Holster Advice

[negolien]

Most ranges don't allow you to carry a sidearm in a holster for safety reason. At least up here in Sacramento. As for paddle holster I use the same holster for IDPA and when I carry concealed. It's nice and snug and I never had any issues with retenion on the street or on the range. I also don't have to big an issue with printing while carrying a full size 1911. You just have to be aware of your clothing (wearing looser fitting shirts) and being careful to bend at the knees or keeping your back away from people when out and doing things. I have never had anyone say anything to me in the several years I have had my permit.

[RickD427]

Most folks are not really happy with paddle holsters. While they seem to be a good idea, they just don't work out so good in practice.

What are you going to be using the holster for?

If you're going to use it for daily carry, forget about the paddle. You'll be a lot happier with a belt slide holster, or a shoulder rig.

If you really are stuck on the paddle, get one that has some padding. The hard plastic paddles become very uncomfortable real fast.

The best holsters that I've seen come from a small shop in Brooklyn, New York. Check out FIST holsters on the web. They're not cheap, and they take some time to make and deliver, but they manufacture for a wide variety of weapons. I've been most pleased with their products.

[peacedivision]

Comp-tac 2nd vote here with a good belt, ares ranger.

[Bsandoc40]

Thank you all for the advice.

As for the reason for the holster. I will going to the Philippines this whole summer visiting relatives. A few of them compete in local shooting competitions and I would be able to openly carry my USP on my uncle's plantation.. In the end, I'd enjoy being able to use a holster for my gun.

I'm going to try out both a Serpa and a Safariland and see what's best for me.

[negolien]

Most folks are not really happy with paddle holsters. While they seem to be a good idea, they just don't work out so good in practice.

What are you going to be using the holster for?

If you're going to use it for daily carry, forget about the paddle. You'll be a lot happier with a belt slide holster, or a shoulder rig.

If you really are stuck on the paddle, get one that has some padding. The hard plastic paddles become very uncomfortable real fast.

The best holsters that I've seen come from a small shop in Brooklyn, New York. Check out FIST holsters on the web. They're not cheap, and they take some time to make and deliver, but they manufacture for a wide variety of weapons. I've been most pleased with their products.

Not sure where you're getting your info but I found my friends to have had the opposite experiance. Most people I know who use paddle holsters are extremely happy with them. I see tons of people who compete and conceal carry with the same paddle holsters. Most that I know personally who conceal carry use paddles. I have seen very few belt hosters and very few Kydex. It's also very very easy to remove/put on a paddle holster. My safariland is an outstanding holster for the price. Mine doesn't use a thumb strap and I still have never had an issue with retention while doing IDPA/Conceal carry. I also have had almost zero wear from the suede lining compared to people I have known who have tried kydex.

Whatever you choose OP I hope it works well for ya. Keep us informed and throw in some picks of whatever you decide to get.

As a side note my Safariland came with both a paddle and a belt slide. Sorry forgot to mention that.

[RickD427]

Not sure where you're getting your info but I found my friends to have had the opposite experiance. Most people I know who use paddle holsters are extremely happy with them. I see tons of people who compete and conceal carry with the same paddle holsters. Most that I know personally who conceal carry use paddles. I have seen very few belt hosters and very few Kydex. It's also very very easy to remove/put on a paddle holster. My safariland is an outstanding holster for the price. Mine doesn't use a thumb strap and I still have never had an issue with retention while doing IDPA/Conceal carry. I also have had almost zero wear from the suede lining compared to people I have known who have tried kydex.

Whatever you choose OP I hope it works well for ya. Keep us informed and throw in some picks of whatever you decide to get.

As a side note my Safariland came with both a paddle and a belt slide. Sorry forgot to mention that.

Negolien,

My comments were drawn from the perspective of 8-10 hours/day of carry as a LEO. There's no competition use in there. Folks all have different experiences and not everything will work for everybody. I've just found that hard plastic paddles always seem to pinch, or create an unyielding pressure point. I do own a paddle holster where the paddle itself is padded and this one works a little better. It still shifts more than I would like. The belt slide seems to do a better job of staying in place. Now that I'm on the wrong side of 50 years old, I'm also finding belt mounted stuff to be a little hard on the back. Shoulder rigs take a little getting used to, but are much easier on the lower back.

That why I queried the OP as to what he was going to use the holster for. The intended purpose makes a big difference. I like the shoulder rig when I'm getting in and out of the officer chair all day long, but would never dream of running a competition course with it.