Best IWB Holster for CCW Range Practice

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jsmosby

Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
44
Location
The West
I have a Ruger SP-101 3" for CCW.

What do you think is the best IWB holster for a great deal of CCW range practice (drawing and firing, over and over again)? I am looking for a holster that is comfortable and concealable, but easy to reholster.

I once had a Bianchi IWB synthetic holster that was fine for concealment and drawing, but when it came to reholstering a PPK, I had great difficulty because the holster would collapse like a pancake (unreinforced mouth).

I would like to hear your suggestions.
 
Just be aware that many ranges that are under normal control don't always look favorably on non-trained people training themselves on shooting from the draw. There are all sorts of inherent risks to the shooter and others on the line.

Look for a holster that has a reinforced mouth designed for easy reholstering.
 
This is an indoor combat shooting group that meets once a week. The lead person trains the local sheriff's department. I have handled a revolver for 30 years.
 
I am very interested in this because, although I am new at CCW, I somehow have aquired three holsters - none of which are satisfactory. I too am interested in trying combat shooting and there is an indoor group in the area that meets twice a week. Very happy to see that there were some j-frame suggestions, as that is what I carry. Also very happy to see the suggestion by ArchAngel for the Don Hume. I've been looking at all kinds of holsters, and that one looks like a real winner for only $27! Money is kind of tight (and so am I) so price is definately a consideration for me. My only concern is no thumb strap.
 
I'm partial to my Milt Sparks Summer Special II.

I carry either a 4" N-Frame or a 3" GP100 as a Primary when I'm off duty. The mouth of the holster is reinforced for easy reholstering. It has a "Sight Track" so that when you clear leather you don't have a "gob of cow" hanging off your front sight. Last but not least, it's very comfortable and concealable. YMMV.

Biker
 
For a IWB carry holster that you will be doing extensive practice draws with, obviously you need something reinforced or rigid enough throughout to hold its shape. I have not fully made up my mind on the comfort of Kydex plastic holsters for all day carry, but the rigid plastic absolutely will not collapse, and the insides of them are very smooth, more so than most leather ones. The 3 1/16" barreled SP has far fewer ready-made holsters available for it than the more common 2 1/4" barreled one.
 
jmosby said:
This is an indoor combat shooting group that meets once a week. The lead person trains the local sheriff's department. I have handled a revolver for 30 years.
Click to expand...

Master Blaster said:
Best for practice???

The one you are actually going to CCW, otherwise what is the point??
Click to expand...

See, this is what I didn't get, either. Because you yourself didn't get this, jmosby, I took you for inexperienced.

Shooting is one of those sports that's best as close as possible to "full contact." Playing under near-game conditions makes you more ready for game day, so to speak, because only one team is coming back on their bus.

Spend the money on Alessi, Del Fatti, Milt Sparks, perhaps Kramer. Everything else is second-place.
 
Takhtakaal,

Let me clarify. My intent is to find a carry holster that I can also practice with. The two are not necessarily the same.

Although I am primarily a revolver man, I did have a Walther PPK with a Bianchi synthetic IWB holster (unreinforced mouth with one metal retaining clip) for years.

For concealment, rust protection, and carry -- none better. For range practice -- an utter disaster. Once you drew the piece, the holster collapsed, and was difficult to reopen (even with two hands) due to the stiff synthetic material. The steel retaining clip on the holster was so strong that it was difficult to release while I had my pants on. I basically had to undo pants to open the holster to reholster the PPK (Bianchi no longer makes this holster -- it had a short product life).

So, I am trying to balance concealability and comfort (real carry) with ease of reholstering (repeated range practice). Rather than waste a lot of money trying different holsters, I thought that I would tap into the expertise of this forum.

I am familiar with the different holster makers. But looking at a one-dimensional glossy photo is not the same as talking to someone who has extensively used the holster.


JSM
 
Well, jsm, in my experience there's nothing better for what you describe than a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2.

As I said before,
Look for a holster that has a reinforced mouth designed for easy reholstering.
Click to expand...

That's the one.
 
My only concern is no thumb strap.
Click to expand...
rainbowbob,
Here is the link for the same Don Hume holster but this one had the thumb break you are looking for and it's only a few bucks more. I'm a big fan of Don Hume and DeSantis holsters because they provide a high quality product at a reasonable price. (read cheap like me!!LOL)

Enjoy!!
 
+1

The one you are actually going to CCW, otherwise what is the point??
Click to expand...
Anything else and you're just fooling yourself.

If you use different gear on the range and on the street, you won't have the reliable reflexes to save your bacon in an emergency. The sequelae of getting shot can easily outweigh the relative discomfort of getting accustomed to carrying tactically sound equipment on a daily basis. When I decided to start carrying a pair of S&W Centennials mirror-image, I experienced pain under the left holster for about three days. Since the pain was in soft tissue, not over any sort of bony prominence, I persisted and the pain vanished on he fourth day. About three and a half years later, I got caught in a business robbery. As the situation developed, it was very comforting to know that if the need arose, I could draw and fire with either hand. When it came time to draw, it was with my right (dominant) hand, with my left hand committed to keeping the robber from deploying his knife. However, it would have worked equally well if it had been the right hand that had needed to check his knife hand. Had three days of minor pain dissuaded me, I would not have been equally prepared.

One more point: A daily-carry holster that remains open once you draw, coupled with the ability to reholster one-handed. without having to take your eyes off the threat, will allow you to get your gun back into the holster once you have gained immediate control of a situation, reducing the risk of getting shot by responding officers.,
 
One more point: A daily-carry holster that remains open once you draw, coupled with the ability to reholster one-handed. without having to take your eyes off the threat, will allow you to get your gun back into the holster once you have gained immediate control of a situation, reducing the risk of getting shot by responding officers.
Click to expand...

Very good advice from Mr Wenger - and a lot more good advice on his website at http://www.spw-duf.info/. I am fairly new to defensive CC, and I am licensed in WA state where training is not required. Mr Wenger's advice (on his website) has convinced me beyond doubt that I need it. I am signing up with a well-respected instructor in my area asap.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Tucker IWB Holsters: No Reinforced Mouth?
Replies
0
Views
288
jsmosby
J
W
  • Locked
Please recommend a no-wait IWB CCW holster for my Ruger SP-101 w/ 3" barrel
Replies
6
Views
532
rj112275
R
J
  • Locked
Best Ccw Carry For Ruger Gp100 3"
Replies
9
Views
3K
Commander Crusty
C
N
  • Locked
IWB Holster for M10-6 and Speedloader Carry
Replies
6
Views
625
WT
W
G
  • Locked
IWB holster for Ruger Speed Six
Replies
1
Views
726
Bob
B
Back
Top