two main families of concealed carry holsters: IWB for "Inside the waistband" or OWB, "Outside the waistband".

IWB Holsters: Also called "inside" holsters, IWB holsters are the most used for concealed carry. Almost undetectable, the discreet IWB holster is worn inside the pants and attaches to the user's belt. More discreet than OWB holsters, they will be less comfortable, and the weapon may come into contact with sweat.

OWB Holsters: Second configuration observed among concealed carry holsters, OWB holsters are worn outside the pants concealed under a jacket or garment, and attach to your belt with a loop.

Other Types of Concealed Holsters

Shoulder Holster: Another well-known variant among OWB holsters, the shoulder holster is worn, as its name suggests, at the user's shoulder, making the weapon accessible under the arm.	Ankle Holster: Perfectly concealed, the ankle holster is ideal for a compact or sub-compact backup weapon. One downside, however, is the reduced speed of weapon deployment, as the user will need to bend down and lift their pant leg before reaching their weapon.
Pocket Holster: Rarely used in France, this holster is worn in a pants pocket. Its non-slip materials allow the user to draw their weapon without taking the holster with it.	Holster Belt: A popular alternative for plainclothes law enforcement, the holster belt has the same characteristics as a discreet OWB holster, except that it is much more comfortable because it is more elastic, and can generally accommodate other accessories (magazines, flashlight, handcuffs, etc.).

Manufacturing Materials

Today, the most commonly used materials in the design of a holster are:

Polymer: The flagship material of all modern holsters, injected polymer has the advantage of being ultra-strong, lightweight, and offers manufacturers the possibility to add sophisticated retention or configuration technologies to holsters.

Leather: Traditionally used in the manufacture of holsters, leather is an excellent choice for concealed carry. It is flexible and takes the shape of the weapon over time. However, it requires more maintenance than a rigid polymer holster.

Kydex: Kydex is a thermoformed plastic, it has the advantage of being both lightweight and durable. It is often used for OWB concealed carry holsters because Kydex is thin and perfectly fits the shape of the weapon. However, it will be much less comfortable than leather for IWB concealed carry (leather takes the shape of the weapon and the body). Additionally, Kydex holsters being handmade are expensive compared to their injected polymer equivalents.

Nylon: Often used for universal holsters, nylon is a good compromise between Kydex and leather. A nylon holster will be strong, lightweight, comfortable, and require little maintenance. However, it will not be able to have modern retention common to injected polymer holsters.

Types of Retention

There are two types of retention: passive retention and active retention.

Passive Retention

Passive retention is when the weapon is drawn by simply pulling on the weapon and does not require any other manual "unlocking" of the retention device. A big time saver in terms of weapon deployment speed, this type of retention has the significant disadvantage of making it easier for others to access your weapon.

Active Retention

Active retention adds one (or more) additional steps to the simple draw movement, it essentially locks the classic draw of a weapon. Active retention holsters are more secure and provide an additional obstacle to the removal of your weapon by a malicious third party.

Retention Levels

The holster retention evaluation system was created by Bill Rogers, founder of the Rogers Holster Company, and is based on a series of tests that the end user can perform in the field. This system classifies holsters according to their retention level from 1 to 4. The higher the retention level, the more secure the weapon is in the holster.

Unlike Safariland, which after acquiring the Rogers Holster Company retained this 4-level rating system, the firm Blackhawk preferred to simplify this system by measuring the retention degree in 3 levels, which are now globally recognized.

Level 1: Moderate Retention

Level 1 holsters have passive retention that secures the weapon by tightening it in the holster to keep it in place. On the most sophisticated models, this tightening is adjustable with a screw usually placed under the trigger guard. A simple pull releases the weapon.

Level 2: High Retention

Level 2 holsters are the most widespread in the world. They have active retention, and therefore an additional weapon lock. Equipped with a mechanism requiring an additional gesture from the user (most often a press of the index finger), the pistol cannot be removed from the holster without the user manually unlocking it.

Level 3: Optimal Retention

The highest level of retention, level 3 holsters have a third locking mechanism in addition to the level 2 retention. This is most often a cover or tab on top of the holster that covers the hammer and the base of the weapon's slide.

Little Tip

As mentioned at the beginning, each holster has its own technical characteristics and will only suit certain types of use. There is no "all-mission" holster that would be better than all the others combined; it all depends on the requirements of your mission. Before acquiring a new holster, it is important to research the type of operation you will be conducting, take the time to check all the technical data, the scenarios you might encounter, etc. Once you are sure, go back to this practical guide from the beginning, first choose the family of holsters that suits (concealed carry or visible carry), and finally choose a model based on its security, comfort, compatibility with other equipment, and of course its cost.

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