5 Things You Must Know About Concealed Carry Holsters

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You've got your CCW handgun, but before you start packing here are five things about concealed carry holsters you need to be aware of before you go armed.

Concealed Carry Holsters: Plan on Them Not Feeling Right…Yet

Some effort is required to find the right concealed carry holster, but no matter what the choice, there is always an acclimation period.

Some handguns are more ergonomic than others, but few are completely devoid of sharp edges.

Don’t Spend All Your Money but Don’t Buy Junk

A quality concealed carry holster goes a long way toward making carrying a defensive handgun bearable. There are many choices, and some are readily available. Blackhawk, DeSantis, and Galco are among the best-known and most reliable mass-produced holsters.

There are fine concealed carry holsters that are custom made and that might be said to be examples of the maker’s art. These are not inexpensive and often take weeks, if not months, to obtain.

Still, while the concepts of inexpensive and high quality don’t always go together, there are good holsters offering a balance of value and cost.

Kydex is as Good as Leather

Leather is attractive, but these days, Kydex, a thermoplastic resin, is a more popular concealed carry holster material. (Do not confuse Kydex with ordinary cheap plastic, which isn’t durable enough for the rigors of concealed carry.)

There are tradeoffs inherent in Kydex, but there are also advantages. One of the biggest pluses is that the material is maintenance-free and impervious to solvents or moisture.

A tradeoff, if it can be called one, is that a leather holster maintains security on the long bearing surfaces of the pistol, while the Kydex holster keeps its grip primarily on the muzzle and trigger guard area. Of the downsides? Some say Kydex will wear the finish off a pistol quickly, but so does properly fitted leather.

Pick a Manageable, Accurate Caliber

My choice in defensive handguns is based on many years of practical experience. Having been in the wrong place at the wrong time more than once, and having written quite a few reports concerning shootings and other mayhem, I am aware of the relative wound potential of different handguns.

I prefer the .45 ACP and the .357 Magnum. The .38 Special and 9mm+P are also realistic minimum calibers. I’ll always lean towards one that is manageable and accurate.

Examine Your Wardrobe

Concealing a serious defensive handgun under lightweight garments can be problematic. If the handgun is short and compact, an outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster under a sport shirt will work fine, but, for most of us, the inside-the-waistband holster (IWB) is superior.

Your covering garment is important. I have adopted a Kakadu sport shirt for much of my concealment needs. This shirt is made of Gravel canvas and has a leather collar. I admit it is stylish, but it also conceals a holster well without printing the outline of it for the world to see.

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For more information on concealed carry holsters check out:

• Buckling Up The Basics Of Gun Belts
• Concealed Carry 101: Holsters for Women
• 7 Pocket Holster Options For Easy Everyday Carry
• The Shoulder Holster And Its Carry Angle
• Essential Gear: Best Concealed Carry Holsters</a
• Pros And Cons Of The Appendix Carry Holster

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Editor’s Note: This article on concealed carry holsters is excerpted from Gun Digest 2014, the world’s foremost annual book about firearms.