A holster is an important companion to your handgun. It allows for both “storage” and rapid access of your firearm when you need it. Coming in all shapes, sizes, and materials, there is a holster out there for virtually every body type, outfit, and lifestyle.
Concealed carry holsters are highly specialized pieces of equipment, therefore there is no such thing as a universal, “one-size-fits-all” model.
“Lifestyle” issues are important to consider when choosing the right concealed carry holster. Will you carry at work? Are you sedentary or physically active? Do you have to dress in a particular style for the office?
Some holsters don’t allow fast access from a sitting position. Others are meant for deep concealment in places like an ankle, and focus on retention and stability over rapid access.
Author Kathy Jackson has put together an excellent and comprehensive guide to choosing the right holster in her article “The Holster Maven: A Holster for Every Body” on usconcealedcarry.com:
“Our lifestyles and our clothing are not one size fits all, so why do we expect that our holsters should be? Why do we believe that a holster which works well for a sedentary businessman will do the same for a harried housewife, or that a holster which fits comfortably and usefully on a petite lady wearing jeans will do the same on an oversized man wearing a three piece suit?” (Kathy’s full gun holsters selection guide is here.)
Other lifestyle issues to consider are how often do you enter restricted areas such as a Post Office or Courthouse where you might have to remove your entire rig? Using a belt holster will become tedious if you need to repeatedly take it on and off. A clip-on or tuckable design might be a better choice in this case.
If you find that you are outdoors a lot in inclement weather, then you need to consider the elements when selecting your holster. Synthetics may hold up better if you are in a moist environment, requiring less care and oiling than leather.
In addition, you need to consider your attire, your body’s actual shape, and what is comfortable for you. To make these decisions you must try on a variety of holsters. Finding the one that fits your body and your clothing the best will be a decision that only you can make.
Finally, even though the holster’s purpose is for concealed carry, you might want to consider esthetics. Do you like owning finely crafted leatherwork? Or maybe you like the more futuristic look a synthetic holster provides? While appearance is perhaps not the strongest component to selecting a holster, you are going to be wearing it every day so don’t ignore strong preferences here either.
Having a rig that is comfortable to wear is not to be underestimated. Face it, if it isn’t comfortable, you won’t wear it. No matter what your body type or what you do for a living, it is possible to find the right holster that makes concealed carry easy and comfortable for you.