What's the best holster for you?
- Thread starter Alan
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2025
- Messages
- 112
To answer the question, I am not still using what I started with. As a young, normally broke, shooter I went cheap on holsters. A few times I even tried stitching one up myself. That never produced good results. So I moved on to something better.
Like most older shooters I have a drawer full of holsters that I tried over the years. I will break my current crop down by intended use.
Concealed carry: Nate Squared (N82) for IWB of a S&W Shield, Tagua OWB Thumbreak for the Shield and another Tagua for a S&W Airweight. A modified Tagua for a S&W Bodyguard 380. I modified it for pocket carry. an older Crossbreed for a 1911.
Field carry: Custom cross draw for a S&W 63, Mernickle holsters cross draw for a S&W 60 (both revolvers have 5" barrels) A Blackdog holster for a Ruger 22nd/45 with a suppressor attached. A kydex of unknown origin for a Ruger Mk I II III or IV with a suppressor attached. Several Ruger marketed holsters for Single Six, Blackhawk and MK pistols.
Somewhere there is a box of Uncle Mike type fabric holsters I have acquired along the way. They all do the job but aren't as nice looking or as leather.
I tried using a shoulder holster for a while but gravitated to the cross draw as my preferred style when hunting. I use a boat and side by side a lot when hunting so something comfortable when seated was a priority. The shoulder holsters were a Galco rig and later a Triple K. Both were well made and did a fine job but didn't provide easy access if when was wearing a winter coat or slicker suit. Lately I have thought I might try one of the chest carry types like a Diamond D Guides Choice.
Like most older shooters I have a drawer full of holsters that I tried over the years. I will break my current crop down by intended use.
Concealed carry: Nate Squared (N82) for IWB of a S&W Shield, Tagua OWB Thumbreak for the Shield and another Tagua for a S&W Airweight. A modified Tagua for a S&W Bodyguard 380. I modified it for pocket carry. an older Crossbreed for a 1911.
Field carry: Custom cross draw for a S&W 63, Mernickle holsters cross draw for a S&W 60 (both revolvers have 5" barrels) A Blackdog holster for a Ruger 22nd/45 with a suppressor attached. A kydex of unknown origin for a Ruger Mk I II III or IV with a suppressor attached. Several Ruger marketed holsters for Single Six, Blackhawk and MK pistols.
Somewhere there is a box of Uncle Mike type fabric holsters I have acquired along the way. They all do the job but aren't as nice looking or as leather.
I tried using a shoulder holster for a while but gravitated to the cross draw as my preferred style when hunting. I use a boat and side by side a lot when hunting so something comfortable when seated was a priority. The shoulder holsters were a Galco rig and later a Triple K. Both were well made and did a fine job but didn't provide easy access if when was wearing a winter coat or slicker suit. Lately I have thought I might try one of the chest carry types like a Diamond D Guides Choice.
