Does anyone know a good site for holsters? I'm having a hard time finding one for the .45 Shield with 3.3" barrel (11629)

Vedder has a good reputation...

http://www.vedderholsters.com/s-w-m-p-shield-45/

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Centennial Every Day

Got mine through Clearwater Tactical. Good deals on bundles and quality kydex. Also a veteran run business making custom fit holsters with a bit of adjustability.

If you like the Galco leather holsters, you can get one designed for an M&P Compact and tighten the tension screw a little extra. Fits fine. That's how I carry my Shield .45.

Hope this helps,
Whisper

Try this place if you like leather.
gunholstercenter.com
Richard and Vicki are good folks.
Elpaso saddlery products distributors.
I have 3 shield owb and one shoulder rig for shield as well all from Vicki



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Thanks! Still not sure on what material I like, this is my first holster.

Latest one I picked up for it at show over weekend from her for shield. Due to an RSA failure with it (awaiting sw replacement) I am using it for my 4516-2 which works well due to size similarities. The shield is only slightly smaller in OAL and OAW so they can swap holsters. Handy in deed.


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While I do not have a Shield 45, I do have the Shield 9mm and my answer would be a Wright Leather Works custom holster like my "Predator". I have carried my Shield in this one for about 3 years and the fit and retention are still spot on. This Holster is second to none when it comes to quality and workmanship. It holds the gun close to your body.
Leather Concealed Carry Holsters & Belts | Wright Leather Works LLC

[IMG]S&W Shield 003cf3 by Jerry Jaynes, on Flickr[/IMG]

Being that you probably haven't carried much, the key to a good holster is using a good belt. These are thicker leather than your average Walmart belt. Some are reinforced to keep the pistol upright. I use Daltech belts.

Make sure the holster fits the belt. If the holster has a 2" belt slot and you have a 1" belt than you can expect the holster to rise one inch when drawing. You want it to either fit exactly or be as close too as possible.

Good point, thanks!

I'm not familiar with that particular holster, but it seems to me that the small portion of the back of the trigger guard is exposed just enough to accidentally slip a finger in there or maybe snag on some clothing, etc. That said, I prefer (as well as many others do) that the trigger guard be completely protected.

I know you said you've carried it for three years...I'm just making an observation.

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Colt 45 M1911/S&W M&P Shield 9

I'm a general fan of the pancake style holster, now that I've figured out seasonal wardrobes that cover the gun well enough. The Wright Leather Works model pictured looks like a nice version of the design, and I'm glad to see that it comes with a body shield which many holsters don't.

If you want to look at something a little less expensive, check out the MTR line at Gunner's Alley MTR Custom Slim-Line Full-size Pancake Holster . Even when you add the body shield option you're still almost $20 under the Wright model. I've bought a number of Don Hume holsters from these folks, including the one I use for daily carry of a Shield 9, but it doesn't look like Hume makes holsters for the Shield 45. I would personally be comforable buying one of the MTR models from them.

BTW, to InsideWaist's comment on trigger guard coverage - it's always a design tradeoff between coverage and leaving enough room to get a full finger grip on the gun before drawing it from the holster. It's easier to do with a revolver, that has a lot of "built in" clearance behind the trigger guard because of the design. But with an autoloader you have to either increase the forward cant of the gun to stick the grip straighter up and so away from the leather, or reduce the coverage of the rear of the trigger guard area a bit in order to create space for fingers on the grip. In any event, uncovered space behind the trigger poses no risk for something snagging and causing an unexpected discharge.

Very nice holster. Which color is that?

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Centennial Every Day

You're kidding right ??????????????? Can't find a holster for Shield 45 ?????? from the 30 or so holster makers that make them...

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Hipcocked45

I just tried to insert my finger into the opening (which is on the back side of the trigger) and it went in to about half of my fingernail. No chance of pulling the trigger or I would not be recommending it

Thank you, it is Walnut

Well, Alien doesn't have one although it is coming, Geaux doesn't have one...

The problem I have is using the selector tools. I have a "Performance Center® Ported M&P®45 SHIELD". The selectors have S&W Shield, M&P 45, Shield 45, M&P Shield Performance Center...there are so many choices and once you select one, it doesn't say what size barrel it is for. Even the person at Alien didn't know which one I should select and then finally said that it is going to be released at a future date. That's what prompted this thread. There seems to be plenty for the 9mm/.40 but not for the .45.

Well, first....Alien does make the cloak 2 and 3 for the shield 45
I own two of them...wearing one now....the new shape shift for the 45 is under development.

S&W M&P Shield 45 Holster - Concealed Carry | Alien Gear Holsters

Foxx has Shield 45 holsters. IWB holster (Inside the Waistband) from Foxx Holsters

Just to mention two of many.........

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Hipcocked45

Thanks, that's good to know. The rep said they didn't have any for the 3.3" barrel at all... How do you like them?

I think mentioning the 3.3" barrel is kind of irrelevant as I'm pretty sure the Shield in 45 ACP only comes in one size. The fact that it's a Performance Center model likely has little relevance on holster selection as well. I currently have three holsters for mine and had no problems ordering them.

Here is my Dara kydex appendix holster.



Here is a leather pancake holster from a local maker that I repurposed. It was originally for a Glock 26 but I wet it and remolded it to fit the Shield.



I also have a High Noon holster for it but no picture handy.

For me there are only a couple of makers I will use.

Foxx, Alien, Lobo Gun Leather, and with Glock's.....Bravo.....
All well made, and comfortable......
I also am waiting for the Shield 45 Shape Shift from Alien.

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Hipcocked45

Shield 9/40/45 PC or NON PC same holster(s) fits um all.
Especially in leather the minimal size difference between 9/40 and 45 is made up in give by the leather.




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Thanks, a lot of good info in this thread. I really appreciate it, especially as it was my first post here. You never know how a forum is gonna turn out...this one is pretty good already!

Alien Gear has shells (the Kydex part) for the 45. I bought an AG for my Glock 19 and a shell for the Shield 45. They swap out. They have screw adjustments and different standoffs to make the perfect fit. I used the AG for my Glock and made my own for the 45 shell.

What are you thinking for your first holster, In the waist, Out of the waist? I like OWB due to age and I don't want to buy bigger pants. I also use a Remora holster ($25ish) for IWB (no belt needed) and for storage.

For now, IWB. Between SC carry laws and the heat, IWB makes more sense. Although we may be moving down to FL soon...

Erik, look at the Remora holsters or similar. You can place them any way you wish and and get used to carry. Then figure where and what cant (angle) you like then invest in a more expensive holseter. The IWB are a bit sweaty (I'm in the ATL).

Waiting on that one!



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A lot of them for Shield don't fit the .45 just right. Check out this new feature at Midway USA:
Holster Finder - MidwayUSA

Not so with plastic/Kydex

I use 3 different holster for my .45.
Mostly I use my stealthgear ventcore mini IWB and its fantastic, especially in Florida the way that it wicks sweat away from the gun.
I also have a leather OWB from Mitch Rosen, the upper limit express, and it is very comfortable.
Lastly I have a kydex from concealment express for quick trips and convenience.
They all fit the .45 just fine and are good holsters for their intended purpose.

These guys make nice Kydex products, and they make a holster for the .45 Shield.
I just bought 3 of their holsters, two for me and one for my daughters 9mm, really reasonable prices.
Smith and Wesson Custom Kydex Holster | Custom Concealed Kydex Gun Holsters

+1 on Vedder. I have a dozen holsters of all kinds, leather and kydex, ranging from $40 to $100 and the Vedder Light Tuck is my favorite. Mine is for my 9/40 but am going to pick one up for my 45 soon.

I'm a fan of the Blackhawk serpa system, has anyone found a Blackhawk holster that accommodates the .45 Shield? The Blackhawk website says model 63 but the .45 will not fit in a 63.


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