over the last couple of month or so i have been OCing my XD45 with a black drop holster everywhere i can(and CCing with an IWB holster when i can't, of course). my previous OC holster was the cheap plastic holster that ships with all XD models.
i was a little wary carrying this way in public at first, wondering if the first person who saw me with a "military style" holster outside of a gun show would call the cops and bring a SWAT team down on me, but so far the only negative attention i've received was from a guy at my Church who also open carries, he said he "felt threatened" and didn't like my "militant attitude" which you apparently must have if you carry or wear anything remotely "military style".
so now on to the advantages of a drop holster over a belt holster:
- when sitting in an armchair your weapon doesn't dig into your side
- when sitting and/or driving your weapon is much more easily accessible
- when dis/arming in public, you just have to hit two releases, and the whole holster comes off, without you having your hands all over the weapon, which can help reduce the nervousness of any nearby LEOs
- more models of drop holster have a built-in pouch to hold an extra mag, thus removing the necessity of carrying your extra mag in another pouch on your belt or in your pocket
- it is harder for someone to disarm you from behind, as they have to bend over to take your weapon, thus granting your a height advantage in the scuffle to come, not to mention the perfect position to put them in a headlock
- reaching up to your belt to draw your weapon puts you off balance, whereas reaching down to your drop holster naturally puts you in a more tactically sound fighting position, as well as lowers your profile making your a smaller target.
just something for y'all to think about
i was a little wary carrying this way in public at first, wondering if the first person who saw me with a "military style" holster outside of a gun show would call the cops and bring a SWAT team down on me, but so far the only negative attention i've received was from a guy at my Church who also open carries, he said he "felt threatened" and didn't like my "militant attitude" which you apparently must have if you carry or wear anything remotely "military style".
so now on to the advantages of a drop holster over a belt holster:
- when sitting in an armchair your weapon doesn't dig into your side
- when sitting and/or driving your weapon is much more easily accessible
- when dis/arming in public, you just have to hit two releases, and the whole holster comes off, without you having your hands all over the weapon, which can help reduce the nervousness of any nearby LEOs
- more models of drop holster have a built-in pouch to hold an extra mag, thus removing the necessity of carrying your extra mag in another pouch on your belt or in your pocket
- it is harder for someone to disarm you from behind, as they have to bend over to take your weapon, thus granting your a height advantage in the scuffle to come, not to mention the perfect position to put them in a headlock
- reaching up to your belt to draw your weapon puts you off balance, whereas reaching down to your drop holster naturally puts you in a more tactically sound fighting position, as well as lowers your profile making your a smaller target.
just something for y'all to think about