Holster shopping is a lot like shoe shopping. You have to find something that fits your size and fits the social situation. A holster that fits one person perfectly may not feel right to another person.
Quality
While many things can be relative with holster selection, there are a few things that are not relative when it comes to belt holsters:
- Make sure the holster is molded to your gun or otherwise secures the gun to retain it.
- When I worked at a gun shop, I had a customer come in who wanted an open carry holster for his Kahr PM45. The gun shop didn’t have a holster molded for the PM45. He began to gravitate towards an open carry holster that was in the used holster bin and I had to talk him out of buying it! The way I talked him out of buying the holster was simply telling him the truth, that the gun was gonna fly out of the improperly secured holster when he rode his motorcycle and that the gun flopping around was going to be a distraction.
- It is dangerous to carry a gun in a holster that does not properly secure the gun.
- Floppy nylon is your enemy!
- Floppy nylon holsters are not allowed at just about every concealed carry class that I know of and I have yet to see someone at the range practice with such a holster from concealment to shoot.
- People make the mistake of buying such crappy holsters because they are inexpensive.
- Rigidity of the plastic or leather is critical!
- Make sure the holster locks onto the belt tightly.
Why I Chose The SharkTac SlimLine IWB
Since I prefer to carry Appendix Inside the Waistband, I have found that holsters from SharkTac.com really fit the bill for what I need.
Slimline IWB for a Sig Sauer 238
The holster model from SharkTac that I am carrying is the SharkTac Slimline IWB holster.
SharkTac Slimline IWB uses a single j-hook to securely connect itself to the gun belt while it can still be quickly taken off.
I favor a straight pull holster so I did not feel the need for model of holster with the adjustable cant.
The SharkTac Slimline IWB holster is made from black kydex thermoplastic which is actually very durable and weather proof.
I also like the fact that you don’t have to “break it in” as you would a leather holster.
Brandon’s crew routinely shows up at the Chantilly Gun Show (Next show is November 22-24, 2013) and they will make you a custom holster molded for your gun, even if the model of gun is no longer made or a bit obscure (think of the Century Arms imported pistols and the older Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistols).
Daily Routine, Movement, and Excercise
While carrying my handgun in the SharkTac Slimline IWB holster, I have found the holster to be comfortable while driving, sitting, and walking around.
SharkTac SlimLine IWB for Walther P22
The SharkTac Slimline IWB also passes the exercise and workout test. I am able to run and do squats and kettle bell swings while wearing the holster without any problems.
The holster is easy to draw from concealment while doing drills at the range. No catastrophic failures of the holster have been experienced.
Conclusion
If you see the SharkTac booth at the Chantilly Gun Show next weekend, get a holster made for your gun.
I’ve been very happy with the holsters I bought from SharkTac.
The next Chantilly, VA gun show dates are available here and at http://thenationsgunshow.com/
- November 22, 23 & 24, 2013
- December 27, 28 & 29, 2013
- February 14, 15 & 16, 2014
- April 25, 26 & 27, 2014
- June 6, 7 & 8, 2014
- July 25, 26 & 27, 2014
- September 26, 27 & 28, 2014
- November 21, 22 & 23, 2014
Links
Related articles
- Why do people on TV holster their guns wrong? (ask.metafilter.com)
- 10 Reasons To Consider A Light On Your Concealed Carry Gun (givemeliberty01.com)
- Concealed Carry for the Petite Woman (thesurvivalplaceblog.com)
- Help with holsters (nyfirearms.com)
- Friends don’t let friends wear cheap nylon holsters. Or Carry a .25 Auto. (gunsafetyblog.com)
RealDefense 
Very nice, looks like some quality holsters. I will keep them in mind once I decide between a sig sauer P938 and a Kimber Ultra Carry. Hmmnnn got an opinion on this?
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If you HAVE to do 1911 platform, go with the Sig 938, I think Kimber spends more on their advertising than their quality control.
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I Dont have to go with 1911 platform. But I sure like the trigger pull. Sig is a bit cheaper too. Sounds good.
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I personally like modern striker fired guns such as Glocks better than the 1911 simply because of the capacity and no external safety switch to worry about on the draw.
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Makes sense. I carry a bersa thunder 380 now. Don’t like the difference between sa da on the follow up shot. But I like that many modern platforms like my dads SIG m11a1 holds 15 +1. You just can’t get a perfect gun I suppose.
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Sigs are great guns but you really have to practice dry fire with SA DA. A lot of people cheat themselves during range time by keeping the gun in SA and not firing the first shot as DA.
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I always fire first shot with da because that’s how I carry it. And first shot always stinks. Maybe I need stronger hands. Ha. But it has improved. I need to experience more types of guns I think. My experience is limited.
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Bersa’s are decent for the price. Definitely better than KelTec. Try to find a rental range in your area to try out a Glock 19.
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You could also buy a .380 laser cartridge along with a laser target from the Gunsafetyblog store…
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I will look into those laser targets. The bersa is decent. But I’m a stickler for high quality. Which the versa is not.
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Good. Quality is its own value. You can have a lot of fun with the laser targets.
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