Best practice for holstering IWB at start/end of day?

[herrwalther]

Finger out of the trigger, and not pointed at anyone. It isn't exactly rocket science. If you don't want your firearm to go off while you are sliding it in the holster or out at the start or end of the day, follow the fundamentals of gun safety.

Occasionally I inspect my clothes for dangling threads or other things that could in any way get inside my holster and get inside that trigger guard. Just the other day I was tucking my shirt in and felt the shirt go in between the gun and the kydex holster. I immediately went to "well that's not right." So I carefully and slowly removed the shirt to tuck it in the proper place.

 

[JohnKSa]

The holster goes onto my belt and then I holster the pistol. I do that because it's harder to maneuver the holster with the gun in it and that increases the chances of dropping things.

When I need to remove the gun, the holster unsnaps from my belt and the gun and holster go into the safe as a unit.

 

[ClangClang]

I'm late coming back to the party, but thanks to everyone for weighing in. Gave me lots to think about and a couple tweaks to my own routine.

 

[redneck2]

I can't even imagine stuffing a loaded Glock into the holster while I'm wearing it. Wow.

I have a G20 house gun, but got a Shield M&P for carry since it has a safety. I still put it in the holster first.

Having worked in the LGS, I've had the opportunity to witness some interesting gun handling "skills". I'd keep the wild west gunfighter drawing oractice to times when it's unloaded, but maybe that's just me.

 

[Sam1911]

I can't even imagine stuffing a loaded Glock into the holster while I'm wearing it. Wow....I'd keep the wild west gunfighter drawing oractice to times when it's unloaded, but maybe that's just me.

That's an interesting perspective, but there's an awful lot of folks (such as practical shooting competitors) who wouldn't get very far working that way. We'll have to holster a loaded gun (most commonly a Glock, M&P, xD, etc.) up to 20 times in a match, and many more times in every practice. Very infrequently someone goofs with serious consequences, but not often enough to cause the millions who didn't to stop the practice.

If you're basing what you are proficient with on poor gunhandling you've seen gun shop patrons perform, that's probably above the necessary level of caution.

On the other hand, talking to folks in the gun shop and advising THEM how to proceed -- explaining the practice of holstering the gun off-body and then putting it on your belt could make a lot of sense.

 

[herrwalther]

Just my own personal stance: I do not leave my firearm in my holster. I either leave my holster attached to my jeans (if I plan on wearing the same pair the next day) or I store my holster in the drawer underneath my quick access safe beside my bed. I have always just had a "that doesn't feel right" feeling when storing a firearm in a holster when it is off my body. The much more practical reason is the bedside safe is too narrow to place the holster+firearm in there.

 

[ATLDave]

That's an interesting perspective, but there's an awful lot of folks (such as practical shooting competitors) who wouldn't get very far working that way. We'll have to holster a loaded gun (most commonly a Glock, M&P, xD, etc.) up to 20 times in a match, and many more times in every practice. Very infrequently someone goofs with serious consequences, but not often enough to cause the millions who didn't to stop the practice.

That's a very good point, but we can also highlights a few things that are different between matches and CC. First, during a match, that holstering is happening under very controlled conditions, and typically with an RO standing right there to make sure it's done safely.* And while a few shoot those kind of matches wearing concealement rigs, most will be wearing something kydex and OWB... more duty holsters (or even race holsters) than IWB concealment gear. The extent of sweeping, and the likelihood of getting the trigger caught on something (clothing, edge of holster) is surely much higher with a CC IWB holster.

None of which means the holstering cannot be done safely, merely that it takes EXTRA attention. And the terrific safety record of USPSA, IDPA, and similar shooters shows, among other things, how frequent training with a gun can build not just proficiency, but safety skill as well. And it demonstrates how safe handling a loaded gun can be WHEN THAT IS WHERE THE HANDLER'S ATTENTION IS FOCUSED. Trying to holster a gun while also getting dressed, or exhorting the kids to get dressed, or trying to wolf down a granola bar for breakfast? Far riskier than focusing SOLELY on getting a gun safely into a holster.

*Obviously, much practice will occur without a RO.

 

[redneck2]

The extent of sweeping, and the likelihood of getting the trigger caught on something (clothing, edge of holster) is surely much higher with a CC IWB holster.

I can see the re-holster during a match. Whole different ball game than stuffing a .40 Glock down the front of your pants IWB for appendix carry while wearing jeans, a shirt, maybe undershirt.

Either I'm just too chicken or I value my body parts too highly

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Just personal preference, but this is why I like hammered DA/SA pistols.
Usually, I get fully dressed minus my over shirt and slip my holster (versa max style) into its position IWB and snap it.
Then I slide my 239 into its holster with my thumb over the hammer. Put on over shirt and done.
I have never worried about a ND or AD that way.

 

[luzyfuerza]

My primary carry gun is an XD, which of course includes a grip safety. When reholstering, I lift my thumb up to the back of the slide which lifts my palm off of the grip safety. This reduces the likelihood of an AD should something block the trigger during reholstering.

 

[Tirod]

It sounded like it was getting way to much attention until some points were brought up.

1) The weapon does need a daily check for being clean, no accumulating rust, etc. That includes internally, which does mean dropping the mag and clearing it. Problematic situation at best, as the largest amount of ND's occur then.

2) Pushing a loaded gun into an IWB holster while wearing it means that you absolutely must trust a trigger that could be snagged. It doesn't happen that much, nonetheless, no one wants to be that guy if and when it does. We are extremely conservative about it for safety alone.

3) If you vary your carry holster at all due to seasonal requirements, or out of necessity because you are dressed differently during your day, then the routine needs to be the same across the board. It's the same (conservative) mindset about what style of safety you use - changing back and forth from a thumb safety to a safe action trigger is just as complicated as carrying one knife tip down with liner lock vs a tip up with Axis. You will find yourself fumbling to remember, nobody recommends constant change.

This is where I mention the Versacarry - and why I would recommend only putting the IWB in the waistband with the gun already in it, buckle and pants waistband loose. There is probably an opposite point of view that would be entirely justified, but my point is the consistency of doing it the same way across the board. We eventually will wind up with just one habit as the procedure anyway. And it will likely be different for any ten given carriers.

So, with the inherent risk of ND being the real focus, maybe we aren't overthinking it when some aren't thinking about it enough. The difficulty is that those who should be doing it better aren't likely worried about it at all. And proposing that only one solution is the "correct" or "best" answer won't work either, there are too many variables to insist on that.

Ya gotta figure it out all on your own. At least we all put our pants on the same way. I hope.

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by redneck2: I can't even imagine stuffing a loaded Glock into the holster while I'm wearing it. Wow.

I can't either.

BUT: re-holstering safely after shooting or after drawing without having fired a shot is an essential part of any use of force encounter.

It is therefore something that should be practiced during training.

Might I suggest that those who observe that there is some risk of having the trigger snag on something such as a shirt-tail thus argue against the supposed absolute "safety" of firearms that are susceptible to that serious risk, and at the same time give the lie to the old saw that the only way such a firearm can fire is with a finger on the trigger.

My solution? Every one of my semi-autos has a thumb safety that can be readily operated during the draw. And yes, I train to operate it rapidly, safely, and consistently.

I have considered acquiring a Glock, but the risk of an unintentional discharge caused by a snag during re-holstering is a major reason for my not having done so.

 

[Z1D2]

My holster has a metal clip. I check the pistol every other day at least. But it stays in the holster. Unclip pull it all out lay it outa reach of my lil' one. And do the pants. Put it on sit down check for comfort. Everyone's different, do what works for you & don't over think things. Just check on it like its your very best friend, because it may have to be one day to save a life, maybe yours or a love ones...

 

[ATLDave]

My solution? Every one of my semi-autos has a thumb safety that can be readily operated during the draw. And yes, I train to operate it rapidly, safely, and consistently.

Same here. A well-designed safety need not require ANYTHING beyond taking the normal firing grip.

 

[Mr.510]

At the end of the day I draw my XD and stow it leaving the holster attached to my pants with my belt. I keep my pants with belt, holster, spare mag, car keys, wallet, knife, etc hanging on the post at the foot of my bed. I always keep the pants I wore on a given day "ready for action" in case I need to throw them on, holster my weapon, and run out of the house for whatever reason. My cell phone and pistol are the only items that don't remain at the ready in my pants.

At the start of a day I either put on the pants I wore the previous day or swap all my gear to clean ones. I then put my pants on, cinch my belt, and holster my XD with the ball of my palm on the back of the slide so the grip safety is not depressed. I always re-holster this way. I use a Comp-Tac MTAC holster with C clips modified to be a snug fit on my Instructor Belt. It is nearly impossible or me to install or remove the holster while wearing my pants but there is never a reason for me to do so. If I remove my holster my pants fall down!

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

My morning routine:

After drying off from my morning wake-up shower, I run into the bedroom screaming "SPOOOON!", hit the bed and do a flying flip through the air, landing with both legs in my pants and my feet slipping into my shoes.

Meanwhile, my battle cry trips the voice activated automated self-defense battle AI into operation, initiating a series of events simultaneously. My car is started and the GPS booted up; a submarine Battlestations alarm sounds off its distinctive "BONG! BONG! BONG!"; all household security lights flair on to maximum intensity; window shutters snap shut; locking bars slide into place on the doors.

At the same time, hidden panels open and the automated self-defense haberdashery mechbot completes my battle dress as I comb my hair and put my glasses on, properly afixing my IWB holster and sidearm for me. Extra loaded magazines are presented to choose from, if needed.

I kiss my wife good morning and head to the front door to grab the dog leash while our vicious attack pug races around in circles on the throw rug.


Irritates my wife to no end. But the kids are up for school by then and the dog is pretty excited because he gets to go outside for his morning walk.

By comparison, my evening routine is pretty sedate.

 

[BrotherFrankie]

I've been wondering about the "order of operations" for holstering up in the morning and deholstering at the end of the day. Anyone have any recommendations? Do any of the famous "trainers" have anything to say on the topic?

When I wake up, my Glock (loaded mag, round in the chamber) is in my nightstand. I put on my pants, insert my IWB holster (Old Faithful, if it matters) into my pants, get it all adjusted and seated properly, then remove the pistol from the nightstand, holster it, put on my cover garment, and leave the house.

Is it considered safer to have the pistol in the holster when putting it on? What about at the end of the day? Pull out the pistol, place into nightstand, then remove the holster from pants? Or the other way around?

i would strongly suggest perhaps adding brushing teeth or using a mouthwash somewhere in that routine..

have a great day folks

 

[Fred Fuller]

And into the weeds we go...