Holsters.. grrrr

[thrasherfox]

Ok, So I go to the range last weekend for my CCW class.

I take my really fricken cool looking nylon tactical hosler that is this really awesome and cool mag pouch on the top of it. I am styling and profiling!!

Then during live fire I determine my kick ***** holster really truly sucks in real life applications (live and learn I guess).

So I see just about EVEYONE else wearing there pretty cool looking holsters that they don't seem to have any problems with. I ask them and they tell me they are paddle holsters. Made of some type of hard plastic or polymer or something. and I see how well the gun fits.

yeah I know, at this point every one is thinking I am an idiot. ok so I am whatever. I just have never carried before and the only time I have had my hand guns out in public was to take them to a range for firing and they were transported in a locked box.


So fast forward, come home, look around for paddle holsers and paddle magazine pouches.

Found some and ordered them.

I ordered an ITAC for my 9mm, but I could not find an ITAC for my S&W CS45, so I ordered the only thing I could find, which was a fobus.

So I get them in and try them out, the iTac I fricken love. right off the bat I picked up pretty qucik on reaching down, sliding my finger over the button and pulling. I have no doubt I will be able to pull my 9 out with no problems.

The Fobus how ever does not have a release button, the trigger gaurd is held in by pressure and a detent. you have to pull hard enough to pull it out of the detent. I am sure that if I practice enough two things will happen, one I will get more proficient at it, and two, the detent will become a little looser and weaker.

But dang I really liked the iTAC

The only thing they have for a S&W is this one

http://itacdefense.com/ShowProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=36&CategoryID=157

It is an Itac MP1 and it says it is for a S&W 9mm/40 S&W

I know my CS45 does not fit into my 9mm holster (which is a baby desert eagle) do any of you know if my CS45 will fit into the iTAC MP1?

I have never seen or held a S&W 9mm or a 40 S&W so I dont know if it would work.

I emailed iTAC days ago asking the question and no response.

I have searched the internet for a couple of days looking for an iTAC that specified it works with the CS45 and nothing.


Or.. does anyone know of another type of holster system that is similiar to the iTAC (release button, paddle holser etc) that would work with my S&W CS45?

As I said, I am new to carrying a pistol around on me so when it comes to pistol holsters my knowledge is for crap.


Ron

[NiteQwill]

I suggest you invest in a QUALITY holster. itac and fobus, while they make work, IMHO (and others will agree) is complete junk. I would not trust my life on any of their holsters.

You're carrying concealed (a CS45 for that matter), there is no reason that you need serious weapon retention (in fact, unless you train with it, retention can kill you). Pocket holster or IWB will work best.

[homerm14]

I think Bianchi makes something like that the Carrylok. Not sure if it's a paddle or not. Please don't by cheap holsters and belts. Look at Bianchi, Safailand, Galco for moderately priced holsters and belts. You would probably be fine with a thumb break or open top holster for carry unless you are planning on a serious need for weapon retention. Just make sure the holster fit is good. That being said I am a leather whore and spend lots of money on them. I'm sure bladetec or comptac also make something sutable.

[jdg30]

For CCW I prefer a quality leather holster with no retention system other than the holster itself. I have a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake holster that is moderately priced and works excellent for both IWB and OWB. I also have a Milt Sparks Summer Special II that is an excellent IWB holster. It has the leather flap behind it which prevents the gun slide from touching your skin. Both of these are comfortable to wear and hold the gun secure without any retention device. The only time I would used a Kydex holster would be for range use or for OWB but I still prefer leather holsters. A good quality gun belt also is a necessity and makes a huge difference on how securely a gun is carried.

[homerm14]

For CCW I prefer a quality leather holster with no retention system other than the holster itself. I have a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake holster that is moderately priced and works excellent for both IWB and OWB. I also have a Milt Sparks Summer Special II that is an excellent IWB holster. It has the leather flap behind it which prevents the gun slide from touching your skin. Both of these are comfortable to wear and hold the gun secure without any retention device. The only time I would used a Kydex holster would be for range use or for OWB but I still prefer leather holsters. A good quality gun belt also is a necessity and makes a huge difference on how securely a gun is carried.

Agreed! personally I like Del Fatti, Bulman, and Sparks. I have examples of all and they are great, however may be a bit spendy for some.

[BluNorthern]

Might try the Blade-Tech site, they have a screw retention system and a couple of holsters that fit your pistol. Here's a paddle that might work for you...

http://www.blade-tech.com/Paddle-Holster-pr-876.html

and an IWB....

http://www.blade-tech.com/Blade-Tech-Ultimate-Concealment-Holster-pr-821.html

Not sure about the above, but this one has the retention adjustable screws.

http://www.blade-tech.com/In-the-Waistband-IWB-IDPA-APPROVED-pr-820.html

[VictorFranko]

Holsters are like women, you'll go through a few before you find the perfect one for you.

[BluNorthern]

Holsters are like women, you'll go through a few before you find the perfect one for you.

That is a fact!

[Steve G]

I agree with the above NO retention carrying concealed. I have all kinds of leather IWB and Kydex. Kydex belt or paddle is by FAR the fastest, not the most concealable. A good Kydex holster made by either of these companies will serve you well:

http://comp-tac.com/

OR

http://www.blade-tech.com/home.php

Don't forget to get a mag pouch!

[fullrearview]

I just use a IWB nylon blackhawk holster....It conceals it well, I can run with it, and with my xdm 3.8, its comfortable.....Re-holstering is tough, but if the gun comes out off duty, it will most likely stay out for a while.

[Kanoodler]

Use caution with paddle holsters. They are certainly super for putting on and taking off the belt, but that can be something that might be bad at the worst possible moment when going CCW-ing. You might consider a holster that you can thread a belt through (loops) instead of the paddle. You can carry with the confidence that the holster will remain with you during an urgent draw to defend your life.

Another downside with the paddle is that it's construction tends to push your weapon pretty far out on the hip, negating efforts at concealed carry. I would strongly consider something that rides securely on your hip, and very close to the body. Inside the waistband is an excellent choice. A flat "pancake" style holster is also a good option, as it is flat against the body.

I too give a strong vote to getting your holster from one of the custom makers. You retain 100% of the "cool factor" you're wanting because of quality of construction, but only your friends get to see it when you show it to them, because it stays concealed until then!

[gotgunz]

One word.......

Leather

[biker777]

One word.......

Leather

+1...

[thrasherfox]

Use caution with paddle holsters. They are certainly super for putting on and taking off the belt, but that can be something that might be bad at the worst possible moment when going CCW-ing. You might consider a holster that you can thread a belt through (loops) instead of the paddle. You can carry with the confidence that the holster will remain with you during an urgent draw to defend your life.

Another downside with the paddle is that it's construction tends to push your weapon pretty far out on the hip, negating efforts at concealed carry. I would strongly consider something that rides securely on your hip, and very close to the body. Inside the waistband is an excellent choice. A flat "pancake" style holster is also a good option, as it is flat against the body.

I too give a strong vote to getting your holster from one of the custom makers. You retain 100% of the "cool factor" you're wanting because of quality of construction, but only your friends get to see it when you show it to them, because it stays concealed until then!

Actually I was being sarcastic when I was talking about the cool factor. cool really doesnt matter to me. functionality is my primary concern, and the holsters I had purchased (the nylon ones that I thought looked like they would be function well) just kind of really sucked when i had to draw my weapon out in live fire.

The Paddle holsters seem to funtion well for the other shooters and they looked comfortable.

As I had mentioned, I have already purchased two paddle holsters, one for my 9mm and one for my 45 and the 9mm I really lke (the iTac)

I normally wear jeans and large shirts untucked (I dont like tight fitting close) and the paddle holster seemed to look ok. I need to look at it from different angles to see if anything is noticeable.


And are fanny packs totally acceptable? a friend of mine keeps his in a fanny pack on him and I have seen fanny packs for sale that are made for carrying pistols. any down side to those?

As far as if I find a better holster, I have no problems buying something else. I do like the paddle holsters I purchased, if they dont work where for CCW, I can at least use them at the range. or if I ever decide to open carry.

[Trevor]

I suggest you invest in a QUALITY holster. itac and fobus, while they make work, IMHO (and others will agree) is complete junk. I would not trust my life on any of their holsters.

Agreed!

This is what I have used for several years carrying a full size pistol.

http://shop.alessigunholsters.com/Belt-Holster/CQC-S

or

http://shop.alessigunholsters.com/Belt-Holster/CQC

I prefer OWB belt loops but the "S" version is a close second and as easy on/off as a good paddle holster. These holsters ride close to the body and conceal well.

Lou Alessi passed away a couple years ago and I have recently purchased two holsters as backups to my originals. The quality and fit is just as good as when Lou was still with us.