Introduction
Anyone who has been around firearms for any period of time, knows one thing for certain, holsters have a way of proliferating. Like wild bunnies they seem to procreate on their own and cover every nook and cranny of any available storage space. They are also hard to identify – is that for the Glock 19 or the Sig P365.
In a sense, holsters are part of the learning process of understanding firearms. Unfortunately, a learning process can be equated to cost. These things are not cheap and many, myself included, feel bad that I have all these useless holsters that I can’t even sell (to make things worse, I’m left-handed).
So, in the spirit of saving you some time, grief and money, let me make a few suggestions and recommendations.
Holster Suggestions
No one really believes that Kydex is particularly good looking. Leather, on the other hand, can be really good looking. Unfortunately, Kydex is much more robust in storing your handgun.
Holsters can be inside or outside the waistband – IWB or OWB. IWB can be almost anywhere even appendix which many claim as both more covert and comfortable. OWB is usually in the 8:00 (for left-handed owners) or 4:00 (for right-handed owners). Either can work it’s a matter of letting a loose shirt or jacket/coat cover the weapon to maintain concealed carry and your particular body type for comfort. Only you can decide here.
You also have the option of pocket carry which can work if the handgun is not too large. Other options like ankle and shoulder holsters are less common and play a minor role in holster options.
The bottom line, if you wear a jacket or loose shirt, it may be advisable to carry outside the waistband. If the handgun is small enough, pocket carry may be considered.
Another consideration is whether or not you have a light attached to your handgun. Holsters are made which will accommodate both the handgun and attached light. These are a bit bigger obviously but worth considering if your light is important to you. Usually, a light should be important depending on the situation.
Recommendations
I’ve tried so many holsters that I’m dizzy. There are a few holsters that are easily available at Amazon and are really cost-effective.
Look at these are starting points. At least you’ll have a decent holster. From there you can branch out to wherever you want to go. But, you may find that you won’t need to do anything else.
Desantis Pocket Holster
- Fits Glock 43
- Ambidextrous
- black in color
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
You can spend a lot more on pocket holsters and you need to ensure that the holster fits your handgun, but the Desantis is a quality product that just works well.
Concealment Express
- OUTSIDE THE WAISTBAND KYDEX PADDLE HOLSTER fits: Glock 17/19/19X/22/23/26/27/31/32/33/45 (G1-5) (ONLY unless Specified). Our minimalist OWB paddle holsters are designed to be worn comfortably outside the waistband with an untucked shirt for proper concealed carry. We use .08” KYDEX precision formed over our proprietary in house CAD designed & crafted Aluminum molds. This ensures unparalleled consistency, fit, quality, durability, lightness, comfort, & uniform features across all our holsters.
- EXCLUSIVE HOLSTER FEATURES: Undercut Trigger Guard keeps the KYDEX from interfering with your draw. Over-Cut Open-Face accommodates Threaded Barrels and clears Suppressor Height Sights. Full-length Sweat Guard & Rear Sight Shield to protect your weapon from sweat. Fiber Reinforced Stealth Belt Clip, so no one knows you are carrying. We utilize all Black Oxide Steel (Phillips) hardware with Threadlock, so you can easily make adjustments but never lose a screw.
- ADJUSTABLE ‘POSI-CLICK’ RETENTION & CANT: When you holster your Glock 17/19/19X/22/23/26/27/31/32/33/45 (G1-5), you'll hear a satisfying ‘CLICK’ letting you know your weapon is securely holstered & won’t come out unless YOU want it to. Retention pressure is fully adjustable via the black oxide steel hardware forward of the trigger guard. Cant (or Carry Angle) is adjustable from -5 to +20 Degrees, allowing you to angle the holster perfectly for appendix (AIWB), strong side, behind the hip or cros
- 100% MADE IN USA - GUARANTEED FOR LIFE: Our holsters are designed and built from start to finish in the USA by Americans on All US-made Machinery & Equipment for a level of quality that is unparalleled. Our Quality & Durability is engineered into each holster from the start. Because of this, we guarantee that your holster will last you forever no matter what.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Concealment Express is available for left and right-handed in both IWB and OWB for a number of handguns and many of the options are with or without a tactical light (TLR). These holsters will definitely meet your needs and if you want to do something else, at least you have a quality base option that you can always fall back on. Highly rated and well respected. The other good thing about Concealment Express is that one holster will fit a number of similar handguns. In other words, you won’t need a holster for a Glock 19x and another for the Glock 17. Some manufacturers do produce so many that it’s a bit overkill.
Gun Belts
Gun belts are absolutely necessary for both IWB and OWB as well as pocket carry. What’s important with gun belts is that they are stiff and supportive but still comfortable and have a variable adjustment mechanism. That leaves out leather belts with belt holes. Since most holes are 1/2″ apart, you just don’t have the level of adjustments that you really need. The best belt that I have found is the Original Instructor nylon belts available at The Wilderness store in Arizona. You can check out their other belts but the Original Instructor really ticks off all the boxes. Check them out and check out some of the other gear available through them.
Conclusion
I guess I could be like other sites and recommend the top 10 or 20 holsters and gun belts, but this is like other sites. I’ve already looked at the other 9 or 19 options and I’m not impressed. Consider these the cream of the crop. After you have them in stock you probably won’t be looking at anything else anyway.
