Holster Question

[Treo]

I have been in the market for a holster for a while and I haven’t really found one that suits me and meets all the criteria I’ve been told are “critical” for a CCW holster. (It occurs to me that if all theses factors really were “critical “ somebody would have made the holster by now). Anyway I want an IWB w/ a thumb break that I can get out of my pants W/out having to unfasten my belt (like say I go the doctor’s office or some other place where I’m just not going to be able to conceal a gun) the only thing lacking is “re-holsterablity (Is that even a word?) Every article about CC holsters I’ve read says that you must have a holster that you can easily re-holster your weapon in, and that’s what I’m kinda wondering about. Just how critical is “re-holster ability” (I swear those articles actually use that word)? It seems to me that as an armed citizen if I’m ever required to draw my weapon re-holstering it is going to be the last issue on my mind. It seems to me that, that would be more an issue for cops or maybe security guards than private citizens.
So that’s my question “How critical a feature is “re-holster ability” in a CCW holster?”
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Billy_H]

I think it's pretty important on any holster. I want to be able to draw and present quickly, but I also want to be able to re-holster quickly should I need use of both hands after the pistol has been drawn.

I don't want to have to fumble with a holster that has collapsed inside my waist band or have to turn my body and use both hands to re-holster.

 

[MrCleanOK]

Just out of curiosity, why do you want the thumb break? I can recommend a holster that will do everything you want (including "reholsterability"), excluding the thumb break.

 

[Treo]

See, that's my question I can't think of a situation where I'd draw ( I guess the proper term is "present" ) and then immediately need both hands I have NO INTENTION of trying to cuff some BG & my own personal ROE are that I don't touch my gun unless I am convinced that somebody is going to die if I don't . I'm willing to learn can you give me a for instance? better yet do you know of any company that sells an IWB W/ a thumbreak and Reholster ability?

 

[Treo]

Why The Thumb Break

My carry weapon is a CZ75B W/ a manual safety & I want the thumb break because I'm not comfortable walking around condition 1 W/out that strapp between the hammer & the firing pin I am aware of all the evidence about how safe it actually is , it's just a personal phobia.

 

[MrCleanOK]

Some reasons for re-holstering off the top of my head-

Training. A good draw is developed by practice and muscle memory. I think that having the motions required to holster the weapon be the exact opposite of the motions required to draw the weapon is beneficial. Being able to draw and reholster over and over again will ingrain the actions into your brain much better than being able to draw and fumble around with your holster because it collapsed.

The second biggie is that with a holster that doesn't collapse you can reholster the gun very quickly, and without even looking. In a defensive situation, this lets you keep your eyes up and watching your surroundings. As a hypothetical, let's say I've shot a bad guy and he definitely down, not getting back up. I don't want to be the mystery guy holding a gun when the police show up, so my options are to holster the gun or set it down. Putting the gun down somewhere places it out of my control, so reholstering is the better option. Given the circumstances, I still want to be alert and watching my surroundings, so I would like to be able to holster my weapon quickly and without looking as opposed to having to fumble with a collapsed holster with both hands while carefully focusing on what my hands are trying to do.

Those are just a couple of arguments I came up with for wanting a holster that won't collapse. But they're just my $0.02, so take them for what they're worth.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Forgetting the tactical disadvantages for a moment, a soft holster that collapses is just plain inconvenient, a nuisance. For instance, when driving I find a belt holster behind the hip uncomfortable to sit on and difficult to access in case of a carjacking, so I like to move it to the center console and reholster when I exit the vehicle. Pushing, prodding, poking and twisting the gun back into the holster is a pain in the rear - sometimes literally, if you're not careful.

 

[Dustinthewind]

I use a Bianchi IWB clip on but it does not have a thumb break. It is a sad fact of life that there are times that you will have to go into someplace where your weapon is not welcome. Trying to reholster in a public place while being discreet with a sub standard holster is a real PITA! When I find myself in these situations I remove the gun and the holster as one. BTW I rarely wear a belt and I carry every day. Holsters with thumb break will add time to your draw which you don't want and will make it harder to re-holster your weapon.

 

[TimM]

Maybe one of these will work for you.

http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=6D

http://www.concealco.com/iwb_short.html

http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum2769.php

 

[Mandirigma]

MacdanielII may be what you're looking for

 

[Treo]

I ended up W/ an Uncle Mikes Kydex IWB the thumb break is a phobia of mine but I can get over it.

 

[Dustinthewind]

treo,

Here is what I use

 

[Elmer Fudd]

I spend a lot of time on the Carry Forum at Glocktalk and have never heard someone categorize a thumb break as critical for an IWB holster. For a uniformed police duty holster or possibly OWB open carry, retention is critical. For concealed carry IWB, no. I carry my Glock 19 IWB in a Comp-Tac C-TAC with velcro clips. The velcro clips mate to the velcro on the back of my Beltman belt. Rock solid, but you could remove it if you wanted without taking off the belt, although it would be a little awkward.

I don't think you are going to find many IWB holsters with retention. The C-TAC allows you to tuck the shirt over it. It is a kydex holster, so it is rigid and reholstering is fairly easy, depending on how low you have it set in your waistband (it is adjustable as to cant and height). I have been very happy with this rig. It conceals on me very well and I forget I am wearing it most of the time.

If you have a problem with carrying your weapon cocked and locked without a retention strap then I would get another weapon, perhaps a hammerless striker-fired weapon like a Glock.