Need holster for S&W Shield

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redneck2

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Just got a Shield in .40 cal. Dealer had a belt loop Galco, which is exceptionally comfortable. Problem is, I'm in sales and have to remove it multiple times during the day. The belt loop thing gets old real quick.

Looking for an OWB paddle type holster. Choices seem pretty limited, as in Forbus is the only thing I've found. Ideas??
 
Remora makes a good holster. They are iwb and will NOT move around on you. It makes it a sinch to remove the holstered firearm. If you tuck your shirt in then you may want to go the crossbreed super tuck route

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4
 
For easy on/easy off OWB you may like the snap on/snap off style. They will most likely be more secure and conceal better than a paddle holster.

In kydex there is Aholster http://shop.aholster.com/product.sc...86E37.m1plqscsfapp02?productId=3&categoryId=1

Leather lined kydex is Garrett Industries http://www.giholsters.com/silent-thunder-stx-with-leather-loops/

In leather, the most copied is the Alessi CQC-S http://www.alessigunholsters.com/cqc-s-1/?sort=featured&page=2

FIST also has a couple of models

http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/holster/2.htm

http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/k1/dave.htm
 
For easy on/easy off OWB you may like the snap on/snap off style. They will most likely be more secure and conceal better than a paddle holster.
Guess maybe I'm not understanding what a paddle holster really is. My S-I-L has a Kydex that has a rounded plate that slides over your pants/belt and basically clips the pistol against the outside of your belt. I assumed that it was a paddle, but maybe not.

If a snap type would give better conceal and was easy off/on, that would be great. Just trying to find my best available option before dropping $100 on something that doesn't work.

The Alessi looks great, but they are WAY proud of those. But, if it were really better, I'd pay up.

thx
 
Other options for the snap on holsters

Mitch Rosen Premier http://www.mitchrosen.com/index.html Their Express line is less expensive.

Ritchie Gun Leather CQ-QR http://www.ritchieholsters.com/catalog/p-100009/close-quarter-quick-release-cq-qr

Milt Sparks Axiom http://www.miltsparks.com

Here are some other paddle holsters if that is what you prefer

Blade-Tech has a few options including a paddle and their Tech-Lock system http://shop.blade-tech.com/blade-tech-holsters-c-1.html

I linked to Garrett Industries earlier, but they also offer paddle attachments http://www.giholsters.com/owb-mounts/

Here is one of the better known paddle holster videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDeKtgkZKmQ
 
At 62 YO this is the first time I'ver really carried. World seems to be getting a little crazier by the day, so I figure this is a good time to start.

So anyway, today I go to the LGS and take back the OWB belt loop Galco one that I had originally bought. It was extremely comfortable and worked well, just too hard to use in my world.

So, there's a different guy there that I talk to. He convinces me to try a Galco IWB. I didn't even bother before because I always heard that you need to size up pants by 2 inches. Guess what I didn't take into account was (a) in the world of pistols the Shield is about as thin as it gets and (b) I've been going to the gym and thinned down some.

Anyway, this guy uses a Galco IWB, which I tried and works great. Really surprised me. They had a sale table that had a bunch of new holsters at 1/2 price. Also got a leather Galco paddle for OWB around the house.

I'm not sure these are the perfect options, but it will get me going. I wrote down all the suggestions so far, so when I got to different shops, I'll see if there is something that's better for me

Appreciate all the input. If you guys hadn't been so strong on the IWB, I'd probably still never tried it. It's invisible under a polo or even tee.

thx
 
If you like the Galco IWB I bet you'd love a Crossbreed, White Hat or Hidden Hybrid type of IWB holster. I carry my Shield in a hidden hybrid. I'd like to try out the Crossbreed with a single clip eventually too though
I just can't imagine having an IWB holster without being able to adjust it for ride height and cant. I sometimes move the back of mine up or down a notch depending on what I'm wearing, only takes a minute. I started keeping a cheap screwdriver in my closet just for it.
 
Eventual failure of Kydex clip-on

At some point, Kydex clips fail. If they're integral with a one-piece design, there goes the holster. I'm trying a Kydex with leather pull-the-dot loops for my full size M&P 9mm, but for my Shield, I've gone to a Kydex with a thread-through loop. Not as convenient in some circumstances, but always reliable. Alabama Holster Company - check it out.
 
.125 kydex loops do not fail. i make holsters and have tested the .125 extensively in all weather/temperatures. thinner kydex will definitely fail eventually but I had a hard time making .125 fail on purpose by bending it with a vise
 
Life span for Kydex loops?

TAK, I had a one piece IWB Kydex holster for my Shield that clipped onto the belt. Ir worked great for most of a year. Then I drew the gun and the holster came with it - the Kydex loop [which was not replaceable because it was integral with the rest of the holster] lost its grip. I'm just happy I wasn't drawing the gun a defensive situation - I would be here to make this post?

So does the Kydex loop you have never get tired and lose its grip?
 
Like I mentioned on the phone, Im guessing the kydex used on that holster wasnt .125 I'll send a scrap piece of .125 with your holster and you can compare the two. As a holster maker Ive played around with all thicknesses of kydex and I can tell you that anything thinner than .125 wont last as a belt loop. Fixed loop maybe, but not a C-Hook that you will flex to put the holster on and off.
 
Last edited:
oboe wrote,
for my Shield, I've gone to a Kydex with a thread-through loop. Not as convenient in some circumstances, but always reliable. Alabama Holster Company - check it out.
oboe wrote,
Kydex clips fail. If they're integral with a one-piece design, there goes the holster.
Won't you run into the same problem with the integral loop. If the loop fails, there goes your holster.
 
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