Hip holster vs. Thigh holster?

[556fmj]

Another option is from S&S precision. It is a belt mounted holster shank with 3 levels of adjustment. You can attach a Safariland holster and also the QLS.

https://www.sandsprecision.com/weapon-retention/holsters-accessories/holster-extender-grt.html

[JM2012]

The only legitimate reason I've ever found to wear a thigh holster for duty use is when wearing external body armor, usually with magazine and utility pouches, that would prevent a normal draw from a standard hip holster. I think (and I'm sure there are those who disagree!) that patrol officers, in a standard concealable body armor and duty uniform, are best served by a mid or low ride hip holster.

If the normal high or mid-ride duty holster are uncomfortable to draw from due to your body dynamics (maybe you've got really long arms or something?) then invest in a low-ride or slightly dropped holster. Swivel holsters and thigh holsters are difficult to draw from when seated in a patrol car. You should be able to draw competently and quickly at any point in your shift - even if it's sitting in your car at a stoplight. Also, thigh holsters tend to move around a lot more than holsters mounted securely to your duty belt. This makes it hard to have a fast, smooth, predictable draw. Law enforcement is all about working in dynamic situations -- so you should try to make as many things as possible boringly predictable -- including your pistol draw. It should just happen, the same way, every time.

I've only ever carried a thigh holster when serving on a SWAT team -- and then only out of necessity due to the constraints of the body armor and gear.

[hmvan]

Hip holster vs. Thigh holster?

If the normal high or mid-ride duty holster are uncomfortable to draw from due to your body dynamics (maybe you've got really long arms or something?) then invest in a low-ride or slightly dropped holster.

When I was first issued gear after getting hired, the holster I was issued came from a former officer that was significantly taller than me, so I had the opposite issue.

But I completely agree that for the most part without being encumbered by extra gear, or external vest carrier, standard holster is my preference for duty weapon.


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[jmatt511]

When I was working, I used a dropdown offset holster which worked well for me. I never liked the mid or high rise except for off-duty carry. On certain assignments, I wore a thigh rig, but cinched it up as high as it would go with the thigh strap next to my groin. We didn't do any training on the ground with that kit though, but since it was essentially only 2" below my normal carry position, I would think it would be easy to protect. The downside to a thigh rig is the position of the holster when seated. Though it was unlikely I'd have to draw from that position, it always made me uncomfortable in that a draw seated would require a lot of movement before accomplishing the task.