Shooting from the Hip

When the word holster pops into any conversation, there’s an immediate and natural association with firearms.

Yet these following folks decided to go with the broader definition of holster: A case for carrying a usually small item on the person. And some opted to ignore the definition altogether, employing that arrangement of letters for pure marketing genius.

1. Beer Holster – It’s high noon, and the sun is beating down fiercely. While attempting to draw a pistol, you find an ice-cold brewski instead. Or a soda. Or bottled water. If you buy a beer holster from $28.99 to $49.99, the choice really is yours.

2. Lightsaber Glove Holster – Star Wars super-geeks everywhere will cross over to the dark side with this electric weapon tote. But first they’ll need $18.95 to order one of these sweet Jedi-influenced gloves.

3. Smart Phone Holster – Categorized as one of the nerdiest holsters out there, the cell phone holster truly sends out that I’m-not-cool-but-so-want-to-be vibe. Use with extreme caution.

4. Wii Remote Holster – Not as bad as the cell phone holster, but it has been called the most useless accessory ever. So there.

5. Baby Jogger Liquid Holster – At first we thought this contraption held one of those goo-goo gaa-gaa machines. But then again, babies aren’t strictly liquid. So the name didn’t really fit. Then it dawned on us: It holds a drink. Duh. So, it’s a beer holster, right?

6. Gadget Holster – As if the Lightsaber Glove Holster wasn’t bad enough, now technophiles can strap all their smaller gadgets right at their side. The cooler version of a fanny pack can hold a cell phone, iPod, a memory stick, keys, headphones… basically anything around this size.

7. Stethoscope Holster – Paging Doctor Who! We have an emergency fashion situation. The best solution? Spice up your scrubs stat with this holster that will decrease your chances of getting strangled by that darn thing.

8. Cheese Holster – The only thing that stinks about this holster is that it will only hold asiago. That and we can’t find a single site that actually sells this. Such a tease!

9. Kitty Holster – Nothing looks quite as awkward as a cat on a leash. But when you call the harness a “kitty holster” ($19.99 to $24.94) then it somehow becomes OK.

10. Massage Oil Holster – Really? This exists? We’re guessing it’s for professional use only. Pick out one with single or double pockets in black, navy, teal or wine today.

11. The Official Beer Glove – So, this isn’t really a holster or called a holster, but a reader sent a link to this chic way to hold a drink, and we thought it was pretty rad.

There’s nothing really breakthrough about a do-it-yourself holster. You just need some cardboard, leather, a knife, free time, a smidge of artistic talent and … ta dah.

But what if you only have one of the ingredients listed above?

Then meet Qasarean. He bought a Glock 27 and couldn’t find a holster to fit his gun. At least locally. So, he decided to make a poor man’s holster or a “bum holster.”

First he suggests taking a single piece of cardboard and sliding it in front of the pistol to conceal the front pocket weapon outline. Why? Because the pistol outline is easily seen in jeans and can be even more apparent in khakis.

And that’s not even the bum holster!

For that, you’ll need to acquire a more substantial block of cardboard. It should be about the size of the gun but not too big because it still has to fit into your pocket. Fold it so almost boxes in the gun and completely conceals its outline. Make it tight so the gun doesn’t jiggle around too much.

This might work for some folks, but we think it looks like he’s toting a steamy romance novel in his pocket, you know those bodice-ripping types with Fabio on the cover. “It looks like a book or a really big wallet, but you really can’t tell what’s in here,” Qasarean observes.

So, how does one draw a weapon from that bum holster cardboard cutout mess?

Obviously it’s not ideal for a fast-draw situation. Now that we think about it, there are plenty of situations where a cardboard holster is just straight-up absurd and a little on the unsafe side.

Now if you own a Glock 27 and are looking for a *real* holster, GunHolsters.com hosts a bevy of gun holsters including a ridiculously affordable inside-pocket holster from Blackhawk ($8.99).

What do you think about the poor man’s holster? Is it something you’d even attempt to wear? Do you think it’s dangerous? Fashionable? An insult to gun holsters everywhere? Do tell.

A holster for kitties? Yeah, you heard right!

We know, we know. Things got a little bizarre at the Gun Holsters Blog yesterday with kids and guns and all, but things are about to get a LOT weirder. That’s because we have discovered the Kitty Holster.

That’s right: a holster for cats. While it has absolutely nothing to do with gun holsters per se, the name itself is pretty hilarious. That, and the fact that people want to force poor felines to wear such a thing.

As many of you may already be well acquainted with the fact that cats abhor any type of forced constraint. Actually cats disdain most things aside from sunlight, food (especially of the wet variety) and small moving objects, which they inherently try to kill.

Conversely, if this product’s testimonials are to be believed, these fur monsters actually adore the holster because it gives them the ability to explore the great outdoors.

Created by Crazy K Farm, the Kitty Holster is less like a harness and more like a small jacket that attaches to a leash. According to Houston Community Newspapers, the harness is the third invention for Crazy K Farm owner Tobi Kosanke. Her other inventions include hen aprons and caged bird huts.

The holster differs from a cat harness because of its unique shape as well as its soft lining. The holster retails for $19.99 or there’s a high-end boutique line that starts at $49.99.

(Image via Flickr)

Some go to great lengths for true weapon concealment. Others simply don Thunderwear.

While its name sounds like a garment accessory dreamed up by Lady Gaga, this groin holster has been serving a very useful purpose for more than a decade. Its patented technology allows you to wear your handgun in the center of the body, using the hips for support.

Advertised as the “Speed Draw Champion” of concealed holsters, the Thunderwear holster ($44.95 to $69.95) fastens in the back using heavy-duty Velcro strips. And with two pouches in the front, there’s enough room for a gun and a magazine.

If two pouches aren’t enough, the combination holster is a three-pocket holster with a large pocket behind the two front pockets for cash, credit cards or even a granola bar (hey, you never know when danger — or hunger — can strike!). It comes in three sizes to accommodate small, medium and large handguns.

Both left- and right-handed shooters can take full advantage of Thunderwear. Not only is the holster made in the USA, its lightweight and machine washable. Oh yeah, and it’s called Thunderwear. We’re pretty much sold on the name alone.

Apparently the holster is sooo comfortable that you might even forget you’re wearing it. Much like R.R. from Orlando did. “Went swiming [sic] with my Colt Mustang today, I forgot I was Packing, LUV IT, but was very embarrassed at the pool,” reads his testimonial on the Thunderwear website.

Fans have also taken to YouTube to share their thoughts on the tactical underpants.

Do note that this next video reviews the SmartCarry, which is strikingly similar to Thunderwear.

1. OWB or outside the waistband – This look is typically sported by police, military and open carrying civilians. If you place the holster on the waist next to your strongest arm, it will greatly improve your draw time.

2. IWB or inside the waistband – For those who want to be just a little more discreet, these types of holsters can be tucked into the inside of the pants and even allows a shirt to go over it, which will almost completely conceal the weapon from the average passerby.

3. On the shoulder – While this look might be dated (since it was invented sometime before the Civil War) and give you a Miami Vice feel , shoulder holsters have amazing concealment possibilities and provide comfort to the wearer.

4. Near your belly button – The “belly band” holster is said to provide deep concealment with its elastic waistband, yet it also has been compared to wearing a girdle. And there’s nothing tactical about that.

5. In your pocket – By using a pocket holster, a stiff leather pouch that keeps your gun upright in a pants or coat pocket, you will have easy access and some concealment. However, if your clothing is too tight, that might give you away.

6. Center of your back – Small-of-the-back holsters have been called the most comfortable, especially for long wear. While comfortable, this holster placement can also be dangerous and cause spinal injury if you fall backwards onto it.

7. Near the groin – Groin holsters place the weapon below the waistline and use the hip area for support.

8. On the thigh – As much as you’d like to think of this kind of thigh holster, usually holsters in the thigh region look more like this and are often sported by police and military officials (not saloon barmaids).

9. On your ankle – Not so great to keep just any weapon, but ankle holsters are the perfect storage spot for a secondary weapon.

10. Near the chest – Chest holsters date back to WWII when quarters within tanks were too tight for placement anywhere else. These kinds of holsters can be set up using MOLLE compatible vests and carriers.

(Image via Flickr)

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.

And for around $470 this could all be yours!

(Via Luxist)

Pink guns are nothing new. These pistols painted in girlish hues have been auctioned for breast cancer awareness and criticized as a silly marketing gimmick for years. However, with women like Debbie Ferns proving female-only shooting camps, it’s likely we’ll see even more for-her, rose-colored accessories in 2010.

And while not all females require a pink gun and/or accessories, it’s nice to have some options. Here are 20.

1. Hello Kitty Sig Sauer P226 – According to the maker’s website, customization of this product was halted in May 2008 due to complaints from Sanrio, owners of the Hello Kitty brand. Not including the cost of the gun, this particular custom job was $2,100 with Swarovski Crystal on the grips.

2. Sparkly Grips – Featured on Jim’s Gun Supply as a DuraCoat item, it costs $50 to $85 to color and finish any type of gun accessories like scopes and magazines.

3. Ear Muffs – Touted as light weight and comfortable, this ear protection gear has 28 decibels of noise reduction for $34.99.

4. The Lady Di 460 S&W Magnum – Because of her peaceful nature, something tells us that Princess Diana would not be too happy about this 460 S&W Magnum ($657.95). “The most beautiful woman in the world on the most powerful handgun in the world. How can you go wrong?” asks its creator GlamGuns.com.

5. Hello Kitty Machine Gun – The video speaks for itself. Of course, this discovery was made at the Anime Expo.

6. Trigger Lock – Keep your gun safe in style with a pastel pink combination trigger lock at $18.99.

7. Pink Camo Smith & Wesson – Another product of DuraCoat, it cost $135 for the pink camo touch.

8. Hello Kitty AR-15 – This big gun made CNN a while back, especially since it was at first rumored to be a Photoshop job. As you can see from the photo below, this one-of-a-kind firearm was custom made by Armory Airbrush.

9. Anti-Impact Glasses – Keep your eyes protected and your mind at ease by looking through rose-colored glasses ($19.99) at the shooting range.

10. Rainbow Brite Ammo Loader Kit – Another wonder from GlamGuns.com, this kit ($243.95) contains streamers, glitter and confetti that can be added to a gun chamber, shooting out “a trail of sparkling love with every shot.”

11. Breast Cancer Awareness Benelli Shotgun – Yet another DuraCoat creation. This type of customization would cost somewhere around $125 to $225.

12. Camo Gun Case – This lockable nylon gun case ($19) fits .22 Cricket and Chipmunk rifles with or without scopes.

13. Haydel’s Game Calls – Get a duck’s attention quick with this acrylic mallard call ($16.24) with a soft pink finish.

14. Beretta U22 Neos DLX Pistol – This ultra-sleek gun ($269.99) features hot pink grip inserts that gives it some added style.

15. Pistol Case – This Pepto-Bismol-colored case ($22.99) is pretty self-explanatory. Its exterior boasts reinforced composite; its interior contains egg-crate foam padding.

16. Crimson Trace Lasergrip – Ergonomically designed, this lasergrip is part of the Smith & Wesson Defender Series. And, yes, batteries are required.

17. Hello Kitty AK-47 – The price? $1,072.95. Some might argue that’s a small amount to pay for this über-customized weapon with a hand-crocheted shoulder-stock muffler and anodized titanium plating. But the bad news is, they’ve only made 500.

18. BB Gun – Its website declares that this Crosman 760 pellet gun ($42.99) is “sure to become a collectible!” However, we feel that the limited-edition Lady Di gun probably will obtain that status much sooner.

19. Rifle Sling – If you’re already carrying a pink rifle, why not add a pink rifle sling (17.99) with a hint on camo (or is that bronze?) to the mix.

20. Binoculars – Spot your target, yet keep yourself somewhat concealed with Green Ring Yosemite Binoculars ($99.21).

Concealed Carry Shoulder Saddlebag

For when a gun holster just isn’t good enough … or concealed enough, there are a few handbags on the market that are made specifically to hold your firearm.

But can’t you just put a gun in any old handbag?

Well, no. For starters, it’s not exactly secure if it’s bouncing around in there with your wallet, car keys and whatever other nonsense you refuse to leave at home.

Even if it’s in a special compartment, there’s still not a place to securely holster it. And if your weapon isn’t small, there might be some issues fitting it in an ordinary purse. The gun’s extra weight also creates major stress on the straps, which is not only uncomfortable but can be a safety risk if it snaps.

The solution: pistol purses and gun bags! Made for women by women (and, yes, sometimes for men), these sophisticated, stylish bags feature special compartments for your handgun and will keep it entirely secure and concealed.

Gun Tote’n Mamas
These ladies aren’t messing around! Just look at the very Men In Black-esque picture that greets you on their website. The seven ladies draped in ninja-like turtlenecks with their eyes hidden behind black shades appear to be just as concealed as their handbag weaponry. These mamas have come up with a range of patent-pending styles — from a shoulder saddlebag ($125) to a basic hobo ($79). It’s apparent that they’re not going to give up style for safety.

Would you mess with the Gun Tote'n Mamas?

Each of Gun Tote’n Mamas’ designs uses full-grain leather and slash resistant shoulder straps. Every bag is lined with either nylon or suede. The outside is said to get softer with age and last for years. According to a review in Women’s Outdoor News, the purse did indeed become “butter soft” in a good way only after a few weeks of wear. These mamas don’t discriminate and do offer unisex bags including an urban shoulder bag ($85).

Secure Purse
And then there’s Secure Purse, a brand that touts concealment purses, backpack holster purses, fanny packs and more. The website reads more like an autobiography of the founder, where she confesses her fears of being attacked in dark parking lots and explains her personal dilemma with gun handbags.

Secure Purse sets itself apart with having a zippered compartment that locks. “It is a very nice feature that gives me a great deal of peace of mind,” the creator writes. “This is of course not a substitute for safe responsible gun handling.” Its online store features more than a dozen handbags from $35 to $90 with plenty of pictures to go along. Unfortunately it looks like some models sell out quickly and others have been discontinued. So, you best get pistol purse shoppin’!

For the most part, homemade gun holsters really aren’t something professionals should carry, especially those dealing with dangerous criminals. Nevertheless, you can find endless instructions on how to do it on your own in seconds. But to actually construct it … well, that’s going to be a bit more time consuming. If you’re good at it, you’ll have a personalized holster that fits your pistol perfectly in no time.

After pouring over several how-tos and step-by-step instructions, here’s what we gleaned:

1. Make a holster pattern using cardboard. Cut out your cardboard model, and hold it next to your choice of material (many prefer cowhide). Trace around the cardboard on your material.
2. Use a sharp knife to cut the leather. Be sure to cut a mirror piece, too, since this will be the other side of your holster.
3. Take a ruler, and mark the position of the gun and magazine and then the trigger guard and barrel.
4. Thinly layer glue to the areas on both pieces, making sure that you don’t glue together the part where the gun will go.
5. Trim the leather, and punch holes for a belt to loop through. Cut belt slots and stitching grooves. Stitch and double stitch the holster.
6. In order to mold the leather, wet it on the inside and out, and place your plastic-wrapped gun on the inside. Use your fingers to push the leather around it.
7. When the holster is dry (usually takes a night), trim and burnish the edges, and dye it if you’d like.

Check out a much more detailed version of this process, along with a variety of other types of holsters right here. Or for even more details, stop by JDLawhon.com’s Holstermaking 101, where a holster hobbyist walks you through everything — from picking out the leather to his own personal tips and tricks. “It’s always fun doing another holster (although I wouldn’t want to do it for a living!),” he writes on the site.

There are plenty of other ways you can get creative with your pistol holster. Try knitting your pistol its own cozy, or even crochet a holster belt out of doilies (see below photo for examples). Sure, you’ll probably be laughed off (or kicked out) of the shooting range, but you’ll get bonus points for creativity. Right?

And in this DIY video below, t3hDRIT shows off a holster made for his Airsoft pistol out of duct tape and spray paint.

Note: You might want to abstain from getting too creative because it could jeopardize your safety and the safety of those around you.

Know of any cool and creative holsters you’ve made or found online? Send them our way!

While often stereotyped as a man’s hobby, gun enthusiasts of the female variety have been forming gun clubs, and these ladies-only clubs are popping up all over the place in the United States.

Most recently, The Telegraph featured Debbie Ferns, author of Babes with Bullets, Women Having Fun With Guns and gun club organizer, where she discussed this surge of female interest in firearms.

“It started with one camp in 2004 and now we’re planning 15 to 20 camps for 2010,” she told The Telegraph.

According to Ms. Ferns’ Web site, her favorite shooting sport is Tactical 3-Gun, utilizing a rifle, shotgun and handgun.

With the upswing of these women-only gun groups, those who sell gun accessories are catering to the stereotypical feminine need — to possess everything in pink! Watch below as Ms. Ferns explains what attracted her to the sport and why she is getting her girlfriends involved, too.

Founded on the philosophy that “just because I shoot like a man doesn’t mean I have to look like one,” Packing in Pink, a Canadian company specializing in gun products with a girly twist, offers products designed by women only for women.

“Safety is always priority number one, but unlike other manufacturers, sex appeal and comfort are a very close second,” reads the company’s Web site. “Because of our devotion to women, PIP will make a donation to breast cancer research with every purchase.”

Two of the products featured on the site include blush-colored ear muffs ($34.99) and glasses ($19.99).