Soldier needs a holster for a Beretta 92. Need advice.

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GigaBuist

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I got word today that one of my buddies got back from the Sandbox today. Of course I went out to see him and hang out for a bit.

Long story made short he's a tanker. Typically he drives, sometimes he doesn't and mans the guns. Regardless he does carry a sidearm all the time -- The Beretta 92.

Problem is the issued holster doesn't agree with anybody over there it seems. They all buy their own. In the 9 months he's been over there he has gone through three Iraqi made holsters. Cheap crap that just falls apart.

Not acceptable. I told him I'd find him the best possible holster I could for that sidearm in that environment and get it in his hands before he ships off again. That'd pretty much mean I need it in my hands August 8.

Given the number of military men on this board I'm hoping somebody can tell me what's the best our country has to offer in this area. A good solid OWB holster for a Beretta 92 for a tanker.

So, I seek the advice of those on this board that no more about the matter than I do. Cost is not a factor at all. If a $200 holster is prefered then that's what it'll be. If a custom holster maker wants extra cash to get it out quick then so be it -- I want him to have the best gear possible.

FYI: His issued sidearm and mags are running great -- it's just a holster that he needs.

Thanks.
 
What's wrong with the M12 Holster he was issued? Take the dang flap off, and put the thumbsnap on and they are just fine. Or get the shoulder holster converter or the thigh ride converter for it. The NSN's are all in the system, just have the Armorer order them.;)
 
Please don't laugh . . .

Bagmaster

I have three currently, 2 for my 45s and one for a CZ-83. Each cost less than $20, and they work fine. They have an extra pocket for a spare magazine. I haven't done any indurance testing with them, but I have friends that have used them for years. I keep one of my 45s in my nightstand, in the holster, and in an emergency, and can grab the weapon AND a reload. That might be of interest to a soldier, sleeping in the barracks. If the SHTF s/he can grab their sidearm and a reload, instead of just the sidearm.

Which ever holster you decide, since the Bagmaster costs so little, buy him one and send it as well. let him try out a few.
 
I'm pretty happy with the bianchi Accumold that I use with my 92- holds the gun fairly well even with the strap unbuttoned, but then again I don't wear it everyday, only on game day at the range. Price is about $35
 
entropy

What's wrong with the M12 Holster he was issued? Take the dang flap off, and put the thumbsnap on and they are just fine.
Click to expand...
This is what I'm thinking. They are very robust and have the necessary clips for fitting on a web belt.
I thought all the tankers were using shoulder holsters, anyway?
 
If he doesn't like the issue holster, then by all means, get him something that will work. The Safariland 6004 looks like it would work pretty well. Try checking out www.lightfighter.com . Give them a call and see if they have one in stock. Tell them what it's for and see if they can ship it out post haste.
 
I have a buddy who's been a tanker in the guard forever. He always prefered the "tanker" style shoulder holster to a belt or thigh holster. The other holsters tend to get caught on things and can make it hard to get out of the tank in a hurry.

Does he have access to the military shoulder (tanker) holsters? I've heard conflicting reports as to whether they are still in the supply chain or not. My buddy's unit switched to the new leg holster for the M-9 4 or 5 years back when they transitioned from the 1911 to the M-9. They had to turn in all their shoulder holsters for the new holster and were told to wear it on the waist. Supposedly, it can be set up for shoulder use as well, but they didn't have the hardware to do that.

If he can't get one through the military, look into the tanker style shoulder holsters. I don't know the mil designation for these, but they date back to WWII. A little searching should turn up the info. Heck, I bet that's someone's actually updated the design for the M-9 even.
 
Please don't laugh . . .Bagmaster
Click to expand...

You certainly wouldn't get a laugh from me. I've sold a number of Bagmaster products to soldiers going over. Last week, a bunch of NCOs cleaned me out of my thigh rig stock. It works.
 
The M9 pistol will not fit into the M7 shoulder holster designed for the M1911A1 without severe "field modification" that will weaken it to the point of uselessness, I know; I tried it when the M9's were issued. The pilots didn't like the M12's, and the shoulder holster conversions were slow in getting to the field initially. Once they got them, they grudgingly accepted them. Definitely bulkier than an M7. Some just utilized one of the pockets on the mesh 'vest' , adding Velcro for added retention. I experimented with several different ways of carryingin these pockets, as well as utilizing the sew-on .38 holsters that came with said vests. They held the M9 when a Velcro thumbreak was added. Since I was not a pilot, but drove a deuce, (Supply and Armorer) I usually found carrying whichever type of pistol I ended up with (Many an officer decided that their pistol was 'dead' weight while on an FTX, so I would sometimes end up carrying several .45's, .38's, or after the M9 issue, 9mm's , until I could slip a trip back to my Arms Room in between chow runs or somesuch.) easiest in an improvised 550 cord holster. I made up a bunch of these, and just threw one on my BDU belt as needed. It is IWB; here is an example:

holster0001.jpg

Note: there should be one more knot in the middle. Here is the holster in place:
onbelt.jpg

Note the correct # and placement of knots.
 
Since he is a tanker, I would recommend a shoulder holster, something along the lines of Galco's Miami Classic. Thigh holsters are uncomfortable when you sit in them for long periods of time.

Also, if he is manning one of the machineguns, his torso will be out of the hatch, but his waist and below will be inside the turret. It can be difficult to extract your pistol through the hatch. Having everything you need outside is the way to go.
 
I served with 2nd Tank Bn during the 1st Gulf War. Most of the 1811's wore the "tanker" shoulder holsters. Waist and thigh carry both suck in a tank. Any good shoulder holster or one that can be attached to or worn over body armour should be fine.
 
Saw this last night looking through Shooter's Spring 2004 catalog. It's the military-style shoulder holster updated for the M92 (bottom of the page). Reasonable enough at $40 if it's good quality. Only one thing though - it has U.S.M.C. in big letters on the holster's side.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=115110

Maybe someone could figure something out on the lettering thing.

Barrett
 
If not a shoulder holster then why not a chest holster like the old tankers and pilots wore. The holster supended the handgun across you chest leaving your arms and legs completely free for movement in tight enviroments.
 
Thanks guys... I"m reading them all. I'll run the shoulder holster idea past him today.

The USMC lettering on that $40 rig from Sportman's Guide shouldn't be a problem. I'll just tell him to tell anybody who asks that he beat up a Marine and took his rig.

<ducks and runs>
 
I used to carry a Beretta 92 in a kydex Safariland holster with the rotating hood. I loved that holster, and they lasted forever. We used the drop-down holsters, which I wouldn't recommend in this case. I don't think this is the same holster, but it's similar:

Safariland Holster

6004slsm.gif
 
Tanker Holster

The Army used to issue a "tanker" holster for the 1911 that was very flexible... it could be used as a standard shoulder holster, or over the chests.

I expect this would work with the accursed Berretta as well. They are still made by an outfit that advertises in SGN... and priced under $50

If you think this is of intrest I can get the URL for them.

FWIW

Chuck
 
Pssst, cxm and KadecDeshi , I alreay covered that, the M7 does not fit the M9.;) The M9 pistol is too wide to fit in unless one slits one of the double stitches, which makes it weaker than those Iraqi holsters he's gone through. Aside from one of the $$$ Galco rigs, Bianchi (maker of the M12 holster, BTW) has the 4601 "Ranger Viper" Shoulder Holster that might just fill the bill for him. www.midwayusa.com stock no. is 557-834 , price $65.88 . Or the 4620 "Tuxedo" shoulder holster, a horizontal rig. Stock No. is 423-242 , at $88.19. OTO, the M12 is free, and works just fine, IMHO.;)
 
How about the company that created the original tanker holster?

eelpasosaddlery.com ; I think they call it the 1942 model now.

Great company, great quality, and they'll make one for just about any gun - I have one for a Colt New Frontier .22.

I'll bet if your buddy contacts them directly they'll put a "hurry up" on one for an active duty soldier.
 
Why not use issue M12/UM84?

Heck the system is modular:
The UM84/M12 series is made from a combination of tough, lightweight materials, including a non-absorbent, closed-cell poly-foam core with a laminated ballistic weave nylon outer surface for protection and water resistance. Add accessories for carrying under the arm or for tactical wear in the SAS style on the thigh.

http://www.botac.com/bim1unminyho.html


Chest rig: M13 Chest Harness allows you to wear the UM84/ M12 GI Issue holster in the across chest model prefered by aviation personel and for survival situations. This versatile, front carry harness carries the holster four ways:: vertical or angled, right or left hand carry.
http://www.botac.com/bim13umhochh.html
 
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