How many holsters did you try (buy) for CC before you "got it right"?

[MCMXI]

I imagine that many here have boxes full of holsters that simply didn't feel right. So what was your holster or handgun evolution like? How many iterations before you got it right? I'll be getting my CHCL any day now and doubt that I'll get it right first time. I'm confident that my handgun choice won't change i.e. SIG P239, SIG P220 and/or 1911 Commander, but I don't have the same optimism for my holster choice. I figure I'll start out with a SuperTuck Deluxe but doubt that I'll end there.

 

[dmazur]

I tried various IWB and "clip on" OWB designs before I settled on a Galco Quick Slide for a 1911 Commander.

It's kind of minimalist, but it works for me.

 

[TheReiver]

I'm barely past a year of carrying and I've already tried three different types. The first was a vertical shoulder rig, which got relegated to closet duty within a few weeks. I then bought a Blackhawk Serpa CQC off of a pal. I LOVE that holster but it simply hangs out too far for good concealment. I currently use a Vega iwb. The iwb mode of carry is working beautifully thusfar. I'm currently considering a Galco Royal Guard and Milt Sparks Summer Special.

Cheers.

 

[coalman]

Many. Maybe 20+ of all kinds for different firearms. Now, the Crossbreed STD and the Galco Stow-N-Go meet most of my CCW IWB needs. I do have a Ramora for my 1911 as well.

 

[RhinoDefense]

I tried a Sidearmor IWB. Didn't like it. Tried an Aker Flatsider. Loved it. Now that's what I carry everything in. Thankfully for me it didn't take a drawer full of holsters.

 

[wrs840]

I have the proverbial bucket-full of holsters.

Crossbreed Supertuck is the holster I settled on for IWB carry. I own one Horsehide and two Cowhide and like them, preferring the Cowhide because it's softer against bare skin.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

You don't have to waste a ton of money on holsters; the key is doing extensive research and trying a few on before buying. A couple of stores even let me put on the holster with one of their guns in it (unloaded, of course.) Helps if you go when they're not busy. I did that and have purchased exactly one holster for my CCW, and I'm quite happy with it.

 

[bigfatdave]

One.

CrossBreed SuperTuck.

The BELT, however, took two tries, the CB belt wasn't ever quite right, the BeltMan belt, however, is just right.

 

[mljdeckard]

I ended with the Supertuck. You know, it's not entirely a bad thing to have more than one option to carry with.

I mostly regretted buying the cheap versions of the holsters I really wanted to get. There is a reason the Uncle Mike's shoulder rig is $30.

 

[Dnaltrop]

I bought a Ted Blocker #12 IWB for the M&P, and the gun vanished into my frame.

Just picked up their Lifeline vertical shoulder rig for the Blackhawk, and it's even more comfortable... http://www.tedblockerholsters.com/product.cfm?pi=5D385CF5-C828-8D11-4C77899B850DD2F9

Plus it acts partially as a set of suspenders, Great for those of us with no hips or keester to hold our pants up.

Even better, I've regained 2 more belt buckle notches and the wife mildly despises me now

The missus may be getting the basic one for herself, the horizontal one vanishes under her bosom without poking her.

I've lucked out and not had a bad holster yet.

 

[Deus Machina]

One.

I got a Fist Inc. adjustable, and got lucky that it actually did work out well.

Just took me a few tries to get the adjustments right.

 

[pv18463]

Started with a Galco, but after a lot of research I settled on the Comp-Tac Minotaur MTAC. I love it and most of the time forget I'm even carrying.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Several then I ordered another Versamax. I experimented a bit and found none worked as well as the versamax for me so I just ordered another one.

 

[JTQ]

I'll probably never "get it right" since even if I have a great holster, I'll no doubt see something else that looks like it will be better than what I have right now.

One holster that I think would help figure out what you like is the Raven Concealment Phantom.

http://www.ravenconcealment.com/

It is such a versatile holster, allowing you to adjust the ride height and cant simply by moving the attachments, and wearing it IWB or OWB just by using different attachments, it has saved me a bunch of money on holster buys. It isn't my favorite holster, but it has definitely helped me understand what works for me and what doesn't.

 

[frankmako]

for many mango seasons i have carry daily for the job. that is the reason i belong to the "hoster of the month club". i got a foot locker of holsters going back to 1973. some are new, some are not. just about every brand and style make.

 

[hardluk1]

I tried 3 holsters before settling on a comp-tac holster. First was a crossbreed.

 

[Spdracr39]

I have 1 IWB for 45 and 9mm, 1 IWB for 380, 1 pocket holster for 380, and 1 Belly Band for any carry. I use the bellyband and the pocket holster depending on my clothing choice and the IWB's live in the nightstand.

 

[AK103K]

I'll probably never "get it right" since even if I have a great holster, I'll no doubt see something else that looks like it will be better than what I have right now.

I think this pretty much sums things up in the real world.

Holster design and options have progressed, and continue to progress at an amazing rate, and what was available and "the best" just a few years ago, has since been outdone ten fold today.

If youre serious about carrying, its going to take some hands on work to know whats really going to work the best for you. Thats really the only way to know. This is usually where "the box" comes in. Things that look good in theory, often tend to not work out as well in actual use, and the box begins to fill.

All that goes on with just one type of holster too, so for each different type gun, and use, and placement of carry, the number of holsters just multiplies exponentially, and the box gets bigger, and your wallet thinner.

The plus side to all of this is, you usually end up finding things that work best for you, allowing you to focus on one or two models for each type of carry, and you settle in. Well, at least until the next round of the latest and greatest shows up.

One saving grace I found a number of years back, was EBay. I found it was a great place to get rid of my "boxes" and recoup some of that money. I also found it was a good place to buy lightly used brand name holsters at reasonable prices if I saw something that looked promising.

 

[scaatylobo]

Every conceivable place.

I have worn a CCW in too many places to name.

And I have bought every holster to wear that gun.

I still own holsters for guns that are long gone.

They sell for very little no matter what you paid for them.

Where you wear a CCW is as personal as what you carry,and you can easily see the variations of possible handgun size and grip shape.

Holsters come in as many configurations.

Best of luck trying to find what fits you best.

I wont bother telling you what works for me,it is my body size and shape and comfort level that is what decides for me.

 

[Plan2Live]

This is a pet peeve of mine. I firmly believe there is a better way of marketing holsters, which I have articulated here in the past and got into a huge disagreement with one of the Moderators that was getting close to personal. Since I am currently lacking the funds to open a holster store and prove him wrong, we’ll have to agree to disagree at the moment.

One of the previous posts suggests you “do extensive research” before buying. The problem with that theory is that virtually all of the holster makers offer limited information and visual representations to assist you with that research. They could and should show their holsters not only with the specific gun in the holster, but also being worn and not by just one model with a particularly flattering body type but shown on a variety of models, men and women, representing a variety of body types and they need to show those photos from various angles. In addition to still photos, videos would be nice. Digital memory is cheap, give us some useful visuals. Dimensions might be nice too.

Some here seem to think it is a badge of honor to have a box or drawer full of unused holsters. I find that idea ridiculous and avoidable IF the manufacturers were truly interested in the consumer experience. But, it probably behooves their bottom line for people to have a box full of unused holsters.

I got lucky. I did “extensive research” but found limited options in the local stores to see, touch and hold up against my body. One of those stores had a big sign prohibiting opening the package. Really? I’m supposed to look at something inside a plastic box and decide whether it will work or not? I found and bought a Galco Avenger Outside the Waistband holster for my XDm 3.8 Compact that I was allowed to hold against me (but not try on) and it works really well for me and my normal mode of dress. I would like to have tried the Galco Concealment holster with the forward cant but that model was not available in the local store. I would also like to try on a Crossbreed Super Tuck without having to buy one. Imagine a holster store where you could go in and try on various holsters and belts holding real world guns of the correct weight and........oops, better stop there. before we rekindle an old argument.

 

[M-Cameron]

2 for me.....

i wasnt sure whether i wanted an IWB or OWB holster....and before i spent a bunch of money on a holster, i decided to make one of each with the intention of buying a good quality holster of whatever design i like best....

so i made my First IWB holster......it came out alright, but i realized carrying IWB just wasnt for me....

so then i made my second holster, an OWB........and it actually came out pretty good......and after carrying with it for a while i realized that works really really well......and that i really didnt need to spend money on a factory holster since the one i made worked surprisingly well........

total cost of my holster was $8 + 3hrs..........its not the prettiest......but it works just as well as anything you can buy and is comfy to boot.

 

[ironhead7544]

I have used way too many holsters. Then I found Andrews Custom Leather. The IWB Im wearing right now I have been using since 1997. This holster will hide a G17 under a loose T-shirt or better yet a long polo shirt. Very comfortable after break in. Adjustable angle and metal lined top. Pistol will not fall out, very important.

 

[doc2rn]

8 then I found real leather, Milt Sparks and Galco!

 

[jbstratman]

You don't have to waste a ton of money on holsters; the key is doing extensive research and trying a few on before buying. A couple of stores even let me put on the holster with one of their guns in it (unloaded, of course.) Helps if you go when they're not busy. I did that and have purchased exactly one holster for my CCW, and I'm quite happy with it.

I agree.

I still use the original 4 holsters I bought for my M&P9c. Started IWB with the Minotaur, added a Desantis Cozy Partner that I now use between my belt and trousers, then I went OWB with a Galco open-top three-slot, and use (80% of the time now) a Gould and Goodrich three slot . . . . different holsters for different dress/vehicles/needs . . .

Vehicles? Yes, I need the Cozy Partner (appendix carry) when I drive my wifes car, I have no problem with accessibility when I am in my van using the others . . .

 

[JTQ]

The most important thing really is the belt. Get a real gun belt, especially since you list the Sig P220 and 1911's as your expected concealed carry choices. They are big, heavy pistols. You can get away with a crummy holster and good belt easier than a good holster and a crummy belt.