Does anyone have any experience with paddle style holsters?

I bought one for my Walther P99 and it should arrive in a few days. I've never used a paddle holster and would like some thoughts on them in general.

Thoughts?

I like the all-leather ones from Kramer and Don Hume. These have a snap loop that secures them to the belt and a very nice suede covered paddle assembly.
The only other type I have found to be any good was the Safariland "Klipspringer" models which have a spring steel wire paddle portion. I use one of these as my "walking the dog" holster, in that it is very secure on the belt, but very fast to put on/take off. They typically offer less concealment than a comparable pancake style, but are very handy in their ease of on/off.

You see classic vintage rigs from time to time on e-bay from various makers.

I've got two Safety Speeds for 2 1/2" k frame and Beretta M-92 and a Tex Shoemaker for 4" k frame S&W and Colt E/I.

Only one concealed handgun allowed on person in NC so when I add firepower as I get further away from the house it has to be open carry and paddles make it easy.

Remember to cinch your belt up good and snug after you get positioned.

I have never liked them. I was always afraid they would "walk" and therefore never used one. Could be I am wrong, that is just the way I feel about it.

I use a couple of paddle holsters. One is a FrontLine unit for my 640 and another is an old Silent Thunder unit for my 19-4 snub. I like both a lot.
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I usually carry in the waistband, but sometimes my Terrier rides along in this paddle.

I like them. I used a Safariland 5181 for several years with my 220.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I use them regularly at the range and or when working in the shop. I particularly like the Safariland products . They stay put!

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Dave

I like them too. Have used one paddle holster or another daily for last 20 years. It works for me. YMMV.

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America First

I thought this myself, and still feel this way about the plastic ones. I tried a Blade Tech paddle holster and pulled the entire thing out with my pistol while drawing once at the range.

With the all leather paddle style, this is a non-issue, and it stays put just the same as any belt holster.
Look at these:
Leather Paddle Holster

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Bianchi paddle holster are my most common paddles. I love them around the house, yard, woods, range or open carry. However it takes a loose untucked shirt or jacket to conceal them. They don't hug the body like a pancake or IWB holsters do. But I like them a great deal, and usually end up buying one for every handgun I decide is a keeper.

My favorite is still my Kramer MSP...what a great holster!
Randy

Paddle holsters, though we think of them as perhaps a homogeneous style, are not all equal. They are divided into two classes. The oldest is 'paddle as a hanging plate' and began life as a way to suspend them from a pants pocket. The modern paddle holsters that appeared beginning around 1980, is 'paddle as a body interface'.

These latter ones are usually ergonomically shaped from a polymer vs leather, though the leather and steel late-model 56L series was the first of all of them.

So let's see which you selected and how you like it. They are normally chosen for their quick on-off feature, and no-belt-required feature. Concealment and comfort do not have to be sacrificed but the older designs did (sacrifice them). Including modern copies of the old school.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Here are a few visuals to illustrate Red's comments above.
Photos left to right:

Tex Shoemaker floral carved 22PL paddle with thumb break.
An example of "old school".

Safariland 518 suede lined kydex.
An example of "new school".

Crump with snap on retention strap.
An example of "older school".

Back of Shoemaker. Note the belt loop instead of the leather wedge
typically used to keep the holster intact.

Back of Safariland with paddle contoured for body shape. Many of the
kydex holsters have the dreaded "snap" when pulling the gun out.
The suede lining on this Safariland eliminates that dreaded snap.

Back of the Crump showing the leather wedge instead of a belt loop,
which I prefer.

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In Omnia Paratus

For a leather paddle holster, the Kramer is the way to go. Otherwise, Safariland makes most of its holsters with a paddle attachment that works well. I like their version made of Safari 7 laminate with their ALS latching system. Galco's paddles have given me good service in the past, too.