BluesStringer

No one else has mentioned it, but in your opening post you mentioned the price of the holster you are considering. A word of caution: You would be the luckiest guy alive if the very first holster you bought turned out to be the one you're both most comfortable wearing and most proficient drawing from. In other words, chances are you are embarking on a journey of much trial and error. Depending on your experience with firearms, the same thing might be said about them too. You will save money in the long run if you thoroughly study this and other forums and buy one or two of the most highly-touted holsters for comfort, concealability, retention and ease of draw rather than giving more than cursory consideration to the price. Of course, price is always a consideration, but the market is absolutely flooded with holster makers now, and in many cases, what one guy might be selling for $150 bucks, the next guy might be selling something very similar for $75 bucks. All of the top makers are backlogged, with waits of 6 months or more not being uncommon, and lots of new(er) leathersmiths are trying to get noticed by offering much better prices and more immediate availability. The same is true of makers specializing in Kydex and hybrid holsters.

Look around and read a lot. Get familiar with the types of holsters that people say they like the best for the reasons you consider most important to you, and look for that type of holster, as opposed to looking for the specific maker that they're talking about. Like I said, you'll likely save money by making one or two informed purchases, even if they're relatively expensive, over buying holster after holster that is uncomfortable to wear or untrustworthy to use.

**EDITED to add:

By the way, I wear a Crossbreed every day for 10 - 12 hours a day and am thrilled with it. I also just ordered a Raven Phantom for another gun I have that pbanbury posted a picture of above, and anticipate being thrilled with that one too. I have probably 20 holsters for the three handguns I own, and I doubt I'll be "done" experimenting when I get the Raven, no matter how much I like it. A lot of people who are into guns admire the craftsmanship that goes into making a good one as much as the utility of the piece, and for me, holsters are the same way. You may not know it yet, but whatever holster you buy for your new gun may be just the first one you put into your new collecting hobby! Good luck and shoot safe!

Blues

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"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." -- George Washington

ccman

Sorry about that Hat3d1, I was half asleep. I need a .

fotomaker57

Before you make a choice do yourself a favor and check out the Dakota Defender from K&D K&D Holsters | Custom Gun Leather and Shooting Accessories or the Max-Con V from coal creek armory.
I have both and can say without hesitation that both are great holsters. Good luck with your search.
Mike

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Signers 39 of the 55 Philadelphia Convention delegates


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packin45

I haven't been carrying for long, but I already have several holsters for each gun; each of them have their strong points and weak points.

I carry my XD45 4" Service in a Don Hume Agent 711 at about 4-5 o'clock (I have a similar type DeSantis holster for my G17); I can easily keep it concealed under a t-shirt, and it provides for an easy draw with practice. I also like the thumb break, which gives me the option of OC if I so choose (legal here in MN), although I feel it's redundant when you're concealing.
PISTOLGEAR | YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ALL SPRINGFIELD XD


Another holster that I really like is my Dillon IHL Ltd. class. I only have one of these for my G17, and I wear it at 3 o'clock. It's not as concealable as my Don Hume Agent, but it's comfortable as hell and offers a lightning fast draw.

Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders

I also have a Fobus paddle holster (feels like walking around with a brick strapped to your belt), and a Don Hume JIT Slide (holds the weapon well, but exposes the muzzle to possible scratching on the rivets of some of my jeans).

Before I got my carry permit, I carried around my house whenever I was home, and I bought used holsters cheap on ebay in order to try them out and get an idea of what's what. Also, I didn't listen at first when people told me to get an actual holster belt; after I got sick of my holstered weapon flopping around on my department store belt, I went out and got a nice non-cop looking Galco belt and haven't regretted it (this was while I was still just carrying at home).

I don't belt-carry spare mags (especially since my guns hold 14 to 18 rounds, and a typical SD shooting is boom-boom-911) because I don't want to have to deal with one more clunky thing hanging from my waist. I always have a spare mag in my right front jacket or pants pocket, depending on what I'm wearing, but I don't ever anticipate needing it.

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G17, G26

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