Which Gun Holster Is Right for You?

Carrying a firearm requires you to be conscious about your use of specific accessories, like gun holsters. You can’t effectively or safely carry without one, and no two are the same, or even have the same list of advantages and disadvantages.

We’re going to cover three types of gun holsters in some detail here, to give you a better impression of whether one of these three is practical for your purposes. They are, all things considered, the most commonly used holsters.

Inside Waistband Holsters

Inside waistband holsters, also known as IWB holsters, are probably the most popular form of concealed carry holster in the country. The holster holds the firearm in place in between the wearer’s body and the waistband of his or her pants. Generally speaking, these holsters provide a decent level of concealment as well as a good level of security.

Strengths:

●Better concealment than OWB holsters (see below)

IWB holsters may be simple, but they make concealment fairly easy, and you can easily conceal an IWB with all but the lightest clothing. They also keep the firearm accessible.

●They don’t get in the way of other accessories on your belt

With an IWB holster, you won’t be competing for space on your belt. This makes it practical to carry an IWB holster along with other accessories like flashlights, tools, phone cases, or whatever else is a part of your EDC rotation.

●Many offer multiple different carry positions

There are a lot of IWB holsters that offer more than one carry position and orientation, which can improve your comfort and access to your firearm.

Weaknesses:

●They may not be comfortable

Some wearers find that IWB holsters allow the firearm to dig into their hips, which, needless to say, is not comfortable.

●You may not be able to draw as quickly as with an OWB holster

Some IWB holsters afford great access, whereas others can make access to the firearm cumbersome.

Outside Waistband Holsters and Hip Holsters

These are the “classic” hip holsters with which so many are familiar. An outside waistband (OWB) holster is a lot like an inside waistband holster, except that it rides on your belt, on the outside of your waistband. Like IWB holsters, OWB holsters have a few different advantages and disadvantages as well.

Strengths:

●They can be more comfortable

OWB holsters, when properly adjusted, will not allow your firearm to dig into your body, improving comfort.

●Easier access to the firearm, more rapid draw times

With equal training, many firearm owners find it easier to access their handguns when using an OWB holster.

●May be practical in situations where concealed carry is prohibited

Some locations prohibit concealed carry. That makes an OWB holster a viable option in these scenarios.

Weaknesses:

●Effectively useless for concealment

No explanation needed here: most OWB holsters have little to no concealment value.

●Might not fit as securely as an IWB holster

Many OWB holsters have fewer points of contact than IWB holsters, meaning they might not ride as securely on the body.

Shoulder Holsters (A.K.A. Cross Draw Holsters)

Shoulder holsters vary significantly from the previous two types of gun holsters explored so far. These consist of support straps that position a holster in one of a few ways; typically under a wearer’s arm, with the barrel pointed to the rear, at the ground, or angled, although there are other orientations. These types of holsters provide a secure fit and superior concealment, but are not without their drawbacks.

Strengths:

●Superior concealment

Shoulder holsters are excellent for concealment, and use your body’s natural lines to obscure the outlines of the firearm and eliminate printing.

●Can be very comfortable

Some users report that the weight distribution with shoulder holsters is superior and that they are very comfortable.

Weaknesses:

●Can make access to the firearm difficult

Reaching for a shoulder-holstered firearm is not intuitive and requires some training to develop proficiency. Draw times are also often adversely affected.

●The classic problem of “cross draw”

With a shoulder holster, when you draw the firearm, you will either be muzzling yourself or potentially “sweeping” nearby targets to the left or right with your muzzle. Therefore, only properly training individuals should utilize shoulder holsters.

Regardless of the style of holster you ultimately decide to utilize, there are a few things that you need to consider, including the following:

●The holster must fit the firearm you intend to carry, adequately.

●The holster must also secure the firearm properly.

●The entire area within the trigger guard should be fully enclosed by the holster.

●The holster should allow for easy re-holstering.

●The holster should fit snugly on your body, regardless of how you position it.

If you want to learn more about the different types of gun holsters that we sell, or you simply would like a recommendation, give us a call at 610-250-3960 and we would be happy to help. There are many other styles of holsters in addition to the three types that we have explored here and we would be more than glad to introduce you to some of them.