OWB - Snaps, Clips, Loops or.........

From what I have seen of OWB holsters, loops with the belt ran through it seems to hold a holster the best and keep it tight against the body, but is a pain if you have to take it on or off during the day.

Is there anything that will hold the holster tight against the body as the loops do, but will allow for easier removal?

 

I suspect a snap on/snap off holster, such as the Alessi CQC-S ( http://www.alessigunholsters.com/cqc-s-1/ ) or Sparks Axiom ( http://www.miltsparks.com/products-axiom.php ), holds the gun nearly as close to the body as a pancake.

However, as a righty, I could probably get a pancake off my belt just as fast and probably easier than unsnapping and removing a snap on/snap off holster. I'd probably not choose a snap on/snap off holster based on the easy on/easy off benefit, but rather the overall function of the holster, stability, ride height, cant, comfort, construction, etc.

If I were a lefty, and threaded my belt like most men do, I'd see an advantage to the snap holster and in that instance I'd probably put more emphasis on the snap on/snap off feature.

 

For OWB, it is hard to beat the comfort and convenience of a paddle.

 

So, snaps will do almost as good as loops?

 

I have no first hand experience with them, but I think they would. The Alessi CQC-S (and Ritchie CQ-QR), Sparks Axiom, Rosen Premier, etc., are all quite popular holsters and I can't think of any review where the reviewer commented the design was significantly worse for concealment than a similar design with loops.

Conversely, I've not seen many claim a paddle holster as a good concealment option (Kramer's MSP as the lone exception).

One of the key features of a good concealment holster is a trailing loop (or snap attachment) that pulls the grip of the gun close to the body. I can't think of a paddle holster with that feature, but nearly all of the snap attachment holsters have that feature.

In the loops vs snap attachment holsters, as a for instance, using Lobo Gun Leather as an example maker, taking it to somewhat of an extreme, would be the Lobo Combat Classic ( http://www.lobogunleathers.com/lobo_combat_classic ), which is a loop holster and their 1-SL Pancake, Snap-Loop ( http://www.lobogunleathers.com/1-sl_pancake_snap-loop ) which is a snap attachment holster.

The Combat Classic, while having a loop, doesn't have a trailing loop to pull the grip of the gun towards the body. The holster could be concealed, but the focus of the holster is probably more geared toward range/training/competition use. The 1-SL Pancake Snap-Loop, while a snap on holster, does have the trailing loop that will pull the grip to the body. This holster is better designed for concealment than the Combat Classic even though the Combat Classic is a loop holster.

However, if you were to call Lobo, I suspect they'd still recommend their Enhanced Pancake ( http://www.lobogunleathers.com/enhanced_pancake_model ) as their most concealable OWB holster. It's just degrees of concealment.

 

I'll add that some snap attachment holsters ride a little lower than their looped counterpart, such as the Alessi CQC (the looped version) vs the CQC-S (the snap version). It's just a small amount, but it also could affect concealment.

 

I just bought a Safariland paddle for my Glock 19. I wanted one a little more concealable than the universal one I got from them that fits both my Glock and my FNS. I love that one, too.

I think a lot of it has to do with the severity of the bend of the paddle. The SL has a very acute bend. It literally hugs my hip. Very comfortable, very positive. It keeps it as high and tight as you can expect with a gun sporting a 15 round grip frame.

 

I have a CQC-S for a 4.25" 1911 and a UBG Regulator for a Sig 229. Both are snap type holsters, and they conceal fine. They hold the gun as close or closer to the body than any of my OWB Kydex or Hybrid holsters. (Mech-Tech, Blackpoint, or Blade-tech)

Pretty easy on and easy off too. I'm a fan.