When to use a paddle holster?

At 64 and having the ubiquitous draw full of holsters, I can tell you the paddle is my go to holster for all my guns.
Comfortable, conceals well, versatile, and sturdy.
I prefer Fobus, Tagua, and Masters.

YMMV.

I had a Fobus that I believe was designed for the HK USP, but I used for my FNP-9 for years. Worked great on the motorcycle, taking to the range, general all-around easy on, easy off holster.

My go to holster has been the IWB Crossbreed for 3 guns however for my PT 92 I have a Forbus paddle holster and love it for that gun since if I carry it concealed I use a Galco shoulder rig for it or swap holsters/magazine carrier and use it also for my 1911 compact but much prefer the IWB for it also.

The greatest thing about a paddle holster is its ability to be placed anywhere along your waistline without regard to the location of belt loops

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That's the greatest thing about a paddle holster? I always thought it would be the ease with which they can be put on or taken off.

I like them and the price is about the same as a shapeless one size fits all nylon sack with a strap that some companies sell as holsters.

Over the years I have tried several different brands of paddle rigs (Fobus, Galco, Uncle Mike's, and G-Code).

I broke the Fobus at one of the rivet points. The Galco worked OK. The Kydex paddle was fine, but the leather holster got soft after a year of constant wear. The Uncle Mike's rig was OK, but not adjustable for rake.

I finally tried the G-Code brand and fell in love with it. Very well made, with an adjustable rake and also a tension screw for securing the pistol. I have three of them and they are outstanding holsters.

Here is the last one I picked up for my Glock 36 (It also fits my G-19):



This is the one I have for my 1911:

The offset from the body keeps me from using them effectively, I don't own one anymore and am not in the market. Only way you'll know if it is right for 'you' is to try it!

I picked up a Galco leather paddle holster (SPD118) for my Colt Detective Special. It also fits my LCR very nicely. I like them for guns that don't weigh too much as I like cross draw a lot and with a paddle you just place the holster where you want to.

Use a Bianchi paddle holster for my Glock M23 as well. If I don't have a heavy belt on, it will drag down my pants a bit.

I've got a Bianchi paddle for my SP 101 3" revolver, I love it! It has 2 slots on one side, and one on the other, so one can rake it to how you want to carry. Superb holster.

Am I correct in saying a paddle holster is not actually secured to any part of the user's equipment/belt/etc?

They just slip over your belt or pants and kind of ride there, correct?

Paddle is Go To for me.... another with drawer full of holsters.

XDs in Uncle Mikes Paddle, keys ........ Gone out door!

Bobson said:

[Paddle holsters] just slip over your belt or pants and kind of ride there, correct?

9mmepiphany said:

Not the current ones

All the one's I use...Fobus, Uncle Mike's, Blackhawk CQC, Sarailand ALS, Comp Tac and Blade Tech; even an old Safariland 5181...have a ledge that rides atop the belt and wide set fingers/ledges/hooks/tabs that fit under the belt to keep it from moving upward. Just about any paddle holster requires you to loosen your belt, if not completely unthread it, to remove it form your beltline

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Ah, so they're actually pretty stable then. That's good to know... I've been tempted to buy a cheap OWB holster for my G19 from Amazon, because I don't have one and wanted to try OWB for a change - but all I could find by FOBUS was a paddle, and didn't think I'd like that. I might give it a try though. IWB works well for me most of the time, but it'd be nice to throw on an OWB once in a while and not think about my clothes, especially with the Arizona summer coming up.

Thanks for the help.

but it'd be nice to throw on an OWB once in a while and not think about my clothes, especially with the Arizona summer coming up.

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I am a small guy and the paddle with a loose T shirt works great in the hot, humid Virginia summers.

I am a huge fan of CompTac paddle holsters and have one for every type of pistol that I own.

In a canoe

What bikerdoc said.
I was on a week long fishing trip last week and used a Fobus paddle holster to house my LCP with a long pocket T-shirt to cover it.
Reasonably secure and comfortable and practically as invisible as it is while housed in my RKBA leather pocket holster.
Better yet I had several waves crash along the jetty rocks that would have gotten my LCP and it's leather pocket holster wet had I not been using the Fobus which was more or less at the 5:30 point on my body.
Caught a mess of Croaker.

I carry a full size 1911 in a paddle holster around the farm. In a pinch I can cover it with an unbuttoned dress shirt or a jacket.

Here in Florida, the law says concealed from ordinary view - it's been interpreted in court to mean that printing is not illegal, as long as you're not wearing a spandex shirt or something else tight enough that makes it obvious that the only thing you could be carrying is a gun.

Most of my concealed carry takes place with either the 1911 or an M&P40c in IWB holsters.

My only experience has been with a Fobus paddle holster. It was not positive.

The gun stuck out too far from my body to conceal well with anything other than an unbuttoned work shirt. The holster would move around on my belt, and would flap around badly at any speed faster than a brisk walk.

I have a few fobus holsters, even one of the roto holstes. I replaced them all after I discovered Blackhawk. Drawing is so much better. Both are super tough and would last a longtime. Unlike leather scratches don't show up and water has no effect. I wear a Blackhawk 99% of the time I open carry. They do however stick a little too far away from the body for cc. I use a crossbreed for that.

My opinion - almost never. I've got the draw o' holsters too. There's a couple paddle holsters in there (I think 2 - maybe another). I use them occasionally but only on the range. I just don't find them secureand I don't like having that wedge of plastic between me and my pants. A belt-loop holster (even Fobus makes them) is just better in my eyes.

That said, it largely comes down the personal preference. I don't prefer them, but if you like the design there's no reason why you shouldn't go with a paddle.

I will say that I do find Fobus holsters in particular a bit less desireable than most other plastic or kydex holsters. They're thinner and use too many sections joined together. Blade-tech or Comp-tac are better OWB holsters in my opinion. Blackhawk isn't bad either. Even Uncle Mike's uses thicker materials.

In particular check out Blade-tech's Revolution line which is very well priced (and comes with both paddle and belt attachments - pick whichever you like better ).

I will say that I don't find any of these types of holsters suitable for concealed carry though. For me, if concealed carrying, I pretty much always use either a IWB or a pancake style leather OWB which pulls very close to the body. The polymer type OWB holsters are for competition, range practice, and hunting.

Paddles IMO are for open carry. They dont hold real tight to the body. They are comfortable, easy to get on and off, and they have good retention. Good for around the house or doing yard work. Thats about it.