Why REHOLSTER a CCW?

[Cosmoline]

A reference to reholster ease in another thread got me thinking. I guess I've just never paid any attention to whether or not I can reholster my piece in a CCW rig. I figure if it's coming out in the wide world, it won't be going back in my holster. If something bad happens and the cops come, I assume I will be setting it in plain sight and holding my hands high so's I don't get shot.

Am I missing something? Why would ease of reholstering ever be a factor in a ccw rig?

 

[c_yeager]

I agree that the ability to reholster has almost no bearing at all on the real world. However, it does make for easier training (you need to put it back in to practice drawing/firing) and ultimately that easier training would pay off with more repititions and thus improved performance for that real-world situation.

 

[pax]

Cosmo ~

A regularly-carried CCW piece has to be holstered at least once a day, often more. Though you can sometimes fudge this simply by leaving the gun in the holster as the holster is placed upon and then removed from the belt, you're still going to be stuffing that loaded gun into your holster rather often.

A difficult reholster is very often a dangerous reholster. If the mouth of the holster is floppy, for example, the usual (bad) solution is to hold the mouth open with one hand while holstering with the other hand. This process usually results in the muzzle of the loaded gun pointing directly at your own hand. Bad juju, that ... especially when you factor in that floppy holster mouths can get caught in trigger guards as the gun is shoved into place.

With other holster types, the more contorted you have to move your body in order to reholster, the greater the chance that you will a) point the gun at some important body part during the process, or b) fumble the gun. On a really bad day, you'll do both. On a really, really bad day, you'll do both and then clutch at the gun as it is dropped, depressing the trigger at an Awkward Moment.

Easy reholsters are generally safer reholsters. For that reason if for no other, it's important to take reholstering capability into account when choosing a carry rig.

My opinions only. I could be wrong.

pax

 

[Cosmoline]

With all the floppy IWB's, though, I simply holster it *THEN* clip it on. I've never attempted to clip it on then holster the handgon. What's the danger in that?

 

[Vex]

I disagree that there is no use in reholstering a weapon. What if you need to do something with two hands? You can't just put the weapon down. When it comes out, it needs to be in your hand and under your control, or back in the holster, secured and under your control. You can't just stuff it into your waistband like a gangsta, it need to be secured so that if you have to do any strenous activity, it can be done without your weapon falling out of it's holster.

I always stress that if you are involved in a shooting, when the cops arrive you do not want to be the only person holding a gun. You will immediately be considered a suspect, and armed and dangerous. So what do you do with your gun? Put it on the ground? Well, someone else could grab it and use it. Unload it first? What good will that do if the person you just shot has friends who are waiting for you to be defenseless. Put it back where you found it: in your holster, in your control, and in a non-threatening place. When the cops arrive, do everything they say when they say it, as slow or fast as they want it done. They will secure you and remove your weapon.

 

[Cosmoline]

Well if there are still active hostiles, you won't be reholstering at all. And if there aren't you want the iron in plain sight I would think. That's what I've been taught anyway. Put it on the hood of a truck and step well away from it. If that's not a secure location retreat to a secure location and set it down.

 

[Chris Rhines]

Better to keep it on your person. You're not giving anything up by using a rigid holster, and you're gaining a lot (above and beyond the ability to reholster one-handed.)

- Chris

 

[mete]

NEVER have a gun in your hand when the cops arrive !!

 

[MCgunner]

I've drawn my weapon before, BG ran off, no shots fired, no cops called, put it away and went on with my vacation as if nothing happened, once the adrenalin subsided.

NEVER EVER carry a Glock in a floppy holster.

In Texas, it's illegal to carry in a post office, sporting event, place whose income 51% from sales of alcohol, amusement park, a business with the proper sign up, etc. You might just wanna stash the gun under the seat of your car. I ignore the deal, myself. If it's concealed, nobody will know. At events, though, I put it away. Some events will have metal detectors at the gate now days post 9-11.

And, no, never be holding a weapon when the cops arrive...

Anyway, for safe carry especially IWB, I consider a quality holster essential. I won't by those spring clipped floppy things, junk. Call me a holster snob, I guess, but a good rig like a Sparks Summer Special isn't, but about fifty bucks. I have one rig, a Rosen, that set me back $140, but I've used it a LOT. It's very comfy and ultra high quality. Pocket carry with other than a Glock, a true DA, you can get away with cheap. It just has to hide the print and keep the gun in place. But, IWB, I want quality. I think the best bang for the buck in IWBs is the Sparks Summer Special, of the ones I've tried. It's very high quality and affordable and is a comfortable way to carry a service sized gun securely.

 

[Clipper]

Set it on the hood!! Are you serious?

...If I have to use my CCW, I presume either my assailant(s) or I will be Hors-de-combat, rather permanently...If it's me, it's not an issue, but if it's the BG, I'm reholstering and will let the cavalry remove it later. Call me materialistic and heartless, but I paid way too much money for that truck to go scratching it up with my gun...Or to let my gun out of my immediate control.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I ignore the deal, myself. If it's concealed, nobody will know

And neither should we.

I'm with Pax on this one. (notice I didn't use the +1: )

 

[Bix]

How do you train with a CCW rig/gun that you can't reholster?

 

[rbernie]

When open carry is not an option, concealed carry is necessary. For most folks that CCW in warmer weather with lighter weight clothing, an IWB holster is more unobtrusive than a pancake or other OWB style. Many of the 'mo' stealthy' IWB holsters are not easily donned and doffed, since their belt loops are widely spread (no single belt clip) to reduce the printing of the holster. These holsters (e.g. the Milt Sparks Watch6 or VM2) pretty much require that you remove your belt to remove the holster. And, as has been pointed out by others, chances are that most folks will traverse a 'no-carry' area during the course of their daily travels.

So - if you CCW in a IWB holster in most urban/suburban areas, chances are that you'll be unholstering and reholsterings during the day.

 

[Essex County]

I'll have to go wuth Cosmoline on this one............Essex

 

[icecorps]

not a threat

What if you draw, and it turns out not to be a threat? I'd hate to shoot myself in the hand trying to reholster after being scared by a raccoon.

 

[dairycreek]

How do you train with a CCW rig/gun that you can't reholster?

This is an important point Part of my practice drill regimen for CCW is to find the gun, draw if from the holster, and then bring it into play. Just what you would have to do should you need to unholster your gun in a hurry. As part of the drill reholstering is necessary. So, I need a holster that allows for easy reholstering. Doesn't everybody practice the draw?

 

[RyanM]

The vast majority of self defense incidents with a firearm involve zero shots fired. You start to draw, and by the time you've found the sights, the BG is facing away from you and about 7 yards away (reverse Tueller drill!). At that point, you can't stand around with a gun in your hand while you wait for the police.

 

[Cosmoline]

You're not giving anything up by using a rigid holster

A rigid IWB is extremely uncomfortable and bulkier than a soft IWB.

I'd hate to shoot myself in the hand trying to reholster after being scared by a raccoon.

Remove clip, holster firearm, insert holstered firearm under belt.

NEVER EVER carry a Glock in a floppy holster

Why? I've carried DA revolvers in floppy IWB's for years.

In Texas, it's illegal to carry in a post office, sporting event

That's a good point, but again why not just unclip the whole holster and set it aside? That way you never actually flash iron.

At that point, you can't stand around with a gun in your hand while you wait for the police.

Which is why I said you should set it down in plain view. You want your arms up AND you want the cops to see the firearm on the ground or truck or table. If you're worried about scratching a truck after killing someone, you need help!

 

[MCgunner]

Quote:
You're not giving anything up by using a rigid holster


A rigid IWB is extremely uncomfortable and bulkier than a soft IWB.

A quality rigid holster is more comfortable than a soft one, especially if your gun has lots of gadgets poking you through the material. Try a Rosen sometime.

Quote:
I'd hate to shoot myself in the hand trying to reholster after being scared by a raccoon.


Remove clip, holster firearm, insert holstered firearm under belt.

I don't carry cheap spring clip holsters. I've had 'em and had 'em come out with the gun on the draw. Now THAT would be more than embarrassing, wouldn't it?

Quote:
NEVER EVER carry a Glock in a floppy holster


Why? I've carried DA revolvers in floppy IWB's for years.

Because it takes all of 4 lbs (a little less and it'd qualify as a "hair trigger" to me) to set off a Glock into your gluteus. The revolver takes 12 or so typically and the cylinder in a holster will resist its turning, anyway. Even Glock types concede the necessity for a good, stiff holster that entirely covers the trigger. They've argued with me on this site that Kydex is best and I can see that, but I like good leather.

Quote:
In Texas, it's illegal to carry in a post office, sporting event


That's a good point, but again why not just unclip the whole holster and set it aside? That way you never actually flash iron.

Again, I don't carry in cheap spring clip holsters.

Quote:
At that point, you can't stand around with a gun in your hand while you wait for the police.


Which is why I said you should set it down in plain view. You want your arms up AND you want the cops to see the firearm on the ground or truck or table. If you're worried about scratching a truck after killing someone, you need help!

I'd rather reholster and have it on me. I want control of my firearm at all times until I turn it over to the responding officers. Seems like plain common sense to me.


__________________
She's fast and she's sleek, she's the northbound. She's the engineer's love and his pride. Through canyons and mountains a snowbound, it's the great Alaska Rat Rod I ride.

 

[Cosmoline]

You'd rather have the firearm on you after a defensive shooting?? I don't get that at all. I would want to minimize any possibility of the LEO misunderstanding me. If I say "I have a pistol" I would hope he'd understand it's not a threat, but then again if there's a dead man I might just end up joining him. I want the LEO to see the iron right there and I want to be able to say in a loud voice with my hands up "I AM UNARMED!"

A quality rigid holster is more comfortable than a soft one, especially if your gun has lots of gadgets poking you through the material. Try a Rosen sometime.

My experience with rigid IWB's has been with hard leather ones, which were very uncomfortable and which printed badly. Maybe the high end ones are better.

 

[Clipper]

It may come as a surprise to you, Cosmo...

...But I am indeed more worried about my truck than a dead perp...The ******* just forced me to shoot him! Obviously I am not one of your over-sensitive types who agonizes over having nightmares and such. The only thing I'm gonna be concerned about is making damn sure I have a righteous reason to use my gun in the first place...If I have, it's because the perp was doing something so heinous I had no other choice than to shoot, and I'm not gonna lose a split-second of sleep over it. People who do agonize over the use and aftermath probably have no business carrying, as they're the ones most likely to freeze up and get their gun fed to 'em...

 

[copaup]

I've got a Sparks Summer Special II for a 1911 that you don't even feel unless your pants are too tight. Truthfully, I prefer a belt holster over IWB, but that is mainly because a full size gun IWB always seems to ride ride under my right rear pocket and makes getting my wallet in and out somewhat difficult. I wear my belt holsters a bit further forward. I wear my IWB at about 4:00, just behind the hip.

I wouldn't dream of using a rig that collapses and makes holstering difficult. I've drawn my gun plenty of times and havn't had to fire it yet. I have had to shove it back into a hoster to do things like run, fight, and handcuff people. Granted, nonLEOs won't have to worry about handcuffing, but fighting and running are still possible.

As far as those floppy clip on IWBs go, its your gun and your choice, but I'd avoid em like the plague. Retention is weak. I had one when I first started out and saw my pistol go flying through space during a brief period of physical exertion. Not good. I did have a leather IWB clip on that was OK, but havn't seen many of those lately.

As an aside, as a police officer I would greatly prefer that you place the weapon on the ground (preferably action open) before we get there, if it is safe to do so. Remember that a good percentage of a metropolitan police department is made up of rookies, some of which are rather twitchy. There is a dead guy on the ground, and you are standing over him with a gun. Officer New Guy sees that and there may be a tradgedy for all involved. If its not safe to put it down, please at least holster and have your hands and weapon visible and far away from each other. Follow all instructions given, until we get everyone secure and get the story you are a suspect in a shooting. Even if you are off duty LEO (or on duty for that matter, but at least in uniform everyone knows who you are).

Reholstering is easy. Reholstering after lead has been thrown around or during a fight is REALLY hard.

For a quick on off holster I recomend the one way snaps on belt loops. A lot of makers have them now, and they generally seem to be more secure and stable than paddles and spring clips tend to stretch and become more likely to come out of the pants with the gun as they wear.

 

[Cosmoline]

People who do agonize over the use and aftermath probably have no business carrying, as they're the ones most likely to freeze up and get their gun fed to 'em...

I think you've been watching way too much TV. People who don't end up agonizing over blasting a man's life out of him have no business carrying. I know several people who've had to do it, and it hit them hard.

I've been looking around at some of the custom rigs. They're impressive, but most seem geared for very high belt carry. For some of the 1911 rigs, only the barrel is inside the band. The rest of the holster is above it. I couldn't conceal that. I also dislike the belt-based IWB's because I rarely wear a belt and also because I change pants multiple times a day. In the summer I swap from overalls to shorts to suit back to shorts back to something else. In the winter things get even more complex. So it's nice to have a clip-on. I've never had a problem drawing from an Uncle Mike's sidekick. And if I want to take the whole holster out I just grab the clip.

 

[SAWBONES]

For a dedicated CCW holster (a holster intended ONLY for CCW, not for training or range use), ease of access is paramount. You MUST be able to reach the gun and get it out of the holster fairly quickly.
As for putting the gun back into the holster in a self-protective situation, you'll do that only at such time as the threat is gone, and that WON'T be an emergency.

If you need to simply get the gun "out of sight" quickly, you can place it in your pants belt at the waistline and cover it with whatever covered it before you drew your sidearm in the first place, all without having to look down at the gun at all.
It doesn't HAVE to go instantly back in the holster.

Repeated discussions appear on gun-related BBs about this, with respect to whether a leather holster should have a reinforcing band at the mouth or not. It's up to the individual, but it's not anywhere near as important an issue as access. It matters not a bit to me one way or the other, and I have dozens of holsters both with and without reinforced mouths. ALL of them work for CCW.


OTOH, if you're going to own but one holster to use for everything, then get a good one with a "stays-open" mouth.

 

[Rob1035]

cosmo-
you've already broken tradition going with a plastic fantastic, I strongly suggest trying out the same for a holster. In my experience (which is limited to civilian concealed carry), a properly fitting kydex IWB is no less comfortable than a leather/soft holster, and in some cases (like my CTAC), more comfortable....