muzzle sticking out 1/4"??

[boomer92266]

i just bought a couple holsters for my ruger security 9, the owb is polymer and made for it and the iwb is for a glock 19 but the ruger fits snug like it was made for it. my only problem with both is the muzzle comes out about 1/4" or less on both holsters, i've looked online and have found some holsters let the gun barrel stick out but it does bother me some. i even went to a local shop and all the holsters made for my gun let the muzzle out very slightly. do any of you wear holsters that let the muzzle stick out slightly? i may just be making a mountain out of a mole hill, thanks for any help.

 

[Roller Delayed]

There are a lot of holster that do nothing more than cover the trigger guard. But I don't see any reason not to protect the muzzle - it won't make what you're concealing any larger.

 

[mike campbell]

Google on 1911 "slide" holsters and you'll finds dozens of offerings with more gun exposed than covered. Many holster makers specify barrel lengths of 4" and 4 & 1/4" (often referred to as "commander" length).

If it bothers you ... sounds like it does ... be more picky when you shop and you'll find one that covers.

 

[rednichols]

There is no good reason for the pistol muzzle to extend out of the holster muzzle by a little bit. Other posters to your thread are referring to the 'slide' style which is intended to leave the entire end of the pistol showing; but that is not what you're describing. Someone has been careless at your holster maker; the pistol muzzle should be within the holster muzzle. Here are a pair of vintage holster that didn't get it right:

Bruce Nelson, who should've known better

John Bianchi, ditto

A 21st century holster that gives you the idea, that the muzzle belongs about 1/8" or more recessed inside the holster:



So: don't settle. Find a maker who knows, which is most of 'em. One pistolsmith advised his benchmark was 'recessed enough that the muzzle wouldn't leave powder residue on his car seats'. For someone who does a lot shooting that makes a lot of sense .

 

[boomer92266]

There is no good reason for the pistol muzzle to extend out of the holster muzzle by a little bit. Other posters to your thread are referring to the 'slide' style which is intended to leave the entire end of the pistol showing; but that is not what you're describing. Someone has been careless at your holster maker; the pistol muzzle should be within the holster muzzle. Here are a pair of vintage holster that didn't get it right:

View attachment 375815 Bruce Nelson, who should've known better

View attachment 375816 John Bianchi, ditto

A 21st century holster that gives you the idea, that the muzzle belongs about 1/8" or more recessed inside the holster:

View attachment 375817

So: don't settle. Find a maker who knows, which is most of 'em. One pistolsmith advised his benchmark was 'recessed enough that the muzzle wouldn't leave powder residue on his car seats'. For someone who does a lot shooting that makes a lot of sense .

the owb holster has my muzzle like those pics, my iwb holster my muzzle is less than the pics but sticks out a little.

 

[Roller Delayed]

Other posters to your thread are referring to the 'slide' style which is intended to leave the entire end of the pistol showing; but that is not what you're describing.

No, I know what he was talking about. I was just making it clear that having some or a even lot of the muzzle/barrel/slide hanging out is an accepted practice - even though I disagree with it. I think holsters need to help protect the muzzle and front sight from damage caused by the top edge of a chair back or anything else you can sit down into.

When I make molded leather or kydex holsters I let the material go past the end of the gun and then curve around it instead of leaving a slide width hole in the bottom. I try to leave the gap large enough to let a shell casing fall through, but that's secondary.

 

[chief38]

I like the full gun covered and would not buy one that allowed the muzzle to protrude - but that's just me. I suppose some guys don't mind.

 

[Jessie]

It’s not a big thing really. It just means that the holster is as concealed as possible and printing as little as possible.
Don’t worry about wear on the muzzle end...it’s gonna happen if you use and shoot it.

 

[junglefighter]

As an added note: some of the new handguns have 4 1/4" bbls. now instead of the 4" bbls. and the molds are still for the 4" only. Before you ask,it is because Canada and a few others require a barrel longer than 4". That little bit of muzzle showing will effect nothing except your own perspective.

 

[boomer92266]

well i got another holster for a 4 inch barrel auto, my gun which is supposed to be 4 inch has the muzzle dead even with the end of the holster. i would like the muzzle up inside but it doesn't seem like any local shop of holsters will let it. this recent one is the only one that keeps the muzzle at least even with the holster.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I've no comment about you wanting a fully covered muzzle. Just wanted to say that my one OWB carry is a 3" 686+ that rides in a holster I got for my 2 1/2" 686+.

It's been an intermittent conceal carry for several years, and I have not noticed any muzzle damage. I'd guess your polymer frame is even more forgiving.

 

[snubbyfan]

I like the full gun covered and would not buy one that allowed the muzzle to protrude - but that's just me. I suppose some guys don't mind.

I agree, I like the muzzle to be 'bout an eighth of an inch in from the end of the holster. Sometimes more.
These are both my own personal holsters.


The IWB's a bit over a quarter inch beyond the muzzle.

 

[boomer92266]

I've no comment about you wanting a fully covered muzzle. Just wanted to say that my one OWB carry is a 3" 686+ that rides in a holster I got for my 2 1/2" 686+.

It's been an intermittent conceal carry for several years, and I have not noticed any muzzle damage. I'd guess your polymer frame is even more forgiving.

the holster i found that lets the muzzle be even is a iwb holster, a owb holster wouldn't bother me as bad i don't think. i sweat a lot in summer can't see the muzzle touching my skin. but unless i can find a inexpensive holster i will have no choice but carry with muzzle not up in holster. thanks

 

[crazyphil]

As Red said it isn't right. If it bothers you I understand. It bothers me
too. Send them back and shop for others that don't bother you. If you
don't it will bother you as long as you have them.

 

[Fishinfool]

My own 2 cents is I want my muzzle covered, especially on a field holster. A long while back, I was hunting with a 6 1/2 inch model 29 in a belt holster with an open bottom, the barrel sticking out maybe a 1/4 inch. Spent most of the day moving around from spot to spot, often sitting down to watch a particular spot. Long story short, at the end of the day, I found dirt and mud pressed into the muzzle of my barrel. When I sat down, the muzzle must have pressed into the soft ground hard enough to cause the issue. Lucky I didn't get a shot that day.

I also like a closed bottom. I know manufacturers tout the advantages of an open muzzle design allowing debris to fall out, but I don't typically find my holsters filled with debris, and am not too lazy to turn my holster upside down and tap it a few times if somehow something finds its way into the bottom of my holster.

These considerations may not be as much of an issue for short barreled handguns carried on the street for self defense purposes, especially IWB, but I like to cover all the bases in my holsters if possible. I'll add that I have a number of older leather holsters that show scrapes, abrasions, and scuffs to the muzzle / bottom of the holsters. I'd rather that then to the muzzle of the guns themselves.

One last thought - Some states require concealed carry. If your weapon becomes visible to the public, and a complaint is made, you run the risk of permit revocation. You bend over, and your holster shows, you are not breaking the law. The last 1/4 inch of your barrel showing means you are in violation. That was the law when I lived in CT anyway, and in this anti gun environment, might still be a consideration depending on where you live.

Larry

 

[joe44va]

Yes, I do.

 

[jimmyj]

contact "Lobogunleathers"" and they will make you a holster to your specs.