Holsters forward or reverse canted?

[Chris Brines]

Yes feralmerril, that is the position I am referring to, reverse cant. I never imagined so much thought would be required to decide how to holster my gun. I just ordered a belly band that will allow me to hold the gun at that same position at my 2 o clock. I am assuming that it will also allow me to re position the band in order to hold the gun at my 10 o clock (in which case the but of the gun would be facing "forward", and the barrel would be pointed "rearward". This seemed at first like the position that would work best for me.

I never imagined myself carrying my gun at a 4 o' clock, but the more I think of it, that can be a very useful position, depending on which angle your attacker is coming from. I am just going to use the Belly band at first, just to decide which holster position is the most comfortable and accessible for me, then I will buy a holster that is as versatile yet secure and comfortable at the same time. And of course, "zero cant" may work as well. I'm pretty sure this won't be my last post in the CCW forum.

One more question: What is a "thumb break"?

Thanks again for all the helpful advice.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

One more question: What is a "thumb break"?

Chris, while this isn't the best angle to show a thumb break, if you look at The Black Widow below you will see a leather strap that goes over the open part of the holster. This strap has the male part of a snap that mates up with the female part on the other side after it goes behind the hammer of the gun.

The female portion is on a leather tab that has enough material above the snap so a person can use their thumb to open the snap while their hand is on the gun grip.

Below is another example of a holster with a thumb break. In this photo you can just make out the tab on the back-side, which as a metal reinforcement plate on it to make sure that when you push with your thumb that the leather just doesn't flex instead of popping open the snap.

For me, I only use holsters with a thumb break in a back up role, just for the added security.

One thing to consider if using a holster with a thumb break, and that is, while reholstering, the leather strap that goes over the top of the gun can makes it's way into the trigger guard. If this happens and you don't catch it before shoving the gun home you can end up with a "bang" where you don't want one.

Many thumb break holsters have the strap that goes over the gun on a stud of some type so that when you pop open the snap on the other side of the holster the strap that goes over the gun swivels down out the way, which is much safer for reholstering. After you reholster with that type you just pivot the leather strap back up before snapping it back into place.

 

[Chris Brines]

Interesting

Thanks for the lesson on holsters and thumb breaks. So is this just a thing you do for revolvers? Because I to have one that I plan to find a holster for eventually, but right now I am more concerned with holstering my .40SW and sub compact 9mm.

Do they have holsters with thumb breaks for semi autos? How practical are they? Most of the good holsters I've seen are leather, with no thumb break. I have kinda ruled out Black Hawk especially because of "holster wear", that is definitely something I don't want.

 

[Packard]

...Do they have holsters with thumb breaks for semi autos? How practical are they? ...

Yes. But make sure it is a holster that has been in production for a while so that they have ironed out any production issues. And make sure it is set up for you manner of carry.

I bought a DeSantis shoulder rig for my Colt Gold Cup back in the 1980s when I was living on Long Island. DeSantis was big on Long Island because Gene DeSantis started out working there.

I wore the holster the first day (cocked and locked) and when I removed the gun at night I saw that the safety was "off". I was certain that I had applied the safety. Cocked and not locked is a very dangerous way to carry.

The same thing occured the next day.

On close inspection I saw that the thumb break, which I applied under the hammer (a common extra safety method back then) would disengage the safety each time.

I went do DeSantis' factory in Mineola and showed him the problem. His answer was that the holster was designed for hammer down carry. I complained that the label should have said "for hammer down carry only".

His reply was, "Only idiots carry cocked and locked."

He refused to make any changes (and he never changed the labels on the holsters).

So make sure that the holster was designed for your method of carry.

 

[mr357magnum]

Reverse cant holster in the 2 O'clock position

It may be wrong but I wear my gun at the 2 o'clock position in
a reverse cant position holster with the butt of the gun downward and it fits right in the crease of my right leg (I am right handed). To me it is more comfortable while sitting down and when standing up the butt of the gun never shows.

I have tried carrying the gun at the 3 and 5 o'clock positions in a forward or vertical cant holster but I find that the butt of the gun always has an imprint and it is harder to access when sitting down.

I have tried the cross draw also but that really didn't work at all.

I haven't tried the small of the back holsters yet but may give that a try.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Don't know if there are any still out there .....but Bianchi use to make a "Pistol Pocket" IWB holster with adjustable cant.... I had one for my 6906 in the 90s and it let me experiment on where and how I wanted to carry IWB

 

[murphydog]

There is so much variation in the equation (gun size and weight, body build, clothing and accessories) that no one can answer "what is best" except the person in question.

And guys, the OP must've gotten the answer he wanted almost 4 years ago, as he hasn't been back since .

 

[OLDSTER]

holster

I use cross draw because it is a lot easier to get your gun when you're sitting down - like in a car. And, for someone that tries to get your gun - with cross draw they have to face you head on where you can see them.

With a hip hoster on your side they could come up behind you and get your gun.

I don't wear my holster completely on my left side. I wear it on my front left side above my left front pocket with the grip toward my belly button and wear loose shirts with my shirt tail hanging out.

You can also use an ankle holster and no one will ever see it.

I carry a 642.

I also carry a 642 cross draw. I'm right handed so my holsters are right handed OWB rear cant

 

[T-Arrow]

Just ordered my first cc holster, MTAC... Seemed to show more ways to adjust both cant , and hight to waist then other hybrid types, for the reason to choose. Two belt clip system might be the only drawback to put on or take off. Hope to have it in my hands in a couple of weeks.

 

[snubbyfan]

Strong side, forward cant. Helps to tuck the butt in.


Cross draw, reverse cant.

 

[BAM-BAM]

And guys, the OP must've gotten the answer he wanted almost 4 years ago, as he hasn't been back since .

Note to self: Do not post before 2nd cup of coffee!!! LOL

Well the weather around here is more like Easter than Christmas........ so lets "resurrect" some old threads.....

 

[Whitwabit]

I carry my 40c IWB at 4 o'clock in a good leather holster by Wright Leather Works and forget I am wearing it sometimes .. it goes on my belt when I get up in the morning and stays there till I retire at night ..

You'll probably end up with 4 or more holster before you decide on the position and how you are most comfortable wearing your weapon .. Everyone is different .. what may be great for me you may not like .. I'm actually about your size and us thin guys do have a harder time not printing ..