[SniperStraz]

I've been CCWing for quite a while now and I'm interested in open carry. I'm just tired of covering up. I live in GA where a "Firearms Licence" is issued not a CCL and there is no clause in GA law that prohibits open carry as far as I can tell. So the question is for those of you that have experience open carrying which holsters do you feel comfortable with. Something that can be seen but not gotten to very easily by an attacker. Any thoughts and opinions are welcome. Thanx in advance.

[austin360]

I would make certain you can open carry...

[lazyeye]

Check out the Blackhawk Serpa sportster.
Cheap, secure, comfortable.
*cheers*

[The Bushmaster]

Never carry a handgun in a "cheap" holster. It is sure to make you unhappy and not last very long.

Inexpensive might be O K...Maybe...

Quality just can't be beat. There is only one draw back when buying quality holsters. If you don't like the one you chose it will have cost you.

Your choice. Even my Yaqui Slide wasn't cheap.

[Kind of Blued]

Agreed. Be 100% certain of where and when you can legally open carry first.

For a holster, I would suggest some sort of retention holster, especially if you carry something with no manual safety and no BUG.

I'd also suggest something PRESENTABLE, i.e. Saddle brown leather. Reason being, open carry is a great example to show fence-sitters or antis that polite, clean cut, law-abiding citizens carry guns too. That's my main reason for open carrying when I do, but that's a personal perogative, so take it for what it's worth (to you).

Take a look at the Bianchi CarryLok.

[BlindJustice]

Milt Sparks, #200AW

It's only made for revolvers up to 7.5" Bbl. Len.

DId you specify what kind of handgun to open carry?

R-

[Prepster]

Kind Of Blued said it well, make the holster a nice looking one. Leather is fine, if you want serious retention, I'd suggest a Serpa of some sort, they are very popular in the OC community. Desantis makes some nice leather, they haven't let me down yet. Also, make sure you dress well too. We shouldn't have to modify our behavior to exercise a basic right, but as long as doing so represents a minority, keep it in mind. Enjoy your newfound freedom.

[indoorsoccerfrea]

I would think that open carry negates any advantage you have in carrying a firearm. If you are getting held up and it is openly obvious you have a firearm, what do you think the assailants first course of action will be? In my opinion, that is all I can offer at this point, it is much better to carry your weapon concealed as it gives you an advantage. You know the assailant is armed, and you can see it. He cannot see your weapon.

[SniperStraz]

Thanks guys! Keep it coming. FYI in this particular case we'll just say as an example that the main weapon is a glock and that I am carrying a BUG.

[BlindJustice]

Google Milt Sparks

CLick on PRoducts

Choose All other Holsters,

I have the #Axiom in COrdovan - it is a "FBI" or muzzle
slightly to the rear cant. The #55BN, created by Bruce
Nelson can be straight drop, Muzzle fwd, for cross draw or
an FBI Cant it is a bit higher riding than the #Axiom

SOme Milt Sparks Holsters can be had with decorative
stitching, or Sharkskin for detailing.

A matching Milt Sparks Belt supports the weapon well
and makes for a great rig.

Randall

[Majic]

Why is it that when someone asks a question about open carry there is someone telling them how wrong it is for them to carry that way? The OP has made the decision on the method of carry and stated a reason. If you aren't answering the question then why reply to the thread?
A high and tight carry seems to be the best for me. Whether or not you want the added retention of a strap is a personal choice. I have had good luck with Don Humes for a reasonably priced leather holster.

[Kind of Blued]

what do you think the assailants first course of action will be?

Would you rather try to rob the guy with a gun or a guy without a gun?

Nonetheless, this is a thread about holsters.

[indoorsoccerfrea]

But wouldn't the person with the gun on their hip attract attention and become a priority? Just a thought

[chris in va]

This thread is rapidly evolving into an OC argument.

Regardless I suggest you get something with retention like a SERPA or thumbsnap.

[TAB]

Get something that has a catch/ strap...

[Kind of Blued]

Yeah, forget it. The best way to learn about open carry is, if you can legally, put a big gun on your hip and go to Wal-Mart.

Nobody will notice.

[Ala Dan]

Kirkpatrick Undercover Compact, all leather and made for small frame 1911's~! ;)

[Scott Skawronska]

Agreed with "nice leather" (I'm thinking Kramer, m'self) and "thumbsnap or other at least single retention system."

In Florida, when carrying a firearm for duty use, openly on a duty rig, it is required by law to have at least one retention system, either a maneuver (such as forward-and-up) or a positive thumbsnap.

For open carry, I'd follow that recommendation.

You may end up having to purchase up to three holsters to match your choice of clothing..brown for brown/tan, black for black/white/blue, and perhaps cordovan for reds/maroons.

It's your choice to open carry -- now you gotta look good doing it! :D

S

[makarovnik]

Don't do it.

[gp911]

Yeah, don't do it, better to hide the guns away so non-gun people never have to know anything about them besides what they read and see on tv.. That way it's even easier to lose our rights becuase as far as the rest of the population knows there aren't that many people with guns anyway!

/sarcasm

gp911

[Bob R]

I OC about 90% of the time here in eastern WA. I use one of two guns, a Colt Delta ELite which I put in a Blackhawk Serpa CQC. http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum4111.php

It is my first plastic (carbon fiber) holster and paddle holster. I was surprised at how comfortable it is. It can also double as a concealment holster if needed. It doesn't stick out very much further than one designed for concealed carry.

The other gun is a S&W 610 with a 4"barrel. I did a lot of looking and decided on a custom holster by Mike Taurisano http://www.taurisholsters.com/index.cfm

He made my holster in just under 3 weeks. It is a great holster. I went with a tension screw and a thumb break on the one I ordered. He is very helpful, will ask you questions on how you carry and suggest a holster if you don't have one in mind.

bob

[gunseller2]

Not to jump on the bandwagon but I'm not a huge fan of open carry if I have a concealed carry option available. I've carried arms for pay all of my adult life and still carry in retirement. I'm not flaming those who carry openly, I just prefer not to draw attention to my family or myself. Just my personal preference...your mileage my vary.

Now that I'm off my soap box, get some type of security holster. I do like the Serpa. Mount it on a sturdy belt, and practice with whatever rig you chose. Something that I think may have been missed was handgun retention. Usually 20-25 percent of cops who are murdered are shot with their own guns. If you plan to advertise to God and Country that you are carrying, get some training on how to hang on to it.

[Big Boomer]

I've always wanted a drop hip cowboy holster with silver medallions!

[Bob R]

I've always wanted a drop hip cowboy holster with silver medallions!


If the open carry movement can get open carry passed in Texas, you may just get to do that. :)

bob

[ArizonaTRex]

+ 1 on the Blackhawk, comfortable, secure and has a "way cool appeal" according to my 14 year old.
After a couple of years my leather ones do not hold as securely as I would like.

[Bud919]

Don't open carry! You will draw way too much negative attention to yourself. And if a bg wants to rob the place your in or something, his gun will be hidden until he gets behind you and shoots you in the back of the head, then he will rob the place and have another gun. Think about it from his perspective, he may be dumb, but he is not that dumb, he will get the drop on you. If I see you carrying a gun in the open, you better not make any moves that I determine may be a threat against me or anyone else, because you will not know that I have a gun, and if I tell you to lay on the floor with your hands behind your head, you better do it, my gun will already be trained on you. And don't try and give me any excuse about it being legal, that will be for the police to decide.

[loneviking]

Don't open carry! You will draw way too much negative attention to yourself. And if a bg wants to rob the place your in or something, his gun will be hidden until he gets behind you and shoots you in the back of the head, then he will rob the place and have another gun. Think about it from his perspective, he may be dumb, but he is not that dumb, he will get the drop on you.[QUOTE]

Prove it! Show some incidents where this has happened. I've never seen anyone actually back this claim up!


[QUOTE]
If I see you carrying a gun in the open, you better not make any moves that I determine may be a threat against me or anyone else, because you will not know that I have a gun, and if I tell you to lay on the floor with your hands behind your head, you better do it, my gun will already be trained on you. [QUOTE]

Never shot IDPA have you? I can clear leather far faster without a covering garment than someone who's having to pull a gun out of their pants and telgraphing the motion all over the place. And if you pull a gun on me just because you see me carrying in the open, that's brandishment at best and ADW at worst--you'll be the one going to jail.

You really need to do some 'force on force' training. You, carrying concealed, going up against me carrying OC, are waaaay behind the curve.

[QUOTE]
And don't try and give me any excuse about it being legal, that will be for the police to decide.

Don't be a jackass. If you carry, OC or CCW, you'd better know the gun laws in your state and follow them.

And FWIW, I don't OC except in rural areas and very small towns.

[novaDAK]

This thread is about Open Carry Holsters, not arguing whether he should OC or not. He didn't ask for your opinions on that matter.

When I OC I normally carry in either a Blackhawk Serpa or a Bianchi Accumold w/ thumbsnap.

[Bud919]

Man, I think you need to take a deep breath and calm down. I state my opinion and you call me a jackass.
Read it again, I said if you make a move that I determine to be a threat to me or someone else. That is not brandishing (brandishment is not a real word) a weapon in my state, carrying open is. And what is this "you really need to do some force on force training"? That's quite the ego you have there, you have no idea who I am. Do you really think I would fumble my pistol while drawing it? You can "clear leather" faster than someone like me? Well I don't know if you can or not. I wasn't talking about a draw anyway. Say you're at a coffee shop getting your order and you adjust your gun or merely reach up to scratch your ribs while I'm at a table and I see you, are you going to see me behind you? I don't think so.
I can't believe I just spent that much time replying to you. You need to give people a little more respect and realize that you are not the only one here who knows how to use a handgun effectively (if you in fact can), and perhaps take a reading comprehension course. Do yourself a favor and don't go off on a rant again, my psychology background tells me you are extremely insecure and immature when you do that.

[Bud919]

By the way SniperStraz, the only experience I have with OWB is various Blackhawk holsters and one leather snap holster that I hated (can't remember the manufacturer), Blackhawk CQC is my favorite.

[loneviking]

Man, I think you need to take a deep breath and calm down. I state my opinion and you call me a jackass.
Read it again, I said if you make a move that I determine to be a threat to me or someone else. That is not brandishing (brandishment is not a real word) a weapon in my state, carrying open is.

I called you a jackass for your snide remark that 'don't give me any excuse about it being legal, that will be for the police to decide'. The police aren't the final arbiters, the courts are and this is a country run by laws.

Brandishing IS a real word, and it is not determined by what YOU determine to be a threat. It is determined by a 'reasonable person' standard in most jurisdictions. And reaching for my wallet or scratching by ribs is NOT cause for you to draw under these standards.

Do you really think I would fumble my pistol while drawing it?

Now who has the reading comprehension problem? I never said you'd fumble it, only that it would be quite noticeable---and I wouldn't have the handicap of covering garments.

And btw, you still haven't show any instances of a gun being taken from someone OC'ing. All you've done is jacked the thread with your opinion on how awful OC is.

[Bud919]

You said BRANDISHMENT first dumb ass, and that is not a real word. Good job confirming my opinion of you though, and I am a reasonable person as evident by my job title. God, I hate when people need everything spelled out for them, and I've been dumb enough to entertain your arrogance. Well I'm done, good luck with your inferiority complex.

[The Bushmaster]

Oh give me a break, the two of you. Knock it off!!! You both might think about growing up...:rolleyes:

[Majic]

Folks need to not only watch their language but stay on topic. Arguing about OC has nothing to do with the OP's question of which holster to use. The thread could get closed for silliness and the OP, who asked an innocent question, will be the one who loses. Take your differences offline please.

[SniperStraz]

Folks I appreciate all of the advice. First off let’s try and keep this civil. I think belly band carry is ineffective but that doesn't mean that people who do it are "jackasses". Everyone has the right to carry the best they can according to their preference. I don't mind opposing opinions. I just don't want to hear "Don't open carry its stupid." That kind of response is of no value to me. If you can give me what in your opinion is a valid reason not to OC I'll happily consider it. But as has been stated a few times I am more interested in good holster options. Thank you for your responses so far and let’s respectfully keep this going and get some more good ideas down on paper.

[Chuck Warner]

...as a gunshop owner and one who carries open 10-14 hours a day, I highly recommend it.

[Clipper]

My holster has to OC as well as CC, and I'm not impressed by fancy, since it will eventually get scuffed and otherwise mangled by the day-to-day. So I use a inexpensive black nylon Uncle Mike's belt slide with thumb break. Tough as nails and under $20.00. Just get a good stiff belt and you're golden...