Ideal Tension in Kydex Holsters?

[Bahadur]

I would like to know what folks consider to be ideal amount of tension in Kydex handgun holsters for self-defense/CCW use.

And how should one test for such "ideal" tension?

[Skunkabilly]

I bounce it lightly upsidedown and if it's secure, it's good enough for me.

[Chris Rhines]

I put my holster on, make quadruple-sure my pistol is unloaded, and stuff it in the holster. I do a couple of practice draws to make sure I can get to the pistol fast. Then I go do cartwheels and sommersaults in the backyard. If the gun doesn't come loose, then I'm happy. :D

- Chris

[Bahadur]

I bounce it lightly upsidedown and if it's secure, it's good enough for me.How would you quantify "lightly"? I'd imagine that - without an active retention mechanism of some kind - there would be a point beyond which the inertial force from shaking or bouncing would produce a drop. I guess I am asking what folks think is the best compromise between retention and speed with Kydex holsters.
I put my holster on, make quadruple-sure my pistol is unloaded, and stuff it in the holster.Two things:

1. Do you at least load the magazines to simulate the weight of a loaded gun?

2. How do you account for the fact that with some autoloading pistols with chamber indicators/extractors, the fit of the holster is different when the chamber is loaded? This produces - in my experience - a very different level of retention compared when the chamber is empty.

My thanks to those who responded!

[tiberius]

1. yes, for the "skunk test" - a good one iMHO.

2. Wow - If you find a difference then all you have to do is use a spent case or snap cap in the chamber. My only kydex is for a 1911 and revolver, so I never experienced this problem/issue.

[Chris Rhines]

Good questions.

Two things: 1. Do you at least load the magazines to simulate the weight of a loaded gun? Sort of. Fifteen 9mm dummy rounds in the magazine, so I'm losing the weight of the powder and primers. This doesn't concern me too much.

2. How do you account for the fact that with some autoloading pistols with chamber indicators/extractors, the fit of the holster is different when the chamber is loaded? This produces - in my experience - a very different level of retention compared when the chamber is empty. I only use Kydex holsters, and none of mine cover the extractor. None of my pistols have loaded-chamber indicators.

- Chris

[Bahadur]

I only use Kydex holsters, and none of mine cover the extractor. None of my pistols have loaded-chamber indicators.Does anyone else (one who has Kydex holsters that cover the extractor and/or pistols with chamber-loaded indicator) have a comment?

And another question remains: just how hard should one shake the holster upside down to test the retention level? I found that I could make a Kydex holster completely drop-proof in this fashion (the gun would not fall out no matter how hard I shoo), but then the gun would not draw smoothly or easily.

Conversely, when I set the tension just "so" that the gun drew easily and smoothly, the retention level was such that a good ooomph of a bounce when upside down made the gun drop out.

What is a good balance between the two? How does one test for that fine balance?

[Chris Rhines]

My advice - get some dummy rounds (Brownells sells them,) load a magazine with them, chamber a round, then do the cartwheel thing.

- Chris

[OF]

I keep the retension pretty light. Skunk's "light shake" is about where mine are.

But I like the sommersault idea...have to do that soon :)

- Gabe

[QuarterBoreGunner]

"...and first up for the American Olympic Armed Gymnastic Team is Chris Rhines."

[Bahadur]

I don't know about sommersaults. I think that I might do some Ukemi -Judo/Aikido-style - and see what happens.

[10-Ring]

It might also depend if you've got a holster w/ a thumb break or not. Me, I keep it just tight enough to keep my gun from moving around but not fight me when it's time to draw...I like Skunk's "light" bounce :) test too tho!

[Skunkabilly]

Sweet! I finally get a gun move named after me :cool:

Doesn't sound nearly as cool as the 'Hackathorn Rip' or the 'Tueller Drill' though :(

[TechBrute]

"Skunkabilly's Holster Inverted Test" doesn't work for you? Maybe you could just make it into an acronym. :D

[TechBrute]

Sheesh... I crack myself up...

[TechBrute]

If the gun falls out doing the Skunky test, then it's too loose.

If it gives you an atomic wedgie when trying to draw, and when you present the gun you notice that it's still in the holster with your belt dangling from it, it's too tight.

[Bahadur]

According to Sidearmor Website:
Q: How much tension should I use?

A: This is also a personal preference, but for an IWB, most of the tension will be coming from the belt when the holster and gun are being carried. Some people make the mistake of setting the tension too tight on an IWB. The tension screws should hold the gun in the holster snug, but should come loose with a fair shake. (Test this with an UNLOADED firearm only.)

For an Outside the Waistband holster, tension should hold the firearm snugly in the holster. A firm shake should release the firearm from the holster. Tension should be set a little bit tighter than an IWB, since the belt and waistband is not providing any additional clamping pressure on the holster & gun.Does that (coming loose with a "fair shake") seem to loose for most here?