Category Archives: Holsters and Gear Recommendations

Quick answer: A small of back (SOB) holster carries the gun at 6 o’clock, in the center of your lower back. It hides well under a jacket, but makers warn about falls onto the spine, a draw that can sweep your own body, re-holstering you can’t see, and gun grabs from behind. Galco’s limit is […]

Quick answer: A light-bearing holster is made to fit your pistol with its weapon-mounted light attached, so it holds the gun and light together. It makes the light usable for identifying a threat in the dark, but adds bulk, length and weight. Pick the holster before the light, then plan for comfort when sitting, a […]

Quick answer: A tuckable holster is an inside-the-waistband holster whose belt clips leave a gap, so your shirt tucks between the holster and your pants and covers the gun. To make it work you need clips built for tucking, a stiff 1.5″ gun belt, a position that keeps the grip close to your body, and […]

Quick answer: A duty holster is a belt-mounted holster with active retention, made for police, security and military work. Choose in this order: what your agency allows, retention level (Alien Gear says most agencies prefer Level 2 or 3), ride height (Safariland’s most popular for patrol is mid-ride), a fit for your gun and light, […]

Quick answer: A CCW backpack is a backpack with a dedicated compartment for a handgun, often on the side against your back, with a holster or loop panel inside. It makes sense when you carry a full-size bag anyway: travel, range days, time away from home. Drawing takes extra steps a belt holster doesn’t, and […]

Quick answer: A cross draw holster carries the gun on your support side, around 9 to 10 o’clock for a right-handed shooter, canted forward so your strong hand reaches across your body to draw. It shines seated and driving, and for carriers with shoulder or mobility limits. It needs a holster that covers the trigger […]

Quick answer: A paddle holster is an outside-the-waistband holster held on by a wide, flat paddle that slides inside your waistband behind your belt, instead of belt loops. It goes on and off without removing your belt. The trade-offs: it usually rides a little farther from the body and prints more, and a weak paddle […]

Quick answer: A fanny pack holster is a waist pack with a dedicated gun compartment and a holster inside it, worn at the waist or slung cross-body. It hides a gun when your clothes can’t, at the gym, beach or on a hike, but the draw is slower than from a belt holster, and the […]

Quick answer: A velcro holster has a hook-and-loop back, so it sticks to a loop panel inside a backpack, sling bag, fanny pack, vehicle or safe instead of clipping to a belt. Rigid Kydex versions hold their shape; soft wrap-around versions adjust to many pistols. Use one where the bag or panel stays with you. […]

Quick answer: A MOLLE holster mounts a handgun to MOLLE webbing, the grid of nylon straps on plate carriers, vests, chest rigs, battle belts and packs, instead of to a pant belt. There are two kinds: soft holsters built to weave onto the webbing, and adapters that put a rigid holster on MOLLE. Neither is […]