Abstract
In the last 18 months, I’ve bought and sold a number of carry guns, seeking the optimal solution. In so doing, I’ve also had to purchase myriad holsters. Each time the new holster arrives, I spend a good bit of time “tuning” the retention screws, which govern “draw weight”, so that the holster has “just” the right amount of tension, for the new gun, to suit my preference for force I need to apply prior to the draw release.
I have never sat down and thought,
could this force be measured?
This thread is to discuss the “Draw Weight” of a gun and holster, to determine if there is an optimum. The “draw weight”, or DW, is defined as the force, measured in decimal pounds, that must be exerted on a gun within a holster in order to “start” movement in the draw. Can one can measure DW? If so, what is the optimum value, for a kydex holster for CCW?
Disclaimer
For purposes of this thread, I will focus on Kydex holsters which provide retention at the trigger guard area. I don’t have any expertise and am not capable of commenting on duty or LEO retention, nor am I well versed in competition, being a very lowly D class shooter in Production in USPSA. So for this discussion I’d like to focus on
civilian concealed carry.
Methodology
I devised a simple method of measuring an approximation of DW, as follows.
Materials:
- Trigger Pull Gauge (Wheeler “Trigger Pull Scale” in my case)
- 12” of 550 Paracord
Steps:
First I verified the gun was empty and locked the slide back. I then threaded the paracord through the grip, up and over the rear sight aperture. I then tied a Bowline knot to keep the paracord secure, and another Bowline to form a loop for the Trigger Pull Gauge hook.
This is pictured below.
Attachment 65331
(If you don’t recall how to tie a Bowline from Scouts, shame on you.
A simple overhand knot will do.)
To perform a measurement, I zeroed the Pull Gauge, then slowly stretched the cord until the gun “just” released from the Kydex. The value of the trigger pull gauge then gave me an approximation of the DW that would need to be applied to the gun to release the retention and start the draw.
As an example, I ran five measurements on my Glock 48, holstered in a JM Custom Kydex IWB 3, which is my normal EDC (in other words, this holster was already set as my EDC). My results were:
RJ’s EDC:
Gun: Glock 48
Holster: JM CK IWB 3
Avg DW: 5.0 lb.
Discussion
Do you think this is a valid approach to measure holster/gun retention DW? If you do, what do you think of the value of the retention I got for my EDC? If you don’t, how do you approach setting retention on your kydex / EDC holsters, consistently? Do you think, specifically in my case, 5.0 lbs is too much, or too little, retention?
I would be very interested if anyone can repeat this with their EDC and holster combination. Please follow all gun safety rules if doing so.
Post back your findings, if you wish:
Gun:
Holster:
Avg DW: