Disaster Holster?

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guyfromohio

guyfromohio

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This is not an apocalypse/zombie/SHTF discussion.

A friend of mine is down in Baton Rouge this week helping his mother deal with the flood damage to her home. He's not a gun owner and has no desire to be one, but he has let me know about various curfews and the potential for miscreants to be about. It started me thinking about which type of holster I'd realistically want to be carrying when dealing with the aftermath of such natural disasters. I would think that an IWB or a close fitting OWB built for concealment would be a hindrance as I'm dry-walling, carrying furniture in and out, accessing tight spaces, etc..... Not to mention the fact that none of my holsters have retention systems beyond the tight fit of the leather or Kydex. I would be concerned about it falling out while finding myself in unusual body positions. I'm actually thinking that maybe I get an old-school GI flap holster and just carry one of my less valuable/still reliable 1911s. Or maybe another gun in a retention strap holster. Short of a tornado or blizzard, I don't see many situations like this in Ohio, so what do those of you with experience in such situations do?
 
I'm not a fan of the BlackHawk SERPA, not because of the lock device, but because it makes both a poor concealment and poor range/training/competition holster which is what most people use a holster for, but this is probably one of the few niche's the holster is a good idea for.

There is also all of the Safariland LE type holsters, which are probably better options.
 
Agree, I won't do the Serpas. I just don't like anything about that system. Maybe even a drop-leg nylon rig for such events. Assuming, of course, OC is legal in the state (Ohio is fine).
 
I've never used them, but practically nobody recommends a drop leg holster unless you are wearing body armor and can't put the holster on your belt.
 
I carry a G19 everyday at work in a kydex IWB at 330-400 and it works quite well. I am doing things that I would call just short of drywalling as far as physical activity (construction) and I have never has an issue with the gun moving at all. One thing I have done to enhance the retention is to run it a little tight and I spray the inside of it with PTFE mold release. (teflon). It takes a small tug to pull it but it is smooth once it starts to release.

It is a custom made 2 point belt hook that I had the guy put a forward cant into as well as a twist to hold the butt against my body with just over a finger width above my belt. I have NEVER had it hook on anything and is very concealable.

I have a zero lack of confidence that this holster will hold the gun through whatever I am doing on a day to day basis.

I am not a fan of Serpa holsters for the possibility of debris getting into the locking mech.
 
If you don't like Serpa (my first choice for open carry) then stick with leather.

I have never had any luck with nylon holsters. They can catch on sights, and the snaps don't work nearly as well as they do on rigid leather.

I carry owb every time I mow the grass. Here in SC you never know when you will see a poisonous snake. The Serpa is perfect for it - it doesn't require a tie-down, retains well, and is comfortable. And you can have the gun ready to fire faster than most leather holsters with snaps for retention. Fobus has similar kydex holsters that use friction to retain, but those can be detrimental to the gun's finish.
 
I like the Serpa and Fobus with the paddle or any number of the leather pancake style with a thumb break. I wouldn't use one of the nylon "one size fits all" or the typical friction retention open top CC style in a situation that would involve a lot of physical activity.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
My step-son has his own fire and water damage restoration service and sometimes he has to go into some less than desirable neighborhoods to work. He carries a SIG P938 in a nylon pocket holster.
 
Indawind said:
I carry a G19 everyday at work in a kydex IWB at 330-400 and it works quite well. I am doing things that I would call just short of drywalling as far as physical activity (construction) and I have never has an issue with the gun moving at all. One thing I have done to enhance the retention is to run it a little tight and I spray the inside of it with PTFE mold release. (teflon). It takes a small tug to pull it but it is smooth once it starts to release.

It is a custom made 2 point belt hook that I had the guy put a forward cant into as well as a twist to hold the butt against my body with just over a finger width above my belt. I have NEVER had it hook on anything and is very concealable.

I have a zero lack of confidence that this holster will hold the gun through whatever I am doing on a day to day basis.

I am not a fan of Serpa holsters for the possibility of debris getting into the locking mech.
Click to expand...
Sounds interesting. Do you have pics and the maker's name for the holster?
 
I think this sort of set up make a lot of sense:

hqdefault.jpg

Especially with something inside the pouch to keep the gun oriented. It is concealed, but hanging on the outside of your clothes for comfort. Non-threatening, but quickly accessible and secure.
 
If you want to open carry, I'd use something like a Safariland with the ALS hood. It's very secure and with a little practice it is very easy to disengage on the draw. For a little more security, getting both the SLS and ALS on the holster would be a good move, and it only takes a hair longer to draw. Note that pretty much any duty type holster is going to stick out a lot more than a concealment holster which means it'll be more likely to get caught on things as you're working.

Personally in that type of environment, I'd conceal carry something like a Glock 19 (or Sig 228, or other gun in that size range) as it is still relatively concealable amd is better for fighting than a pocket gun. (Fighting IS why you're carrying it, right?) if the gun and holster combination is set up right, you shouldn't have any issues of the gun just falling out of the holster.
 
Well, in my case, a disaster strikes, I'll be in utilities, and I'd likely include 782 gear, so my holster would be a UM-84. At least until someone summons up the gumption to tell the O-6 he can't do that.
 
Nylon for sure. Resists getting wet, cleans up easy, very rugged.

I like a high ride pancake style such as made by Uncle Mikes. Carries the gun high so it is out of the way and secure. A little slow to draw but that is a reasonable tradeoff in your situation.

Very affordable so there is no excuse not to have several different sizes.
 
I'd use the same holster I use every day now...
Safariland ALS 6378
The only possible concession is I might convert it from paddle to belt loop to be just that much more secure, but the paddle is damn near impossible to remove from my gun belt as it is. :)
 
RX-79G said:
I think this sort of set up make a lot of sense:



hqdefault.jpg



Especially with something inside the pouch to keep the gun oriented. It is concealed, but hanging on the outside of your clothes for comfort. Non-threatening, but quickly accessible and secure.
Click to expand...



most excellent setup. husky from home depot? how snug does it ride? how much and would a s&w j frame fit? i'm not close to a h.d.


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jstert said:
most excellent setup. husky from home depot? how snug does it ride? how much and would a s&w j frame fit? i'm not close to a h.d.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
That isn't my photo - just one I found online.

But this setup would wear essentially like a military flap holster - just kind of dangle from your belt. Which isn't necessarily bad for drawing the gun, and is more comfortable for many tasks compared to close fitting holsters. Much like dangler knife sheaths popular for bushcraft use.
 
RX-79G said:
That isn't my photo - just one I found online.

But this setup would wear essentially like a military flap holster - just kind of dangle from your belt. Which isn't necessarily bad for drawing the gun, and is more comfortable for many tasks compared to close fitting holsters. Much like dangler knife sheaths popular for bushcraft use.
Click to expand...
A 642 in that setup might be just the right move. Light...secure...concealed....comfortable.
 
You pull the d ring up on the UM84 holster. Its the same motion as opening the flap.
 
No. You just pull it up. The metal loop is tucked under the plastic, and when you pull up the loop flexes and pops out of the plastic. So only one motion to open the flap.

Mil-Tec_USArmy_UM84_M9_Holster_OD_3.jpg
 
Was looking at these as a result of your post. Frankly, the Uncle Mikes looks really good at a very reasonable price. In my mind, a great option for range and field use. Thanks for pointing this one out.
 
RX-79G said:
No. You just pull it up. The metal loop is tucked under the plastic, and when you pull up the loop flexes and pops out of the plastic. So only one motion to open the flap.

Mil-Tec_USArmy_UM84_M9_Holster_OD_3.jpg
Click to expand...
That's strange -- mine looks just like that, but it won't open if I pull the D-ring straight up. Pulling up just digs the loop into the plastic tab harder.

If I pull straight OUT, the loop flexes enough to come loose, but not if I pull straight up. It works best if I pull out and slightly down to get the elastic to stretch and release the loop from the plastic, and then pull up. It's just one motion, but it's kind of a circular motion: down-out-up.
 
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