If you’re lucky to live in a state that allows concealed carry, you want to consider buying a concealed handgun holster.
This is a great way to conceal your gun but keep it at your side if you ever need it. This is one of the best ways to protect yourself, without having to worry about holding your gun at all times.
So how do you choose a great concealed handgun holster?
This guide will show you what to consider when shopping for your holster.
The Basic Criteria
Handgun holsters are one of the most popular accessories for gun owners. As such, there’s no shortage of holsters available. But you’ve got to make sure you choose one that’s sturdy, hides the trigger, and can prevent discharge.
A great holster will cover the entire handgun, except for the grip. The material should be durable enough so as not to wear easily. The best materials for a holster are leather and Kydex. Sometimes you can find holsters that are made of both materials.
Next, you’ve got to look at the retention of the holster. This refers to how well the holster can hold the gun without it falling out. You should choose a holster that has adjustable retention. You’ve also got to make sure that the holster stays in place. For example, if someone bumps into you will the holster move out of place? Can the holster fall down if you bend or with active movement?
You’ve got to make sure that the holster allows you to grab the grip with ease. If you have to fumble about to remove the gun, this is a major issue. You also want to consider a harder holster. While this holster might leave scratch marks on your gun, it protects it from moisture and rust.
Use these basic criteria to assess which is the best concealed carry holster for you.
The Advanced Criteria
You want to consider the following when deciding on which holster works best for you.
The first is to ensure that you find the holster comfortable. You might find a popular holster that doesn’t work for you at all. If so, then you shouldn’t buy this holster even if it’s one of the most popular holsters on the market.
To test out if it’s comfortable, you want to see if you can drive for at least 30 minutes with the holster on. You then want to test out if you can walk for 30 minutes with the holster on. If you never feel discomfort, this is the holster for you.
You also need to consider your budget. You should never try to get the cheapest holster, as the quality will also be the cheapest! Always aim to buy one on the higher end of your budget.
At the same time, the most expensive option isn’t always the best. Assess which is the best holster for you and choose that one. You might find that it’s more expensive than you wish. But you’ll also find that spending less will give you a mediocre holster. As a result, you shouldn’t be stingy when it comes to buying your handgun holster.
The Terminology
You need to familiarize yourself with the following terminology to help you decide which holster to buy.
You’ll also have to consider which is your strong side and your support side. The former is the side that is easiest to grab your gun. Your support side is where you’d find it a challenge to grab your gun.
You also need to know about appendix carry holsters that are kept at your hip to the side of your belly button. This is one of the most preferred types of holsters. You’ll have to research if this type of carrying is permitted in your state.
There’s also the cross-draw holster that you wear on your support side. You have to cross your arm to the opposite side of your body to access this holster. You have to consider if it’s easy for you to do this, as most gun owners prefer having their handgun by their strong side.
Types of Holsters
Now let’s have a look at some of the types of holsters for you to consider.
You can choose a shoulder holster. This holster is kept beneath your armpit and is held by a band around your chest or waist. These holsters will likely have space where you can place a spare magazine. As such, these work better for pistols than for revolvers. Although there are also shoulder holsters available for revolvers.
You can also buy shirts that have built-in shoulder holsters. These shirts are often worn to wear under a jacket or coat.
There’s also the Inside The Waistband (IWB) holsters. This type of holster connects to your belt. The grip gets kept above your waistband while the remainder of the gun gets concealed in your pants. You’ll need to wear a jacket over your shirt to completely conceal the gun from others.
There are also pocket holsters. These holsters are pouches that hold your handgun in place. They have adjustable locking straps. These can get easily placed in your pocket and only work for the smallest of guns. You want to make sure to get great retention if you choose a pocket holster. Poor retention means that the gun can go off and you can accidentally shoot yourself!
If you carry more than one gun with you, then you can consider having an ankle holster as a backup option. These holsters wrap around your ankle using an elastic band. You want to test out ankle holsters before you commit to buying one. They can get concealed if you have snug pants. It’s difficult to run if you have an ankle holster tied to you. These also only work with much smaller guns.
Choose Your Concealed Handgun Holster
Now you are ready to choose your concealed handgun holster. Make sure you follow the criteria from this guide to test out different holsters.
You’ll find that a holster is a great investment for protecting your gun and ensuring you are always protected.
You can find more great tips on buying guns and gun accessories on our website!
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