Getting the gun-and-holster combination off is never a problem, but putting it back on in the vehicle requires such time and contortions that it must look to any passers-by like I'm suffering some weird slow-motion seizure.
It's one reason that I liked the Glock 19/Raven VG2 combination, but with the Glock being used for another project right now, yesterday I tried a new option for me: An AIWB J-frame holster from Dark Star Gear. (FTC Notice: DSG said "Hey, want a J-frame holster?" and I said "Well, duh.")
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| Lasers and plastic holsters: What's this world coming to? |
I like a bright color for an AIWB holster, since I'm looking the gun into the mouth of the holster, and the bright color provides a good visual index as well as making it extremely obvious if something is obstructing the holster opening.
Anyhow, I'm finding it a handy thing for filling a specialized need I had...
I like a bright color for an AIWB holster, since I'm looking the gun into the mouth of the holster, and the bright color provides a good visual index as well as making it extremely obvious if something is obstructing the holster opening.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think of this until I bought a kydex IWB for my GP100 in FDE and noticed the color aided reholster.
Never really thought that would be an advantage but then again it might be.
ReplyDeleteI cary my 642 in a Mika Pocket holster. Robert Mika is a nice guy and the holster is easy to take in and out of my old man or relaxed fit jeans front pocket.
The Dark Star looks like it's well amde.
Gerry
You have to disarm for a Gun show and voting? Well in Cow Hampshire (NH) that is weird. With the exceptions of Courthouses. And the Federal bravo-sierra. And Unless posted i carry Litetally everywhere. Well except to the hospital. Because they have the no weapons invisible force field. So i can't get through there!
ReplyDeleteThere aren't too many people for whom I would refrain from making a bucketload of wisecracks- and this post is a target rich environment- but I have supressed my inner Beavis long enough to say, nice looking holsters.
ReplyDeleteI went to a paddle holster since I can't carry into the office. My pistol spends most of its time locked in the car. It's not too difficult to take off and put on.
ReplyDeleteElectric blue? Blaze orange?? Those are definitely not the proper operational colors for tactical holsters to be used by real world operators according to big-boy rules.
ReplyDeleteFor the calm & well-adjusted they'll do just fine.
Loved this post. I'm a firm believer for different holsters for different purposes. The most common day-off carry for me the past few years is the 229 in a King Tuck - works great for my build, dress, and lifestyle. However, for the various reasons you indicate - not having to do the freaky slow-dance in the pickup - sometimes the Triton kydex, sometimes the Bianchi 3S, and once in a great while the original SIG/ITAC paddle, are called for. None of those is as secure or well-fitting for me, but with a little thought ahead of time to where I'll be going & for what, another holster is a much better choice than the one that is usually the 'best', 'most' of the time.
Anon 4:25,
ReplyDelete"You have to disarm for a Gun show and voting? Well in Cow Hampshire (NH) that is weird. With the exceptions of Courthouses. And the Federal bravo-sierra."
No, I do not have to disarm to vote.
The only places I am precluded by IN law from carrying are the grounds of K-12 schools and courthouses. Like I said in the post, my polling place is in a school.
You have to renew your permit every four years in Cow Hampshire? Well in the Hoosier State, that is weird. ;)
I carry at the Docs.
ReplyDeleteWhen the nurses have me remove my shirt they always compliment on the fancy grips on my 1911.
I pocket carry 90% of the time. I have a NAA Guardian .380, Ruger SP-101 and a Taurus PT745 each with its own dedicated pocket holster designed for the role.
ReplyDeleteLike Gerry I'm a big guy with big pockets so I've found I can even pocket carry the 2.5" 66. I've toyed with the idea of getting Side Guard Holsters to make me a pocket holster for it since the one for the PT745 works so well. The 66 is my absolute favorite CCW piece.
Huh, damn good point on the reholster, never though of that one... Thanks! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIs there any problem with lateral forces on the cylinder of a revolver carried IWB? I have Old White Man's Disease (a.k.a N'assatall Syndrome, so I have to keep my belt pretty tight, or my drawers will slide to my ankles .... I have no problem with a 1911 IWB..... I gave up on roundguns.
ReplyDeletejimbob86,
ReplyDelete"Is there any problem with lateral forces on the cylinder of a revolver carried IWB?"
I've never had one, and I tend to wear my belt pretty snug just to keep the shootin' iron from wallerin' around.
Very good point on the color, hadn't thought of that.
ReplyDeleteI've also put lots of miles on a J-frame in an IWB Kydex holster, zero issues.
Depending on the schedule of upcoming events, I may or may not carry to the office. So far no one has picked up on the weight variations.
ReplyDelete"The Doctor Gun". Heh.
ReplyDeleteI'm probably the only nerd whose brain instantly went, "Whooaaah! That'd be friggin' AWESOME! A concealed carry version of the Little Doctor!"
I'll kill you and cut down your tree.
I used to take my gun off when I went to the doctor, but went in a couple of times where I didn't think I'd be prodded and poked, and turned out to be wrong. Considering half of my doctor's staff carries and the other half seems to be on the verge of getting their license, I stopped worrying about it. Had the nurse practitioner ask me the other day what I carried, because she saw my spare mag when she pulled my shirt up. Now I just leave it alone, I figure if they need me to move / remove it they'll say something. Doc's seen it and it never phases him.
ReplyDeleteAnother option would be to use a shoulder rig. Take it off, and put it on, at the same time as your cover garment. People are used to seeing jackets, etc, being swapped inside cars, so no unusual movements are seen, and the rig shouldn't be obvious with a bit of care.
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDelete"I used to take my gun off when I went to the doctor, but went in a couple of times where I didn't think I'd be prodded and poked, and turned out to be wrong. Considering half of my doctor's staff carries..."
The doctors I'm referring to here are all at a big city university hospital complex. If any of them are bold enough to be carrying, they're certainly going to be smart enough to not talk about it.
While it is not technically illegal for me to be carrying there ("school" in IN firearms statutes specifically refers to K-12) it would almost certainly raise a kerfuffle that I don't need when I'm trying to keep my nose from falling off.
Tam,
ReplyDeleteWhy remove your holster? I just leave the Glock box under my seat and stuff my G19 in it when necessary. Ain't no law about wearing an empty holster.
Just My 2¢,
ReplyDelete"Why remove your holster?"
Leaving the gun in the holster minimizes my chances of hearing an unexpected loud noise.
The vast majority of holes in the walls at po-po stations and jails are in the bathrooms, locker rooms, and sally ports: places where guns get handled outside of holsters.
I look at it as cheap insurance.
"The Doctor['s] Gun? But I thought he only had a sonic screwdriver... OH!"
ReplyDeleteS'what I get reading the blogs right after getting up, before the caffeine has had a chance to perambulate its way through m'brain meats again. Also, headcold. Not a good combo for straight thinking. Or seeing, for that matter.
As for carrying... sadly, in NM, "school" does include universities, and I work at one. Good thing that murderous rampages never happen at universities. Oh, wait.
I like your thought methodology on this Tam and never would have considered your logic on the colored holsters. Unfortunately there will always be times and locations an armed citizen will have to remove their chosen side arm, briefly stow it in a safe location and later put it back on. Keeping the handgun holstered while handling it is smart business.
ReplyDeletethat would make a funny episode:
ReplyDelete"The Doctor['s] Gun? But I thought he only had a sonic screwdriver..."
You can picture it. The Good Doctor, a Time lord, etc... is busily messing with something, is rudely interrupted, pulls out a snubby drops the the rude interruption, and continues on.
His current foil freaks out.
He looks up and says " calm down love, the screwdriver was busy, it was only a small interruption. Besides here comes another one on your 6," hands her gun. "Deal with it."
Considering the end of "The Doctor's Daughter" episode I don't figure guns will ever be shown in a positive light on that show.
ReplyDelete