Guns The Importance of a Good Holster

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The Importance of a Good Holster
If you carry concealed, not just any holster will do. Not if you carry on a regular basis.

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The Importance of a Good Holster

by Ruben Chavira

I first started carrying a gun as a professional over thirty years ago while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Although a Marine's primary weapon is a rifle, as a Radio/Telegraph Operator and later as an MP (Barracks Duty) I was most often required to carry an old M1911 style pistol. As with the rifle, I was taught to care for my pistol as if my life depended on it. Part of the care of the pistol was how to properly carry it. This training carried over to, and was emphasized during, 22 years as a municipal police officer.

While in the Corps I was assigned to “Barracks Duty in Japan. I was issued an old used black leather holster fitted to the M1911 pistol we carried as our duty weapon. The leather was thick and heavy. Although the holster was old it retained its shape and held the pistol securely. The old leather was scuffed but there were no cracks and it still retained its black finish. The old U.S. insignia was still clearly visible on the flap of the holster. A couple of hours with a tin of Kiwi shoe polish, an old t-shirt and lots of spit and elbow grease and you could not tell that the holster had ever been issued. I carried that holster proudly for 19 months. When I left Japan I returned the holster to the supply sergeant. It was ready for several more years of use even though I had subjected it to numerous hours of quick draw practice and wore it in torrential rain and hot, humid summers.

Years later I wore and experimented with a variety of duty holsters as a uniformed police officer. These holsters were similarly made of thick, firm leather. Later, thinner leather would be sandwiched around a layer of plastic for extra strength. Still, the leather was high quality and had, with a little care, my holster lasted for more than 10 years in some of the most adverse conditions. You can imagine the wear and tear a police officer subjects a holster to. Besides training, the daily wear of drawing and re-holstering the pistol, plus getting in and out of the police car, jumping fences, running through brush, standing in pouring rain or under the hot summer sun. This takes a toll on the holster.

Now, imagine the wear and tear on the handgun were it not carried in a properly made holster. So far we've only discussed the holster worn on the belt of a uniformed Marine or police officer. How about the holster used in a concealed carry mode. Whether you are a police officer or have a concealed weapon permit, you don't carry the holster openly. The intent is to carry the handgun in a way that the general public cannot see it. This usually means that the gun is carried under the trouser waistband or under the armpit. Sometimes a leg holster is used. While this usually protects the gun and holster from the elements they are now subject to an even more troublesome environment. They come in contact with your body. They are now immersed in a sweaty environment.

I remember my first undercover assignment. I went out and purchased a new in the waist band holster. It was the same type I carried off duty. I never considered the difference in type of carry. I figured the holster worked when I carried home and back to work, it would work at work. At the end of the first day I arrived home and removed my holster. It was soaked with sweat. I pulled the gun from the holster and saw that the finish on the left side of the cylinder and barrel on my brand new 2" .38 caliber S&W Chief's Special was pitted. The side pressed against my body. You see, I now carried the gun concealed for about 10 hours daily, where before I never carried concealed for more than an hour at a time.

I went and bought a new holster. A belt slide model. Although it kept the gun away from my body sweat I had to constantly wear a jacket or a shirt with the tails out. This was not always possible, especially on hot summer days. After months of searching for a good holster, I finally took to making my own. Starting with some contemporary designs and making changes that I felt would improve the design I strived for one that could be comfortably carried in the waist for hours at a time while protecting the handgun from the corrosive properties of body sweat. The leather was thicker that most IWB's which tended to make it less concealable. I took to molding the holster to the shape of the gun, which increased the concealability and security of the gun. Then I removed the old metal belt keeper and added a thinner leather strap. Remembering my old Marine Corps holster, I added a finish to the holster that increased its ability to withstand not only the elements but also human sweat.

Here is my point. If you carry a concealed weapon for short jaunts, just about any holster will do. As long as it fits the gun and provides a modicum of security you should be fine. If, on the other hand, you carry a concealed handgun on a regular basis, whether as a professional or CCW permit holder with extensive carry needs, you need to find a holster that is comfortable to carry for long periods of time, provides security for the gun, is easy to conceal, and that will protect your gun from you.

If you fall within this class there are many types and brands of holsters out there that you can select from. When you select a holster, make sure that it fits your particular style gun; that it is intended for the purpose you need; that it fits your life and dress style and that it is made from quality products that will protect your investment in your handgun. So far, there has not been a product made that fits these qualities as well as does leather. Pick your holster with the same care that you use to select your handgun. Be professional about your choice.