Belt slides and Yaqui style

[American1776]

I decided to try this galco belt slide for my beretta 92. Full sized holsters for this seem bulky.

Question: I know these style holsters are popular with Jeff Cooper fans, and it seems to be very light and quick with good retention.

Has anyone here carried a large pistol in this type of rig? Has it caused damage to your gun or crown by gouging or knocking the pistol against chair and other things?

Thanks.

 

[mckenney99]

The biggest issue is having the firearm pushed up out of the holster if it catches on something as you sit down, ie: arm of chair. The other minor issue may be if the muzzle peeks out from under your covering garment, it is immediately obvious what it is. whereas the bottom of a holster being exposed does not readily identify as a firearm muzzle. Not deal breakers but things to be aware of.

 

[BAM-BAM]

What Mckenny99 said.....

I've got "several" in my Big Box-O-Holsters.... can't remember the last time I used one.

Probably on a 6906 or 3913 not a 5" Beretta.

 

[bamabiker]

I would much rather have the same holster with about 3 or 4 more inches of leather. MHO.

 

[Rpg]

I've used the Yaqui slide design frequently over the years with 1911's.

Milt Sparks used to offer a good one, but it had a 2" belt loop and wasn't as secure on my 1 1/2" belts as I prefer.

More recently, I've used one Matt DelFatti built for me for my 1911's to fit his 1 1/2" belts.

Galco offered one that positioned the gun vertically. I believe that vertical design contributes to guns getting unholstered by chair arms.

I specify a 20 degree cant (butt forward) so don't have that problem.

 

[American1776]

I've used the Yaqui slide design frequently over the years with 1911's.

Milt Sparks used to offer a good one, but it had a 2" belt loop and wasn't as secure on my 1 1/2" belts as I prefer.

More recently, I've used one Matt DelFatti built for me for my 1911's to fit his 1 1/2" belts.

Galco offered one that positioned the gun vertically. I believe that vertical design contributes to guns getting unholstered by chair arms.

I specify a 20 degree cant (butt forward) so don't have that problem.

It sounds like you've used these types of minimalist holsters without a problem then. This one has a nice but forward cant, which I prefer.

I conceal and open carry 50/50. At home, I don't bother concealing, so the gun stays on my belt open. when going out, 90 percent of the time I put on a cover garment.

these days, since I'm not going out, I'm OCing 100 percent.

 

[Rpg]

The holster you show in the OP is more substantial than either of the Yaqui slides I discussed and use.

I doubt you'll have security issues with your rig.

 

[Old_Cop]

I use my Yaqui slides at the range where they have proven satisfactory.

 

[Chubbs103]

From a minimalist standpoint, I have always liked the idea of the Yaqui Slide and considered getting one several times. I have known some high-speed, low-drag types that use them. However...

I was sitting on a rooftop years ago in a foreign country with a local NCO. We were watching a training exercise, but this was an troubled part of the world and he was carrying a Glock 17 in a slide holster. He slid his rear-end sideways to make room for someone else, and I clearly heard the muzzle end of that Glock slide across the concrete surface on which we were seated. My desire for that style of holster disappeared that day along with the finish on his slide and possibly the crown of his barrel.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Check out MTR Leather's "Slim-line Deluxe Pancake Belt slide holster"

I'd prefer full slide/barrel coverage especially when/if open carrying.


Or an Askins Avenger Style holster..... which tend to be a little more minimalist.

 

[pharmer]

I've got a Galco, it's like new so I haven't used it much. It will fit a myriad of guns, certainly better than "Mexican carry." (not meaning that in a racist way but I don't have a PC synonym in my head). Joe

 

[BAM-BAM]

LOL... If you like Beretta 92s this is a good reason/excuse to get yourself a Centurion..... 3/4 inch shorter slide/barrel..... with a full size frame.

 

[GerSan69]

I have several of those slide holsters, Don Hume and a couple of "The Holster Store" small-of-back models that can also be used for crossdraw. With a short barrel, like a 2" or 3" K-frame or a Kahr CM9 or 45, they cover enough of the barrel or slide that getting pushed out is not a concern. (Another good thing about these is that while they are made for left or right-handed, they can actually be used for either. I switched mine to use when I had shoulder surgery, and it worked fine.) I also have used a DeSantis Mini-Slide for my 3913/6906/CM9/CM45 with a longer profile that covers most if not all of the slides on those guns, which points out another unadvertised feature of slides - they fit far more that the gun they are made for. I was even able to fit a 4516 into the Holster Store model, although it was, of course, tight. I'd use it in a pinch.

 

[flagman1776]

I am very fond of the Avenger style holster that Bianchi sold as the Askins Avenger and have them for my 1911 & 39-2.. It gives good secure carry & pulls the butt in just enough to conceal with minimal leather. Retention is a tab over the hammer spur. I think the design would be improved with a screw controled friction retention.
I'd Google Avenger holsters to see what current makers offer.

 

[k22fan]

I told this story here once before but it's been years.

I traveled across the sound in my Corolla on a state ferry with a S&W revolver concealed in a belt slide or Yaqui style holster. Nearly all passengers go to the upper decks for the hour ferry ride. When I got out of my car I heard my S&W clang on the steel deck and slide a short way. Thoughtfully the ferry crews generously mix large sharp sand in with the deck paint. That slowed the slide at the expense of the bluing. I snatched it up, reholstered and looked around. The gentleman in the car behind me was looking back and forth between me and the note pad he was vigorously writing on. Cell phones were still a couple of decades off in the future. Today he would have been chatting with 911. Without speaking to him I went on about my day. If he made a report to anyone I never heard about it. Perhaps that was because running my license plate through the state computer would have shown I had a concealed pistol license. In hind sight maybe I should have spoken to the gentleman.

Logically a Yaqui slide type holster would work better if you have a fat butt to keep the muzzle from being pushed up as far by bucket seats. Some one above wrote they are happy using theirs at the range where I doubt they sit down. My butt is a lot fatter now but for me, no thank-you, never again.

 

[Pisgah]

Slides are a very comfortable way to carry a big pistol, but as already noted there are drawbacks. Yes, the gun is more susceptible to damage than it would in a holster that provides full coverage, and a generic, poorly-fitted one can be lacking in good retention. Still, they have a place. The largest semi-auto I own right now is an old Tanfoglio TZ-75. It usually does duty as my truck console gun, but once in a while I strap it on with an unknown-brand belt slide that works very well, and the gun's so cosmetically challenged that a new ding here or there doesn't bother me at all.

 

[dave1918a2]

I carry a full size 1911 in a Milt Sparks slide I've had for 30+ years. Never a problem. Takes time to put the gun in it, but that's not important, it comes out very quick.

 

[Trooper224]

Belt slides are convenient for the range, which was their original purpose and where they should stay. Lots of things are popular with Cooper fans that should have been left in 1980.

 

[jimgoldth]

The pictured below Don Hume belt slides that I do not own any more. One caused me a very embarrassing situation as I was waiting to testify in court as a Police Officer. Needless to say I will NEVER wear one with out a retention device.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

i carry my Shields in a belt slide holster like that.