Duty-ish Holster

[Motor-T]

I'm taking a new job overseas that will require me to carry a 92f openly. This is new territory for me as I've only carried concealed previously. I usually use Comp-Tac gear, but they don't seem to have anything with any type of active retention.
I am in a very low speed, high drag type of position so I'd rather not look like too much of a mall ninja, so the thigh rig is out. Which holsters should I look at for non-uniformed low profile open carry?

[DI1]

Safariland ALS

[DI1]

Model #

6320-73-411

[Al T.]

Completely agree about the ALS. Depending on your clothes (uniform or civvies), the exact model may need tweaking.

[Up1911Fan]

Another vote for the ALS. You can always add the ALS Guard to it if you want another level of retention.

[Suvorov]

Big fan of the ALS as well. I use the 6378 (http://www.amazon.com/Safariland-Beretta-4-9-Inch-Concealment-Holster/dp/B003YD3JYY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362707946&sr=8-2&keywords=beretta+92+als)for every gun I have that it is available for, especially the 92FS. Great all around holster. It comes with a paddle or a belt loop attachment depending on your preference/requirements. The ALS provides positive retention which is every bit as quick as a thumbstrap, but doesn't scream tacticool or mall ninja. Best of all, they come at very affordable prices.

[Chuck Haggard]

Big fan of the ALS as well. I use the 6378 (http://www.amazon.com/Safariland-Beretta-4-9-Inch-Concealment-Holster/dp/B003YD3JYY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362707946&sr=8-2&keywords=beretta+92+als)for every gun I have that it is available for, especially the 92FS. Great all around holster. It comes with a paddle or a belt loop attachment depending on your preference/requirements. The ALS provides positive retention which is every bit as quick as a thumbstrap, but doesn't scream tacticool or mall ninja. Best of all, they come at very affordable prices.

^This^, except I hate paddles and would ban them if I was Emperor fo the Known Universe.

It pains me that Safariland has the finest police duty holsters ever made with the ALS system, because I hate BAE so much, but I have to give credit where credit is due.

[KeeFus]

Hands down...ALS. I'd also stay away from the paddle attachments. While every ALS I have came with one I've yet too use it. Much more secure to have it on with the belt loops.

[John Ralston]

The ALS is amazing, but plastic. If you want leather, I and many other makers offer Thumb Breaks on various rigs.

[Wendell]

http://www.rangerjoes.com/Safailand-ALS-Holster-Right-Hand-P8161.aspx

http://www.rangerjoes.com/Safariland-QLS-Fork-P8589.aspx

http://www.rangerjoes.com/MOLLE-Adapter-Plate-with-QLS-22-P7947.aspx

[Dan_S]

^This^, except I hate paddles and would ban them if I was Emperor fo the Known Universe.


Yup.

I'm definitely NOT a fan of paddle holsters. Just the other day I dug out an old paddle holster that I had hidden in a dark corner somewhere and tried to use it for all of one minute before getting re-disgusted with the stupid thing and sticking back in its dark corner...

[Suvorov]

What is the main problem with paddle holsters? :confused:

Are they less secure? I use one because it makes getting the holster on and off a whole lot easier, but I do have the option of going to a belt loop attachment on the holster.

[Dan_S]

What is the main problem with paddle holsters? :confused:

Are they less secure? I use one because it makes getting the holster on and off a whole lot easier, but I do have the option of going to a belt loop attachment on the holster.

Therein lies the problem for me. The easier to slip the holster on, the more likely you are to wind up presenting a holstered pistol to your target or some variant of that.

For me to get my .357 out of the paddle holster, I have to put my left hand on the holster to hold it in place, while I rip it out of the holster with my right hand. Lets just say that my draw speed wasn't gonna set any records with it....

With my limited experience regarding paddle holsters (mostly bad) I just am not seeing the point of the paddle holster, especially when there are holsters out there that actually work for me.

[SGT_Calle]

What is the main problem with paddle holsters? :confused:

Are they less secure? I use one because it makes getting the holster on and off a whole lot easier, but I do have the option of going to a belt loop attachment on the holster.

If you want an easy on/off option look at the G-Code offerings with the RTI locking system. Just another option out there.
http://www.tacticalholsters.com/index.html

[JDM]

What is the main problem with paddle holsters? :confused:

Are they less secure? I use one because it makes getting the holster on and off a whole lot easier, but I do have the option of going to a belt loop attachment on the holster.

The idea behind an open carry/duty holster, as I understand it, is to retain the gun. The main problem with paddle holsters in this context is that paddle holsters exist to facilitate the easy removal of the pistol (and holster) from the belt...the exact opposite of what I'm trying to do with a duty holster.

If I have to "un-gun" I'll take the time to unthread my belt from a regular holster rather than risk my gun (and holster) being stripped from my person in a struggle.

[Suvorov]

Therein lies the problem for me. The easier to slip the holster on, the more likely you are to wind up presenting a holstered pistol to your target or some variant of that.

For me to get my .357 out of the paddle holster, I have to put my left hand on the holster to hold it in place, while I rip it out of the holster with my right hand. Lets just say that my draw speed wasn't gonna set any records with it....

With my limited experience regarding paddle holsters (mostly bad) I just am not seeing the point of the paddle holster, especially when there are holsters out there that actually work for me.


The idea behind an open carry/duty holster, as I understand it, is to retain the gun. The main problem with paddle holsters in this context is that paddle holsters exist to facilitate the easy removal of the pistol (and holster) from the belt...the exact opposite of what I'm trying to do with a duty holster.

If I have to "un-gun" I'll take the time to unthread my belt from a regular holster rather than risk my gun (and holster) being stripped from my person in a struggle.

Valid points.

I have not yet experienced an incident where I have had the paddle holster release during a presentation as long as it was properly worn, so I have enough empirical data to alleviate that concern even though it is a possibility. I do have that concern about it holding during an attempted grab though.

I realize that it may sound like I'm being a pussy, but I often have to "gun" and "ungun" several times a day while in a seated position. The paddle holster has made this job infinitely easier.


If you want an easy on/off option look at the G-Code offerings with the RTI locking system. Just another option out there.
http://www.tacticalholsters.com/index.html

Thanks for the link. Interesting holsters - they look like they would be perfect for my needs. I don't get to choose my "work holster" though :(

[66L]

You didn't mention if it had to be a belt holster or if other options are on the table. The Safariland ALS, or other variant, is a great choice, but a shoulder holster like the Miami Classic (vertical) (http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPG3.asp?ProductID=2827&GunID=3) could make a good option for a number of reasons.

- Light weight and low profile
- Weight is distributed on your shoulders, rather than your hips
- An extended head-call can be made w/out leaving your pistol on the floor or back of the toilet
- Can be easily covered with a shirt for concealment if needed
- Easy to put on and take off w/out unthreading a belt, yet very secure
- Use with either hand and deployable from nearly ANY position except laying face down (driving, sitting, standing, croutching, etc.)
- Great Don Johnson impersonation w/ the right wardrobe

They have limitations: cost, slower draw speed, training to avoid sweeping yourself during the draw, hard to use with body armor. They aren't a perfect solution, but I have the literal box of holsters and none is more comfortable and easy/safe to use w/ practice. They are ideal for admin'ish roles if that's what you're likely to spend time doing. I have the standard Miami Classic which holds the weapon horizontally, but I would do the vertical option if I had to do it again.

[Dan_S]

They are ideal for admin'ish roles if that's what you're likely to spend time doing.

No shit.



I have the standard Miami Classic which holds the weapon horizontally, but I would do the vertical option if I had to do it again.

I had that standard Classic rig that I used for a while. Incidently, I actually lost a weapon one day, due to that holster. If the most physical activity you are apt to have in a day is driving a Ferrari somewhere in the vicinity of Miami Beach, the horizontal Classic rig is probably wonderful. For someone (like myself, at the time of this occurrence) that is required to have a slightly more active work environment, I'd strongly suggest that a vertical rig would be in order.

[S Jenks]

I never liked paddle holsters until I purchased an ALS. It works for the role I intended it for, mainly court and dispatch duties (the boss frowns on AIWB in uniform). Very instinctive draw.

It might just be me but the belt loop option seemed like it should have been molded a bit for comfort.

[66L]

No shit.

Insightful comment. Thanks for spelling that out for us.

[nwhpfan]

Nobody recommended a Serpa yet? Weird :D.

How about just a belt holster with a thumb break. Just about everyone makes one. Here's an example http://www.tedblockerholsters.com/product.cfm?pi=5354A91B-D615-7975-0D8D35AE6545468A

Maybe not on their site yet but Comp-Tac does make a holster with a thumb break. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/01/09/comp-tac-first-level-2-retention-holster/


I carried this holster for a long time and it matched up with the legendary 070 well. http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/product.aspx?pid=0701

I also like this. http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Accessories/Holsters/ThumbDrive-Holster.html

[Chuck Haggard]

Reference paddles, issues I have seen;

Too much movement on the belt, can make for inconsistent draw

Retention issues, especially in a gun grab

I have yet to see a paddle that didn't eventually snap right off of the holster at some point