Posted: 10/23/2007 8:12:40 PM EDT
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Greetings, I'm looking for holster info for my firearms. I'd figure I'd ask the local folks first since CCW has been around for a couple of years. I'm looking for OWB holsters as I plan to participate in 3-Gun and IDPA down the road. I'll list what I'm looking at. Looking for pros and cons. Most of the designs are open top, so I'm looking for good retention. Feel free to add comments especially about retention and paddle vs. belt. Price is a consideration as I have to buy two for one handgun. Darn spouse is right handed. Looking at: Comp-Tac Setable Cant Deluxe (Belt and Paddle) Comp-Tac Belt Comp-Tac Paddle Don Hume H721 Open Top The following are Safariland - Models 6280, 6377, 5187, 5188 Also looking for magazine carriers suitable for CCW any recommendations? Any local dealers? LittleLamb |
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For CCW, I prefer leather. Galco Combat master is what I use, which works well at sucking the gun into your body. I used that same holster for several years in IDPA, and it's fine for that. I've switched to a Blackhawk CQC (non-SERPA) holster for IDPA/competition. Retention isn't as good, but it's significantly faster. I'd be hesitant to carry with one though, because they stick out more than a decent leather holster. Belt slide holsters stay put better. Paddle holsters have never worked well for CCW for me. |
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I like my Safariland 5186 for my 1911. it is pretty adjustable with the supplied kit. it is suede lined kydex. however, Brownells is the only place that i know of that sells it. Safariland doesn't even list it. you can get it for Glock/Beretta/ HK also. i never shot competition with it, but have carried and shot at D.E. twice. advntrjnky ETA: Ijust ealized you need both right and left...this is s RH only holster...sorry 
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First question: What gun Make/Model is it for? Glock/1911/Sig/S&W???
I used to have a nice Comp-Tac shirt tucker model (for a gun I no longer own), and was EXTREMELY satisfied with it. Also, their Customer Service was FANTASTIC! After a lot of almost daily use, the kydex belt loop finally snapped when I snagged it on my car when getting out (I think on the seatbelt). So, the warranty on the holster had lapsed long ago, but I called them up anyway. I told the person on the phone my situation, and could I get it fixed. He said, 'hang on', put me on hold, and then the OWNER of Comp-Tac picked up the line, talked with me a bit (and he's an INCREDIBLY NICE GUY - very Personable), and he then told me he'd send out the replacement parts free of charge! WITHIN TWO DAYS the new holster clip parts and new tensioning screws arrived in the mail in a padded envelope. I unscrewed the old parts, and the repaired holster was back together in 5 minutes! For FREE. I've been very pleased with their good customer service, their ability to answer any of my questions on the phone in a quick & informative manner... (Does this fit a 1911? How about a 1911 with retro-fitted rail? etc.) I'm going to buy another holster from them soon (maybe a CTAC or another shirt-tucker, not sure)... For IWB, I'd go with Comp-Tac for Kydex work, or contact Sully @ Defensive Edge / SLR15.com and inquire about a SWEET hand-made leather IWB in the ~$90 range (availability limited)... For other IWB leather I'd say Milt Sparks. For OWB, I'd go Safariland (their OWB Leather holsters are nice too once properly broken in), Comp-Tac, Blackhawk (in that order). |
I don't think make/model is an issue, as only I know what I feel comfortable carrying.
If it does matter to some, SIG P228 and Ruger P345 w/ Rail, please don't flame carry choices. This is not a slap to iNuhBadNayburhood. I'm just looking for a good open top holster with excellent retention and ease of reholstering. The options are infinitely enormous for the P228 and bleak for the P345. Ted Blocker has a few holsters for the P345, that look better in quality/construction compared to a Don Hume. I only mention this, because I inquired with Ted Blocker Holsters after reading an article by Ayoob mentioning his department uses P345's in Ted Blocker Holsters. At this time I leaning toward the Comp-Tac settable cant for the P228 and continue searching options for the P345. Thanks again, LittleLamb |
No intention of dissing what you're carrying (unless it's a Glock - Just Kidding  )
Seriously, I'm not sure if Comp-Tac makes a holster for the Ruger P345, but you could always give them a call here (and possibly find them receptive to making one): 9am-5pm Central - Monday-Friday Phone: 281-209-3040 They may be able to custom make one for you... Over the years they had to expand their line-up by having some shooters send in their guns, they'd make a mold/base for it, and send the gun back with the new holster (and from then-on be able to make holsters for that model). As you mentioned, the SIG will be easier to find holsters for it... The Ruger, I think has a bit of a 'stigma' attached to it due to some of their heavier, blockier, past models. Personally, I got to shoot a 345, and think it's a pretty nice gun for the money, and it was a fun one to shoot! I like the slim single-stack design (and thought of buying one back in ~2003), but I prefer frame-mounted safeties to those mounted on the slide. Unfortunately it's an area where you might still have trouble finding a good holster though. Not sure why, but who knows. Maybe some people don't consider it a 'Duty' or 'Tactical' or 'Military' style weapon...  IMHO, if it's accurate, reliable, and goes bang who TF cares what kind it is - as long as it fits the hand of its owner (I just like to 'rib' the block owners because I receive never-ending flak about owning a 1911 ).I was gonna recommend the Blade-Tech because they have holsters for damn near everything, but when I checked I didn't see one for the 345 model. I know the Galco makes their Galco COP 3 Slot holster that would fit the P345, but it's not an Open-Top design (it has a thumb strap)... Also, Fobus makes a Paddle Holster for the P345, but I wouldn't trust that POS holster as far as I can throw the whole Fobus Corporate Headquarters...  Talk about a flimsy holster! My last (and first - it was a freebie that came with a gun I bought) fobus holster broke after less than 1 month of carrying my gun. It would MAYBE do the trick, but these holsters are s#it, IMHO, and you'd have to buy 10-14 of them to make it thru the year! Talk about cheaply built garbage - it also scratched up the finish on my gun pretty good too (all holsters wear finish, but this one was the worst I've ever had).There are lots of 'generic' holsters out there that are purported to fit it, but those mostly include shoulder holsters, nylon holsters with thumb strap, fanny packs, belly-bands, etc... Seems like your best bet is either a custom one, a Ted Blocker one (like you mentioned), or if you're willing to deal with the thumb strap - the Galco COP 3-slot holster... Options are limited, but there are TONS out there for the Sig as you know. Sorry if this isn't of much help. |