How to choose a concealment holster?

 A holster performs key functions for an individual carrying a firearm and is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing to do when buying a hand gun. A holster’s primary function is to give you immediate accessibility to your firearm. Secondarily the holster protects the firearm from outward elements.

It’s very common for a prospective gun buyer to spend hours researching their options before making a purchase. There are some buyers that may even visit a range that rents guns and "test drive" the model they've been eyeing to see how it performs.

Unfortunately, many underestimate the important role the holster plays in carrying a gun. It is important to remember that how you carry your gun is just as critical as which gun you have decided to carry. A holster it’s a vital piece of gear, since is the interface between your gun and body. 

A quality carry holster must have a balance between concealment and accessibility, and also must be comfortable enough to wear it.

With a variety of options on the market, there are many factors to keep in mind when choosing the right holster. Some important factors to consider are your state carry laws, accessibility, comfort and functionality. Holsters come in all types of materials and styles, which means the choice can be overwhelming, especially if you are a new shooter. 

Consider this 6 aspects when buying a holster:

1. COMFORT

Your gun must be comfortable to wear. Don't underestimate the importance of carrying your gun in the right holster. A good holster offers adequate concealment while at the same time, providing unimpeded access to your gun. 

2. CONSIDER THE MATERIAL

The most popular options are leather and Kydex. Leather has the benefit of being tough but also molding to the shape of your gun and your body. It’s also comfortable for concealed holsters that are worn on the belt or inside the pants. Leather can stretch out over time so you will have to perform a bit of maintenance periodically to keep proper retention. 

Nylon works good for carrying your gun when out hunting, in either a shoulder holster or a belt holster. Nylon is normally the cheapest in price. In many cases, these types of holsters are equipped with a shape-retaining stiffener and hook-and-loop fasteners so you can customize the way you carry. You’ll usually find nylon used in OWB and shoulder holsters.

Kydex is a thermoplastic, which means it is incredibly sturdy and will never stretch or lose retention, nor will its shape change when your weapon is drawn. 
Another thing to consider when choosing a material is that softer materials like leather or nylon will change shape when your weapon is drawn, and this can make reholstering difficult. Hard materials like Kydex will retain their open shape for quick, seamless reholstering.

3. CONCEALMENT

The entire point of a concealed carry weapon is for it to remain concealed and unnoticed until it is needed. You want a holster that can hold your firearm on your body in a manner that reduces imprinting. After all, the whole point of concealed carry is to stay as far out of sight as possible.  If it's not safe, secure, and easy to access, then concealment doesn't help you much.

4. TYPE OF CARRY POSITION

There are many different carry positions for concealment:

1. Shoulder holster

2. Ankle

3. Inside the waistband (IWB)

Pick the holster that works best for your style of carry.

5. SECURITY

The security of the firearm it’s super important. You don’t want your gun falling out of the holster. The holster needs to have a method of securing the firearm into it, be it a latch, strap, or tension method.

6. SAFETY OF DRAW

The location you choose as your point of concealment and angle of the gun play a role in how quickly and safe you can draw it. Some holsters allow you to remove the gun without the muzzle sweeping yourself, while others make that unavoidable.

A holster is an important purchase is one of the most important tools you can buy after your gun.

Choose wisely.