holster cant

1696 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by QKShooter, Nov 13, 2005

Anubis

Discussion Starter · Nov 13, 2005

I use a C-Tac; its cant is adjustable and I keep it in the normal cant configuration. Most strong-side concealed carry holsters have similar cants, with the barrel axis pointing rearward of vertical.

I am probably revealing my ignorance of a fundamental point here, but I wonder how holsters came to be this way? When I am standing and touch my hand to my waist, seems like a holster tilt with the barrel pointing forward of vertical would actually be a better angle to fit my hand's natural angle. The standard cant causes the butt of the pistol to be parallel to my forearm, until I twist it around to grasp the pistol.

I must use quite a bit of the flexibility of my hand, wrist, and arm to grip the pistol holstered in the standard cant. The only explanation that occurs to me is that the standard cant makes the pistol conform to the body more closely and minimizes the bulge, even though it is harder to grab. Concealment overrides utility?

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oregonshooter

· #2 · Nov 13, 2005

It conceals better because the grip of the gun does not stick out past your back as much. It also allows a proper grip when you crouch. When you crouch down even a little the hips rotate the gun to a more vertical profile.

It also allows the holster to be placed farther back on the belt.

As to how it came about? Beats me. It's called an FBI cant (15 deg) so I'm sure they had some design criteria that made it happen and it caught on.

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RobL

· #3 · Nov 13, 2005

Hank Sloan figured out this 'FBI" butt foreward carry. It tucks the butt of the gun in as stated above. It IS very quick when crouched-guess what? crouching was THE way to draw and shoot from about the 1920's to the 1970s. It conceales a gun well, it is not faster than vertical or muzzle foreward carry. Bill jordan conducted tests with several diiferent muzzle postions and wrote about it in "No Second Place Winner."
Elden Carl designed his Walk n' Draw drop loop duty holster around the reverse cant in the 1960s. It was VERY popular with some officers. It allowed for a very fast smooth draw. John Bianchi wrote about it in "Blue Steel & Gunleather"
If you have ever watched the modern fast draw compitions they use a reverse cant, as do/did many of the IPSIC folks, all for the same reason; it allows for a locked wrist and a very fast draw. One other thing is the muzzle is pointed away and foreward, so a neglegent discharge will not cause ballistic lipo suction to occur.
Rob

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Anubis

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 13, 2005

Crouch

Right, the crouch. I didn't consider that one. My instant test confirms that crouching brings the shoulder far enough forward that much less arm-twist is required and would make it much more difficult to grab a reverse cant pistol.

I must read Bill Jordan. Thanks for the enlightenment.

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rocky

· #5 · Nov 13, 2005

RobL, thanks for the good info. I knew why the holster was canted, but didn't know the origins of the design. Aniubis, how 'bout a range report on the C-tac?

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Anubis

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 13, 2005

I can report on the C-Tac. I like it very much, having used one for about a year now to carry a Glock 21.

Its very thin cross-section allows it to ride very close and snug at 9:00 for me (3:00 for most). I know that some say this pistol is too big for concealment, but mine is invisible under any shirt, even a white T-shirt during the hot season. I am of average size (height 5'11" & waist 34) and could wear a "large", but buy "extra large" to provide the properly loose fit for concealment.

The C-Tac has a tensioning system which allows the user to set precisely the desired amount of force with which the holster grips the pistol.

It is tuckable, although I don't use that feature.

The C-Tac can be ordered with several styles of belt clips (each has 3 mounting holes to provide a range of vertical and cant adjustments). I selected the C-clips which work fine for me and fit my 1.5 inch Wilderness belt perfectly. I think the clips can be ordered for other widths.

Comp-Tac normally has lightning-fast service. I think I ordered during a weekend and it was delivered on Wednesday.

As pointed out by P95carry elsewhere, OWB is much more comfortable than IWB, plus you don't have to have pants with a bigger waist size. I prefer IWB because I don't need to have a shirt or vest long enough to cover the muzzle end of the holster. Just psychological, but I feel more confident and relaxed without being concerned about a gust of wind blowing up my vest (or wearing a vest or extra long shirt in hot weather).

See also the thread "Comp Tac CTAC, anybody use it?" in this forum for comments by others on this holster.

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P95Carry

· #7 · Nov 13, 2005

Ahhhh, cant :smile: Love it!

Not much to add really but - the near 20º cant on my SP-101 rig makes that lil revo all but disappear and holding snug against waist, butt just touching lower rib giving a good confirmation of presence.

Now with 226 - cant around 10º and that is ideal for the gun - rarely much if any rear protrusion against shirt.

Leaving aside an actual crouch draw, what I find is that my draw is comprized of a forward bend and sidebend to left - a combinational movement. This means that as garment is swept aside the gun is actually (for me) at the ideal presentation angle for my hand to engage. My arm is diving down and to rear - making hand all but match the gun position .... if that makes any sense!!

If cant had never been invented or used - I would have started it off!

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QKShooter

· #8 · Nov 13, 2005

The amazing Human Hand IS the most smoothly operating and sophisticated machine on the planet save for perhaps the elephant's trunk.
With a bit of diligent practice we can easily latch onto anything at nearly any angle or location on the body.

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