Holster recommendations for shield EZ 380 with TLR7 light?

Status
Not open for further replies.

redneck

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2002
Messages
1,619
Location
Ohio
I helped a friend get started shooting and she just applied for her CCW permit. It was a lot more work than normal starting a new shooter with the ammo and gun shortage going on right now but she has settled on a shield EZ 380 and has a streamlight tlr 7 mounted on it. She would like to keep the light on at all times. To be honest, I think the added weight at the muzzle helps her and the gun is reliable with the light mounted so I think it will be a good thing, provided she can find a holster.

Anybody out there have anything they recommend for this combo? She is leaning towards an IWB with clips like a crossbreed supertuck I believe, but at this point I just would like to compile a list of holsters she can look at. I make my own leather holsters so I'm kind of out of the loop and my initial search of the brands I'm familiar with is coming up at zero. She isn't opposed to a custom holster, but would like to start with a store bought and test the waters enough to know what she really wants. Thanks for any help!
 
N8 Tactical makes holsters for this combo. I like N8 iwb holsters because they are designed to be comfortable without an undershirt and also protects the gun from sweat.
 
PHLSTER makes a holster (or two) that are light dependent and not gun dependent.

https://www.phlsterholsters.com/shop/floodlight/

A couple of unsolicited data points to consider...

Tucker Gun Leather https://tuckergunleather.com/faq/
Q. Does Tucker recommend carrying a defensive pistol with a light attached to an accessory rail?

A. Tucker says, "If you're on a SWAT team, go for it. If not, your pistol is a quick-response tool for a sudden and extreme self-defense situation. If you have a light on the gun, you may find it distracting enough to slow down your response."


Tom Givens https://civiliandefender.com/2016/04/01/low-light-red-sights-and-tom-givens-glock-35/
...in the 60 plus defensive shootings his students have been involved in, the lighting (or lack of lighting) was a factor in the outcome in exactly ZERO cases.
 
Thanks for the help so far guys.

I don't keep a light on my CCW piece, but have a gun with a light I can use for home defense, or special circumstances like when I have to deal with raccoon in the haymow or something like that.

This lady liked the idea of a light for home defense, but this is her only gun and I don't think she's comfortable with putting the light on and taking it off by herself. I do think the added muzzle weight makes her shoot better so I'm not trying to sway her either way if she can find a quality holster that fits.so far she definitely isn't comfortable holding a hand held tactical light and trying to handle the gun.

I'll check out the holsters listed, and post any others I come across.
 
I always seem to be the odd man out on these mounted light threads, but I'll give folks information and let them come to their own conclusions. Most folks look at the issue from their background in LE or MIL, but the civilian has different needs and generally operate in different circumstances.

Here is a Tom Givens Rangemaster article

https://rangemaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02_RFTS-Newsletter.pdf

Edit to add: In spite of my personal opinions on the matter, I'm still going to offer holster options as I find them. Good luck.
 

In all honesty I expect this to end up being a purse/fanny pack gun for the most part. She doesn't like to wear a belt and her CCW class instructor loaned her some kind of universal "clip on" holster that she used for the shooting portion of her class.The "pro" seemed ok with a clip type holster and no belt so that is what she wants to try. I honestly don't know if it was a paddle holster or something like a supertuck but I don't see a paddle working well at all with no belt. I am just trying to compile a list of holsters for her and have encouraged her to carry around her house and test out whatever she buys before she goes out in public.
I have already given her the gun belt talk, and showed her the options like belly bands and smart carry holsters, and the compression shirts and shorts with built in pockets. I showed her my daily carry which is a pancake type leather holster with the cant adjusted to allow good concealment but still keeping the barrel from hitting the cantle on my saddle when I'm on a horse and that did not generate much interest when she saw the heavy gun belt. Articles and info are great but I think most people end up with a drawer full of retired holsters they don't like when it's all said and done.
 
... I think most people end up with a drawer full of retired holsters they don't like when it's all said and done.
They absolutely do.

Forums are great though for eliminating some things that may look good or usable, that have been proven through use, by professionals, to not work. I'll admit that there are a bunch of holster options I'd never consider, based on my research, that some folks absolutely love. It just goes to show how individual choosing holsters is, and why we all seem to have so many as we try to find what works for us.
In all honesty I expect this to end up being a purse/fanny pack gun for the most part.
The Cornered Cat is a good source of information for the ladies. https://www.corneredcat.com

Purse and pack options

The Wilderness Tactical Safepacker (they also have nylon belts that are lighter than most leather options) https://www.thewilderness.com/safepacker-concealment-holster/

Coronado Leather https://coronadoleather.com/collections/classic-collection

Mitch Rosen https://mitchrosen.com/products/additional-products/
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top