Thumb Break for CC?

R

Roan Ranger

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:)Please be patient with me as I am relatively new at this. I am going to carry my husband's .38 S & W snub for protection. We currently have a small Safariland leather holster with a thumb break that fits the snub like a glove. I can carry "snubby" in a pocket of my winter coat and almost forget it is there. I want to carry either cross, appendix or behind the hip with a pancake holster, but haven't figured that one out yet. I have a Bianchi pancake holster with a thumb break that I ordered. It is very nice and fits perfectly.

I've also ordered a Galco 1 1/2" contoured leather belt. I feel more confident carrying with the added security of the thumb break, but it seems that most of you don't use one. My feeling is that I can always flip the thumbreak off if I think I may have to draw, but with my lifestyle I think I'm better off with a thumb break (fractious horses, throwing hay, etc). Can some of you advise me what the pros and cons of thumb breaks are? I'm very comfortable carrying with the thumb break, but think I'd be nervous without one.
 
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This is going to be a personal preference type of thing....:cool:

For me, when it comes to general concealed carry, I only
use thumb break holsters on my back-up guns (BUG.)

My thought behind this is that if I have to go for my BUG, I
might have been in a physical struggle, prior, and like the
extra retention that the tumb break holsters provide.

As always, your mileage may vary.....;)
 
When I first started carrying a snubby, I had to decide how I was going to carry it. Since I knew I'd end up with a few holsters I figured I'd just learn how to make my own.
I started with a thumb break, holds the gun securely rides well and releases the gun easily. I made a pocket holster for those days when it's too warm for a cover garment. My favorite holster is my latest with molded retention. It rides high, close and has just enough retention. When I needed I can just grab my snubby and yank it out.
The thumb break is nice and holds my gun securely but I'm afraid I'd end up fumbling releasing it when the unexpected happens.
I agree with ogilvyspecial in that if my snubby was a back up gun I'd carry it in a thumb break but since it's my primary I prefer the molded holster.
 

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Both LE agencies that I retired from required a thumb break or other retention mechanism in the concealed holster. There was very good reason for this, I can recall several instances over the years where officers were in a mad scramble for a loose gun on the ground due to inadequate retention. Guns lost during foot pursuits, falling out while climbing a fence, or just sitting down in a booth at Denny's. One officer I knew was shot with his own backup after it fell out during a struggle. (There are lots of other horror stories about ankle holsters but that's another subject). I'm sure there are many more stories from members of this forum of loose or lost guns resulting from poor retention. I trained with and carried snapped in guns for many years, it won't slow your draw if you have the correct holster and you practice with it and you get the peace of mind of having that little extra measure of security. The advent of various reenforced holsters/rigid holsters/retention features in recent years has made the thumbsnap less critical but if you like the thumbsnap use it and practice with it extensively. I will stress again, practice from the holster with it snapped in (or restrained with whatever retention device you are using). I taught and trained with a lot of people over the years and many times saw people "cheating" during training by unsnapping the holster while awaiting the command to fire. Reach over and snap that holster for them and they will invariably give themselves a wedgie trying to pull out of a snapped holster. Train with it the way you will carry it and unsnapping during the draw will come naturally and quickly.
 
Been carrying for 30+ years. All my holsters have a thumb snap. I don't even think about it. Just the motion of drawing the gun unsnaps it. Least that's the way it works for me.
 
One thing to watch for, which the training advice given earlier should cover, is the
possibilty of the thumb break getting into the trigger guard when reholstering.

Things can get busy when dealing with cover garments and that
extra tab, many of which are molded so they want to "head in
that direction" can get lost in the mix if not staying on it.
 
Unless your a LEO that needs to go hands on, a holster made for your handgun exactly and formed will not need a thumb strap. One size fits most always have a thumb strap because they are made for similar guns.

I also don't like the extra step for draw and extra step for reholstering where you need to worry about snaging the thumb strap in the trigger and shooting your self in the leg or butt. For normal folks it is not needed for a good quality holster.
 
When running around in town most of my holsters have no retention. I feel reasonably comfortable with this.

However when running around on the farm I will use a thumb break most of the time. When doing active things I like to have the security of a thumb break so I do not lose my revolver.

I would think in your case it would be better to stay with a Thumb Break all the time. If you are in the habbit of operating the thumb break every time you draw you are developing memory. If you ever end up in a hi stress situation you will still operate the thumb break because that is what you always do. Practice with the thumb break, and you will do just fine.

Bob
 
BobR1 said:
When running around in town most of my holsters have no retention. I feel reasonably comfortable with this.

However when running around on the farm I will use a thumb break most of the time. When doing active things I like to have the security of a thumb break so I do not lose my revolver.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more with the above, that why I said something
like, "general concealed carry purposes" in my first post.

We live on an old farm and for around here I
also rely on a holster with a thumb break.

404557515.jpg
 
I have one holster without a thumb break and don't like it. It's not secure enough for me. I'll never buy another one without a thumb break. I DO have a couple blackhawk serpas with the "push button" instead of a thumb break but it's still a good retention system. They make one for a J-Frame. Not sure if you're carrying a J or K.

If you have to clear a coat or jacket or shirt anyway, a thumb break isn't going to add any time to your draw speed if you practice. And I'd be very leery about considering trying to out-draw someone who already has the drop on you to the extent that you're relying on the "extra" speed that drawing from a non-thumb break is allegedly going to give you. For what it's worth, the open top holster I have that I don't like is the El Paso Saddlery "Street Combat" holster.
 
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I only have thumb breaks on my shoulder and OWB holsters. I only use those for target shooting, hiking, or working outside. Well, the shoulder I'll use for concealed carry sometimes.

I settled on appendix carry. In the back, it moved too much and would become exposed from time to time... especially if I'd bend or squat. Anything on the side was too uncomfortable and bulgey. Appendix works great for me.

A properly positioned IWB holster doesn't require a thumb break. Your belt will hold the gun in place securely enough to literally do cartwheels.
 
I would recommend a thumb break holster for you because you just can't pick and choose when, where, or how a confontation will happen. If you end up on the ground your carry weapon may or may not come out prior to getting to it. But why take a chance? Here in Oregon a man went to a movie theater, and somehow someway his ccw came out of the holster. Movie gets over, and he leaves his weapon sitting on the seat as he leaves.

Theater staff finds it and calls the police. News media gets a hold of the story and with all the school and mall shootings, this now becomes a major event. The event ends with a resident coming forward a day or two later, and saying it slipped out of the holster unintentional and I'm sorry. He get's charged by the county DA, for creating a hazard and another misdeameanor. Also, since a crime was committed, the county sheriff may revoke his concealed carry license.

Do you hunt, hike, fish or spend time in the woods. Sometimes footing could be an issue and down you go. One of our LEO's was fishing, and was netting his catch and somehow his unsecured off duty came out and went into the drink. Fortunately the water was shallow enough and he was able to retrieve his off-duty weapon. My feelings are "why take a chance" and releasing a thumbreak snap is so easy when drawing.

My opinion, others may vary.................
 
I dislike a thumbreak, hammer strap or ANY form of retention that requires an extra movement to operate or thing to remember/think about on the draw.

I recommend you get with Jim at Fist Inc and let him build you what you want. It will cost a buck or two more than off the rack but you will have a good leather holster that you like and will enjoy using and you will only have to buy it once. Draw and reholster easily with one hand.

Their holster use a "dimple" for retention that fits just inside the trigger guard. I have a shoulder holster and a belt slide for my Glock 36 that I just love. These folks are great and will give you very personal service.

Good luck!
 
RR. As has been stated this will be personal preference on your part but more than that it is a training issue.

I to have seen many a shooter, LE and civilian, unsnap the thumbreak to get that 1/4 second extra in speed then when they leave the range they resnap the holster.

Holsters nowadays that are made for a particular gun are pretty snug especially inside the waistband holsters so no other retention is needed. Generic holsters as was stated earlier need a retention device.

In regards to the thumb snap getting in the way of reholstering, never, ever be in a hurry when reholstering. The threat is over or you would not be reholstering in the first place. Look your gun into the holster. Use your extended trigger finger to move the thumbreak out of the way if needed.
A revolver will be a little more forgiving than a semi auto in regards to getting something hung in the triggerguard but you still need to think about what you are doing. Reholstering is just as important as being able to get the gun out in the first place.

Train as you fight, fight as you train.
 
Get a TB

Roan -
I also feel uncomfortable without a Thumb Break on my holster for everday carry, especially if active. The main thing is that you feel secure with the TB holster and that is important - that you feel ok when carrying your gun. You don't want to be nervous or worried about it coming out, etc.

I use a TB bec I'm active also and I like the secure retention. I also like that someone can't as easily take it out of my holster. I can draw fast with a TB but I shoot and practice all the time. Once you make the choice how to carry, you have to practice.

Of course, IWB you don't need a TB and I like to carry appendix if IWB. However, appendix carry, especially IWB, takes training and a little more skill than other methods. That is my preferred way to carry and you should also consider that too. In fact, most CC folks have at least 2 holsters, right? It's somewhat scenario driven, isn't it?
 
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Thank you all SO much for your advice. I think I will use the leather Bianchi thumb break pancake holster that I recently ordered for the S & W snub .38 J frame I am carrying. It is very comfortable behind my hip and I hardly know it is there. I don't know what the reholstering issue would be as I don't believe that I would ever be reholstering in a hurry. I am one of those terribly anal people who crosses all their "T"s and dots all their "I"s. I do need to train and yes I will keep the thumb break intact until ready to fire so to assimilate an actual encounter. I like the added security and if I was in a threatening situation I'd probably have the thumb break disengaged. As an aside, the thumb break comes in handy (as I found out today) in the Ladie's Room. No need to explain that one to anyone I'm sure. :)
 
i own holsters, like the above stated, that have the snap over, retention -that uses a tightening screw, serpa type krydex, rentention krydex/snap fit. i have a DeSantis mini scabbard that i bought when there no other holsters w/ rentention to be had. for CC it is comfortable, adjustable tension, close fit to the waist. you can only draw the weapon from the CANT angle of the holster! i think they make them for the Smith rev. -Blackhawk Serpa, my 2 cts. is the best rentention holster on the market. bulkier than most. but i know many people that use them, and like them.
 
As said previously, if you like it practice with it. I don't care for them at all. And I don't think they are necessary for most people.

I carry mostly IWB and sometimes in a belt holster. I work all day long bending, stooping, twisting and I don't have a problem. And I'm carrying a full size 1911.

But what matters most is how YOU feel. ;)
 
For OWB carry I like a thumb break holster like the top 2 pictured. The bottom holster is a Bianchi Professional IWB which I've used for EDC for the past couple of years. Even without a retaining strap the gun stays absolutely secure...
jleather.jpg
 
A good thumb break holster is very secure and when you practice drawing so your thumb does what the design implies, it will become second nature. Your thumb will break the snap as you complete your grip.

I have carried that way, open and concealed, for over 30 years and lost a firearm exactly twice - one when a Safariland thumbsnap failed during a foot pursuit and once from a Milt Sparks Summer Special that fit the gun like a glove. The butt wedged in the split in my car seat and when I exited the vehicle my 469 did not. That was the last holster without a retention device I used for anything other than pocket carry.
 
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