How to Wear a Gun Holster
Law enforcement and military professionals wear gun holsters in different places on their bodies for various reasons. Depending on where it is worn, the gun holster can be concealed or in plain sight. This article discusses the different types of gun holsters and how they are typically worn. Here's how to wear a gun holster:
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Instructions
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Wear the gun holster on the 'strong side'. The 'strong side' refers to the side of your body where your dominant hand is - if you are right handed, wear it on the right side and vice versa. Law enforcement and military professionals often wear their guns in this 'hip draw' location because it's comfortable and allows them to draw their gun quickly as needed. It's not the most concealed place to wear it, but the ease of use makes it the most common location where gun holsters are mounted.
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Wear the gun holster on the 'support side'. The 'support side' refers to the opposite of your 'strong side' - if you are right hand dominant, you'd wear it on your left side. This location is use for cross-drawing (reaching across your body to un-holster the gun), but is not commonly used by law enforcement and miltitary professionals anymore. I mention it here because there are still folks out there who prefer this particular method of carrying a gun. Some believe it gives them more freedom of movement on their strong side when the gun is not being used, others believe it makes one think a second or two longer about shooting since it takes more time to unholster the gun.
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Wear the gun holster over the shoulder and under the arm. This method is not as comfortable as the strong side or support side hip draw method and it is more cumbersome to put on. It does, however, conceal the weapon better since it can be hidden under clothing. This method is often used by law enforcement and military professionals as a backup to their hip draw weapon.
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Wear the gun holster on the ankle. Small caliber weapons can be hidden in a holster on the ankle. The ankle holster is great for courtroom deputies who may have to use it from a sitting position. It also gives law enforcement and military professionals a backup location to draw a gun if their hip draw weapons fail. Caution must be taken when running or moving about though - the holstered gun may fall out or be lost. This method of wearing a gun often goes undetected since it is hidden under pants and socks.
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Wear the gun holster on the small of the back. This location is best for concealing a weapon (you can hide it easily under your clothes), but the gun and holster may make your back sore as it rubs against you. This is often the reason why law enforcement and military professionals choose not to wear their guns in this location - it's too uncomfortable and it is generally hard to reach.
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Wear the gun inside clothing. Small caliber weapons can be easily concealed inside clothing that has built-in gun holsters. There are pants that have gun holsters built-in to the front, side and back pockets. There are also manufacturers that make specialty jackets, shirts, and purses (yes purses!) with built-in gun holsters.
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Tips & Warnings
Be responsible with guns - keep them out of children's reach.
Un-holster and re-holster your gun at least 100 times if you have a new leather holster. This will help break the holster in.
You may have soreness on your body in the area where you wear your gun holster. Over time, the soreness will fade as your body gets used to the holster being worn in that location.
Kydex holsters are the most popular type of holster used since they are durable, rigid, impact resistant and moisture proof.
70% of military and law enforcement professionals use Safariland holsters.
See the Resource links below for more information on Safariland and Kydex holsters.
Be sure the gun safety lock is on before test-fitting a gun in a holster.
Resources
- Photo Credit holsters-for-handguns.com
