Shooting from the Hip

Gun Belts

A gun belt, or police duty belt, is a nylon or leather belt worn by police or security officers to carry the equipment they need to do their job. Some of the things officers regularly carry in their belts include plasticuffs, handcuffs, radios, batons, notebooks and other paperwork, and hand-held weapons such as pepper spray or, depending on the style of belt and the job the officer does, ammunition and handheld weapons. The duty belt is also used to carry less police-specific items that can include torches, batteries, pens and pencils, keys, and other personal items. Duty belts get very heavy – often weighing in at more than 20 pounds – so they have to be made of durable, thick, and long-wearing material. Most duty belts are about two inches wide and are usually made of nylon or leather.

Leather belts are more flexible than nylon belts, and nylon belts often lead to officers complaining of back pain. Most police officers and security guards wear black duty belts, though brown leather is becoming more common, especially if it matches the officer’s uniform. Belts usually wrap around the officer’s waist and have a buckle closure at the front. A belt keeper – a device that wraps around the duty belt and the trouser belt – keeps the belt from sliding down if an officer has to run or take something out of the belt, or is involved in an altercation. Often, an officer uses several belt keepers to keep everything in place. Because the belts are heavy, some officers use belt suspenders, which move a portion of the belt’s weight to the wearer’s shoulders, cutting down on pressure and allowing the belt to be worn looser.

Newer-designed suspenders break off from the wearer when pulled so they can’t be used against the officer in a struggle. Plastic buckles are the most common fastener on belts, and many use a three-way buckling system for added security.

Pocket holsters are a simple way to secure and hold your weapon. They are stiff leather pouches that hold the gun upright in a pocket of one’s pants or coat. They’re often the most inexpensive type of holster to buy, so they are not just practical, but also affordable. These holsters are good for carrying a concealed weapon if your profession calls for such discreet procedure. Many pocket holsters can be seen through tight clothing, and some are built to prevent this by having larger fabric portions that touch the body, making the surface appear uniformly smooth. Many also have a nap on the fabric to provide better grip when drawing the weapon. Most pocket holsters are made from leather. If the leather is thicker, it can add to the overall bulk of the device. Nylon pocket holsters are lower-priced and often wear much faster than pricier holsters.

If you are on a budget, a pocket holster is a good option, though if you can afford a holster made of a thicker material, it might be a better long-term investment. One of the newest options in pocket holsters is a material called kydex, which is a rigid, plastic-like material that is stronger than both leather or nylon, though it is also very thin.

The Wild West

The western gun holster, sometimes also called the cowboy holster, has a long history, beginning at the end of the Civil War and American West. Texas Rangers and the United States Border Patrol officers were some of the first to give the idea of decorating gun holsters to holster and saddle makers. Many legendary lawmen of the day also wanted a holster that allowed for quick draw; most of this happened before 1890. Even though the epic days of the Old West were over, both lawmen and citizens still carried weapons as a normal, everyday thing. Newer western styles that came out during this period were more practically designed and more comfortable to wear.

Much later, during the 1940s and 50s, western film and television flourished, and holsters took on a new meaning. They were no longer just a place to put a gun, but instead became an expression of personal style. More thought and innovation went into producing these highly decorated, fancy holsters, and fully lined leather belts and holsters began to pop up. Fancy stamping, carving, and silver trims became popular decoration. Most of the actors who wore these holsters weren’t skilled gunmen, and not too many skilled holster makers still existed, so film took great liberty with the look, style and function of holsters. The designs were, sadly, almost always historically inaccurate. The quick draw we all associate with John Wayne wasn’t possible with frontier-style holsters, but this in no way detracts from the accuracy of cowboys of the Old West. Today, western gun holsters are still used for stage props, western movie and television productions, western reenactments, cowboy shootouts, or just at home on the ranch.

Safariland is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of laminate gun holsters, belts, and accessories used by law enforcement, military, competition, and sporting goods enthusiasts. More than 70 percent of law enforcement professionals in the United States use Safariland products, according to the maker’s website. The company offers a wide array of holster styles made of a number of different materials. The original and most extensive Safariland line is Safari-Laminate. The holsters are made from durable laminate and are best known as being one of the most popular choices of law enforcement professionals. Safari-Laminate is used for many products, including duty holsters, concealment holsters, competition holsters, and shoulder holsters.

The company offers other gun holster material choices as well. STX Tactical is a finish famous for strength, abrasion resistance, and protection. It’s heat-molded to fit the user’s exact weapon and can be easily cleaned. Lined with a suede-like material, it protects the weapon’s finish and absorbs oil from hands or lubricants. Super-Duty looks like leather but comes without the maintenance. It is highly durable and retains its function in hot or cold climate. Nylok and Nylok Pro are Safariland’s fabric options. Nylok Pro uses the Safari-Laminate technology to bond DuPont nylon to an unbreakable shell. Nylok products are made of the same tough material but without the shell interior. As the world’s largest supplier of holsters and duty gear, Safariland is always on the cutting edge of holster making and materials.

Leather Holster

Leather is one of the best materials for gun holsters. Leather is fairly stiff but still pliant, and it comes in a number of common choices. Leather holsters are both attractive and pliant, and they come in a number of colors or embossed with designs that give a decorative touch. A leather holster should fit the gun tightly. Some holsters fit with tension screws, and if your holster has these screws, they may need to be tightened or loosened until the desired tension is achieved, especially for the first time you fit your gun into the holster. If the holster seems too tight, the natural leather will stretch, and you can help it along (one of the benefits of a holster made of natural fiber). Holding your unloaded gun by the grip, push it into the holster while holding the safety strap with your other hand. This will allow the handgun to seat in the holster. Do this several times to break in the holster. If your holster does not have a safety strap, hold the holster body while doing the procedure described above.

Ladies who carry weapons have special requirements that men do not and leather holsters often fit a woman’s needs. Leather holsters can be worn at the waist, back, or thigh, but for women, sometimes a more versatile option is necessary. Many companies offer handbags with a slot inside for a weapon. Also, many leather holsters are shaped to better fit against a woman’s body, for both comfort and concealment, if necessary.

Glock Holster by Fobus

The basic function of a holster is to secure and hold a firearm, or another object, in a location where it can be easily accessed. A holster needs to tightly hold onto your firearm, but it also needs to be taken out relatively easy, so users must decide what balance they want to strike between security and accessibility. The simplest holster is a pouch that fits close to the gun. These simple pouches give a fair amount of protection and security, depending on material, and provide much more protection than clip-on holders, which can sometimes be flimsy. Pouch holsters can have a spring-flap closure to keep the gun inside the holster but also keep it even more secure.

A wide range of shapes, materials, and retention/release mechanisms are available on firearm holsters, and some even cover the entire gun. Because gun holsters are used in a wide variety of situations, a lot of options exist. Holsters are usually designed to be used with one hand, and because of this, the holster is usually made of relatively stiff material. But here a balance is necessary, too: if the material is too stiff, the holster might break when pressed between the user’s body and another object, like a wall. Most handgun holsters are made from leather, but nylon and molded plastic, such as Kydex, are also popular choices. Holsters can be worn a number of ways: attached to a belt, clipped to clothing, or inside a pocket. The holster is usually kept near the chest, waist, or upper thigh for easy access.