Do You Use A Thumb Break On Your OWB Holsters? (CCW, Obviously Uniforms Do)

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Do You Use A Thumb Break On Your OWB Holsters? (CCW, Obviously Uniforms Do) (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:01:07 PM EDT

I don't, but it's concealed.

Looking at holsters made me feel the need to ask.

Seems like an open carry necessity, but needless for CCW under clothing. Am I missing anything?

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:02:38 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
Am I missing anything?

View Quote

I don't think so, if it's a properly made holster then you shouldn't need any kind of thumb break for a CCW holster regardless of which side of the waste band it lives on.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:02:44 PM EDT

[#2]

I have a few of each....depends on what I'm doing

Just causal walking around, no extra retention....hiking or very active, with retention.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:03:47 PM EDT

[#3]

On my 2 scabbards yep

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:05:31 PM EDT

[#4]

Yes and no. Depends on the gun and holster.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:06:20 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have a few of each....depends on what I'm doing

Just causal walking around, no extra retention....hiking or very active, with retention.

View Quote

Never worn a thumb break...

Well, I guess I lied and see your point. My DeSantis ankle holster for my 642 has a thumb break. Makes sense since the ankle is so active.

Just never thought about it on a belt. Never had a thumb break on a belt holster.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:06:45 PM EDT

[#6]

If you're gonna open carry, you'd better have retention.

CCW not so much.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:06:55 PM EDT

[#7]

My favorite holster, a Galco leather paddle, has one. Hasn't slowed me down in the 25 years I have used it. Very easy to pop it with my thumb as I draw.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:07:05 PM EDT

[#8]

typically a Milt Sparks Summer Special - no retention concealed under the shirt, inside the pants.
If the holster was visible or outside the pants I would want some type of retention system

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:07:29 PM EDT

[#9]

No. Not on any of them.

Ooops - I lied. My ankle holster has one.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:08:31 PM EDT

[#10]

GLS is the answer. Yeah, I wrote the article and I was honest.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:08:49 PM EDT

[#11]

No.

Galco Avenger for my 1911's.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:09:00 PM EDT

[#12]

For IWB CCW I don't bother with a retention strap, but I do expect the holster to be molded well enough and have enough compression that the firearm won't just fall out.

My OWB holsters are primarily for OC, so they have retention. Started with a P95 in a Serpa and now use a G19.4 in a Safariland with ALS + SLS. Even if I plan to use an OWB holster with a jacket over it I want it to have some form of retention just in case I need to take the jacket off at some point.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:09:04 PM EDT

[#13]

If I will be active....like at the playground chasing my 4 year or out in the mountains hiking miles and scambling rocks, I like having the weapon completely secured. Aside from that, as others have said, a quality holster made for the specific weapon you are carrying should need a thumbreak strap to keep it in place for nominal activity.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:10:31 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
On my 2 scabbards yep

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Why?

I see the pro as being more secure, anti being faster access.

I don't have a lot of control issues personally, but I'm open to experience.

I've hiked without a thumb break, without issue.

That being said, I don't run with one. I usually carry my 642 rather than a full size gun which is my normal choice.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:10:52 PM EDT

[#15]

All my leather holsters have thumb breaks, but I only open carry on my own land. Everywhere else I conceal carry in open top kydex, if I was gonna open carry out and about I'd buy a proper retention holster.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:11:30 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
No. Not on any of them.

Ooops - I lied. My ankle holster has one.

View Quote

Ha! I lied about the exact same thing when I thought about it.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:19:37 PM EDT

[#17]

Leather? Yes, since I prefer OWB and move around a lot.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:22:41 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Leather? Yes, since I prefer OWB and move around a lot.

View Quote

Good clarification.

Yes. I use leather holsters exclusively.

My two OWB (read winter) holsters don't have them. Why do you feel the need? (Honest question.)

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:27:15 PM EDT

[#19]

Only on the one I carry my Charter Bulldog( bobbed hammer) in. It was made for a Ruger SP101 and is a little loose, so the snap helps firm up the carry piece. All my OWB holsters for semi-autos were made for those guns so they fit very snugly.

I just remembered, I bought a holster for my 6-1/2" Mod 29-2 (safe queen I never carry!) and it has a thumb break too.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:32:43 PM EDT

[#20]

No, carry lock holster. Auto retention, release paddle under trigger guard

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:35:24 PM EDT

[#21]

Yes, I use Bianchi 56 Serpent Holster year round. I enjoy the added retention since I am very active. No sitting at a desk for me.

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Posted: 9/25/2016 9:35:54 PM EDT

[#22]

My OWB bolsters have thumb breaks. My IWBs don't. I rarely use my OWB holsters unless im up in the mountains or in the woods.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:36:31 PM EDT

[#23]

No.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:43:27 PM EDT

[#24]

Safariland ALS ftw.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:47:43 PM EDT

[#25]

Sig 938 yes
S&W J Frame no

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:53:16 PM EDT

[#26]

No.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:56:52 PM EDT

[#27]

Absolutely do. Too many accidents I have heard of and read about where people sat down on toilets and dropped 1911s or handguns without retention. Will always use retention.

Posted: 9/25/2016 9:58:16 PM EDT

[#28]

Nope. Alessi leather here.

Posted: 9/25/2016 10:09:29 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:

Good clarification.

Yes. I use leather holsters exclusively.

My two OWB (read winter) holsters don't have them. Why do you feel the need? (Honest question.)

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Leather? Yes, since I prefer OWB and move around a lot.

Good clarification.

Yes. I use leather holsters exclusively.

My two OWB (read winter) holsters don't have them. Why do you feel the need? (Honest question.)

i dont want my gun to be able to go anywhere without me moving it.
the carrylok is auto retention, and doesnt slow your draw at all.

Posted: 9/25/2016 10:21:48 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you're gonna open carry, you'd better have retention.

CCW not so much.

View Quote

This. My OWB stuff for CCW is open top.

Open carry and hiking etc is retention passive or active.

Posted: 9/25/2016 10:55:29 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you're gonna open carry, you'd better have retention.

CCW not so much.

View Quote

Spot on.

Posted: 9/25/2016 11:02:37 PM EDT

[#32]

Yes because I open carry sometimes.

Safariland ALS

Posted: 9/26/2016 3:16:51 AM EDT

[#33]

Yes. I like the extra security.

Posted: 9/26/2016 3:44:04 AM EDT

[#34]

Yes I do.

Posted: 9/26/2016 3:47:13 AM EDT

[#35]

The slide holsters I use for CCW all have a thumb break. Not so much for the sake of retention. Rather it's more for having that little bit of extra between the pistol and bare skin. It's a comfort thing.

Posted: 9/26/2016 3:53:37 AM EDT

[#36]

If I'm working outside or moving around a lot while open carrying I do use a break. Never concealed though.

Thinking about it, I use a break while fishing and cutting wood mostly.

Posted: 9/26/2016 4:27:51 AM EDT

[#37]

Besides some hammer thongs or hammer straps for single action revolvers and safariland 6004s I typically only carry inopen top holsters. My custom iwb horsehide holsters are formed well enough to retain while doing ccartwheels. Same with any kydex.

All the thumbreaks Ive seen are mass produced junk. Id be more concerned about the floppy leather thumbbreak getting caught in the trigger guard while reholstering.

Posted: 9/26/2016 5:43:38 AM EDT

[#38]

Yes. If you think no, you need a trip to the mat room where you can roll around with your gear on and leave a trail of shit that was in your pockets, clipped on, or in a zero retention holster.

Most threats are no shoot. Self defense means being able to run (shit flies out of holsters and pockets), fight ( you will end up on the ground at some point), and then shoot...

Everybody loves open top holsters and knives/lights clipped in pockets...right up to the point that they get dragged around the mat room.

Plus, it protects the lining of your suit.

Posted: 9/26/2016 5:44:50 AM EDT

[#39]

I do with a Bianchi holster for extra retention. With practice it is just as fast as an open top holster.

Posted: 9/26/2016 6:37:18 AM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
GLS is the answer. Yeah, I wrote the article and I was honest.

View Quote

Thanks for doing that good article on the holster. May be my next. The only OWB I currently have is a Safasiland ALS. Bulky, but bulletproof.

Posted: 9/26/2016 6:51:33 AM EDT

[#41]

Some do and some don't. Doesn't bother me one bit.

Posted: 9/26/2016 7:00:15 AM EDT

[#42]

I've always despised thumb-break holsters. They are way too "busy" for what they do.

The only snap/strap holsters I own are Jordan and Hunter type holsters.

I picked-up a DeSantis open-top belt slide for a 1911 at the flea market yesterday for $5.00. Already broken-in too.

I have one like it for my Commander sized .45/9mms and I love it.

All my open top holsters have "sweat guards" and are more like scabbards, even my J-frame holster.

Posted: 9/26/2016 7:02:48 AM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:
I don't, but it's concealed.

Looking at holsters made me feel the need to ask.

Seems like an open carry necessity, but needless for CCW under clothing. Am I missing anything?

View Quote

Yes, absolute necessity.

Posted: 9/26/2016 7:07:36 AM EDT

[#44]

Yes, gould and goodrich G17 thumb break when open carrying, mainly when hiking.

Posted: 9/26/2016 7:16:39 AM EDT

[#45]

Not since 1990 something.........

Posted: 9/26/2016 7:19:43 AM EDT

[#46]

only on ankle holsters

would rather use a bale on an owb holster

Posted: 9/26/2016 7:20:54 AM EDT

[#47]

Not anymore. I use well-fit kydex for concealment, or a real retention holster (Safariland SLS or GCode XST) if I think I need it. Which is pretty much never.

Thumb breaks are slower than kydex with little advantage to show for it.

Posted: 9/26/2016 7:22:34 AM EDT

[#48]

Quote History

Quoted:
Not anymore. I use well-fit kydex for concealment, or a real retention holster (Safariland SLS or GCode XST) if I think I need it. Which is pretty much never.

Thumb breaks are slower than kydex with little advantage to show for it.

View Quote

they're a great excuse to explain how you got shot before you could draw