You have to have a suitable handgun for personal defense – one that fits your hand, is reliable and effective, and that fits your needs. The same is true of a holster. The primary reason permit holders do not carry on a 24-hour basis is because of comfort. A handgun and the load-bearing holster should be comforting and as comfortable as possible. We tend to go through a number of holsters before finding the right fit. That can get expensive!
Recently, a reader took us to task over our extensive coverage of IWB holsters. He said that not everyone can tolerate an inside-the-waistband holster. Despite the advantages in concealed carry, the IWB requires the trousers be purchased an inch larger in size, and most shooters are not willing to revamp their entire wardrobe when obtaining their CWP, he says. Others simply cannot acclimate to the design.
The outside-the-waistband holster has many advantages, including speed and security. Some will wear a high-riding OWB and a pulled-out sports shirt and have the same concealment with the OWB as the IWB but with greater comfort. While we believe the IWB has advantages when maximum concealment is needed, there are times when the OWB can be concealed. If you can do that, you are ahead of the game in speed and comfort.
In this two-part installment, we cover more than 20 holsters of the OWB type including specialized alternatives to the IWB. As always, we gauged them on a few important attributes. The handgun cannot shift in the holster. The holster cannot sag on the belt, so it must be properly fitted to the belt. The holster must be tight against the body for concealed carry, but it cannot give you a punch in the kidney when you hit a speed bump in the road or step off of a curb. The gun must present the proper grip angle for a rapid presentation from concealment. The trigger guard must be covered. The holster must be well made of good material.
While most of our testers prefer a concealment holster without retention straps, we included some with thumb-break retention or other devices. Quite a few experienced raters are adamant about their choices. One deemed the thumb break a suicide strap and another would not use a holster without a thumb break of some type. The majority prefer the open top holster.
LEATHER, HORSEHIDE, ELEPHANT HIDE, SHARKSKIN, AND OSTRICH HOLSTERS
Our first set of holsters are made of leather, horsehide, and other materials in Avenger, pancake, and scabbard styles. The pancake holster popularized by Roy Baker is a two-piece pattern that is stitched together and has belt loops offset from the main body. The pancake pulls the holster into the body, and the smooth outer skin is easier to conceal and less abrasive. The Avenger is credited to Charles Askins, but the original Bruce Nelson Professional is an influential holster design of this type. Its set apart by a single piece of leather joined into a belt loop behind the triggerguard. The Avenger supports weight well and pulls the handgun into the body by virtue of a tunnel loop at the balance point. The advantage of the pancake is concealment, while the advantage of the Avenger is access and speed.
Wright Leather Works
Predator Pancake Holster, $88
This holster isnt similar to the pancake of a generation ago. The holster is well defined by excellent stitching instead of the less-well-formed design the pancake originated with. Well-executed stitching ensures the weight-bearing portion is well defined and reinforced. The Predator is low profile. The welt Wright calls a stiffening strap keeps the gun secure. The holster is supplied with a 15-degree cant. This makes for a very fast draw, especially with a short-slide large-handle pistol such as the SIG P250 or the Glock 19. This is a comfortable holster for the style. It rides high enough for good concealment, and worn just behind the hip, it affords a good, fast draw. This holster gets an A rating on performance and execution and a Best Buy mark based on value.
Gun Tests Grade: A
Best Buy
D. M. Bullard
Leather Combat, $85
The Combat holster is a pancake design with a more conventional angle. The main advantage of this holster is the affordability of first-quality work and the comfortable ride due to the design. A Bullard Bodyguard with a Government Model 45 might conceal as well as the Combat with a Commander, as an example, or a little better. But the Combat holster is faster and provides a more natural draw, in our opinion. The Bodyguard is a good design that may meet your needs perfectly. But the Combat holster should be given first consideration. The exotic and carved holsters listed are more expensive than the base models, with the Rust Elephant holster listing for about $250. The basic leather holster at $85 is a Best Buy.
Gun Tests Grade: A
Best Buy
K.L. Null Holsters
Super Speed Scabbard, $135
Null is a master of horsehide. Horsehide adherents state that horsehide is stronger by weight than leather and that horsehide sheds moisture more efficiently. The execution of the shell horsehide holster is important. If you prefer a pancake, the Gibraltar by Null is a body-hugging design. The Super Speed Scabbard is a bit faster on the draw, according to our team, and under a proper jacket may be concealed well. The stitching exhibited by this shop is as good as any in the world and is strong enough for a decade of use. The holster illustrated is just over ten years old. Other than a few scuff marks, the holster is as capable as when new. The speed of draw is excellent, and retention is also excellent by means of good boning. This holster is hand boned in the old school manner. Expect a break-in period and a hundred draws to achieve the speed this holster is capable of. In other words, this holster will respond to those who train with it.
Gun Tests Grade: A
CBs Leather Works, $115
This holster rides close to the body. An improved pancake, this holsters body is delineated from the supporting leather by strong stitching. This maker is known for his Bar-B-Q holsters, and this one is interesting on that level. The basic holster is good, and it also features a Zombie motif – quite popular at the moment. The holster lip allows easy holstering and shoe horns the pistol (1911) into the tightly molded holster body. This holster is a good weight-bearing device, spreading the weight out and affording a good solid draw. A solid holster on both style and substance.
Gun Tests Grade: A
Milt Sparks 60TK, $105
This holster is one of the best designs for concealed carry, in our opinion. The belt loops pull the holster in close to the body, and (once broken in) the holster offers a brilliantly fast draw while maintaining excellent retention. It is very well made and the price is attractive. However, it is not available for Glock pistols. The extreme high ride will not work for some individual body types. Average-size raters – say 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet and average weight – found the 60TK a wonderfully fast holster. Shoot your elbow to the rear and scoop the gun from the holster.
Gun Tests Grade: A
K Bar J Leather,
$250 as tested
K Bar J Leather Company offers a true Avenger-style holster, among others. This holster features a reinforced holstering welt and a well-defined sight track. The draw angle is ideal for concealed carry worn just behind the hip and not over the rear pocket, as some holsters demand. This alone makes this holster faster than the IWB. The balance of security and speed is clearly present in this holster. The owner ordered the holster in ostrich skin, unusual for the somber black Glock 19, but an excellent fit and a fast holster.
Gun Tests Grade: A
Legends In Leather
Justice, $395
This is a pattern for people who cannot bear sticking a holster inside their pants. The Justice features good speed and retention and is fast. The holster seems to tilt the gun toward the body, while maintaining the proper grip angle, a good trick. The belt loop is a tunnel loop designed for stability, and it is best to run the belt into one side, thread it into a belt loop, and then back into the holster loop. You will see the difference in retention. The Justice is floral engraved and pricey, but it simply cannot be faulted on design and execution.
Gun Tests Grade: A
D. M. Bullard
Bodyguard, $85
The Bodyguard features an extreme angle that is meant to bring the OWB holster closer to the IWB in concealed carry. It comes as close as possible with the OWB. For many uses, the Bodyguard is a good design that maintains good security over the pistol. The holsters angle requires a slightly bent wrist on the draw, but this isnt as terrible as it sounds because the gun will be worn with this holster rather than left at home. We tested the Bodyguard with both the SIG P229 and the 1911. A larger handgun may be worn under a mid-length garment with this design.
Gun Tests Grade: A
Side Guard Holsters Slide, $75
This holster is from the Side Guard Womens Line, but it is certainly a good all-round holster for many users. The Slide rides high and securely holds the snub-nosed 38 Special it is molded for. The mouth of the holster maintains a good hold on the handgun by slightly folding over the handgun as the revolver is holstered. The cylinder of the revolver affords excellent area for retention. Thus, the Slide is secure by design. The Slide, by virtue of design, is practically as concealable as an IWB. No IWB would ever be as fast as this holster, however. This rig reminds you how fast into action a snubnose 38 Special may be from a properly designed and executed holster. The photo shows an exotic leather style that was $160 with shipping paid.
Gun Tests Grade: A
Ted Blocker Holsters G1, $89
This holster features a tunnel loop and a well-defined butt-forward attitude. We decided to test at least one holster with a thumb break, and this is one is excellent. As one reader noted, when you wear a handgun, everyone within six feet could gain access to it if you are not alert. When moving, running, or fighting, the G1 is a secure holster. The holster offers a good degree of speed for those who practice. The thumb break is well designed and features excellent reinforcement. The thumb break offers a higher degree of security, and a natural motion breaks it. We tested two examples, one tan and one dark brown, for the SIG and the Glock 19. Each gave good results.
Gun Tests Grade: A
Desbiens Gunleather
Covert OWB $105
The Coverts stitching shows why this maker enjoys a loyal following. The stitching is important, along with the glue, finishing, edging and molding, all of which is superb. The design draws the handgun close to the body while maintaining a good draw angle. The cant is different from most, at 20 degrees, allowing good concealment and a good draw, but not overstretching the wrist. This is a good design particularly for those favoring a longer and heavier handgun. Molded for the 1911 and tested with a Springfield LW Loaded Model, this holster required a modest break-in period.
Gun Tests Grade: A
KYDEX HOLSTERS
LHS Holsters
Falcon, $70 postpaid
The Bulgarian-made Falcon is a sturdy holster with a good level of adjustment. The rivets are especially rugged and have a tank-tough look that shows attention to detail. The Falcon was tested for the Government Model 1911 and also the SIG P250 compact. Security is good and draw speed excellent. This holster is shipped with rubber spacers that are used to adjust belt loop thickness. This is a credible design. The balance of speed and security is excellent. The price is more attractive when the postpaid deal is considered.
Gun Tests Grade: A
Statureman Custom
Holsters, $70
This holster was tested for the Glock 19. Fit was good and retention was tested by turning the holster upside down and shaking the (triple-checked unloaded!) pistol, proving the holster had good security. The holster features wings that spread the weight around on the belt, but also make the holster larger. The speed of draw was good. The holster is available in police blue, which some of our raters liked. The holster gets an A for function. If you prefer a smaller holster, the Minimalist from the same maker, not tested, is more compact. An important note: custom draw angles may be ordered from this maker. Draw angle is simply the angle of the barrel in relation to the belt. There are options of 7 to 10 degrees, with our holster at 10 degrees. There are also options with high, standard, and low backing, or sweat guards. The lowest is probably best for concealed carry.
Gun Tests Grade: A
zZz Custom Works
Standard Holster, $69
Molded for the Glock 19, our sample received high marks for a rakish look and good styling. We found that the holster offers good retention and real speed. This holster is very compact but holds the pistol securely and affords a good balance of speed and retention. The high ride and compact size makes this holster well suited for personal-defense use.
Gun Tests Grade: A
PLASTIC HOLSTERS
HT Holsters Speed Draw, $70
The Speed Draw is a modern design that offers excellent security. While the draw is simple and brilliantly fast once mastered, an unauthorized person isnt likely to quickly grab the pistol. The side lever that releases the handgun is easily pressed forward on the draw. For those valuing security, this is a step above the thumb break, but it is still fast in action, in our opinion. The only reservation is that the holster is made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, which we have never found to be as rugged as Kydex. Just the same, the holster wears well and offers real speed. We are rating it a B not based upon the material; rather because the holster is available for the Glock and little else.
Gun Tests Grade: B
Fobus Holster Paddle, $25.47
The Fobus plastic paddle was tested for the Ruger 22/45, the Ruger SP 101 357 and the Smith & Wesson J-frame 38 Special. The 22/45 isnt a carry gun, but we had it on hand, and not a lot of makers offer a holster for the Ruger 22/45. The Fobus is fine as a range holster, but not for off-the-range use. It was too easy to dislodge the paddle when sitting and even pull it out of the belt. Plus, the draw wasnt consistent, even when we attempted to adjust the tension.
Gun Tests Grade: C
Written and photographed by R.K. Campbell, using evaluations from Gun Tests team testers. GT
