Paddle holsters

G

gjgalligan

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2005
Messages
1,196
Reaction score
2,105
City & State/Province
Metamora, Michigan
It looks like a paddle holster would be great for quick on/off. Problem as I see it is that they are made to be worn with paddle between belt and pants with most of them having hooks to catch on belt.
Unfortunately my position choice of carry has a belt loop which means the paddle would need to be inside the waistband of pants. Is the extra thickness gonna be to do that gonna be a problem?
Not sure I would want the belt hooks on the paddle inside the pants.
Has anybody ever used a paddle holster with the paddle inside the pants, if so, how did it work for you?
 
I have had a couple but not a huge fan. I used them with paddle inside the pants.

Most seemed to push the handgun out to far so made them hard to conceal.

Another concern was how secure they truly were if there was a gun grab scenario. That was a concern while working as an LEO.

I still have one that fits a 5906 and pulls in pretty close. I think it is a Galco
 
I have and like a Safariland paddle for a 4" L frame, I slip the paddle in my pants, it holds the the gun tight to the body, it can be a little tricky to get off, but really you just need to pay attention to what you are doing.
 
I use kydex paddle holsters at the range, the kind that hook under the belt, but so far have not had an issue with belt loops interfering.

Some guys, I’ve read on this forum, move their belt loops — remove them and then sew them back on where they want them.

Another idea for you is that Doc Barranti sells a metal gizmo that is essentially a movable belt loop. Just place it where you want it and clip it in place. Then ignore the one that is interfering.
 
I used to use a Safariland paddle - 581 I think?

It was great. Paddle in the pants, gun outside. Just pull the bottom out to take it off
for some typing at the desk time.

I think mine was open-top, but some had thumbbreaks.
 
gjgalligan said:
It looks like a paddle holster would be great for quick on/off. Problem as I see it is that they are made to be worn with paddle between belt and pants with most of them having hooks to catch on belt.
Unfortunately my position choice of carry has a belt loop which means the paddle would need to be inside the waistband of pants. Is the extra thickness gonna be to do that gonna be a problem?
Not sure I would want the belt hooks on the paddle inside the pants.
Has anybody ever used a paddle holster with the paddle inside the pants, if so, how did it work for you?
Click to expand...
My observations and experience so far has been the answer is, it depends.
There's been a wide variety of 'paddles' over the years.

The plastic ones I've tried from Galco and Safariland are not quick on off. It takes a bit of effort and technique.
Photo here of a Galco https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/galco-paddle-lite.580053/post-141895103

The leather ones are usually more convenient but generally not as a securely attached.
Some advertised as between the belt and others inside the trouser. A few show in here
https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/don-hume-holster-vintage.716047/
 
Last edited:
I had an NOPD partner on a task force. 6’6”, 275, a product of the projects. Great guy, friends to this day.

He was a so-so shot, but had killed a guy in a straight-up gunfight. He carried a Beretta Model 92, which is what the PD gave him.

He carried the Beretta in a raggedy Uncle Mike’s holster, which he just stuck in his pants. One day, it just quit and split all the way down the seams.

I carried a Sig P220, and had a spare 5181 holster in my car, which we were in. I said - you should get one like this. His ears heard - here ya go big guy.

He took that narrow Safariland in one hand, and that fat Beretta in the other. I saw it coming, but was powerless to stop it. He shoved it in, tried the snap (no go) and then shoved it some more. It was the only time I ever heard him grunt with effort. He got it snapped, shoved the whole shebang in his pants, said thanks brother, and was wearing it when I left years later.IMG_3166.webp
 
Last edited:
326MOD10 said:
I have had a couple but not a huge fan. I used them with paddle inside the pants.

Most seemed to push the handgun out to far so made them hard to conceal.
Click to expand...
^^^^^^^^^^ This ^^^^^^^^^^
I found for me that they kick the butt of the gun out & away from my body and hinder concealment. Also pretty tricky to use as a quick, easy on/off holster. I'm not really a fan.
 
I use a paddle holster for occasional club matches. Paddle goes in the pants. Easy to put on and take off, and no messing with weird Velcro gun belts.
 
I've mostly used Safariland kydex paddle rigs. They worked satisfactorily. On me, getting it off requided a rotating motion that became quick after a while. While the better ones, with the paddle behind the pants, are reasonably secure from a snatch, nothing beats a LE grade belt holster on a heavy LE belt. Even those are subject to a gun snatch by a strong, determined perp.
 
The only time I ever use or enjoy a paddle holster is on the range. It is easy to take on/off, and it works well enough for club shoots etc.

The paddle can go either over or beneath the pants. Generally, I found that the paddle works better beneath the pants with jeans and thick pants, and better over the pants on thin pants.
 
All of the paddle holsters that I have are to be worn with the paddle inside the waistband. I'm not sure I've even seen one designed to be worn outside of the waistband. In my experience with them, they are easy to put on, some are easy to remove, some are difficult to remove, but few hold the handgun close to my body, so they are usually a poor choice for concealed carry.
 
gjgalligan said:
It looks like a paddle holster would be great for quick on/off. Problem as I see it is that they are made to be worn with paddle between belt and pants with most of them having hooks to catch on belt.
Unfortunately my position choice of carry has a belt loop which means the paddle would need to be inside the waistband of pants. Is the extra thickness gonna be to do that gonna be a problem?
Not sure I would want the belt hooks on the paddle inside the pants.
Has anybody ever used a paddle holster with the paddle inside the pants, if so, how did it work for you?
Click to expand...
Paddle is meant to be insidepants.
 
I carried an HK P7M8 in a kramer MSP as an off duty gun for about 10 years when I was a reserve deputy. It concealed really well with that thin gun, was easy to take on and off, and had a belt strap to keep it from moving around. I quit using it when I quit carrying that gun because it's value ballooned. I bought a second one for a 1911 and everything worked except it did not conceal as well. After that I went to strong side inside the waistband holsters (Milt Sparks and Ryan
Grizzle) as they concealed everything so much better.

It is my understanding that they were designed to be worn with the paddle inside the pants.
 
Several years ago, I purchased the Galco Fed Paddle in leather. First off, they made them in the Left Hand version which I need. I carry a early 1911 Colt (no bottom rail) and the paddle goes inside the pants. The retention is adjustable and has the retention strap with the thumb brake snap when carried in cocked and locked condition. Works great for me, can easily slip it out when needing to leave in vehicle. I wear it just behind the hip with a forward cant. Comfortable, good retention and easy to draw. Prints a little more than an IWB but properly tailored jackets cover that issue.
 
Valmet said:
I’ve always been a fan of the Fobus paddle holsters. Cheap, lightweight, easy to use…
Click to expand...
Yep, agreed, been a Fobus fan for many years.
I currently have two, one for the G17/19, another for a G48. As for taking them on and off ( repeatedly), my only reason for that would be getting in and out of a vehicle, which would be a PITA. My solution was to wear the G48 over on my left side ( cross-draw) which has the butt of the pistol facing forward. This way, I dont notice the pistol at all, and can comfortably ride, and repeatedly enter and exit the vehicle, with no urge to repeatedly remove and replace it.
 
gjgalligan said:
It looks like a paddle holster would be great for quick on/off. Problem as I see it is that they are made to be worn with paddle between belt and pants with most of them having hooks to catch on belt.
Unfortunately my position choice of carry has a belt loop which means the paddle would need to be inside the waistband of pants. Is the extra thickness gonna be to do that gonna be a problem?
Not sure I would want the belt hooks on the paddle inside the pants.
Has anybody ever used a paddle holster with the paddle inside the pants, if so, how did it work for you?
Click to expand...
Actually, having used paddies for both work and pleasure for the last 40+ years, I've found them to best be worn with the paddle inside the pants. The belt hooks(actually just waistband hooks) still function fine this way.
 
I have the safariland too for my Model 39-2. In the pants and very comfortable. I wanted another in leather for my CSX, but they don't make them.
 
Never liked them, but that’s just me.
Probably fine for the range and open carry.
But for CC? The few I tried over the years, (as noted by several above) always turned my cover garment into an open parachute.
 
gjgalligan said:
It looks like a paddle holster would be great for quick on/off. Problem as I see it is that they are made to be worn with paddle between belt and pants with most of them having hooks to catch on belt.
Unfortunately my position choice of carry has a belt loop which means the paddle would need to be inside the waistband of pants. Is the extra thickness gonna be to do that gonna be a problem?
Not sure I would want the belt hooks on the paddle inside the pants.
Has anybody ever used a paddle holster with the paddle inside the pants, if so, how did it work for you?
Click to expand...
Move the belt loop.
 
gjgalligan said:
It looks like a paddle holster would be great for quick on/off. Problem as I see it is that they are made to be worn with paddle between belt and pants with most of them having hooks to catch on belt.
Unfortunately my position choice of carry has a belt loop which means the paddle would need to be inside the waistband of pants. Is the extra thickness gonna be to do that gonna be a problem?
Not sure I would want the belt hooks on the paddle inside the pants.
Has anybody ever used a paddle holster with the paddle inside the pants, if so, how did it work for you?
Click to expand...
Umm, about your statement......
While you might get away with just hanging the paddle from your belt, that's not how they're designed to be worn.
 
I own a few paddle holsters but don't often used them - especially the later ones with the large hard plastic paddles.

I frequently do carry an old Hume 720-OT (Open Top) that has a leather paddle it is soft (the paddle) an not uncomfortable - I use it for my 1911 BUG.

jrhbackup-1.webp

Riposte
 
Umm, about your statement.....

The OWB Paddle Holster is compatible with 1.5’’ to 2’’ belts.

Just one of many online descriptions referring to the sized of belts they fit.
 
gjgalligan said:
It looks like a paddle holster would be great for quick on/off. Problem as I see it is that they are made to be worn with paddle between belt and pants with most of them having hooks to catch on belt.
Unfortunately my position choice of carry has a belt loop which means the paddle would need to be inside the waistband of pants. Is the extra thickness gonna be to do that gonna be a problem?
Not sure I would want the belt hooks on the paddle inside the pants.
Has anybody ever used a paddle holster with the paddle inside the pants, if so, how did it work for you?
Click to expand...

Isn’t that where the paddle goes? Mine has a belt loop and a thumb break. I prefer it over others.IMG_1752.webp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
Paddle holsters
Replies
21
Views
3K
Mark IV
Mark IV
Major 2
Semi Old school holster
Replies
7
Views
506
Major 2
Major 2
TLFR
Paddle Holster for CSX
Replies
16
Views
2K
TLFR
TLFR
turnerriver
  • Locked
WITHDRAWN…LAWRENCE CARVED & LACED DOUBLE HOLSTER RIG SPECIAL ORDER S&W 6” M&P REVOLVERS
Replies
0
Views
273
turnerriver
turnerriver
N
  • Locked
For Sale Price Lowered: Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 IWB Holster for S&W M&P
Replies
5
Views
671
Beach Cricket
Beach Cricket

Latest posts

Back
Top