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The Various Types of Holsters Explained

Gun ownership has never been more popular in the US. Need proof? There were 32 million federal background checks between January and October last year.

Once you have a gun and a concealed carry permit, though, the next all-important step is to find a secure way to carry it. And that’s where investing in a good old-fashioned, high-quality holster comes into play.

Would you like to learn more about the different holsters available today? Let us help!

Read on to discover the various gun holster options.

Belt Holsters

Belt holsters, like those from Blade-Tech Holsters, are both ubiquitous and highly practical. They’re one example of an outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster and have loops on one side that attach to your belt. This gives them a small form-factor that’s ideal for anyone trying to conceal them.

Not only that, but they make it impossible to remove the holster without first taking off your belt. That has its downsides (expect a degree of discomfort when you’re driving, for example), but it also means they’re difficult to lose and/or get stolen. The “quick-draw” nature of belt holsters is the cherry on top.

Paddle Holsters

Don’t like the idea of being unable to remove your holster in a hurry? Try a paddle holster instead. Another example of an OWB holster, these ones rely on a paddle-shaped mechanism to attach to your belt/waistband and are specifically designed to come off with ease.

That’s good news when you’re driving and want a convenient way to detach your weapon. However, it can also be problematic. Other people can remove the holster as easily as you can, meaning you’re vulnerable to theft in close quarters.  

Inside-the-Waistband Holsters

We’ve all seen those comedies where the bad guy shoves a firearm into his waistband, only for it to fall down the inside of his pants when he needs it most, right? Well, if you want to conceal your weapon this way without suffering that fate, then an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster could be a perfect solution.

They’re designed with a clip that secures the holster over your waistband and inside your pants (or slacks, or shorts!). As a result, your pistol’s concealed by your clothing and supported by the belt. IWB holsters are better for smaller weapons but are hard to beat in terms of concealability overall.

Pocket Holsters

You might wonder why you’d need a holster to carry a gun inside your pocket. After all, pockets are designed to carry things anyway! It’s fair to assume that you could simply place your pistol in there with nothing to support it.

This has various issues though. The first is that there’s no protection for the weapon, which makes unplanned discharges more likely. The next is that it’ll be obvious to anybody who looks down at your side.

Pocket holsters address both issues, holding your firearm in place and concealing it as a result. You’ll also be able to draw it with greater ease.

Don’t Forget the Different Types of Holsters

As you can tell, there are all sorts of handgun holsters available for purchase nowadays! Each with its pros and cons, it’s up to you to decide which is best for your specific needs. With any luck, this guide will help you do exactly that.

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