Earlier this year we outlined how to get all crafty and make your own gun holster. And that was all well and good.
However, YouTube user particlerealities was busy this week uploading a comprehensive three-part video demonstration that completely blew our post on it out of the water. He not only shows you how to create your very own leather holster but provides a snazzy soundtrack that goes right along with the creative process.
There are plenty of steps involved, but in the end, you will have something special that you won’t be able to find anywhere else (especially if you bedazzle it.) Carve out some time in your calendar to try it out, and tell us how it goes. We’ll try to do the same. Maybe.
Here at Gun Holsters Blog, it’s fairly evident that we have a thing for, uh, holsters. But what about things shaped like gun holsters that aren’t really gun holsters? Hmm… good question.
Take the Koffski Shoulder Holster for instance. It says it’s a shoulder holster; it kinda looks like a shoulder holster; it should feel like a gun holster since it’s Italian leather. But will it hold a gun? Not a chance.
From the brilliant minds of the Germans comes a “shoulder holster” that’s actually a men’s handbag. This firearm fashionista purse includes a bag, wallet and a V piece as well as a shoulder strap. Perhaps having a wallet that looks like a holster might keep criminals at bay?
On the other hand, having a holster with a real gun might be a teensy bit more intimidating.
The product description for the bag reads “Whether in the office or on the move, the shoulder holster allows the user to carry his basic items around with him in a manner that is manly, flamboyant and, above all, extremely practical.” We’re not sure if something got lost in German-to-English translation here, but we’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
OK, cats are pretty hilarious on their own. Guns? Not so much. Combine the two, and, well, that’s what this blog post is about. So, see for yourself. (By the way, no animals were harmed in the making of this.)
We all know what it means when someone says “get a grip,” but what about if they say “get a laser grip”? Well, it might mean that you’re having some issues with your aim. Or they’re just sharing a shooting secret with you.
For those not familiar with laser grips, it’s a simple device that goes on your gun handle and replaces your factory grip. When you turn on the activation button, the grip emits a red laser beam that will help your aim and fire time. The light is typically positioned on the right panel of the gun handle. Generally, grips are made out of compact rubber or a plastic polymer material.
Laser grips give you numerous benefits, especially if you’re just in training. It will also help you pinpoint a fast-moving target even in a low-light situation. And if you’re shooting from a strange angle, you’ll have a better chance of hitting your target with a laser grip.
There also lasers called laser sights that are placed on the top or near the barrel of the gun. Some people prefer grips over sights because they can still easily holster their gun when using the grip. When you install a laser sight on your handgun, you might have to buy a new holster specifically for laser sights.
Selling lasers systems since 1994, Crimson Trace is the most recognized name in laser grips. The grips are said to be able to approximate the point of impact at 50 feet away.
Jason Masterson, an Army veteran with more than 20 years of experience, tells us all about Crimson Trace laser grips in the video below. Most noteworthy is that the grips can be installed in seconds and have a three-year warranty. The two 2032 lithium batteries that come with the grip boast four hours of use time and have a shelf life of five years.
While four hours doesn’t seem like that long, Masterson reassures that you’ll only have the laser on for a second or two at a time. He also points out that Crimson Trace lasers tout a momentary pressure switch incorporated into the handle that can be switched on without taking your eyes off the target.
And wasn’t Masterson’s rendition of the song “Crimson and Clover” simply breathtaking?
Here’s some laser grip action at nighttime. Be sure to turn down your volume on this one since there’s a really irritating high-pitch noise throughout the video.
The first one involved a Salt Lake City off-duty police officer. He was getting ready for work when his weapon discharged as he tried to put it in its holster, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The 14-year veteran suffered minor injuries when the bullet entered his hip.
The next one is borderline ridiculous: A Wyoming woman is outside shoveling snow with a revolver in a shoulder holster. The gun slips out of the holster. The woman is then shot in the ankle. But why pack heat while shoveling a driveway?
The woman told police she armed herself because she “was concerned about crime in her neighborhood.” Sounds like a good enough reason to us. Perhaps she just needs a more secure shoulder holster?
Whatever the case might be, both are great reminders to be careful out there!
Commonly worn by law enforcement and military, ankle holsters let you conceal a secondary weapon with ease. There have been countless cases of primary weapons failing for whatever reason, which immediately creates a demand for a backup weapon.
While it will prevent a fast draw, especially if your pant legs are longer, an ankle holster gives that extra edge needed to take down a criminal. Some actually prefer wearing an ankle holster instead of wearing a shoulder or waist holster. The holster becomes exposed if a shirt is tucked in and will draw attention to the weapon. On the other hand, a good gun holster should remain concealed no matter what—whether you are standing up or sitting down.
Much like any other holster, ankle holsters can be made out of leather, plastic or even fabric for both shotguns and revolvers. These holsters generally range in price from $30 to $70. It is typically worn on the leg opposite to the hand you hold your pistol with. Galco, Fobus and Blackhawk all carry types of ankle holsters.
When you buy an ankle holster, there are two tests you can do to make sure it’s the right one for you, as demonstrated in the video below. First stand in front of a mirror with the holster strapped to the appropriate leg, and pull your pants leg down. If there is any bulkiness or signs of your weapon, consider another holster. If you are still having a concealment issues, perhaps choose a wider leg pant or a smaller pistol.
For the next test, sit down in a chair in front of a mirror. Again, if you see the telltale signs of bulkiness, try a different holster, pant or even weapon. It’s important that your ankle holster gives you complete concealment.
If you’re tweeting about gun holsters, we’re listening. Not to creep you out, but to understand the holster-toting community just a little better. We’re keeping our ear to the ground and our eye on the tweets. Here’s just a peak at what we’ve been hearing…
@theBigsexy: Had a pretty good night! Watching Dexter playing with guns and looking for gun holsters online! What man fun!
@Farah_Kz: #Waystoannoypeople wearing gun holsters and putting the remote controllers in them!!! @Thisisjoej
@brian_hickey: Photo: I used to dress my dog up like a cowboy, with gun holsters and everything, but I never thought to… http://tumblr.com/xn35mfs1w
@florido: @shefcgq yes! completely unnecessary; all he’s put in there so far is a gun and i’m pretty sure holsters were invented for a reason
@risbergz: homework… homework… homework i NEED those A’s badly – otherwise no party with the gun holsters:[
@alovething: @reluctantlemmng Sort of! He and Misha are going to wear gun holsters and fedoras. That’s pretty much all that matters.
@ChuckCash: Spy tip – Velcro gun-holsters, a big “no-no” for hit-men and assassins.
@Aville828: Gun show at the hampton convention center 2day. I’ve seen 20.00 tasers and 20.00 gun holsters
@leenakagawa: My buddy Sterling: “Just got the snuggie with gun holsters.” He’s the film loader. Working way too hard…
@mayhemindustry: HeidiTron. Complete with bedazzled gun holsters and Easy Bake Oven.
@crew54: I’m bout to make some homemade Crew54 Snuggies with built in gun holsters cuz we iGoons like that, who wants one, put in your orders now
@PrprincessB: @JustinMadness90 dont worry im sure ur gun has seen more holsters than my holster has seen any guns..so im more concern about my holster :p
@JustinMadness90: @PrprincessB how would you know how many holsters my gun has been to….. rofl what a convo xD
@glenihan: @paigeiam Well I see you made it home safely, despite driving through Kingman, where I’ve seen ppl walking around w/ gun holsters, lol.
@Rozanne_G: @studdastuffy *holsters gun* you’re safe this time.
To be like the aforementioned tweets, here’s a PowerPoint presentation on not-boring tweets. Prepare to be wowed.
Enter gun holster shopping with the mindset that what you buy not only impacts your draw time, it could also be a factor in your safety. While many professionals use gun belts for holsters, civilians prefer other concealable options for carrying firearms.
Sure, it’d be nice to find a combination of all three. However, figuring out what quality you need the most will help.
Once you decide, figure out where that holster should go. Do you want something to clip on to a gun belt or to a jeans pocket? Would you like to rock a Miami Vice-style shoulder holster? There are also ankle holsters, though many don’t prefer this type of holster because it greatly reduces your draw time.
In the video below, pd4cary shows off his personal collection of concealed carry holsters. With belt holsters, two- and three-slot holsters and outside-the-waistband holsters, he explains the good, bad and ugly of each. His favorite? The inside-the-waistband holster even though “it’s not as comfortable as other kinds.”
As gun safes become more affordable, they become as equally penetrable. And if you’re in the business to truly protect your firearms and valued goods, you’ll want to keep out both thieves and elements like fire that can destroy everything in seconds.
In the video below, Dye the Safe Guy explains that buying cheaper “just doesn’t make sense.” While lighter metals and less costly materials might prove affordable and turn a profit for big box stores, consumers are given a “false security or security on sale.”
Here are five essential features that you’ll want to look for prior to investing your money in a gun safe.
Combination Lock
Some safes cost as little as $200 while the highest in quality safes can set you back more than $5,000. The priciest can be specialized to host a number of locks, digital and manual combinations, key-locking handles or even biometric locks. The only downside to this is that while it might take longer for intruders to crack, it will also slow you down if you’re in a hurry.
The most powerful of safes boast an interlocking dead lock system that will put bolts in place during an extreme attack. Others contain steel hard plates that will shatter drill bits during a drill invasion.
Metal Thickness
Typically, the thicker the metal, the more it will cost you. While an 18-16 gauge metal is very thin and can be penetrated very easily, it is also much more affordable. The basic B-rated safe means that the safe has a half-inch steel door and a quarter-inch steel body.
However, if you’re seeking quality, spot the UL label, which will either be on the top or side of the door inside the safe. That label means that it’s been tested by the Underwriter’s Laboratories, an independent product safety certification organization. The UL tests safes against a burglar attacks as well as fire endurance, fire and impact and explosion hazards.
Do note that the thickness of metal equals more weight, which means you’ll need a sturdy floor to support a heavy safe.
Good Burglar/Fire Ratings
We’ve already learned that B-rated and UL rated safes are thicker, but that also means they are more difficult to crack. The next step up in ratings is high-security burglar/fire safes that boast doors 5 1/2 inches thick and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. These safes start out with a TL-15 rating, which means the safe resisted a burglary attack for 15 minutes using common hand tools as well as more sophisticated electronic tools and drills. Higher ratings than a TL-15 include TL-30, TL-30X6 and TR-TL, which are the type of safes housed in jewelry stores and banks.
Most B- and C-rated safes will have at least an hour fire rating, meaning that’s how long they will hold up in intense heat. High-security safes tout a two- to three-hour fire-resistance range. “It can be really important to look at, especially if you are spending $1,000 or more on a gun safe,” says Dye. “Why spend that kind of money and not have the kind of protection for your documents and paper?”
If you’re looking to store more than paper documents and guns in your safe, that might call for even more protection. According to GunSafes.com, a safe holding media such as computer discs and dvds will begin to melt at 140 degrees. To ensure safety in a fire, look for a safe with a UL 125 rating, which will keep the temperature inside the safe at no more than 125 degrees.
Sturdy Anchors
The main way people bust open safes is to first tip them over. Most safes come with pre-cut anchor holes typically in the interior so you can bolt it down to the floor. That way, no one will be able to knock it on its side and find an easier way in. You can easily anchor the safe to a concrete or a wooden floor.
Specialized Interior
Some might view this as a fancy-schmancy bonus, but if you’re storing a lot of firearms, you’ll want to get built-in racks that will fit the guns you already own. In addition to racks, interior lighting can also be useful, especially if you’re in a rush. A few safes on the market also allow you to put mirrors in the rear wall, which helps brighten up the place a bit.
