First of all, you need to clarify what you need the holster for. For what purpose? What should the holster fulfill? What parameters should it have? My recommendation, or rather the advice I can give you after years of experience, is that before buying the right holster, you should be able to answer these three questions...
Today we continue with the second article in our series about choosing the right holster for your firearm. In the first article (/blogs/news/ako-vybrat-spravne-puzdro-na-zbran-zaciname) we did a small intro – an introduction to the world of holsters. Briefly, we talked about what holsters are and, most importantly, why it is important to choose the right one. In today's article, however, we will go into more detail ???? So let's get started...
3 important questions to start with
First of all, you need to clarify what you need the holster for. For what purpose? What should the holster fulfill? What parameters should it have? My recommendation, or rather the advice I can give you after years of experience, is that before buying the right holster, you should be able to answer these three questions...
- Why do you want to carry a firearm?
- How do you want to carry a firearm?
- Where do you want to carry a firearm?
If you can answer these three questions, you have more or less already won. If not yet, I'll try to help you a bit with answering... So let's try to answer these three key questions together when choosing the right holster.
Why do you want to carry a firearm?
Everyone must answer this question for themselves. Each of us who carries a firearm has some reason. The text below describes it very nicely, and I identify with it. I don't know the author of this "quote", but I think he captured the essence of carrying a firearm very aptly. Judge for yourself...
I don't carry a gun to kill. I carry it so I won't be killed.
I don't carry a gun to scare people. I carry it because the world can sometimes be a scary place.
I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid. I carry it because real dangers exist in the world.
I don't carry a gun because I'm evil. I carry it because I have already seen enough evil in my life.
I don't carry a gun because I hate the government. I carry it because the government has no say in some things.
I don't carry a gun because I look forward to using it. I carry it so that I won't have to hate myself for the rest of my life for not being prepared.
I don't carry a gun as a substitute for a sexual organ. I carry it because the original won't help me much when in danger.
I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone. I carry it because I want to die in my nineties in bed, not tomorrow on the sidewalk.
I don't carry a gun to feel like a man. I carry it because a man is able to take care of himself and his loved ones.
I don't carry a gun because I would feel inferior. I carry it because against several attackers I might not have a chance to defend myself with bare hands.
I don't carry a gun to play policeman. I carry it because in case of danger, there probably won't be any policeman nearby.
I don't carry a gun to seek out trouble. I carry it because trouble can find me.
I don't carry a gun because I would love guns. I carry it because I love life and the people who give it meaning.
Note: Holding and carrying a firearm is subject to Act No. 190/2003 Coll., which precisely specifies the possibilities and rules of carrying. But more on that maybe next time...
How do you want to carry a firearm?
Once you know your WHY, it's time to answer HOW. This question can be answered very extensively. But I'll try to simplify it a bit for you... First of all, it's good to realize that carrying a firearm should not only meet legal standards (according to the law already mentioned above), but should also meet 3 basic parameters:
- Safety
- Efficiency
- Comfort
Holsters as such could be divided into three basic groups according to the method of carrying:
- Holsters for inside-the-waistband carry
- Belt holsters
- Rubber bands – belly bands
- Shoulder holsters
- Holsters for outside-the-waistband carry
- Belt holsters
- Thigh holsters
- Holsters on the MOLLE platform
- Bags and backpacks for concealed carry of a weapon
Note: A special category is the so-called two-way belt holsters, which have the option of attachment both from the inside and from the outside of the trousers.
Each of the above types has its own justification. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, which we will now describe.
Types of holsters
Holsters for inside-the-waistband carry
As the name suggests, these holsters are intended for concealed carry of a weapon. You may also come across the English term IWB (Inside the Waist Band). This category includes:
- belt holsters – they form the largest and most popular group. The belt clip is mostly attached with a buckle or a clip. Buckles and clips are either plastic or metal. Most often, these holsters are made of leather, kydex or nylon.
- rubber bands – belly bands – represent an unconventional but interesting option for carrying a weapon, especially in summer. It is a rubber band with one or more holsters. One of the options for having a weapon with you when you don't have a belt. They are made from various materials. Since these bands are usually worn directly against the body (sweat, salt,...), their lifespan is shorter compared to a holster.
- shoulder holsters – carrying in shoulder holsters is one of the oldest methods, but it has managed to preserve its "elegance" to this day. Over the years of use, the design has changed towards greater functionality, but the “basics” remained the same. Of course, they also gained popularity thanks to movies and series such as Holmes, Columbo, Jack Reacher or the professionals from CI5 – Bodie, Doyle and Cowley, or with actors such as Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, or Bruce Willis. The holsters are attached to a shoulder harness from the top and to the trousers from the bottom. Some movement occurs during motion, which is not always ideal. With this type of carry, it is important to balance the weight of the weapon with some counterweight using a shoulder strap and a counterbalance.
Holsters for outside-the-waistband carry
This type of holster is easily identified. You can see it not only during service in the security forces (police, army), but also at the shooting range (sport shooters,...). You may also come across the English name OWB (Outside the Waist Band). This category includes, for example:
- belt holsters – they form the largest and most popular group. The belt clip is mostly attached with a loop (tunnel), buckle or clip. Buckles and clips are either plastic or metal. Most often, these holsters are made of leather, kydex or nylon.
- thigh holsters – holsters on the thigh platform are used mainly in the security forces, or you can see them at the shooting range among military enthusiasts. They are usually made of plastic or kydex, and due to higher durability they are adapted for a wider 5cm duty belt.
- holsters on the MOLLE platform – for this category, the same applies as for thigh holsters.
Bags and backpacks for concealed carry of a weapon
Bags for concealed carry – these form a separate category, which I will cover separately. As I already mentioned, it is a compromise between "having a gun somewhere" and "not having a gun at all". There are various shoulder bags, belt bags or waist packs (fanny packs). They are most often made from durable materials. The pouches are not made just as space for wider EDC (everyday carry – items you carry every day), but also as various business bags. They generally have two types of opening – the so-called tear-away system for quicker access to the weapon, or the classic one – using a zipper.
Where do you want to carry the weapon?
And now our last question. Once we have answered WHY and HOW, we still need to answer WHERE. If we are talking about the vast majority of holsters, one of the important questions when choosing the right holster correctly is its position. Specifically, the position of the holster on the belt relative to the drawing hand. For a better idea, we will use a clock face – the 12 o'clock position represents the belt buckle, 3 o'clock represents the right hip for right-handed people, and so on. The most common positions for carrying a holster on the belt are:
- 12 o'clock (carried near the appendix – the so-called Appendix)
- 2 o'clock (right hip front)
- 3 o'clock (right hip)
- 4 o'clock (right hip rear)
- 5 o'clock (carried at the small of the back)
- 6 o'clock (carried at the small of the back – the so-called Small Of the Back)
- 11 o'clock (left hip front – cross draw – the so-called Cross draw)
With shoulder holsters, there is nothing to speculate about. There are only two options to choose from. Horizontal and vertical. And that primarily depends on the size of the weapon.
Berny's final advice
From my experience, one ideal holster for all situations does not exist. In any case, every type of holster, or rather every way of carrying a weapon, has its own justification, its own advantages and disadvantages. If you decide to carry a weapon every day, it is important that you know it and are able to handle it safely in any situation. You should also know the legal norms of carrying a weapon in order to avoid unnecessary trouble. And most importantly, in order to be effective in a crisis situation, training with the given holster is essential. For example, at the shooting range you use an outside kydex holster on the hip – 3 o'clock, but outside the range you carry an inside holster, for example on the appendix – 12 o'clock. Adapt your training to reality from time to time and, as my very good friend Paťo says, don't go by assumptions ????
Remember that the best "defense" in any crisis situation is prevention!
Berny
My goal is to sell knowledge and experience that a person needs not only when wandering in nature but also in everyday life. My task is to spread awareness about responsibility and safety, not only for oneself but also for those around us. My idea is that life is too short to do things we don't enjoy, and that's why I help people in today's fast-paced world find not only the charm and beauty of nature and our rich history, but also to push their limits.
