One of the biggest problems concealed carry holders have to tackle is concealed carry holster selection.
Almost everyone has gone through many holsters and struggled about the selection and carry position. Many of us have boxes of holsters that we have tried and discarded because of safety or comfort. It is not an easy process and there is no one solution for everyone.
Concealed carry holster selection and carry position
Comfort and convenience-there is no perfect selection you are never going to be perfectly comfortable carrying a gun. You will always know you have it and you should for safety reasons. Carrying in the perfect position where you will always be able to get to your gun when seated in your car or in a booth at your favorite restaurant is a matter of practice. You will get comfortable with your carry position over time.
comfortable and small– carried in your pocket or on your ankle or even in a purse may not be the best method to be able to defend yourself and in a lot of cases, these methods are unsafe and slow. The gun may not be effective because of its size or caliber and it may take you too long to actually put the handgun into service. Off-body carry of a handgun can be one of the most dangerous ways to carry.
Carrying in a position that’s far from your neutral position
Optimal concealed carry holster selection puts your handgun in the best zone for presentation and that is your strong side- Right-handed right side of your body. Left-handed is left side of your body. From your Centerline or belt buckle back to 4 o’clock on either side is optimal. This allows for quick access from the neutral position which is hands in front of you just above your waist palms facing out like you are saying stop!! 3 o’clock strong side hip and appendix AIWB are the best locations for speed and safety. It is optimal for you to learn strong side belt holster first as it teaches the safety concepts of drawing from the holster. Once you have accomplished that you can advance to appendix carry and be able to safely deploy your firearm with practice.
Remember that we have a range locally that only allows strong side holster draw. Why you ask? Because it has been shown to be the safest method available. Remember also that only one in a hundred instructors are certified to teach draw from the holster. That is because of the safety aspect and that it is an advanced skill. Many of you have taken Hotel classes or gun show classes and you learned what to do by the internet. This is not always the best course of action.
Concealed carry holster selection Leather vs Nylon vs Kydex.
Leather tends to get worn out and loose and things sometimes get in the trigger area and that can cause the gun to go off unintentionally. There are leather holsters that list on the package that they fit 20 guns. These are not safe in a lot of cases for concealed carry holster selection. Nylon holsters or floppy material like cloth are very unsafe and should only be used for special situations. Kydex is the best choice for safety and concealment. Kydex does not collapse when a gun is drawn and it always holds it shape.
Criteria for concealed carry holster selection
1. allows a full grip on the handgun
2. covers the trigger and trigger guard completely
3. has unassisted retention ( when you turn the holstered gun upsidedown it does not fall out)
4. does not collapse when the gun is drawn
Be sure to learn concealed carry holster selection and use from a professional that knows what they are doing.