Dual-duty holster

[Outlaw Man]

What are your opinions on a holster that works well for both concealed carry and open carry? Is there a holster that serves both situations well, or are they jacks of all trades but masters of none?

I'm working toward upgrading my primary carry gun to a full size from my typical pocket carry. With the legality of open carry becoming more well known in our state, I want to have that as an option in certain circumstances.

Tactically speaking, it makes sense to me to have one holster that holds one gun in one place at one angle every time. Practice develops muscle memory, so reaching to different places might make for a slower draw.

Is there a good holster to accomplish this? I think an active retention method is important for open carry, but most kydex/injection molded holsters with retention, and many leather ones, hang fairly far from your body, like a duty holster.

I should add, kydex or hard plastic are important to me for one handed manipulation and easy reholstering. I'm tall and a little on the heavy side, and while I have SOME good concealment garments, if the holster rides very low, I have a hard time concealing. I'm about 99% settled on an M&P 9, so fitting the gun shouldn't be a big issue, though I AM considering carrying with a light attached, so that would be a bonus.

Thanks in advance for your input. I'm pretty familiar with Galco and other "soft" holsters, but I'm fairly new to the rigid holsters, particularly for open carry. Until recently, that wasn't really an option here.

 

[JTQ]

Most of the kydex retention holster's are pretty poor at concealment. Actually, before Raven Concealment Systems came out with their Phantom holsters a few years back, most kydex holsters (not counting the IWB models) were pretty poor at concealment.

Garrett Industries has just begun offering a removable thumb break on their basic Silent Thunder holster which I believe they call the D2. While this model is not much for concealment, they may eventually offer this option on their holsters more geared toward concealment, such as the STX and STM.

http://www.giholsters.com/belt-holsters-owb/

The other option is a leather holster with a thumb break, which is probably what I would choose. Here are a few that would probably work.

Andrews Custom Leather Saddle Style http://www.andrewsleather.com/traditional.htm

Simply Rugged Tribute http://shop.simplyrugged.com/ecommerce/Tribute.cfm?item_id=158&parent=669

Davis Leather has a few models http://davisleathercompany.com/concealedcarry/

Black Hills Leather offers a few https://blackhillsleather.com/concealed-leather-holster/thumb-break.html

Hopefully I understood your question and these were the kind of things you were looking for.

 

[JTQ]

I overlooked that "light attached" thing.

Kydex, retention device, light capable, concealable, probably means you're going to need to make some compromises along the way.

Hopefully, you are aware a light capable holster won't work without the light attached, so if you want a light capable holster you'll need to use it with the light on the gun all the time.

There are lots of duty holsters for light equipped guns, but for concealment your options are very limited.

As I mentioned above, the Raven Concealment Phantom type is a very popular design for concealment kydex. They are also very popular for light equipped pistols. I forgot to give a link earlier.

Raven Concealment Systems http://raven-concealment-systems.mybigcommerce.com

There must be at least 20 other makers using this basic design, but I can't think of any that use an active retention device.

One of the few leather concealment holsters I can think of that make a light capable holster is Pure Kustom, but I don't think they offer a thumb break, but I'm not that familiar with their product line.

Pure Kustom http://www.purekustomholsters.com

 

[Outlaw Man]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think, right now, I'm leaning toward the RC Phantom. I could even get a custom one with a thumb break if I decide to go that route.

 

[JTQ]

It's been a while since I bought my Raven Concealment Phantom, I did not know they offered thumb breaks. I see they do now, so I learned something from you too. Thanks.

 

[B1gGr33n]

I just picked up an Uncle Mike's Reflex holster for my G22 and am loving it! I'm 6'2" and 300lbs, so I understand your predicament. The holster comes with a belt loop attachment and a "pancake" style attachment, and has 2 different height attachment points and +/-30 degrees of rotation in 15 degree increments to get the perfect draw. I carried a few days with the belt loop attachment before trying the pancake, and I've been liking the pancake better so far. The holster doesn't add much bulk to the profile, I can easily conceal it under a jacket or loose fitting shirt. It won't accommodate a light though.

 

[smalls]

I use a leather pancake holster for both open and concealed carry. I can wear a t shirt and carry openly, or throw on a cover garment and conceal it. Leather holsters seem to tuck the gun in better than kydex, and will still stay open for easy re holstering. If you spend money on good leather I feel it has enough retention, but some prefer more for open carry.

 

[JTQ]

B1gGr33n wrote,
The holster comes with a belt loop attachment and a "pancake" style attachment, and has 2 different height attachment points and +/-30 degrees of rotation in 15 degree increments to get the perfect draw.

Did you mean to say "paddle" style attachment?

 

[B1gGr33n]

Did you mean to say "paddle" style attachment?

Yup! It was late and I had a brain fart One should not post when drousy.

 

[Hunterdad]

Got mine from www.firearmholster.com for right around $50. Has felt backing and is extremely comfortable. Once you remove the clips, it can be used as a OWB holster.

 

[Outlaw Man]

Thanks for the replies. You've definitely given me more ideas to research.

I definitely understand the value of good leather. I have several different Galco holsters (IWB, pancake, paddle) for other guns I either no longer have or no longer carry.

I just don't want to overlook anything.