How to Choose a Holster + Best Holster Brands
Posted by Philip Pages on Oct 6th 2022
There are a lot of pistol holsters on the market these days, and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.
That's why we've put together this guide to help you choose the best holster for your needs. We'll discuss the different types of holsters available, as well as some factors to consider when making your decision. By the end of this article, you'll know exactly what you need to do to find the perfect holster for your pistol!
Table Of Contents
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The first step in choosing a holster is to decide what type of gun you'll be carrying. Are you looking for a holster for your concealed carry pistol, or do you need something for open carry? There are holsters designed for both types of guns, so it's important to make this distinction before you start shopping.
If you're looking for a concealed carry holster, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you'll want to choose a holster that covers the entire barrel of your gun. This will help ensure that your gun is not detectable by sight or touch. You'll also want to consider a holster that has a good retention system. This will help keep your gun in place and prevent it from falling out.
For open carry, you'll want to choose a holster that offers good concealment but doesn't make it too difficult to draw your gun. A good open carry holster should allow you to easily access your gun while still providing some level of concealment. You may also want to consider a holster that has a thumb break or some other type of retention system. This will help keep your gun secure while you're carrying it.
Holster Material
Next, you'll need to decide what type of material you want your holster to be made from. There are a wide variety of materials used for pistol holsters, each with its own set of pros and cons.
Leather is a popular choice for many shooters due to its durability and classic look. However, leather can be bulky and require more care than other materials.
Nylon is another common option, as it is relatively lightweight and easy to care for. However, nylon may not provide the same level of protection as leather or other materials.
Kydex is a newer material that is becoming increasingly popular among gun owners. It is extremely durable and provides a good level of protection for your gun. However, it can be more expensive than other holster materials.
Ultimately, the best material for your holster will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Wearing Your Holster
Finally, you'll need to think about how you want to wear your holster. There are four main options for carrying a pistol holster: shoulder, thigh, ankle, and belt. Each has its own pros and cons that should be considered before choosing the best option for you.
Shoulder holsters offer good concealability and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. However, they can be cumbersome to draw from and may not offer the same level of security as other options.
Thigh holsters are also concealed well and offer a good level of security. However, they can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and may interfere with certain activities.
Ankle holsters offer good concealability but can be difficult to draw from quickly. They are also not as secure as other options and can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Belt holsters offer the best security and are the most comfortable to wear for long periods of time. However, they may not offer the same level of concealability as other options.
Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Recommended Holsters
Elite Survival Systems offers a variety of holsters, including their best-selling Mainstay Clipless Pocket Holster, their Warden Chest Holster, and Inside the Pant Clip Holster. Customers of Elite Survival Systems love the holsters for their unparalleled comfort, stability, and concealment. Select holsters come in sizes that will fit handguns with an attached red dot optic or various light and laser attachements. Plus, the majority of of their products are proudly made in the USA!
Rothco has a wide selection of holsters in numerous different styles and materials. Their Canvas Shoulder Holster is made with extra-durable canvas and fits .45 Caliber handguns, and their Deluxe Adjustable Universal Drop Leg Tactical Holster will work with the majority of full-frame semi-automatic pistols. Rothco customers appreciate the quality and utility of Rothco holsters, and say that they’re ideal options for concealed carry.
Tier 1 Concealed Holsters are highly reviewed, recommended, and trusted by their customers. The ordering process is simple and straightforward, but still ensures that you receive a customized holster that will work perfectly for your needs. Their Axis Elite Holster, which is specifically designed for appendix carry, has a slim profile and a canted magazine angle for more ergonomic access. If you need a minimalist holster, their T1-M Holster has a simple one clip design to ensure seamless usability.
The Southern Trapper handmakes holsters in the USA and proudly offers the Generational Guarantee - a 100 Year Warranty. They use high-quality cowhide leather to craft unique, stylish holsters that, according to numerous customer reviews, “fit like a glove.” If you’re looking for a specialty holster, they offer select holsters finished with materials such as alligator skin, beaver tail, elephant leather, or you can commission a custom project. Afer browsing their site, don’t get overwhelmed by all of their holster options, though. They have a handy tool that will help you choose the best holster based on your firearm manufacturer and model, whether you’re mouting a light, optic, or laser, how you plan to carry your firearm, and if you want a thumb break. Based on your inputs, they’ll recommend the best holster for you.
Tulster Holsters come highly rated and recommended by their customers, and for good reason. Their website makes it easy to find the perfect holster as it is sorted by holsters by gun model, holsters for inside the waistband carry, and outside the waistband carry. There’s also the option to select ambidextrous magazine carriers. Select holsters, such as their OATH (Optic-ready, Ambidextrous, Tuckable holster) holsters were designed to accommodate pistols with red dot optics. Tulster holster customers say that the holsters are perfect for every day carry (EDC) due to their unmatched comfort and rock-solid retention.
CrossBreed Holsters not only offer numerous holster options, but also provide modular holster systems to ensure you’re able to use your holster in any situation. Their highly-rated Modular Belly Band 2.0 is optimized for concealed carry and features an anitmicrobial outer shell to fit comfortably against your skin, and a kydex pocket to ensure secure retention of your holster. The top-selling The Reckoning holster is extremely versatile as it allows the user to convert from inside the waistband to outside the waistband with a simple hardware installation. Plus, you can choose to add on a magazine carrier for even more versatility. CrossBreed holsters are designed to work with the majority of popular firearms, including Glock, Ruger, Springfield Armory, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, and they are adding more options regularly.
The Well Armed Woman (TWAW) is a one of a kind brand that offers holsters specifically designed to fit the curves of a woman’s body. The TWAW On the Waistband (OWB) Holster is made of .08 Kydex and features a curved design to sit closely against the body. For this reason, it is rated highly for comfort and concealability. The TWAW OWB Holster gives you the option to add speed clips which will then allow you to remove your holster without needing to remove your belt. You can also add-on a magazine holster, which comes with a metal belt clip. Last but not least, TWAW OWB Holster can be color customized, and you can choose a different color for the front and back of your holster!
CYA Supply Co. engineered their Ridge IWB Holsters with all of the features you could want in a concealed carry holster. Through their proprietary manufacturing process, they bring you a high quality holster at an extremely affordable price. Their Ridge IWB holsters feature adjustable retention and cant and are compatible with compensators, threaded barrels, suppressor sights, look-through sights, and optics or red dot sights. It also has a removable snagless concealment claw and a monoblock gear clip to make sure your holster stays securely on your belt. Both designed and manufactured in the USA in San Antonio, TX, the Ridge IWB Holsters are a perfect fit for a wide range of popular firearm brands including Ruger, Glock, Sig Sauer, Springfield, and Smith & Wesson.
MyHolster creates and designs custom holsters to fit your specific handgun, and this ensures an extremely secure fit for your weapon. They craft their holsters from “hard-rolled” cowhide leather (which means the leather fibers are condensed and this makes it moisture resistant) and Nylon Cordura (an ultra-durable nylon which will stand up against daily wear and tear). If you’re looking for a holster with a thumb break, MyHolster has a wide selection of different holster options and offers numerous holsters with different carrying styles.
On Your 6 Designs is a family owned and operated company based in San Antonio, TX that creates custom Kydex holsters. The ordering process is simple and straightforward, but allows you to design a holster specific to your firearm brand & model, IWB or OWB, right or left handed, belt size, and color. They will create a custom holster for a wide range of firearm brands including Sig Sauer, Walther, Ruger, Kel-Tec, Kimber, Smith & Wesson, DiamondBack, Springfield, and Colt. On Your 6 Designs holsters are also some of the slimmest and most low-profile holsters on the market, so you will be sure to get a holster that is comfortable and concealable.
Final Thoughts
No matter what type of pistol holster you're looking for, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure that you choose the best one for your needs. First, you'll need to decide what type of gun you're carrying. Next, you'll need to choose the right material and design. Finally, you'll need to think about how you want to wear your holster.
Thank you for reading. We hope this article was helpful in your search for the perfect holster!
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you! Thank you for reading! Until next time, stay safe and happy shooting!