For anyone who has a law enforcement job, the handgun is an important weapon. It is portable and convenient to carry and use. Pistol selection is greatly discussed, however not many people give gun holsters a lot of thought. The pistol that you carry is as important as the holster that you carry it in. Poor holster selection can lead to unwanted surprises during the action which then can risk your life. This necessitates proper holster selection and upkeep.
One thing is definitely true – not every expensive holster is the best one and not every good holster is expensive. You need to invest in something that suits your need and strikes a balance between form and functions.
Factors to note while making the purchase
Although there are multiple factors that every law enforcement officer has to consider before buying a custom designed gun holster, a few of them stand out. Given below are these important factors for your consideration:
- Type: You need to choose between OWB and IWB type. Depending on the gun you carry, the holster should be a good fit to the design of the gun.
- Material: you have a plethora of options here and need to be careful while making the selection. Nylon, leather, neoprene and Kydex are some commonly used ones. Go for a material that does not wear out quickly.
- Angle of holster: This is something very specific to you and is extremely important as it determines your ability to move, run, sit or walk. As a law enforcement officer you need to be in different positions while discharging your duty and the angle will play a crucial role in your agility.
- Retention capacity: Law enforcement requires several risks and the retention capacity needs to be flexible. This enables officers to be on top of emergency situations.
- Closed or open top: this is a dilemma that only you can answer. Closed top is essential when you are prone to be in close quarters with suspects. If you are more into high speed movements then open top helps.
Elements you need to avoid when choosing a custom holster
You need to be cautious of the following points as these could mean the difference between a good day and an awful day for any lawman:
- All mechanical parts and mechanisms that need to be activated for you to access your gun have to be avoided. Accessing the firearm becomes a challenge in case of any faults.
- Avoid materials that wear out within a year or two. This has a potential risk of losing shape and you may lose the gun.
- Snap straps make the holster dangerous hence avoid them as well.
Therefore it is advisable to get an expert like Black Hills Leather on board who can help you avoid these when you are getting a custom shoulder holster designed.
Consult an expert if you feel overwhelmed
The feeling of confusion and the inability to choose what is best for yourself is quite common. Every law enforcement officer goes through this phase so you don’t need to fret.
If you are looking for that perfect holster for your pistol reach out to us at Black Hills Leather. We are available on call at +1 (956) 744-3219 and you can visit our website for more details.