Holsters for Concealed Carry

 

You’ve purchased a firearm for everyday carry, have been trained on how to responsibly and safely operate it, and you’ve made the decision to carry. Congratulations! 

 

Now the question is “what kind of holster should I buy and how do I wear it?” Before you run out and purchase a holster, make sure concealed carry is legal where you live and select a holster with easy firearm access while still achieving your concealment goals. 

 

When selecting a holster for concealed carry, remember that holster must fit you, your gun and your lifestyle while providing  concealment, access and retention. According to the National Rifle Association (NRA), these are the most common holsters:

 

Strong-Side Hip Holsters

The most familiar kind of holster, strong-side hip holster is positioned on your shooting hand side between the kidney and point of your hip. The strengths of this style of holster include very good pistol retention, the fastest presentation speed of all holsters, and a safe draw. However, strong-side hip holster must be worn with a coat, jacket or larger shirt to be truly concealed. 

 

Shoulder Holsters

A shoulder holster suspends your firearm under your support arm side with a harness that wraps around your back and shoulders. These holsters work best with shorter pistols, and are the only ones that can conceal a pistol under a short jacket, enabling a simple draw. However, the firearm often sweeps a wide arc or otherwise points in an unsafe direction during presentation from a shoulder holster. 

  

Crossdraw Holsters

A crossdraw holster places the firearm on the belt on your support side with the butt facing forward. During use, your shooting hand reaches across your body to grasp the gun and withdraw it from the holster. They provide a higher level of concealment, fair retention, and good access and comfort from a seated or standing position. Since they are fitted snugly to the gun, a safety strap is not needed. However, larger persons may have to reposition the gun to access with their shooting hand, making a firearm harder to conceal.

 

Ankle Holsters

Positioned on the lower leg or slightly above the ankle, ankle holsters are secured by a cuff or a series of straps with the gun positioned muzzle-down on the inside of your support side leg. While an ankle holster offers the highest level of concealment, accessing your firearm is a bit more complex. If you lose your balance during the drawl, your gun may end up pointing in an unsafe direction. 

 

Small-of-the-back Holster 

While a small-of-the-back holster provides excellent concealment from the front, the rear or side view presents a bulge in the area where you’re carrying your gun. If you have a smaller pistol, concealment is enhanced with an inside waistband holster. Drawbacks for a small-of-the-back holster include discomfort while sitting, limited retention if an assailant attacks you from behind, and difficulty accessing the firearm when needed. 

 

USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Course is a 16-hour course and meets the Illinois State Police requirements for the Illinois Concealed Carry Permit.  Upon completion of the course, students will receive a certificate which is required when renewing their Illinois Concealed Carry Permit. Visit us online to learn more, or call us at 815-501-9421 with any questions.

 

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Sources

https://optiongray.com/types-of-concealed-carry-holsters/ 

https://www.511tactical.com/types-of-holsters-for-concealed-carry 

https://www.nrablog.com/articles/2016/5/principles-of-concealed-carry-types-of-holsters