What's a good holster for a full sized m&p?

[the_hustleman]

I'm looking for a good retention holster for an m&p I'm in the process of buying.

Any advice?

I'm kinda partial to something that won't break the bank!

*swyped from the evo so excuse any typos*

 

[Houdini1953]

For on the hip I use a Blackhawk Serpa holster. It retains the gun really well and comes with both the belt or paddle option, I use the paddle for ease of putting on and taking off!

Should run around 45 bucks or if you go to Academy Sports you might get the paddle option only for 29.95!

 

[Lost Lake]

I've got a Blackhawk Serpa also. Easy draw and solid retention.

 

[Knightrider03m]

Are you looking for a OWB or IWB holster?

 

[Martya]

I have two OWB -

I have the Blackhawk Serpa Concealment for my M&P45FS. It worked great right out of the box, excellent retention, adjustable cant, easy reholster. What I don't like about it is that it sticks out from my hip just a little using either the belt loop or paddle.

I also bought a Bianchi Shadow II Model 7, listed for "10MM/.45 Automatic - Glock 20-21." It was a little tight at the end of the slide so I wet the end of the holster and pushed a small square block in the end for a couple of days to stretch it that needed 1/16" more, now the M&P fits perfectly. It fits tighter to my hip, and I need less bulky clothes to cover.

 

[Bicky Robby]

For OWB, I prefer the Blackhawk Serpa. Has good retention and can be purchased for under $40.

For IWB, an open top Don Hume leather holster can be purchased at most gun shows for around $35. But for good retention, I prefer and use the Comptach Minetaur.
Inside Waistband Holsters - Minotaur Holsters - products new home - Minotaur Spartan Holster

The Crossbreed Supertuck is similar to the Comptach in performance and cost, however the Comptach hoster allows the user to change the Kydex body to fit a different pistol.

 

[Etemmu]

Ditto on the Serpa.

The Crossbreed conceals the FS ok in the fall and winter months. Not so good for me for summer, when I switch to the 9c. Didnt know about the Minotaur feature allowing to switch the kydex body for different weapon- that would be nice!

 

[427mach1]

Don Hume would be my recommendation. Several styles to choose from; the 721 OT works for me.

 

[Chris A.]

My Blade-Tech has been very good to me.

 

[ET.]

Another vote for the Serpa holster. I bought an M&P 40 Pro with the long slide & 5" barrel. The Serpa carbon fiber holster is to one I keep using. I have leather ones that fit it, but I like the retention that the Serpa offers for this gun. My second choice seems to be my leather Bianchi holster that has a thumb break strap, but it doesn't feel as good as the Serpa.

 

[growr]

Any holster for a Glock 20/21 will work nicely with your M&P. Mine ride in non retention holster if they are IWB or thumb strap OWB.

 

[oneminute]

Safariland 6378 ALS. Far superior to the serpa in design, materials and construction. Same price or less than the serpa if you shop around

 

[Houdini1953]

Important note if you do decide on a Black Hawk Serpa keep in mind that there are two small parts which are part of the holster that are included with the holster. They are the hooks that you use to secure the holster to your belt and may be used in different places on the holster to accommodate different belt sizes. I threw my package away and at the range noticed that my belt hooks were missing and I had thrown them away in the trash can. I E-mailed Blackhawk and they sent me replacements via Fed-Ex free of charge within three days which was better than buying a whole new holster just to get the hooks that I threw away!

 

[Florida Shooter]

Garrett Industries "Silent Thunder, Slim"

Am considering the Silent Thunder "Slim" for S&W M&P 9mm full size. This holster has a Kydex exterior and is permanently lined with leather. The "Slim" has a single semi-wide-ish clip off-set to the rear, so it's not sitting right on the side. That makes it slimmer. My reasoning is that if it's less obtrusive and easier to put on the belt and remove from the belt, it will make life a lot easier. Right now, I'm just carrying in my pants pocket - not such a comfortable or useful way to carry a full size M&P! Compared to that, almost anything will be an improvement. But my concern is - just how easy/difficult is it to put that holster with gun onto the belt, and how easy is it to remove it? Also, how stable is it?

Any thoughts on/ experience with this?

 

[Houdini1953]

A paddle type holster is very easy to put over a belt and inside your waistband, it can be done with the gun in the holster but I just put on the paddle then stick the gun in after which I might move the paddle to the most comfortable spot on the belt!

 

[A2 Stippling]

Am considering the Silent Thunder "Slim" for S&W M&P 9mm full size. This holster has a Kydex exterior and is permanently lined with leather. The "Slim" has a single semi-wide-ish clip off-set to the rear, so it's not sitting right on the side. That makes it slimmer. My reasoning is that if it's less obtrusive and easier to put on the belt and remove from the belt, it will make life a lot easier. Right now, I'm just carrying in my pants pocket - not such a comfortable or useful way to carry a full size M&P! Compared to that, almost anything will be an improvement. But my concern is - just how easy/difficult is it to put that holster with gun onto the belt, and how easy is it to remove it? Also, how stable is it?

Any thoughts on/ experience with this?

You live in South Florida and are carrying a full-sized M&P in your pocket...you sir, are a large man.

Good luck on your purchase - I am looking for the same thing (OWB) but non-retention for use on ranges/classes. If you get retention (such as Serpa) make sure you train, train, train, on it before you need to use it. I bought one for a Glock and it will never leave the drawer again...

 

[Florida Shooter]

You live in South Florida and are carrying a full-sized M&P in your pocket...you sir, are a large man.

Good luck on your purchase - I am looking for the same thing (OWB) but non-retention for use on ranges/classes. If you get retention (such as Serpa) make sure you train, train, train, on it before you need to use it. I bought one for a Glock and it will never leave the drawer again...

mmmmmm . . . nope. I'm 5'8" and 155 lbs. Truly, it's a lousy way to carry concealed - but no one ever has appeared to notice. Even my wife asks me if I'm carrying [she wants me to] just to be sure. My shorts have large pockets, but I even can carry in the strong side pocket of semi-dress chinos.

For an in the waistband tuckable in a formed holster, I have no interest in Serpa-type of retention. The fit of the holster will be all I use in addition to effective concealement.

My only concern now is whether to get the "Slim" IWB model with the standard clip offset to the rear, or the regular IWB with the standard clip right in the middle of the strong side. From looking at the photos, the "Slim" model would have a lower profile, and I want that. I'm just concerned about the stability of the arrangement, and I'm hoping that someone who has experience with the "Slim" will post here.

 

[WR Moore]

When you say "retention", exactly what do you mean? Duty type holster for web gear or concealable?

I use a Safariland 529 for concealment and love it. Our issue duty rig is the 6280 and there are belt plates that would allow it to be used as a concealment rig.

 

[Florida Shooter]

WR, if that question is directed to my post, I'm always referring to IWB tuck-able concealment, and never to open carry.

 

[Spanky45]

Blackhawk Serpa

I have two Serpa's and like both very well. Use the Stage 3 Serpa for duty and Stage 1 for CC. Can't go wrong with their products.