Minimal Retention Holsters

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So Bob gave me a good start, but I thought I would bring this up again here and see if anyone else has something to do, I'm always interested in what you guys come up with.

I started OC'ing in early April when I got my permit. I began with two different types of holster, one OWB, and one IWB/OWB both thumb break.

I now use a Fobus paddle with only tension holding the firearm in place.

I feel like I can draw at least 3 times faster with this holster than with a thumb break, the gun also seems to have a much more fluid motion coming out of a Fobus than a nylon/kydex holster. From watching some of the videos that have been posted, I would prefer to have to be much more alert of my surroundings with no retention, than to have to fiddle around with a thumb break while simultaneously dealing with a threat.

I feel that although I practice my draw and shoot at the range a lot, that this is a controlled environment, and that I could forsee myself in a bit of panic mode when dealing with a threat, as I have zero military experience, but I still trying to go over things in my head at the range so that if the situation were ever to present itself I would be as ready as possible -- to me that includes a holster from which I can draw quickly and keep most of my attention on the events unfolding.

The only problem I have with the Fobus, is that when I am in line at a gas station, or somewhere where people are lined up behind me is that I get apprehensive especially when I have to sign a receipt and the gun is at is most opportune point to be taken away from me.

I suppose I could cover it up with my shirt, if it is untucked at the time, but don't want anyone to think I am brandishing.

Any thoughts on this?

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follow these threads on OCDO.

Problems with Blackhawk Serpa holsters?? Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Blackhawk SERPA Page: 1 2

Embrace the light...:lol:...:celebrate...:monkey



BlackHawk CQC SERPA Holster Matte Finish Belt Loop and Paddle

Retail price: $46.99
Our price: $35.24







I NEVER WORRY ANYMORE ABOUT ANYBODY COMING UP FROM BEHIND OR FROM ANYWHERE TO GRAB MY PIECE

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I have recently started carrying an M1911-A1 .45 in a Galco leather holster. I am not a small guy so retention is not an issue...there is enough pressure to retain the firearm. I have even jogged a few blocks to make sure it won't fall out if I need to run. I sometimes carry a S&W 39-2 in a leather holster with the same senario, plenty of pressure to retain. As to the possibility of someone trying to take it away from me, I do have a back up plan...4" Cold Steel Tanto point lock blade that I am amply proficient with up close and personal or at a distance.

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There are a lot of people here that swear by holsters with out any restraints to secure there weapon , I'm not one. I believe that we should do all that is possible to keep our guns out of the hands of BG's, Yes it might take a lot more training to use one with a strap and other retention options, but there is always a trad off.

And your training should consist of more than standing and pointing a gun down range, ie; prone on your belly, back, side shooting above your head down towards your feet and any other direction you might fined your self in ina altercation trying to hang onto your weapon, this should also be drawing your gun from yourholster in all of these positions.

Also you should seek professional training for weapon retention and confiscation you might have to take you own gun back from the bad guy. also other gun training, of course this could get expensive but its worth the money.

On another note my Mother lives in Indiana, what do I need to Open carry in your state . Thanks and I hope I gave you something to think about.

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Indiana has a 'License to carry Handgun' for residents, however I am unaware of the arrangements for citizens out of state, I will check on this for you.

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Mack 12ga. wrote:

On another note my Mother lives in Indiana, what do I need to Open carry in your state . Thanks and I hope I gave you something to think about.

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Indiana does honor Missouri permits.

Here are the places off limits in Indiana.

In or On School Property.
On A School Bus.
In or On Property That Is Being Used By a School for a School Function.
Private School (IC 209.113)
& (IC 3541124.7).
Head Start (IC 3541124.7
Preschool (IC 3541124.7).
IC 354791 Allows the carry of firearms by persons permitted to possess and who are transporting a person to or
from school or a school function.
On an Aircraft.
Controlled Access Areas Of An Airport
During Annual State Fair 80 IAC 444
(Must lock in Vehicle.)
Shipping Port 130 IAC 418
(Controlled by the Indiana Port Commission)
A Riverboat Casino.

Looks like Indiana has some decent laws. Much better than some.

No personal experience here, just what I found on
http://www.handgunlaw.us/

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kingfish wrote:

Mack 12ga. wrote:

On another note my Mother lives in Indiana, what do I need to Open carry in your state . Thanks and I hope I gave you something to think about.

Click to expand...

Indiana does honor Missouri permits.

Here are the places off limits in Indiana.

In or On School Property.
On A School Bus.
In or On Property That Is Being Used By a School for a School Function.
Private School (IC 209.113)
& (IC 3541124.7).
Head Start (IC 3541124.7
Preschool (IC 3541124.7).
IC 354791 Allows the carry of firearms by persons permitted to possess and who are transporting a person to or
from school or a school function.
On an Aircraft.
Controlled Access Areas Of An Airport
During Annual State Fair 80 IAC 444
(Must lock in Vehicle.)
Shipping Port 130 IAC 418
(Controlled by the Indiana Port Commission)
A Riverboat Casino.

Looks like Indiana has some decent laws. Much better than some.

No personal experience here, just what I found on
http://www.handgunlaw.us/

Click to expand...

You can carry all the way upto the riverboat, the establisment must provide a lock box for you to check your firearm upon entering.

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Thanks thats all realy good stuff to know.

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openryan wrote:

The only problem I have with the Fobus, is that when I am in line at a gas station, or somewhere where people are lined up behind me is that I get apprehensive especially when I have to sign a receipt and the gun is at is most opportune point to be taken away from me.

I suppose I could cover it up with my shirt, if it is untucked at the time, but don't want anyone to think I am brandishing.

Any thoughts on this?

Click to expand...

I open carry regularly and I am also concerned about someone taking my gun from behind. My answer was to carry crossdraw at about 10:30 to 11 o'clock position so they would have to reach around my waist to get to the gun. Plus, Ican sit more comfortably in the car with a crossdraw.

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Mack 12ga. wrote:

There are a lot of people here that swear by holsters without any restraints to secure their weapons; I'm not one. I believe that we should do all that is possible to keep our guns out of the hands of BGs. Yes, it might take a lot more training to use one with a strap and other retention options, but there is always a tradeoff.

And your training should consist of more than standing and pointing a gun down range (ie; prone on your belly, back, side shooting above your head down towards your feet and any other direction you might fined your self in ina altercation trying to hang onto your weapon; this should also be drawing your gun from yourholster in all of these positions).

Also, you should seek professional training for weapon retention and confiscation: you might have to take you own gun back from the bad guy; also other gun training. Of course this could get expensive but it's worth the money.

Click to expand...

Weapon retention should be something everyone trains on. I also agree that everyone should train in several positions. Those points, I believe, are the ones we both agree on.
A tension-based retention system provides a secure hold on your firearm, but the tradeoff is that you need to be alert. A thumb break or other anti-BG retention system provides a little more ease of mind, but they also give people a false sense of security.
Depending on how you carry your sidearm, different levels of retention may seem more appropriate. A straght-drop, especially when carried in a position behind the hip, is more susceptible to being grabbed from behind than an FBI cant or crossdraw. A crossdraw is most susceptible to grabs if you have already engaged your opponent physically. The FBI cant is less susceptible to grabs from behind, but could be approached from the front or side. If you feel that you need the extra retention some holsters add, fine. In any case, be sure to practice retention and awareness, as no retention system eliminates the need for good practice.
I use an FBI cant or a crossdraw, and I don't feel I need a thumb break for either, given the right holster. My usual FBI cant holster has a thumb break, since it is a somewhat shallow nylon holster, but I use a Fobus roto-holster for crossdraw, for which I need no retention systems beyond myself and the fairly high tension.

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You are absolutely right, people do walk around with a great deal of false sense of security, having a LEO in a car on the other side of town, having there doors locked, having the weapons in a safe etc. I'm not saying that a holster with a strap or other retention devices should allow you to drop your guard, just the opposite, having the awareness of a potential threat allows you to get ready for what might happen. I was only giving an opinion of the possibility of being side blinded and having a snatch and grab, having one or more devices could make a difference or not, you just don't know, but having that extra edge has in the past with many people made the difference.

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Mack 12ga. wrote:

There are a lot of people here that swear by holsters with out any restraints to secure there weapon , I'm not one. I believe that we should do all that is possible to keep our guns out of the hands of BG's, Yes it might take a lot more training to use one with a strap and other retention options, but there is always a trad off.

And your training should consist of more than standing and pointing a gun down range, ie; prone on your belly, back, side shooting above your head down towards your feet and any other direction you might fined your self in ina altercation trying to hang onto your weapon, this should also be drawing your gun from yourholster in all of these positions.

Also you should seek professional training for weapon retention and confiscation you might have to take you own gun back from the bad guy. also other gun training, of course this could get expensive but its worth the money.

On another note my Mother lives in Indiana, what do I need to Open carry in your state . Thanks and I hope I gave you something to think about.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, I am not someone who swears by a no retention holster, but I feel that if a situation arose, and I need to fire quickly that not having a thumb break or button to fool with, I would be able address the situation much more efficiently.

As far as shooting from the different positions, I will have to talk to someone at the range to see if it would be permissible while I am the only one down there.

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Mack 12ga. wrote:

but having that extra edge has in the past with many people made the difference.

Click to expand...

The slight edge in retention vs. the slight edge in draw speed will always be a personal choice. Maybe the faster draw will make the difference, maybe the extra retention will...neither one is without benefits and downsides. Either way you go, train for it. I will not begrudge anyone their thumb break, nor will I be overly worried because they don't have one. It's one of those decisions each person needs to make.

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Most gun ranges will work with you and understand what your doing and some will work with you, I am lucky enough to have a friend that has a 1200 acre ranch here in Missouri that I get to hunt on and he also allows me to shoot down in a little holler about 300yrds by 600yrds with a 150' tall cliff on one side and the rest is in a bowl depression and is in the middle of his property so I can shoot in any direction with out worry of hitting any one, just gotta make sure the cows are safe( the one I hit will be the most expensive cow he owns ) I know not every one is this lucky but you might ask around, lots of land owners are pro-gun and might let you use there land. good luck and have fun.

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Don't try shooting like this!

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Is that shooting by using the force.... Go Luke Skywalker