Holster selection is one of those conversations that never really ends at the gun store counter. You figure out what works, then your carry situation changes — new job, new season, new gun — and you're back at square one. This piece covers the full landscape pretty well, so a few things worth flagging.

"A holster that works great for a guy who sits at a desk all day might be miserable for someone who's in and out of a truck."

This is the part most holster articles skip over. I ran IWB strong-side for years until I spent a summer doing a lot of driving — suddenly AIWB made a lot more sense for seated access. Your daily routine should drive the decision as much as the gun does.

"Never reholster while the holster is still in your waistband unless you have confirmed your cover garment is completely clear of the trigger guard. Remove the holster, reholster, then replace."

Worth hammering on this one. At every USPSA match or range day I've been to where someone flagged a safety issue, it was almost always during reholstering — not the draw. Slowing that step down costs you nothing and keeps your femoral artery intact.

"Stay away from cheap nylon 'universal fit' holsters. Per Source 2, they're floppy, don't provide proper trigger protection, and make drawing inconsistent."

The number of these things I've seen at the range is depressing. Universal fit is another way of saying "fits nothing well." A $25 nylon sleeve on a carry gun is a false economy — the one time it matters is exactly when it'll let you down.

What position do you carry in, and did you have to change it after your life or routine shifted?

Read the full article in The Handbook → | By BGC Editorial