When it comes to the process of making a firearm purchase, I find choosing a firearm is sometimes the easiest decision. Choosing the right holster, however, is a decision that some shooters make in haste…if they make the decision at all. It is not uncommon for shooters to reuse, recycle and renew a holster in their collection to accommodate a new firearm and that is a dangerous practice. Choosing the right holster is at least as important a decision as choosing the right firearm, if not more. It is such an important decision that it should be made before the final decision on the firearm is made. The process for selecting an appropriate holster is one of research, deliberation, and prioritization.
Determine The Holster’s Purpose
When I decide to purchase a firearm I consider, first and foremost, its intended purpose. I would like to say that I have always applied the same thought process to my selection of holsters, but I haven’t. I speak from experience. There is nothing more frustrating or disappointing than purchasing a new firearm, only to discover a suitable holster for it doesn’t exist or isn’t immediately available. What adds further insult to injury is when a holster does exist but it does not incorporate the desired features.
I doubt that I’m the only person who has begrudgingly purchased ‘throw away’ holsters. Most of us have them. But just to be clear, these are the holsters that we never wanted to buy, but bought anyway in response to a hasty firearm purchase. Having a substandard holster available for immediate purchase is worse than not having one available at all. It’s not only a waste of money, but it can be dangerous. I suspect that with a little patience and research, I could’ve saved myself hundreds of dollars in holster purchases that were nothing more than impulsive, temporary ‘fixes.’ Thank goodness for gunbroker.com! (I’m kidding! I use my throw away holsters as a visual aid in training for what not to buy.)
I’ve purchased holsters to carry concealed firearms, to use for competition, and to secure my duty weapon. There exists a plethora of holsters that may or may not meet our needs. Holsters are expensive and can cost as much as some firearms (especially when you have to keep buying holsters to get it right). With that in mind, do yourself a favor before you purchase a holster and contemplate the potential benefits and drawbacks of each holster. Once identified, prioritize them based on the features that best meet your needs. To narrow the prospective purchases further, keep in mind the purpose of the holster and ask yourself a few questions.
1. Is this holster made by a reputable manufacturer?
