paddle vs belt holsters

I've used both, but have found paddles are generally not as comfortable as belt holster. I do like my BlackHawk Serpa with the paddle for my full size 1911. It is almost too secure. I almost have to disrobe to take it off.

Paddles are definitely easier to remove. If you open carry, a paddle holster may be a good choice. I don't think they're particularly easy to put on...of course, they don't require removal of your belt, as a belt slide holster would.
Pancake (belt slide) holsters hold the firearm closer to the body thus making this a better choice for concealled carry (assuming the covering garment is a shirt).

I've read that paddle holsters can be grabbed and removed by an attacker. Well, I know the paddle holster I had (for a large frame Taurus .357 revolver) couldn't be easily grabbed or removed by an assailant (unless one is totally unaware of his or her surroundings, i.e. braindead). I've also heard comments about paddle holsters being uncomfortable..but mine was quite comfortable.

I no longer have a paddle holster, but I do own a few belt slide holsters. If you do go for a paddle holster, buy a quality one...not a $19.95 POS. Be prepared to open carry or print if you wear in under a drapped shirt.

I prefer belt holsters. As was stated above, they hold your firearm closer to the body, making concealment much easier. I just find them more comfortable and not a problem at all to remove.

A paddle holster is a nice accessory should you find yourself as a desk bound staff rat in Iraq or Afghanistan. You won't use it with all your battle rattle, but it is a great alternative for all the time you spend on a FOB, in offices, in PT gear, going to the shower, etc.

I had one in Iraq that I bequeathed to one of my buddies when I left. I may not know much about how the tacticool operators work in the sandbox, but I know how the grey haired staff rats sitting behind computers did it...

I swore by belt holsters until I tried a paddle.

545 days
I got a lot of feelings hurt when I talked the CDR into taking away the FOB personnels' sidearms. I realocated them to my guys going out in sector.

In country I appreciate the paddle holster for trips to the DFAC. For patrols I carried my sidearm in an empty magazine pouch next to my chest w/dummy cord.

For CC I prefer IWB (leather) for greater concealability.

I have a Blackhawk Serpa for my H&K, and it's hard to take off. I removed the two little hooks from the inside and the lip of the paddle still grabs anything in it's way. I think taking your belt off is easier, at least you don't have to drop your pants. I'm sure smooth paddles would slip right out but not this one.

I use both. I use my Serpa paddle holster for carrying on the hip strap of my backcountry backpack, and I like a belt holster for carrying concealed while wearing a suit. The paddle holster is easier to draw from as it is farther away from my body, but the belt holster is less conspicuous if that is a concern.

I prefer a belt holster.

I do have a paddle, and invariably it will at some point, every time I wear it, "bite me". Usually when changing positions.

I don't wear underwear (probably more info than you really want), so the paddle is down there on bare skin. I am not flabby...but as I move and get in and out of vehicles, etc...there will be a bit of pinching, that makes me have to grab at and readjust the holster. I never have this problem with belt worn holsters.

Just my opinion and personal experience.

Depends on what you want it for. Most paddle holsters I have seen and tried seem to position the pistol too far away from my body to effectively hide the presence of a gun.
They are good for OC and if you have to remove the pistols several times a day. I just felt they where a compromise and a good belt holster did a better job.

On some brands, the paddle will pull the gun in closer to your body, but i find them to be less comfortable.

Pros: easier to put on/take off than a slotted OWB; a well-designed paddle is comfortable, with no pressure points. Con: they space the gun out away from your body. This is a deal breaker for me. Possible compromise: OWB with snapped loops, eliminating the need to remove your belt and thread it through the slots.

I have a couple paddle holsters that I like for walking in the woods, but that is open carry, not concealed. I have a couple of IWB holsters for concealed.

Belt holsters are fine, but the ones I have tried often want to make the pistol ride too high with the center of balance of the pistol above the belt so that it flops around too much.

Each to his own I guess. There are all sorts of makes and models of each type so find one that works for you and use it.

I prefer paddles, for easy on/off - Gould & Goodrich makes paddles that are the shiz-nizzle:

http://www.gouldusa.com/products/pr...ine+Concealment+Holsters,+Belts+&+Accessories

Look about 1/2 way down at the B807 and B817.

Cougfan2,
Damn I though I was the only one who had to do that.

On the rare occasions I wear my 226 OWB, it's in a Galco Matrix (read: very cheap, kydex) paddle.

Easy on, fairly easy off, ridiculously comfortable. Did I mention it was inexpensive?

Just get the best of both worlds and get one that snaps on and off.

Cougfan2 said:

I do like my BlackHawk Serpa with the paddle for my full size 1911. It is almost too secure. I almost have to disrobe to take it off.

Click to expand...

This thread is fine without pictures.

Actually, some paddles do have extended retention tabs that, while they make the holster more secure (so you don't pull the holster up with the gun), require you to undo your belt and pants to get them off.

For IDPA with a CZ 75, the Comp-Tac paddle works great. That said, I will never buy another Bladetech paddle, although the belt holsters are great.