I'm going to take the plunge and get one of these guns on Saturday. My main questions regard carrying. I live in NC and it's an open carry state and I do plan to open carry from time to time. This might sound ultra nuts, but I'd like to get a leather OWB holster with a strap that goes across the handle and snaps into place. (Right, wrong or other wise, I have my reasons for wanting this) Where do I even begin looking for this holster?

Now, moving into more modern holsters, give me the top 5 or so holsters for OWB carry for the Shield. Whatever they may be.

I am not a troll and do not intend to cause problems, but I've heard the Shield was recalled (once?) for something. What was the problem, and has it been fixed? Thanks in advance for answers. I'm very excited. Picked the Shield over the G43. Better quality IMHO and $100 cheaper.

I believe the recall was for the trigger bar pin, but I could be wrong, that was a couple or three years back. Is this the type of holster you want in this video, it is made by Rhino not Black Rhino. Welcome to the forum and enjoy that sweet shield.

Welcome to the forum. Even with the OWB I recommend concealed carry using a light shirt untucked, like a Magellan fishing shirt from Academy. I wouldn't sweat the reliability of the Shield, over a million have been sold, and you'll find many happy owners on this forum. Buy a case of ammo and practice all you can.

Welcome. You can read about the recall here.

mpshieldsafetyalert.com

Shields manufactured after the date are not affected.

Just be sure you obtain your concealed handgun permit (which I highly recommend) before concealing the pistol in NC. You can open carry, but why advertise (my opinion). The CHP also allows you to purchase future handguns without having to get a pistol purchase permit before each purchase.

BTW, WELCOME to the forum, and you shouldn't have to worry about the old issues if you are buying new from a reputable shop.

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Mark

Welcome to the forum. I can't speak for OWB holsters, but my shield has been flawless so far.

Not sure what part of NC you are in but I think I saw some leather Bianchi OWB holsters for the Shield at the Cary, NC Bass Pro Shops. I can't give any advice on relative quality as I don't know that much about holsters.

I agree with others about getting you CCW permit. Not only can you carry concealed but it makes purchasing guns, especially handguns, in this state a little easier. It also make transporting a handgun easier. If you are open carrying a pistol on your right hip and get in a car and put on your seatbelt that might be enough to conceal the pistol.

Also be aware that Durham, NC considered public streets and sidewalks as city property effectively eliminating the ability to open carry anyway but private property in Durham. I believe Chapel Hill may have done something similar. But, concealed carry would be find in both locations. They basically took advantage of a loop hole in the state's regulations on open carry in that city property is not well defined. But, the same loop hole didn't exist in the CC regulations.

You will love the Shield 9mm. Check this sites vendors for holsters first then go to Amazon and check their holdings. I have a nice fabric holster with a strap and a pouch for holding the extra mag. Like it very much.

Welcome to the forum.

As you can see it also fits my compact .45s

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Welcome!

In the holster world what you describe as "a strap that goes across the handle" is called a "Thumb Break Holster". They've been around for decades for both semi-auto's and revolvers.

If you do a google search for "Thumb Break Holster" you'll get many results, pick one that looks good to you and then search for reviews on it.

I have a Gould & Goodrich B809 MPS for my Shield. It is well made and sits close to the body.


Good luck on your search.

I also live in NC, Raleigh to be exact. I don't carry yet (took the class and waiting for permit to be processed) but I didn't know about the Durham law about open carry. I knew Chapel Hill had some weird restrictions but that was it. Love my Shield 9!!!

I have a DeSantis thumb break scabbard holster which I'm still getting used to but I think it will work well once I get my CCH.

Before I start offering up holsters, what are your reasons for wanting the strap?

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Freedom isn't free.

We're in the same boat. I just went downtown yesterday to submit my application. Don't you just love the sparkling personalities of the people they staff that office with.

My CCW instructor shared that tidbit about Durham in the class I took and I looked it up to confirm. I legislature will pass a law to prevent municipalities from saying who can got potty where but I guess this is not as important to them.

Welcome from another Shield owner from Jackson County, NC

Welcome to the forum, and glad to hear you will own a Shield 9. It is a good weapon.

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JAREDSHS
LEO(retired)

I'm still carrying and shooting my SW40c Sigma, and it has never failed me.Super accurate with large capacity.
IWB holster by GALCO still soft and tight after many years of duty.
Top of the list for concealed protection with ease of use.

1) I think if a person sees me open carrying, they are going to take a closer look. Upon closer look, they should be able to see that not only is it holstered, but "strapped in" .....which in my theory would put them a little bit more at ease at the sight. I think it would give a vibe of "ok, he's got it strapped in and is minding his own business, he's probably ok."

It MIGHT give someone a second thought before calling the police.

2) (Biggest reason) I believe it will be much harder for someone to try to grab my gun and run.

That's it really.

I would not be too concerned with the reasons given under #1. Most people are too busy looking at their phones to notice. If a person is one of those that would call the police, it is not going to matter about the strap.

Your #2 reason is one of the main reasons I conceal carry.

With conceal carry, no one knows and you do not ever cause anyone to be concerned. Wright Leather Works makes great leather holsters, but the only one with a thumb strap is the shoulder holster. I have two of their "Predators"
Concealed Carry Leather Holsters - Wright Leather Works LLC

You may be over thinking this a bit. We live in a day and age where people are freaked out about a gun shaped pop tart... 90% of criminals don't think either. Check out a few other options and how you would draw if needed. Thumb straps are ok but it's another mechanical movement you need to train for. A good gun shop should have some red/blue training guns so you can actually feel how drawing would be from each holster

If someone is going to get freaked out about you carrying a side arm they will neither notice the strap nor have enough knowledge of what they are looking at to understand what it means. IMO, you #1 is a non issue.

As far as protecting it from someone trying to take it I think that applies a bit more to law enforcement and the military when the possibility of hand to hand is great. For civilians I agree that concealing it is a better solution. And I think I mentioned earlier that at least for us in NC, having your CCW simplifies a lot of the aspects of purchasing and owning firearms.

Whatever your reason for a retention device (there are several types available beyond the thumb break snap), get a purposeful (designed for your gun) and solid/rigid holster, along with a solid belt strap on a true gun belt. I was at a class this weekend with some rookie shooters (I tagged along with some new-to-shooting friends), and two of the people there had the soft "universal" nylon holsters flopping loosely on their "belts." I'm frankly surprised the instructors tolerated it (the students were constantly struggling when drawing and reholstering). You can buy a good holster with retention for less than $100 (Safariland, Bianchi, G/G, Galco, Blackhawk, ...). You need a solid holster with a solid attachment if you are going to OC (you dont want someone to easily strip it off your belt). Don't go cheap when you are betting your life on it.

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This is good advice if anyone intends to open carry!

Regarding holsters for a Shield. Since you are in NC you need to check out Wild Bill's Concealment Holsters. I think they are made in NC. They have a website. They also sell nice holster belts.

I carry concealed in a Wild Bill's Fusion paddle holster. Used one of theirs when working and carrying a Glock 23. Now that I am retired I carry my Shield in one. Very comfortable paddle.

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This would not be tolerated in my class. That's why I don't allow presenting from the holster unless I've trained you or someone I know has trained you, i.e. Front Sight, Gunsite or Thunder Ranch.

I would like to address this verbiage. ALL holsters have retention. If they didn't, the gun would just fall out. What I believe you're getting at is a higher level of retention. Levels of retention is a phrase/status coined by Safariland. It is more than just the number of steps required to get the gun out: https://www.safariland.com/on/demand...%20Details.pdf

These are reasonable reasons for wanting the strap. However, like they said previously, they are a very low probability.

There are literally hundreds of quality holster makers out there. I carry my Shield in an IWB Kydex holster made by someone local (PM me if you want his info). I'll leave the bulk of the suggestions to the others here. However, I would like to discuss the strap a moment.

First, leave this type of strap out of your search:


These are extremely slow to use, should you need your gun. Also, they are quite unsafe. This type can easily get inside the trigger guard which could fire the gun as you re-holster.

This type is better:


Note the width of the strap. This is much less likely to get in the trigger guard. Even so, you must be very careful when re-holstering.

While faster on the presentation than the first type, it is a little more challenging to re-strap upon re-holstering.

Personally I think this type is better than either of those:

Model 6378 ALS

This holster is easier to operate and more secure than either type of strap holster.

Obviously the choice is up to you. Price is a factor, but be wary of going cheap. This is something you will depend on to potentially save your life. Make it a good one and you'll never need a second.

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Freedom isn't free.

Congrats on getting your Shield!!! Like you have heard, they are awesome guns. Also reside in NC!!
As for IWB, I really like Murph's Holsters, which are made here in NC (China Grove or Mooresville). Murph's Custom Leather
I get mine from Ideal Sportsman in Concord NC., but you can get them on Ebay too.
For open carrying the Shield, I have a Fobus that I picked up from Academy. I use it alot when I'm outside shooting. Easier to reholster while reloading. Also, quick to put on.
One of the least expensive places to get your conceal is in China Grove.....70 for 1, 60 for 2, 50 for 3 or more.
In Meck County it takes about 4 to 6 months once you submit the paper work.

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Get the Desantis Leather Scabbard with the Thumb Break that goes over the top of the gun for the Shield 9. They are great holsters I three of them. perfect fit and well made and secure like it sounds like your wanting

Welcome to the forum Cmbconcretefire,

I believe you have received some worthy comments concerning holsters to your post. I took up pistol shooting late in life. It may be different for you, but for me as a green hand learning to shoot with the Shield was difficult. Even now when shooting with a Shield beyond 15 yards, my accuracy begins to suffer. With this compact/subcompact at 25+ yards it is still hit or miss on a steel target. If you like the ergonomics of the M&P, I suggest that you make sure to shoot prior to purchasing - M&P, M&Pc and the Shield. Select the model you shoot the best and that feels the best in your hand. BTW, it is always a matter of personal preference some will prefer a Glock 19 over the M&P.
I have old eyes and rubber tire so I carry concealed OWB under a garment. No matter how good and big you are, there is always some one who is better. Open carry isn't on my agenda. Of course YMMV. So, when and if you open carry take the good advise of others: get a holster with extra levels of retention. Note that some trainers restrict Serpa holsters to only those who are required to wear them as their duty holster. In addition to taking serious handgun training, open carry handgun owners should also take CQS training. Do not forget that criminals train to draw handguns law enforcement retention holsters and this has resulted to very bad consequences. Just last week in my jurisdiction there was a physical confrontation a man was able to remove a policer officer's Glock from an officer's holster. The man then shot and killed a civilian. Good luck.

Here is another concealed class at a good price. We will be there this Sat doing our class! They are located past Mooresville NC


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Check out the GALCO holsters. I use one for my S&W Sigma SW40C and it has held up well.