MNGunTalk.com

All,

I have three pistols that I may want to use as ccw under different circumstances. My question for you guys is where are some retail stores that carry a good selection of holsters that I can begin the search for a good fitting rig.

Appreciate all the info in advance.

I have always had better luck finding what I was looking for by ordering online. Most retailers simply don't have the shelf space to stock a large selection for a lot of guns. Every holster I've bought from a store seems like it was a compromise, and never quite what I went in looking for.

maddhunter wrote:All,

I have three pistols that I may want to use as ccw under different circumstances. My question for you guys is where are some retail stores that carry a good selection of holsters that I can begin the search for a good fitting rig.

Appreciate all the info in advance.

Good selection?

Not many in the area. Bills south/north, Streichers in Plymouth, That's about it fro retail stores that I know of that have a selection outside the plastic fantastic and nylon uncle mikes.

The issue you will run in to is that it takes more than 10 minutes to decide whether or not a holster is any good for you. Most of us have a closet full of holsters for just that reason.

That being said, I will recommend Side Guard Holsters. Srigs is a member here, all he does is holsters and he is local. He might even have something made up depending on your rig.

The most important thing is don't skimp. A poorly fitted holster, or one that is made from inferior materials is a PITA, and will quickly be replaced. Buy once cry once.

What is your intended method of carry? IWB or OWB? What kind of gun do you have? The folks here would be happy to make recommendations, and might even have an extra holster or two to sell you on the cheap.

I was impressed by Fleet Farm in Blaine. They have a decent variety. More so than your typical Gander anyway.

... here's a little info ... http://www.mnguntalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=18356

I've ordered several from Brownells or Midway USA and have been happy with major brands.

My favorite holsters are my Sideguard Holsters and my MIlt Sparks...

b

I've had good luck with mtac and concealment solutions. Get a good gun belt and the holster matters a lot less. A good gun belt is stiff, it does 2 things. 1) distributes the weight of your gun around your waist 2) keeps the gun from flopping (this is more of a problem if you are too big for your britches)


Spinner

I actually didn't set foot in a store when acquiring my holsters. I did a ton of due diligence on YouTube and each time I ended up going in a different direction from where I thought I needed to be.

When watching videos, look for people with your shape, style of dress, and your model of firearm. Think about how you will carry, and how fast you might need to deploy the weapon in different locations. I deep conceal in the office, but I usually have my shirt tucked behind it when I'm at lunch or going about my day in public. At the gas station I'll probably need it faster than I would if there was an active shooter in the office because I'll most likely hear shots before I start taking fire myself (but that's just my personal situation.)

Another thing to think about are features- I thought I really needed something I could one-hand holster because that's what the tacticool people on YouTube do. In reality, if I ever used my weapon in self-defense I'd probably be far more concerned with how I'm going to locate clean pants before I re-holster my gun in a slick, one-handed movie-star fashion.

It's like buying a car- how do you intend to use it? If you haul sheet rock, would you buy a SmarteCar? If you only drive to church on Sunday do you really need a Ferrari? Keep it practical otherwise you will not be inclined to carry it.

If ya have a 1911 or glock, just about any fleet farm... at least thats what I have noticed

I have a storage bin full of holsters that I have acquired over the years. If you find someone like me in your area, then you can try various types and give you pros and cons for your style of firearm. If you go by trial and error, you will end up like me and spend enough money on holsters to fund several firearms.

solidgun wrote:I have a storage bin full of holsters that I have acquired over the years. If you find someone like me in your area, then you can try various types and give you pros and cons for your style of firearm. If you go by trial and error, you will end up like me and spend enough money on holsters to fund several firearms.

Yep; Amazing how expensive cheap holsters can be.

xd ED wrote:
Yep; Amazing how expensive cheap holsters can be.

+∞³

Madhunter -

May as well accept the fact that you, like the rest of us, will eventually accumulate a drawer where ill-fitting and worn holsters go to die.

With that said, I own two SideGuards and they are not in the afore mentioned drawer...just sayin'

MFF in Blaine has a decent selection.

I bought my Galco King Tuk from Cabelas in Rogers.

I was pouring through some older threads and wanted to ask some questions to those with multiple holsters.

If you had to choose (for cost reasons) between an IWB hybrid like the Supertuck, or a reinforced all leather like the High Noon "Closing Argument", which way would you go and why? I keep vacillating between the two but can't afford both. Since my particular carry requirements stipulate that I need to remove during work hours (non gun friendly employer), maybe I need to go with something easy to remove (eg: high noon).

Looking for thoughts and personal experiences on the topic.