Open Top or Retained Carry?

[dajogejr]

Open for iwb concealed. Strapped over the top for my ankle when I'm on my Harley...

 

[Don 73]

Off duty I open top carry in my Zero9 kydex holster. The "retention" is built in when the holster is molded, there is a very audible 'click' when holstering the gun. I'd have to hold the holster upside down and shake it pretty good to get the gun to come out.

 

[Peakes]

Pretty much. If it's being carried open wether for duty or not, without added retention it's pretty easy for someone to take off of you. If it's concealed, no one should know it's there.

IMO a thumb break is too obvious when open carrying, but that really is just an opinion.

Agreed! When I carry on duty its a Safariland level Holster.

 

[ca survivor]

open top, but I like more trigger guard coverage.

 

[kannonvaggon]

I have come to like the Shield in an open Kydex holster, I am now using a Hidden Hybrid, that has very good retention built in but no strap needed.

Either IWB or OWB the pistol is NOT gonna flop out of that holster. I ride dual-sport mostly out in the deserts almost every day, and I have had NO problems with this combination of pistol and holster even when on my head in a sand wash .... I used to OC a heavier SW pistol and did use a good quality leather holster with a top strap . The Shield is hardly noticeable on weight and doesn't have the inertia when bouncing around that a real-deal-steel pistol has. IWB should be much more "retained" naturally than OWB?

 

[VictorLouis]

Consider the ordinary daily activity of walking. I stepped off of a curb yesterday morning exiting a restaurant. My ankle rolled outward sending me down like a clown in pratfall. I thought I suffered a sprained ankle, but it's so much better today, I am doubtful.

I am ashamed to say I was without my gun! I'd put it into the glove box earlier, upon arrival to work. Found out I'd gotten to work too early, and figured I'd have time to go get a bite.

Better test your open-top rigs for retention in just such circumstances.

 

[PastureOfMuppets]

Off duty I open top carry in my Zero9 kydex holster. The "retention" is built in when the holster is molded, there is a very audible 'click' when holstering the gun. I'd have to hold the holster upside down and shake it pretty good to get the gun to come out.

But if someone was to make a grab for the gun it would come straight out right?

The retention in an open top Kydex holster is purely it clipped in around the trigger guard.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I do not know who made the bottom holster in the OP's picture, but it seems to me that not enough of the trigger guard is covered.

 

[Don 73]

But if someone was to make a grab for the gun it would come straight out right?

The retention in an open top Kydex holster is purely it clipped in around the trigger guard.

Perhaps, but they would have to get past ME first. I never let myself become so unaware of my surroundings that I would let someone get that close to me regardless, let alone close enough on my gun side to even attempt a grab. Rule #1 If you go for my gun, there ARE NO rules.

 

[Peakes]

I do not know who made the bottom holster in the OP's picture, but it seems to me that not enough of the trigger guard is covered.

It does cover, just didn't seat it far enough for the pic..

 

[goyota]

I am a police officer and when I am off duty I like open top concealed.

 

[spearcrow]

If you have to worry about your gun flopping out of an open top holster, your holster is poorly built.

I understand what your trying to get at, but I don't think it's necessarily going to be the case all the time. I'm pretty satisfied with the quality of all my holsters, including the open top variety. I just don't think farming and ranching are the best places to sport an open top design. Not that it can't be done, just possibly not the best. Matter of fact, I was about 13 years old the first time I lost a revolver outta a open top holster chasing a calf on horseback.

Again, I appreciate all the different designs out there, but for me there is a time and a place to use them.

It's too late to drag a bunch out of the safe tonight, but here's a couple that were laying in arms reach...