Least favorite type of holster for CCW

The CCW oops got me thinking about my LEAST favorite type of holster. For me, the least favorite is the ankle holster. You might as well leave the gun at home. Certainly it's not a carry for a primary weapon.

Second is a shoulder holster. I stated my reasons below in the ooops thread. Good on the belt line, bad on access.

Third is small of the back holster. I like my gun where I can keep an eye on it.

Fourth is Kydex. (Not exactly a type, but hey) Sure, they're cheap, slick, and durable, but I don't like putting gun in them because they're so inflexible. I like leather, which will bend and get worn in.

Fifth is a nylon outside the pocket holster. They're just too soft for my liking. Gots to be leather.

There are probably more but I can't think of any right now.

Anything on my hip. I need to pocket or AIWB carry only. Hip carry is for the field.

A lot of people carry Glocks - that's exactly where you *don't* want a leather holster that bends and gets worn in! Kydex is practically a necessity.

IWB and ankle. My body type just does not work with an IWB. I prefer something OWB about the 4 or 5 o'clock position. Sometimes in a crossdraw also.

The Mexican Shoestring Holster or Paracord Holster is a pretty dismal way to carry.
Be careful when you bend over...there is nothing to keep your gun in place . Experience is a hard teacher .
Although it's a simple concept and works to an extent there is a lack of restraint...the big downfall .
Gary

Don't recall the name of this one, but it has a plastic clip that goes over the belt, and another plastic piece that goes inside the pants, with a post for the barrel to slide over.

In the Dr. Office or I'd find a picture for yall. Really cheap & dangerous looking.

IWB. Just doesn't work for me.

I carry either IWB or pocket. Of the two, pocket carry is by far my least favorite way to carry, and I rarely pocket carry.

Some people like OWB carry, but I never quite warmed up to it. Even with good gear it always felt like my gun was pulling away from me. No such issue with IWB holsters.

Most other types of carry I think can work, even if they're less than optimal, for specific situations. For example, cross-draw and ankle carry are at their best if you may need to draw while sitting.

The one type of holster I see no use for is small-of-the-back. The negatives far outweigh any perceived benefits.

I'm also not a fan of the Urban Carry holster, I think it's called. It looks like a very impractical holster. I saw one video where someone tried to draw from this holster and ended up sending his gun flying. Not a good result.

The Urban carry holster works best with ball ammo.

kraynky said:

Don't recall the name of this one, but it has a plastic clip that goes over the belt, and another plastic piece that goes inside the pants, with a post for the barrel to slide over.

In the Dr. Office or I'd find a picture for yall. Really cheap & dangerous looking.

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That sounds like a Versa-Carry.
Never tried one, but I never liked the look of them much either...

"Mexican Carry" or anything made out of nylon.

Cheap. Anything quality will do the job if used right.

Nylon holster with metal belt clip and no thumb snap is the worst ever. Unsafe for the gun carrier and those around them. Accident waiting to happen. They are as slippery as a bar of soap inside. Have heard of more than one CCW carrier being prosecuted when their gun slipped out of the holster unnoticed in a public place or at home and a kid got hold of said gun and either shot themself or someone else with it. Or fired the gun without hitting anyone.
Unfortunately, these cheap holster are by far the most popular types with people who carry, because they are so cheap and available.

BC38 said:

That sounds like a Versa-Carry.
Never tried one, but I never liked the look of them much either...

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I have a Versacarry one that doesn't have the post that fits inside the barrel. I've seen one of those with the post, pretty sure it wasn't a Versa, and IIRC had an open front. Very lightweight and a minimalist holster and I believe was Kydex and very small. I'm thinking the Zero Carry, which has a post. My memory is from several years ago.

The Versacarry I have is awful. It kinda fits about any gun (I think I bought it for a 1911) but once you put a belt through the loops it bends the leather holster so tight around your waist and your gun you can hardly draw the gun and certainly can't reholster. Worst holster I've wasted money on....a waste of leather. If anyone wants it, I'll donate it. I was a victim of Facebook advertising and what I think was phony endorsements.

Fanny pack / kangaroo pouch. Might as well wear a neon sign that says I HAVE A GUN.

Gene L said:

The Urban carry holster works best with ball ammo.

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I see what you did there!

My LEAST favorite holsters would be those that are opposite, in any way,
to my MOST favorite holsters. My most favorites are those of very basic
design, high quality material and construction, by skilled makers. Below,
left to right, are 3 examples of my most favorites.
Myres #614 Tom Threepersons style
Heiser #457 FBI style
Lawrence #34 FBI style
Any holster that departs from this basic pattern, in any way, begins to
become less of a favorite for me.

As far as inherently, categorically bad ideas , probably the holster style most strongly contra indicated is the Small of the Back . None of the possible advantages could outweigh the dangers of spinal injury . ( Since the OP specified Holsters , holsterless methods not addressed .)

The other methods mentioned are either : Personal Preference , or methods that have niche applications .

Ankle has great access if seated ( or laying down ) . With proper holster, and suitable trousers , its not That slow, comparable to some other deep cover methods . It major weakness , is inability to draw while moving .

The similar comebacks for crossdraw and shoulder holsters . Great access from seated .
IF either generally , or for specific occasions , going to be carrying Big ( meaning long bbl in particular ) gun , Shoulder and CD can offer comfort and freedom of movement . A shoulder rig with attached mag holder(s) , ammo pouches , etc and be an all in one grab and go .

Paddle holsters inherently stick out farther from the body, and many will flop around. It takes an excellent paddle design to be as close and stable as a middling belt holster . But they are great to slip on, when one does not/ can not carry on the belt all the time . Lots more people think they want this , than actually need the capability , bit the legit need is larger than zero .

Fanny Packs / similar belt pouches . All a matter of the context . For typical urban/ suburban setting , indeed glaringly out of place, unless you come off as an overweight middle aged computer geek who hasn't updated their wardrobe since college 20 plus yrs ago . Y'all are laughing , but I do people who fit that description , who carry fanny packs in real life, without guns , just with wallets, car keys, etc .

But if it is an environment where fishing, hiking, camping, etc is plausible , and you are in plausible casual clothes , you are golden . If you are dressed in swim trunks, jogging shorts , nude beach, etc , and want a full size pistol , a fanny pack is the least worst option .

In the purely personal preference, YMMV Dept :

I have mentioned how I have gorilla sized hands, and drawing from a pocket holster just doesn't work for me . Most IBW holsters are torture devices for me, and it's the rare setup that is merely medium uncomfortable . But a good Pancake holster is very comfortable , with good concealment . But on these topics , many people work out the other way.

robertrwalsh said:

Fanny pack / kangaroo pouch. Might as well wear a neon sign that says I HAVE A GUN.

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Maybe to some other gun owners. 99.9% of the population has no clue that a fanny pack might have a gun in it.

I dislike IWB because I don't like the way it feels and I don't like wearing my shirts out. I have just tried a tuckable for my K-frame M&P snub and it has promise however.