Posted: 10/29/2009 9:53:44 PM EDT
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i have a glock 17 rtf and am going to class to get my ccw i want to go ahead and get a holster and everything i want and need.
what are some recomendations? polymer,leather, paddle? i dont have any clue what to go with. i dont know if height or weight or anything have to do with choosing? thanks |
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Blackhawk Serpa when your on the range..... Here's a link:
http://www.blackhawk.com/catalog/SERPA-Concealment,1410.htm Probably a Comp-Tac MTAC when your concealing your G17 around town. Here's a link: http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=95 I don't own a MTAC yet, but I'm planning on getting one asap. Right now I use a Galco Summer Comfort, and it's been giving me problems as far as the gun staying in place when move around. From what I've read, they seem to be one of the best IWB holsters available (along with the Raven Concealment holster and Crossbreed holsters) I prefer paddle holsters on my Serpa, they are just easier to get in and out of (...somewhat). But I may just get a dedicated belt and use the belt loops. The Serpa comes with both a paddle attachment and a belt loop attachment. Anyways the Serpa is a "outside the waste band" holster, commonly called a "OWB". The MTAC is a "inside the waste band" holster, or "IWB". The IWB will be more concealable, to the point were no one could tell you even had a gun on you (assuming your wearing the right clothes). The one down side is that it kinda hard to re-holster your handgun i.e. during a class and your consistently drawing, firing, the re-holstering your handgun. A OWB holster will be harder to conceal, The Serpa is seriously impossible to conceal, but who cares when your on a range. Those are my two recommendations on holsters. There are others, like if you want a holster w/ a weapon mounted light, the probably go for a Blade-tech or SideArmor holster. |
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Quoted:
another one of my concerns is spending 80 dollars on a holster and not likeing it. i am a college student and cant afford to do the whole test out and try it then buy another. i need more friends that carry so i can borrow there holsters. Ya I understand that. Well my advice is you evaluate what you want to accomplish. Since your getting your CCW, I'm going to assume that your going to conceal carry around town. So maybe a good IWB holster is what you need, just know the drawbacks of re-holstering etc. Then again if you just plan to bring your gun with you but store it in your glove box, then maybe a good paddle holster which you can quickly slap on in case you need it. There really isn't a perfect solution. You could consider a regular paddle kydex holster. I've never tried one but i'd assume that they are somewhat more concealable then the Serpa. Maybe even a OWB leather holster, but you may just end up with the drawbacks of a IWB holster without it being as concealable. So, what is most important to you in a holster? |
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CARRYING IS MY MAIN CONCERN, MAKING SURE I DONT PRINT TO BADLY. I AM NOT REAL CONCERNED ABOUT REHOLSTERING BECAUE I DONT PLAN ON PULLING IT OUT VERY OFTEN, JUST FOR PERSONAL DEFENSE. WHEN GOING TO THE RANGE OR ON MY PROPERTY I WILL OPEN CARRY WITH A NICE OWB HOLSTER THAT ISNT MEANT TO CONCEAL
IS IT MORE PRACTICAL TO IWB CARRY FRONT RIGHT SIDE OR BACK? WHAT IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE AND STILL ABLE TO BE USED? THANKS FOR EVERYONES HELP |
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If you're taking a class you are going to care a lot about reholstering because you're going to be doing it a lot. A holster that doesn't stay open so that you can reholster with one hand is going to be a pain in the ass and a liability. The same is true if you need to reholster your gun after a defensive shooting.
I'm a Comptac fanboy and recommend either the CTAC or the MTAC. The MTAC is more comfortable but I actually prefer the CTAC. I used them both side by side at a 2 day Advanced Concealed Carry class at TDI in Adams County Ohio. The CTAC was better for me in both speed of drawing, speed and ease of reholstering and overall retention. |
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Quoted:
CARRYING IS MY MAIN CONCERN, MAKING SURE I DONT PRINT TO BADLY. I AM NOT REAL CONCERNED ABOUT REHOLSTERING BECAUE I DONT PLAN ON PULLING IT OUT VERY OFTEN, JUST FOR PERSONAL DEFENSE. WHEN GOING TO THE RANGE OR ON MY PROPERTY I WILL OPEN CARRY WITH A NICE OWB HOLSTER THAT ISNT MEANT TO CONCEAL IS IT MORE PRACTICAL TO IWB CARRY FRONT RIGHT SIDE OR BACK? WHAT IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE AND STILL ABLE TO BE USED? THANKS FOR EVERYONES HELP Whoa buddy, easy on the caps lock, it's the internet's equivalent to yelling and/or being a jackass........ Good luck finding a holster......... |
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Quoted:
CARRYING IS MY MAIN CONCERN, MAKING SURE I DONT PRINT TO BADLY. I AM NOT REAL CONCERNED ABOUT REHOLSTERING BECAUE I DONT PLAN ON PULLING IT OUT VERY OFTEN, JUST FOR PERSONAL DEFENSE. WHEN GOING TO THE RANGE OR ON MY PROPERTY I WILL OPEN CARRY WITH A NICE OWB HOLSTER THAT ISNT MEANT TO CONCEAL IS IT MORE PRACTICAL TO IWB CARRY FRONT RIGHT SIDE OR BACK? WHAT IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE AND STILL ABLE TO BE USED? THANKS FOR EVERYONES HELP When I 1st started to carry my 17 I used a Blackhawk Serpa with the paddle OWB. It is hard to hide and prints hard. I wear tucked in shirts at work so I disarmed while there. When I got my 26, I tried a friends Mitch Rosen WKM Express. I never thought I would like it but wanted to try. I was worried I would have to replace all my pants. Well, the IWB wasn't as tight as I thought and I don't have to bother taking it off when I get to the office. I was pleasantly surprised how well it works. Since my friend didn't use it, he offered to sell it to me and the rest is history. I've also had good luck with the cheap belt sliders Like This. It is very versatile and cheap. IWB or OWB. It doesn't have retention and I can't tuck but find I use it a lot. I rarely use my Serpa now except for at the range. I carry right side at about 3-4 o'clock. When I disarm at home, I practice pulling my shirt and drawing. That takes some getting used to. On Printing: Don't worry too much about it. As a test, see if you can ever spot some one printing. How can you be sure it's not a cell ph. or blackberry? It is possible to do but not as easy as you would think. Over time, you find it is less of a concern than you would think. Unintended Consequence Bonus: I've lost some body fat on the side I carry on. Carry On 112 |
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Quoted:
CARRYING IS MY MAIN CONCERN, MAKING SURE I DONT PRINT TO BADLY. I AM NOT REAL CONCERNED ABOUT REHOLSTERING BECAUE I DONT PLAN ON PULLING IT OUT VERY OFTEN, JUST FOR PERSONAL DEFENSE. WHEN GOING TO THE RANGE OR ON MY PROPERTY I WILL OPEN CARRY WITH A NICE OWB HOLSTER THAT ISNT MEANT TO CONCEAL IS IT MORE PRACTICAL TO IWB CARRY FRONT RIGHT SIDE OR BACK? WHAT IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE AND STILL ABLE TO BE USED? THANKS FOR EVERYONES HELP you will get a LOT of diff advice...in the end, its what is good for YOU and your purposes first off, what is your planned method of carry? IWB––cool, then if its for CCW, that will narrow the field; next, pertaining to holsters, its either going to be quality kydex or quality form fitted leather––everything else is either a specialty type holster (like belly bands, etc_) or useless/poor holster choices for defensive uses (IMO) CCW carrying, rig/gear wise, will rely on 3 main "gear" factors, in relation to your firearm: your holster (and its quality and comfort/construction), your belt (get a good, dedicated gun belt, stiff leather or a good nylon one, like wilderness,etc), and attire (slightly oversized in the waist pants, loose shirts, jackets, etc) a good belt is criitcal in distrubiting the weight of your rig efficiently and more comfortably; holster selection is very critical in several areas pretty much, i would recommend a holster that: properly and fully secures your trigger guard/trigger area; has some sort of retention feature, even if its just a "passive" (like tension) retention––natural, everyday body movements can easily dislodge a non retained firearm; allows for one handed reholstering (for several reasons, including practicing of having a consistant draw/reholster that takes only one hand, malf drills, etc) as to everyday comfort, this will be based a lot on what you do everyday (say for example, if you spend most of your day driving or sitting in a desk, i would consider a crossdraw for quicker access and more comfort), but in general, the main methods i would look to are (in this order): strong side hip (or just behind the hip, ~4oclock if you are a righty), appendix, and for certain occasions, crossdraw in front generally, i recommend strong side, IWB for several reasons, including ease and natural presentation, increased concealment across the spectrum (from the side, front, angles), retention purposes, etc; the other one i do prefer is appendix carry, as its "quicker" imo to deploy, but i find it more difficult to CCW larger firearms in this area- i usually dont recommend SOB for several reasons, including everyday comfort for most people, access, and printing problems. bottom line: you are probably going to have to try out a bunch of diff brands in order to find what works for YOU if it were me, and if i had to start anew to find holsters, i'd buy 2: the $10 glock factory OWB holster (wears very flat, is very tough, and simple) for range/competition, even some "duty" uses; and for an IWB, i'd either look to a CompTac MTAC or a Raven Concealment IWB good luck w/ your descion, and i would recommend you seek professional instruction/schooling to help out |