Whether it is for open or concealed carrying, having a comfortable gun holster can be essential. Take a look at 5 great options perfect for the gun enthusiast.
To wear or not to wear?
That’s not really a question when we’re talking about our guns. They need to be on our person. They need to be close and accessible. They need to be ready at a moment’s notice. They need to be safe and secure.
Without a gun holster, we could potentially find our weapons of protection somewhere between the waist and the ankle of our pants.
Not safe. Definitely not cool.
With so many different types, styles, fits, and genres of holsters to choose from, it’s easy to pull the trigger and buy the right one for your needs. As a gun enthusiast, you just need to know your options.
Here are some of the most popular holsters for the savvy carrier.
Hold It!
In today’s market, there is a gun holster for every type of firearm.
Ranging from basic and conventional to glam and glittery, firearm accessories are turning into a healthy mix of function and fashion. Gone are the days that you can’t pair your gun holster and/or ammunition belt with an outfit or even an occasion.
Celebrating a holiday? There’s a holster for that.
Dinner with some co-workers? There’s a holster for that.
A day at the water park? Well, slow your roll, Rambo. But, there is a holster for the water-logged journey home from the park after you change out of your bathing suit.
Take a look at a few of the most popular gun holster options to give you the Ballistic Advantage.
1. Outer Waistband (OWB) Holsters
You got a new gun. That gun not only costs some quality cash, but it looks pretty bad ‘A’, too. There is no shame in putting that loaded beauty on display.
Outer waistband holsters (OWB) are some of the most popular gun holsters on the market. The can perfectly showcase your weapon without giving off the vibe that you’re a gun-yielding maniac.
These types of holsters can really allow you to show off your style. Be it plain, be it gaudy, or be it somewhere in between – OWB holsters are a great option for those of us that don’t need our concealed weapon to be concealed.
PROS
- Aesthetics (these holsters will be seen, so the sky is the limit with material, design, and theme)
- Easy to access
- Offers more comfort
CONS
- Not concealed
2. Inner Waistband (IWB) Holsters
These types of gun holsters are what we all envision once we successfully complete our concealed carry course.
We’re ready to go full Van Damm with the biggest, yet most discreet, gun we can find and fit around our midsection. We’re ready to practice unleashing our weapon from our 1 o’clock, our 2’oclock, or whatever o’clock in front of the mirror.
Those of us that prefer to actually conceal our carry when out in public will quickly opt for these types of holsters.
Depending on your personal style and comfort, the cross-draw and the appendix holsters are some top contenders in this gun holster category.
Cross-Draw Carry
The cross-draw offers quality function for a natural draw. In a fight or flight situation, it may feel more natural for us to grab our weapon from the opposite side of our firing arm.
A big advantage of choosing this type of holster is due to its availability as both OWB and IWB options.
The OWB cross-draw carry is simple and efficient. Your gun is at arm’s reach and it is a comfortable open carry grab.
The IWB cross draw carry is both efficient and discreet. Your gun is placed perfectly near the hip and the clip is fastened nicely on the outside. This may offer a bit more comfort.
These types of carry are great because they can be interchangeable. Depending on the size and length of the gun, there are benefits to both.
Having the option for both OWB and IWB gives more freedom and flexibility in your carry.
Appendix Carry
The appendix holsters, on the other hand, are a bit more tucked away. The verdict is mixed on this type of holster. Many love it; others fear it. If you’re a man, you can understand where this fear originates. No man wants an ‘oopsie shot’ in the position right above the crown jewels.
On the other hand, the appendix holster is the preferred choice for thugs and vigilantes alike.
It’s close. It’s convenient. It’s very discreet.
The only true downfall is that it can be relatively uncomfortable, at first, when sitting. However, this is something that you can easily get comfortable with after a few wears.
3. Leg (Thigh) Holsters
Planning a trip to the Amazon? Preparing for a mission with the Black Ops or Bear Grylls? A thigh holster could be in your forecast.
The beauty of the thigh holster is placement.
Your weapon is directly located where your hand is naturally positioned by your leg.
For the lay person, this is not a necessity. However, for anyone that needs to wear body armor, actively spends time in a war zone, or worries about being attacked by a natural predator in the forest – this is the carry for you!
The downfall of the thigh holster, though, is placement.
For anyone that is in an active line of duty, these types of holsters are usually standard practice. However, that doesn’t mean they are preferred practice.
Thigh holsters, when placed too low, can move around quite a bit. Also, they can be easy targets for someone looking to disarm you quickly. When placed too high, they can restrict blood flow and cause discomfort.
However, if you’re not in a position where you are running after criminals, busting through doors, and crawling on the ground – a thigh holster is convenient and easy to access.
PROS
- Easy to access
- Comfortable
- Useful positioning
CONS
- Can be uncomfortable in active duty scenarios
- Movement can become an issue
- Easy to be compromised
4. Shoulder Holsters
Shoulder holsters are the OG’s of the weapon toting world. Billy the Kid had one; Al Capone definitely had one; let’s be honest, we all want one!
They distribute the weight of our guns and ammo, and they can offer quite a bit of comfort for all-day wear. Shoulder holsters are like the coveted mullet hairstyle – business on the outside; protection on the inside.
Anyone that deals with back or shoulder issues will appreciate this type of gun holster. Shoulder holsters are definitely more of the ergonomic option where comfort is key.
Also, these are great options because they can look flusher when wearing. Hip holsters and belly holsters have a tendency to push our guns more forward.
Wearing a should holster allows for a bit more concealment. The gun(s) can be tucked more under our armpits around our waist, making for less bulk and a more concealed look.
PROS
- Can carry multiple guns
- Room for additional ammo
- Comfortable
CONS
- Not easy to remove on-the-go
- Can become heavy
5. Belly Band Holsters
Ah yes. The gun holster that can solve many a daily problem.
There are times when we leave our home without a belt. However, without a belt used to mean without a gun.
Those days are long gone. Welcome to the era of the belly band holster.
This is not necessarily an ammunition belt, although that would be an amazing upgrade to any belly band holster. This firearm accessory is a comfortable option when we are wearing clothes without an elastic waistband.
Usually crafted from neoprene, a nice spandex-blend, or some other breathable material – the belly band holster gives us the perpetual option to always carry our gun.
An alluring feature of this holster is that you can wear it anywhere on your chest. The belly band doesn’t necessarily have to be located on your stomach. It can be moved higher or lower, depending on what is most comfortable for you.
PROS
- Breathable and comfortable material
- Options for placement
- Tight and secure
CONS
- A bit more difficult to remove
- Can cause more sweat around the midsection
Things to Consider
We carry our guns for a myriad of reasons.
Schools, college campuses, libraries, movie theaters, concerts, and just about any other public event has fallen victim to mass shootings.
The importance of being protected, or even being able to protect others, has come to a boiling point in today’s society.
We can’t leave our doors unlocked anymore. We can’t go out to dinner and a movie without a little bit of fear. We can’t openly appreciate concerts, theme parks, or other public attractions without the possibility of becoming an open target.
Concealed and/or open carry is becoming more of a necessity than a want.
Plain and simple—gun carrying has, does, and will always protect lives.
So, there are a few takeaways from today’s volatile society that we are learning. It is important to:
- Attain a concealed carry license
- Purchase a gun that you feel comfortable using and carrying
- Find a gun holster(s) that fits your needs
Carry On!
Regardless of the reason you decide to conceal or open carry, having options is always a plus. With so many firearm accessories, you can easily track down a gun holster that fits the type and design that pairs best with your gun and your needs.
Whether it be an OWB, IWB, shoulder, thigh, or belly holster – make sure you wear it often until it becomes a natural feeling under or over your clothes. Take the time to know your gun. Take the time to practice accessing your gun from whatever gun holster works best for you.
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