When selecting a holster for carrying a handgun, there are some considerations that can make the selection process easier. A pistol holster must at least meet the following criteria:

• Needs to hold the firearm securely
  • The holster needs to provide sufficient retention to keep the pistol from falling out. For example, will the holster retain the pistol if you are running, bending over, or if you fall. Some inside the waistband holsters rely on your belt providing part of the pressure needed for retention. Kevlar holsters and some stiff leather holsters are molded to your specific make and model of pistol. This creates an area at the trigger guard where the holster can snap over the trigger guard to provide the retention. Many Kelvar holsters provide a means for adjusting the amount of tension on the trigger guard. Kevlar holsters are generally recommended over other materials.
• Allows access when you need the firearm
  • Although the pistol needs good retention, in a concealed carry/defensive pistol perspective, you can have too much retention. When under the stress of adrenaline of a life threatening situation, you need to be able retrieve the pistol quickly and smoothly. Additional buttons, straps, or requiring a twist of the firearm can make this more difficult. This is level three retention. If you are in a location that allows open carry and you choose carry that way, level three retention is probably a good idea as this makes it more difficult for someone to take your gun from you. If you decide to use a holster with level three retention, be sure to train on defeating the retention mechanism so it becomes a natural, automatic action when drawing your firearm.
  • This also some into play when considering where on your body you will carry the pistol. Will you carry string side, center (appendix) carry or possible in pocket. Where you carry will dictate to some degree what style holster you will need to use.
  • Are you going to carry off-body? That is, in a purse, laptop bag, backpack, etc. You need to be able to quickly access your pistol. Look for something designed for carrying a pistol. A good choice will have a Velcro lined pocket (for attaching a holster) or a built in holster and be easy to access. Carrying off-body will likely be slower, so look for something that makes it as simple as possible to get to the pistol. You also need to practice drawing from off-body just like you need to practice drawing from a holster that is on-body.
  • Locating the pistol on-body is recommended. Generally locating the holster on your waist in either a strong side position or in a center (appendix) carry is going to be the most secure and efficient location. There are other options so carefully consider your situation and what is going to work best for you.
• At a minimum it needs to cover the trigger, prevent it from being actuated
  • The holster need not cover the entire pistol, but it must cover the trigger. Preferable enclosing the entire trigger guard. Although you should be training to keep your trigger finger outside of the holster and aligned to the frame above the trigger guard, the holster should prevent anything (finger or otherwise) from accidentally actuating the trigger.
  • If you will be carrying the pistol in your pocket, it should be in a pocket holster.
  • If you will be carrying off-body in a purse, backpack, etc., the pistol must be in a holster so the trigger area is covered.
• Prevents gun from changing position on body
  • The holster needs to have some means to keep it from moving position. If you are going to wear you pistol at a strong side 4 o’clock position (between your hip and your rear pocket), you don’t want it sliding further back into a 5 or 6 o’clock position. You don’t want to execute your draw expecting the gun to be at 4 o’clock and it’s not there. Also, take into account the type of pants you wear and where the belt loops are. A holster that works fine with one brand/style of pants may not work well with another.

Some other things to take into consideration…

• Do you need to be able to easily remove the holster and re-attach it?
  • Will you be going places (like work) where you are required to leave your firearm in your vehicle? Although you can remove the pistol and leave the holster on, that may not be comfortable for an extended time. Maybe you can’t wear the holster due dress code or a uniform policy. Perhaps the holster may be too obvious or distracting.
  • Inside-the-waistband holsters that have two clips to attach to the belt are very secure, but can be difficult to remove and put back on. This also goes for outside-the-waistband holsters which have slots for your belt to go through.
  • if you need to be able to easily remove and re-attach the holster, take that into account when making a selection.
• What position will you be in or activities involved in most of the time while you are carrying?
  • Will you be sitting in a chair, driving a vehicle, standing or walking? Consider how your position will affect your ability to access your firearm. Is there a carry position that will make access easier for you in your normal day-to-day activities?
• How easy is it to re-holster the pistol?
  • Canvas, cloth and soft leather will make it harder to holster the pistol. It’s preferable to have a holster that is made out of Kydex or a heavy, stiff leather. That way when the pistol is removed form the holster, the holster will maintain an opening to allow for easier re-holstering. Keep in mind even stiff leather holsters can over time begin to soften. Pocket holsters or ‘sticky’ holsters can be removed, the pistol inserted, then the holster and pistol re-positioned. We can take our time and safely ‘look’ the pistol into the holster, but some holsters make the process easier and safer.
• Do you want the holster to cant the pistol?
  • If wearing strong side, and to some extent with center carry, do you want the pistol canted at an angle to facilitate an easier draw rather than it being positioned straight up and down. This is a bit more of a personal preference, but if you will be wearing your pistol in the 4 or 5 o’clock position, having a holster which will cant the pistol at an angle will make drawing the pistol easier.

Beyond meeting these criteria, it now becomes a matter of personal preference.

Do you prefer leather or synthetic material? Synthetics are easier to clean. Pocket holsters and sticky holsters can often be washed out either by hand or machine. Which material and style will be more comfortable to wear? How much do you sweat? That may sound odd, but the holster material will absorb sweat, body oil and lint from clothing – so what material/style will be easier to clean? Do you want a holster with a built in spare magazine carrier, a separate matching magazine carrier, or will a generic spare magazine carrier do just fine?

Below are some of my suggested holster manufacturers and sources.

https://aliengearholsters.com/

https://www.crossbreedholsters.com/

https://clingerholsters.com/product/gear-holster/

https://stickyholsters.com/

Concealed Carry for Women: https://tacticafashion.com/

Brave Response Appendix Holster

https://www.galcogunleather.com/

https://www.desantisholster.com/

BigFoot Gun Belts: https://gunbelts.com/