Every handgun class, we get that student who shows up with a desire to focus on their concealed carry/defensive shooting skills, but has not given strong consideration to anything beyond their handgun. CCW usually stands for Carrying a Concealed Weapon. A lot of people get the weapon part right. They stumble when it comes to the other two components.
To safely and comfortably carry a handgun, even a smaller, lightweight one, the users must give strong consideration to the holster. A handgun without a proper holster is as much a hindrance as it is a comfort. First of all, a poorly designed, multi-gun styled nylon holster will not securely carry the gun. Even the flimsy nylon, Velcro secured strap cannot be counted on while running, jumping, rolling on the ground or any other high impact activity that could very reasonably precede needing a handgun. A high-quality holster, properly molded to your specific gun is a must. Yes, they are more expensive. But if you amortize the costs over the life of the holster, the price drops dramatically. A $100 holster from a quality maker will likely last several decades. I have some on their third decade. But, for the sake of argument, let us assume the quality leather holster lasts 10 years. The average annual cost for the holster is now $10, or less than $1 a month.
Don’t like leather? Prefer Kydex holsters? Great, they are even less expensive. And should last just as long. Typical turn around time for a Kydex holster order is much shorter than the leather holster and these days quality Kydex benders abound on the internet. Do a little research and talk to those people with a draw full of holsters for their opinions.
And if you prefer to buy used, deals are all around for holsters with significant life left in them for a very discounted price. I know a police officer who recently purchased a slightly used leather holster from a well-known manufacturer for $25 shipped to their door. The original cost of the holster was well over $100 and the holster looked to be in excellent shape.
And don’t forget the belt. While you are at it, purchase a good quality belt that is designed to support the gun. Any holster maker will either happily make a belt or point you towards a maker of high-quality belts at fair market prices. Double stitched nylon belts and webbed belts are excellent for such chores and are very durable and inexpensive. The trick is to do a modicum of research.
As for the concealment part, first decide if you want your holster to ride Inside the Waistband (that is between your pants and your body) or Outside the Waistband (meaning it is held by your belt along the outside of your pants). IWB is easier to conceal as the barrel of the gun is hidden by your pants. It does require a slightly larger waist band for most people. OWB is, for me, more comfortable but I need to ensure my shirt covers the full length of the gun. I don’t find this very difficult but others might be challenged by this.
About the writer
Mike Lazarus
Military and Law Enforcement Veteran
FBI certified firearm instructor
MP5 and Sub Machine gun instructor
Defensive tactics instructor
