Some competitions require active retention. Dismissing active retention and/or "SERPA" holsters out of hand only addresses a limited scope of need.
I would say the blade tech basic kits would be a good starter system or just blade tech gear in general. There IDPA kit isn't bad money. You get a couple of belt loops, holster, mag carrier, and I think a practice barrel for around $75th.
I think serpa holsters have there place but maybe not for someone just starting out. Having to press a button near the trigger could lead to a ND.
So, the entire set of comments and criterion about "basic range holster for practice for first centerfire gun" was missed?
Lately I've been using Crossbreed's holsters, depending on options they're normally $50 - 70 each.
Nope.
You asked for thoughts. I gave you thoughts. If you don't like them, carry on.
Lately I've been using Crossbreed's holsters, depending on options they're normally $50 - 70 each.
But pigeonholing "first pistol & holster" into a certain philosophy / purpose in a short blog is going to be inherently troublesome with today's diverse population of shooting sports participants. America is in the middle of a Firearms Renaissance, thank God. The latest Pew polls show that we're growing in popularity and significantly outnumber the gun control crowd by about ten percent. But that's because there is such a wide variety of interests, tastes, purposes and percieved needs.
Myself I'd prefer a flap holster and single action revolver, but I'm a dinosaur.
I see it has either been some time since you have used a FOBUS holster or yours was mis-sized/ wrong style or you do not know how to adjust the retention.
I see it has either been some time since you have used a FOBUS holster or yours was mis-sized/ wrong style or you do not know how to adjust the retention.That surprises me greatly, because I see Fobus holsters all the time in classes and various competitions. I have yet to see a single one that covered the trigger guard like it was supposed to, and I see people fighting to get the gun out of the holster at competitions quite frequently. I find it unlikely that every single one of them couldn't figure out how to adjust the tension, or bought one for the wrong gun.
My Fobus is solid, reliable, covers the trigger guard completely and the tension is adjustable.
Also, for first timers not getting into competition, a cheap Bulldog holster works fine for range and practice.Hm. I'm not familiar with those, and upon searching I can only find the Amazon page for "bulldog holsters" which includes a couple of belt slides in leather, and a number of nylon generic holsters which I would strongly NOT suggest to anyone.
After becoming familiar with their weapon, gaining confidence and meeting more experienced shooters and having the opportunity hopefully to meet other shooters and see what they have, they can spend the bucks for a better holster with confidence they won't be wasting their money.Completely agree.
I will admit I picked up a fobus with my first pistol. It was a SR9. The gun fit pretty well but was not smooth on the draw. I think some of this had to do with the paddle. It did not lock on the belt tightly and allowed the belt to twist a lot. I ended up moving to a pan cake kydex holster that I made on my own.Lots of people get a Fobus for their first holster, because they are cheap, most gun stores stock them, and they look (while in the package) just as good as any other holster.
On another note. I haven't had time to make my dad a holster for his 21. We shot IDPA a couple weeks ago. And he really struggled with the cheap bulldog that he picked up at Basspro the night before. I still haven't made it even though it's sitting in my safe right now.....
Working at Cabela's I get lots of people asking about holsters as well, I personally try to explain the differences in them and their intended use and that over time they will get more holsters because they are not all good for every use. I recommend the Sportster model for beginners, and occasionally the Blade-Tech if we have one in stock for a gun that we do not have a Blackhawk for. I will even use a Sportster for Concealed Carry, being a big overweight guy that can hide just about anything under baggy clothing and the stand away from the body slightly way the sportster rides (and it holds my gun tight, but not so much it becomes a issue drawing) it is very comfortable.
I also in general agree on the Nylon holster but have worked with customers that just needed a holster to protect the gun and keep things from getting into the trigger area while in a drawer or other storage space where they are keeping it for emergency use.
While I agree entirely these are not appropriate for the use your article is talking about the $15 holster has a place in the market just like the $150 gun. While these are not the optimal choices they are better than throwing stones if you need to defend yourself and can not afford or acquirer better.
....which is why I don't run a gun store. I'd be trying to talk people new to guns out of 50 cal Desert Eagles and and Kimber Eclipses in favor of Glocks and M&Ps while telling them to go online to get a decent kydex holster instead of the nylon thing we have in the shop. We'd never make any money! :)
(Galco makes a Matrix holster for a Hi-Point for $30. Who knew?)
And the Galco holster for the High-Point is actually better than the gun in my opinion..+1
I bought a Fobus once...it was horrible. I needed a holster on short notice and it was all I could find at the time that would fit my gun. You could mock up something out of tin foil and it would almost be sturdier.There's always this video:
Lots of great choices out there. Truly, we are living in the golden age of holsters.Golden age? :)
Lots of people get a Fobus for their first holster, because they are cheap, most gun stores stock them, and they look (while in the package) just as good as any other holster.Its a fun hobby. But it's a bit spends to get into if you don't have the tools. A simple press will cost around 50 bucks to make. The most expensive item to buy would be a belt sander.
It isn't like most gun stores let us try the gun in the holster, so people can't actually see what the retention, or the belt stability, or the trigger guard cover is like. (And most people, while wearing the holster, can't see what the trigger guard cover is like so they don't ever notice unless someone points out that their holster isn't going to be legal at a USPSA match.)
Nylon sack holsters are normally pretty scary for ROs, SOs, and instructors of classes.
I keep thinking of trying my hand with some kydex just for fun---then I realize that I don't have enough time for all the hobbies I currently have. :) Pretty cool that you roll your own!
There's always this video:Link doesn't work. You have to watch it on YouTube. Look for "Why you don't use a kydex paddle holster".
Link doesn't work. You have to watch it on YouTube. Look for "Why you don't use a kydex paddle holster".
In the picture below, I have circled the tension adjustment screw on the FOBUS. In that picture, the reason the Shield is not going all the way into the holster is that the tension has been adjusted so tight the trigger guard cannot be forced all the way into the holster. It is also possible that is the wrong holster. Never the less, that is the adjustment screw.
I remember attending a class on movements and fellow participants had magazines and even handguns falling on the ground from the pouches and holster. Not certain what brands of equipment involved there.
When I get my G34 I will be acquiring a new holster for it. I'm kinda liking the Blade-Tech stuff I've seen. It will be used for USPSA only so no extraordinary retention level will be required.
Also jth - your original post was not about competition, it was about gaining experience and practice at the range.We obviously think very differently about fundamental firearms skills. I consider having a competent (and safe) draw and reload as important fundamental skills.
I would defer to your extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to competitive ventures, but really, for range and practice you don't need all that fancy gear.
You don't need mag holsters. You don't even need passive retention.
Just someplace to stick it.
Are there a lot of accidental discharges because a molded plastic holster didn't cover the back 1/4" of the guard? I thought the main thing would be that it covered the trigger itself.Having seen someone get a tree branch stuck in front of their trigger while they were walking through brush, and have it start to cock the hammer of a snub-nose revolver in a holster like that makes me see no reason to spend money on it.
Looking at the pictures you posted, the worst "offender" is the LCP one (although that's a Kel-Tec P-3AT in there.)
My LCP fits the same way, but you'd be really, really hard pressed to get anything somehow down in there and hooked over the trigger. I'd have to work at it for a while to to get a loop of paracord in there and hooked around the trigger. If I wore the LCP Fobus holster, and a pullover with a paracord tie at the bottom, I reckon I'd have to wear that combo every day for a few hundred years before the cord ever got itself somehow worked down in there.Opinions may vary, mostly certainly. But if any part of the trigger guard isn't covered, then something can get in there. If something can get in there, then there is a potential for an accident.
I'd think that an LCP or Smith 642 in a pocket holster and tight jeans pockets would be at much higher risk to somehow have something accidentally get in front of the trigger, then pressing on it when you sit down. And everyone tells me that risk is infinitesimally small and nothing to worry about.