Kydex Self-Retention holster failure

[lawson]

i often carry my beloved S&W Chief's Special in a Kydex belt holster underneath a t shirt, feeling pretty secure with it there, and i could draw or holster it quickly and easily.

the other day, i was getting into my buddy's truck so we could go sight in our rifles for pig season. the grip of my gun must've caught the edge of the seat, and my beloved Chief's Special went tumbling into the dirt.

because of the lack of rain we've had, the lot was soft dust and there was no damage to my gun other than filling it with dust and needing a good cleaning.

i was surprised to see this happen so easily. i immediately went out and bought a leather holster with a thumb-break strap.

has anyone else experienced a kydex failure?

 

[ktd]

I do not think that is so much a kydex failure as it is an open top failure. I myself almost always use thumbsnap holsters for retention. Depends on what you are doing. Lounging around the house or working in a nice office, open top may be okay, but if you run, jump, or fall a lot (like me), then a strap is nice. I have gotten to the point in my life where I feel I am more likely to drop my sidearm than draw it. Some people are comfortable though with doing all that with their open tops. For example I feel reasonably okay with my Kramers, they mold so well I have to give a mighty rip to draw.

 

[lawson]

yeah, i don't normally use open top holsters, but this one (it was a Fobus) was supposed to lock the gun in place. i guess i should have trusted my instincts and used leather holsters with thumb snaps.

in my work and play activities, i often run, jump, climb, fall, as well as get in and out of various vehicles.

i resolved the issue with a Bianchi Black Widow holster. i like high-ride holsters for OWB carry, and the forward tilt makes it easier to draw from a sitting position.