Firearms are expensive investments, so when it’s time to purchase a holster, many of us tend to compromise on quality so that we don’t feel absolutely broke after the entire purchase is complete. While it is perfectly logical to do so, you must remember that the whole reason for you to have a gun is to defend yourself. What’s the point of buying a quality firearm when the holster is too flimsy and/or cannot serve its purpose?
Additionally, there are many people who do not mind splurging on a holster, but due to their lack of experience and knowledge, they end up purchasing an expensive holster that doesn’t work properly. As a result, I’ve comprised a list of things to look out for when purchasing a holster.
1. Consider the safety of the holster. All holsters should include the following:
- Holsters must cover the entire trigger AND trigger guard.
- You should be able to run, and jump up and down, without any movement from your holstered firearm. This is especially important if you have to run from an attack; you do not want to lose your firearm or arm an attacker with your firearm.
2. Things you want to avoid when choosing a holster:
- Stay away from material that eventually wears out, such as leather. If your holster begins to wear, it will lose it’s shape and most importantly, worn out material might come into contact with the trigger when re-holstering your firearm, causing the gun to potentially fire.
- Holsters that have a mechanism that must be activated in order for the holster to release the firearm, such as the Serpa holster, should also be avoided. Like any other mechanical device it could potentially fail. For example, something could potentially go wrong, such as an object getting stuck in the release and then you won’t be able to access your firearm.
- Holsters with a snap strap can be dangerous if you don’t get into the habit of checking to make sure the holster is clear of the strap before re-holstering. For example, that strap could cause the trigger to accidently fire the gun.
3. Consider the accessibility of the holster and avoid choosing a holster that will increase your risk of muzzling innocent bystanders. For example:
- When pulling your firearm from your holster, make sure that it doesn’t muzzle you or anyone around you. A shoulder holster is most notorious for this. Let’s say your firearm seats either horizontally or vertically in your holster. When accessing it, regardless of how it sits, you’ll first muzzle your arm and then while your rotating it forward, you’ll muzzle everyone on that side before aiming the firearm in front of you.
- A purse is a great way to conceal your firearm, but if you’re not glued to it (like I am) it won’t come in handy when you need it. You need to choose something that you’ll use everyday and keep it by your side.
- Avoid holsters that are physically difficult to access. Unless you spend most of your days sitting down, an ankle holster will require too much time to access from an erected position. Consider your daily routine in order to choose a holster that will cater to your lifestyle.
I hope this gives everyone some insight on what to look for when choosing a holster. I also would like to add that quality holsters do not have to be expensive. Do your research, consider all of the above, and if you have any questions or would like my opinion on a holster you have chosen, do not hesitate to contact me.
Ava Flanell
(719) 445-6638
