Holsters - The Firearms Forum

E-Rez · 07-06-2009, 07:36 PM

Hey y'all. Newbie here. I wanna pick your brains on what holsters you'd suggest for open carry. I have a 4" xd 40 and am not much of a fan of the holster that came with it. Makes me carry it less than i'd like. From what i've read, the blackhawk serpa holsters are the cats hiney. I think leather holsters look way better though...what's good in leather? I'm a wisconsin resident, so don't suggest concealed holsters. Very touchy subject and you'll make me jealous.

johnlives4christ · 07-06-2009, 10:53 PM

personally i'd go with a Galco cop 3 slot. or Galco Fletch holster. the cop 3 slot will give you some options with on angle and cross draw ability if desired

trex1310 · 07-08-2009, 06:51 PM

I have a XD40 and I carry it in either a Blackhawk (non-Serpa) or a
Don Hume 721 open top.

21bravo · 07-08-2009, 08:05 PM

welcome to the forum E!! glad to have tou with us.

i know you said leather.. but if a country boy may... id like to suggest a Fobus Roto-Paddle holster. its a polymer holster that has a flap that slips down inside your pants... i have three holsters for my .357sig XD and its the one i use the most for open carry. like you i dont like the holster supplied from springfield, and i also have a tactical drop leg.... i was iffy at first of the holsters... but once i tried one out i had to have one because its soo comfortable. you hardly know its there. when i wear mine i put it almost over my back pocket... since its the roto (rotating) version i keep it with an "fbi kant" since ive got mine ive had mine i have converted one of buddies and 2 narcotics officers from the local sheriffs office (i work at the college pd in town..). they were all amazed with the holster because the retention is soo good. the only way to get the pistol out is to pull it straight with the way the holster is sitting. it took me about ten minutes to get used to how to draw my weapon..

this is what i have
http://www.fobusholster.com/products...-3747-161.html

E-Rez · 07-09-2009, 05:13 AM

Heck yeah, a paddle wouldn't be bad. I do have a leg tactical holster that i don't wear much cause it rotates around my leg no matter how tight i make it. Looking strictly for a belt or paddle holster.

What's the difference between serpa and non-serpa?

My biggest complaint with the supplied xd holster is that the grip of the gun tips away from my body...puts more pressure on my waist and the holster flops in and out. I wanna get away from that.

Shooter45 · 07-09-2009, 05:45 AM

A good gun belt will correct that problem.

E-Rez · 07-09-2009, 04:38 PM

The belt i wear is an inch and a half...or does that not matter?

J.R. · 07-30-2009, 03:30 AM

an 1 1/2in is ok but your better gun belts have either an extra peice of leather sewn into th middle or a peice of pvc or metal strip sewn in. i have many holsters even some light weight uncle mikes but after purchising a very good gun belt the holsters all carry great.
http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com/catego...ssories.belts/
good luck
JR

trex1310 · 07-30-2009, 05:40 PM

Serpa is the retention device used by Blackhawk. Good advice on getting
a "good" gun belt. I use Bianchi or Don Hume. Another good belt holster
is the Galco Concealable. I use the Galco a lot with my XD40.

VegasTech702 · 07-30-2009, 09:27 PM

I like the Bianchi Black Widow with thumbreak for open carry, it is comfortable, safe and that holster looks sexy! :O

TDR911 · 08-11-2009, 06:21 AM

Welcome to the forum. Try on as many different styles as you can. Go to gunshops and gun shows. There is an endless supply of holsters to choose from. Figure what fits your body size and how you want to carry. Inside the pants?, outside belt?, etc. Inside the pants is less comfortable but you will get used to it. It will also give many more options for conncealment. In the summer you wear less clothes.
Good luck . Let us know what you find.

Old Guy · 08-11-2009, 07:28 AM

Welcome E!! I have an XD 40 and have found the Fobus paddle holster with the thumb lever to be very easy to operate while keeping the gun secure. If you want, they also offer that in the roto system that allows you to sent your cant angle to what does best for you. I am with you in not liking the "XD Gear".

Old Guy

40CalJoe · 08-28-2009, 03:19 PM

I wish my state had an open carry law. I am confined to carrying in my Crossbreed Super Tuck IWB. I'd go for a nice tactical leg rig.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/TRW501-33.html

http://www.ombexpress.com/pg_2/c_165...60+RH+H45.aspx

OR

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/LEG530-33.html. I have used this one, rides high with a thumb break. I prefer the leather color becuase it stands out a little more than a black holster and black gun. I prefer the contrast.

Doc1911 · 08-28-2009, 04:01 PM

What's really good in leather (open carry):

Rosen 5JR:

Rosen SPT:

Rosen Full Detail:

Tauris RSMH:

Horseshoe Model 28:

Horseshoe Model 22H:

Orygun · 09-09-2009, 08:52 PM

I've had real good luck with these folks.
http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/Default.htm
Quality work at fair prices. I've had one for almost 10 years now (carried daily) and just bought another recently for my new daily carry gun.

fyimo · 09-10-2009, 09:26 AM

There are two Don Hume Holsters I really like and they are the 721 open top and the JIT slide which really holds the gun high up and close.

E-Rez · 09-10-2009, 11:30 PM

Well, i got myself a blackhawk serpa. Absolutely love it and there's so much adjustability. It's not much to look at though and for that reason i'm still on the market for a "showy" leather open-carry rig. I like having options. You folks have given me plenty to consider.

07-06-2009, 07:36 PM	#1
E-Rez V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NW Wisconny Posts: 155	Holsters Hey y'all. Newbie here. I wanna pick your brains on what holsters you'd suggest for open carry. I have a 4" xd 40 and am not much of a fan of the holster that came with it. Makes me carry it less than i'd like. From what i've read, the blackhawk serpa holsters are the cats hiney. I think leather holsters look way better though...what's good in leather? I'm a wisconsin resident, so don't suggest concealed holsters. Very touchy subject and you'll make me jealous. -->

07-06-2009, 10:53 PM	#2
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Holsters personally i'd go with a Galco cop 3 slot. or Galco Fletch holster. the cop 3 slot will give you some options with on angle and cross draw ability if desired

07-08-2009, 06:51 PM	#3
trex1310 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 72	Re: Holsters I have a XD40 and I carry it in either a Blackhawk (non-Serpa) or a Don Hume 721 open top.

07-08-2009, 08:05 PM	#4
21bravo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: wilkes county, nc Posts: 790	Re: Holsters welcome to the forum E!! glad to have tou with us. i know you said leather.. but if a country boy may... id like to suggest a Fobus Roto-Paddle holster. its a polymer holster that has a flap that slips down inside your pants... i have three holsters for my .357sig XD and its the one i use the most for open carry. like you i dont like the holster supplied from springfield, and i also have a tactical drop leg.... i was iffy at first of the holsters... but once i tried one out i had to have one because its soo comfortable. you hardly know its there. when i wear mine i put it almost over my back pocket... since its the roto (rotating) version i keep it with an "fbi kant" since ive got mine ive had mine i have converted one of buddies and 2 narcotics officers from the local sheriffs office (i work at the college pd in town..). they were all amazed with the holster because the retention is soo good. the only way to get the pistol out is to pull it straight with the way the holster is sitting. it took me about ten minutes to get used to how to draw my weapon.. this is what i have http://www.fobusholster.com/products...-3747-161.html __________________ "BIG MOMMA BRAVO" If everything seems to be going well, you obviously do not know what the hell is going on --"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crime." - Thomas Jefferson

07-09-2009, 05:13 AM	#5
E-Rez V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NW Wisconny Posts: 155	Re: Holsters Heck yeah, a paddle wouldn't be bad. I do have a leg tactical holster that i don't wear much cause it rotates around my leg no matter how tight i make it. Looking strictly for a belt or paddle holster. What's the difference between serpa and non-serpa? My biggest complaint with the supplied xd holster is that the grip of the gun tips away from my body...puts more pressure on my waist and the holster flops in and out. I wanna get away from that.

07-09-2009, 05:45 AM	#6
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,790	Re: Holsters A good gun belt will correct that problem.

07-09-2009, 04:38 PM	#7
E-Rez V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NW Wisconny Posts: 155	Re: Holsters The belt i wear is an inch and a half...or does that not matter?

07-30-2009, 03:30 AM	#8
J.R. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6	Re: Holsters an 1 1/2in is ok but your better gun belts have either an extra peice of leather sewn into th middle or a peice of pvc or metal strip sewn in. i have many holsters even some light weight uncle mikes but after purchising a very good gun belt the holsters all carry great. http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com/catego...ssories.belts/ good luck JR Last edited by J.R.; 07-30-2009 at 03:40 AM..

07-30-2009, 05:40 PM	#9
trex1310 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 72	Re: Holsters Serpa is the retention device used by Blackhawk. Good advice on getting a "good" gun belt. I use Bianchi or Don Hume. Another good belt holster is the Galco Concealable. I use the Galco a lot with my XD40.

07-30-2009, 09:27 PM	#10
VegasTech702 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 360	Re: Holsters I like the Bianchi Black Widow with thumbreak for open carry, it is comfortable, safe and that holster looks sexy! :O __________________ I am looking for a new, creative thing to say in my signature.

08-11-2009, 06:21 AM	#11
TDR911 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Punta Gorda, Florida Posts: 38	Re: Holsters Welcome to the forum. Try on as many different styles as you can. Go to gunshops and gun shows. There is an endless supply of holsters to choose from. Figure what fits your body size and how you want to carry. Inside the pants?, outside belt?, etc. Inside the pants is less comfortable but you will get used to it. It will also give many more options for conncealment. In the summer you wear less clothes. Good luck . Let us know what you find. __________________ He who "Hesitates" has LOST www.tdr911.com

08-11-2009, 07:28 AM	#12
Old Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beaufort County, NC Contributor Posts: 343	Re: Holsters Welcome E!! I have an XD 40 and have found the Fobus paddle holster with the thumb lever to be very easy to operate while keeping the gun secure. If you want, they also offer that in the roto system that allows you to sent your cant angle to what does best for you. I am with you in not liking the "XD Gear". Old Guy

08-28-2009, 03:19 PM	#13
40CalJoe V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In the middle Posts: 421	Re: Holsters I wish my state had an open carry law. I am confined to carrying in my Crossbreed Super Tuck IWB. I'd go for a nice tactical leg rig. http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/TRW501-33.html http://www.ombexpress.com/pg_2/c_165...60+RH+H45.aspx OR http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/LEG530-33.html. I have used this one, rides high with a thumb break. I prefer the leather color becuase it stands out a little more than a black holster and black gun. I prefer the contrast. __________________ *I will give hussein obama exactly the same respect liberals gave George W Bush: NONE.*

08-28-2009, 04:01 PM	#14
Doc1911 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA Posts: 874	Re: Holsters What's really good in leather (open carry): Rosen 5JR: Rosen SPT: Rosen Full Detail: Tauris RSMH: Horseshoe Model 28: Horseshoe Model 22H: __________________ _____ Sincerely, Doc NRA Life Member

09-09-2009, 08:52 PM	#15
Orygun Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 18	Re: Holsters I've had real good luck with these folks. http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/Default.htm Quality work at fair prices. I've had one for almost 10 years now (carried daily) and just bought another recently for my new daily carry gun.

09-10-2009, 09:26 AM	#16
fyimo V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 187	Re: Holsters There are two Don Hume Holsters I really like and they are the 721 open top and the JIT slide which really holds the gun high up and close.

09-10-2009, 11:30 PM	#17
E-Rez V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NW Wisconny Posts: 155	Re: Holsters Well, i got myself a blackhawk serpa. Absolutely love it and there's so much adjustability. It's not much to look at though and for that reason i'm still on the market for a "showy" leather open-carry rig. I like having options. You folks have given me plenty to consider.