Holster recommendations for training classes?

[Ligament]

Hello all,

Need a great holster to be used in training classes.

Gun is a Glock G17 with Surefire X300 light mounted.

Holster will be mounted to a Blue Force Gear SOC-C padded molle belt.

I'd like to avoid a drop leg holster and would prefer to mount via molle to belt.

this rig will also double as a home defense setup. Hence trying to avoid the drop leg; don't want to waste time strapping a drop leg on.

thanks!

[kmrtnsn]

Are you wearing armor during the course?

[Kimbo]

Safariland or Blade tech. Dunno how they will work with a molle belt though..

[Iraq Ninja]

Hmm, not sure I would even consider a molle padded belt for home use. I see no need for it. You don't even need one for training classes.

Just get anything but a serpa and stick it on a sturdy belt. I like Raven and bladetech.

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

Raven Concealment

[KellyTTE]

What IraqNinja said.

However, if you're dead set on a MOLLE belt and accoutrement, the get a SafariLand with an 1.5" drop and a MLS fork.

http://safariland.com/DutyGear/product.aspx?pid=MLS%2015

http://www.ttellc.net/images/stt090104.jpg

The fork fits into the MOLLE like so (the the holster bolts to the fork):

http://www.ttellc.net/fun/holster01.jpg

Now I'll probably get branded a heretic for doing this, but I drilled one extra hole in a Blackhawk STRIKE plate (their term for a MOLLE plate adapter) and my G21/X300 holster bolted right up without needing any additional parts. The slightly wider BH part is more stable when you draw, but takes up more space. It also has the advantage of not requiring the 1.5" drop to bring it back down to a reasonable height.

http://www.ttellc.net/fun/holster02.jpg

[kmrtnsn]

The reason I asked about vest use is that if you are wearing one, having a drop leg gets your handgun down below the edge of the vest, which can hinder draw. Safariland has a new attachment system which can be retrofitted to existing drop legs and belt holsters. By moving to an attachment plate with a quick release between the holster and the platform the same holster can be moved from Molle vest, to drop-leg, to belt holster in seconds. Same holster; different mount locations for different uses/needs. It might be worth a look.

[kmrtnsn]

Thanks Kelly! While I was typing you posted just what I was talking about!

[KellyTTE]

Glad to help. I'm not completely a convert to the MLS system. It has some GREAT points, like you can buy a single holster/mag pouch and then simply put a fork & adapter on each piece of gear that you want to use it on, belt for classes, armor for vehicle work, a MOLLE drop leg, whatever.

The downside is that the forks are narrow and tend to flop to & fro, putting two items side by side is crowded to actually 'use' the combination of holster, fork and adapter can side pretty high on a belt. Its a good system, but it takes some fooling with it to get it 'right'.

[rob_s]

I gotta agree with IN. If you're training for non-military use then your handgun and holster should be your daily carry setup, or as close to it as you can get.

I've taken to carrying in a Raven Concealment holster IWB, and if I was looking for a holster to work with a pistol with a light I'd use a Raven OWB that takes the pistol and light.

[Cardiac Nurse]

I've been looking at holsters too. I went to the Raven website and looked at the Raven IWB looks like it might be something I would use besides my "purse".Thanks for the heads up.

[G34Shooter]

I don't suggest this model Bladetech until they come out with a sturdier attachment:
http://www.blade-tech.com/RH-WRS-DUTY-HOLSTER-DOH-ASR-pr-1153.html

This is what broke on me during Todd's class that made the holster flop around and at times I could not readily reholster :mad:

http://www.blade-tech.com/Holster-Adjustable-String-Ray-Shim-pr-1157.html

This is how I improvised for the next day of class:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p178/G34Shooter/Misc/IMG_1332.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p178/G34Shooter/Misc/IMG_1335.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p178/G34Shooter/Misc/IMG_1333.jpg



I'm still debating on returning it or trying the Tek-Lok

[Alex F]

I'm using a Safariland 6285 (http://www.copquest.com/23-2200.htm) for my open carry/tactical holster.

I used it in a training session this last weekend and it worked very well. It clears armor and it's very fast on presentation once you get used to the hood.

I also hate drop leg holsters, this fit the bill for my particular need.

[rob_s]

I don't suggest this model Bladetech until they come out with a sturdier attachment:
http://www.blade-tech.com/RH-WRS-DUTY-HOLSTER-DOH-ASR-pr-1153.html

This is what broke on me during Todd's class that made the holster flop around and at times I could not readily reholster :mad:

http://www.blade-tech.com/Holster-Adjustable-String-Ray-Shim-pr-1157.html

This is how I improvised for the next day of class:




I'm still debating on returning it or trying the Tek-Lok
That used to be one of my favorite holsters when they sized the loops to the belt. Once they went to that one-size-fits all crap with that stupid adjusting bar I lost all interest in that holster.

[G34Shooter]

That used to be one of my favorite holsters when they sized the loops to the belt. Once they went to that one-size-fits all crap with that stupid adjusting bar I lost all interest in that holster.



They need to fix that shit, it can get someone killed as it is labeled a "duty" holster.

[Failure2Stop]

Wear what you carry on a daily basis.
Why train to employ the weapon from a holster you will most likely not be using whe the pistol is needed? (That's rhetorical)

I don't mean to be condescending, but a fairly frequent occurrence is a private individual showing up to a course wearing all kinds of "cool-guy" and/or competition crap when what he carries ona daily basis is a simple IWB holster and one mag.
Be honest about the reason you are going to the course. Do you want to advance your skills and ability to deal with your individual reality being violently interrupted or play gunfighter? The need and mentality drive the gear.

[G34Shooter]

Wear what you carry on a daily basis.
Why train to employ the weapon from a holster you will most likely not be using whe the pistol is needed? (That's rhetorical)

I don't mean to be condescending, but a fairly frequent occurrence is a private individual showing up to a course wearing all kinds of "cool-guy" and/or competition crap when what he carries ona daily basis is a simple IWB holster and one mag.
Be honest about the reason you are going to the course. Do you want to advance your skills and ability to deal with your individual reality being violently interrupted or play gunfighter? The need and mentality drive the gear.



The setup I used is mainly my home defense/ occasional armed guard setup and there's no way I'd train like I CCW for Todd's class as I'd be short 3 or 4 mags :o


http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p178/G34Shooter/Misc/IMG_1336.jpg

[KellyTTE]

The setup I used is mainly my home defense/ occasional armed guard setup and there's no way I'd train like I CCW for Todd's class as I'd be short 3 or 4 mags :o

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p178/G34Shooter/Misc/IMG_1336.jpg

Nice pussy. I thought F2S was talking to the OP?

[Failure2Stop]

The setup I used is mainly my home defense/ occasional armed guard setup and there's no way I'd train like I CCW for Todd's class as I'd be short 3 or 4 mags :o

You carry a cat :D?

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing terribly wrong with sticking a few extra mag pouches on you belt or in a pocket to be able to maintain time on the line.

If you cruise around in a CR Speed belt with a phone-corded spring-loaded thumb release holster at 3:00 and tec-locked mag pouches at 10:00 on a regular basis, rock on. However, if you normally carry a G23 in a VMII at 4:30 with mags in a leather pouch at 8:00 at behind a cover garment I would have to say that you are training the wrong skill set.

Really I don't care what anybody outside my sphere of influence/responsibility uses. My advice was to the OP who was asking the forum for opinion as to what he should bring, not to criticise or demean anyone else. How my opinion is interpreted by anyone else is their business unless they are interested in my opinon.

[G34Shooter]

Nice pussy. I thought F2S was talking to the OP?

Yeah I can see that now :D




You carry a cat :D?

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing terribly wrong with sticking a few extra mag pouches on you belt or in a pocket to be able to maintain time on the line.

If you cruise around in a CR Speed belt with a phone-corded spring-loaded thumb release holster at 3:00 and tec-locked mag pouches at 10:00 on a regular basis, rock on. However, if you normally carry a G23 in a VMII at 4:30 with mags in a leather pouch at 8:00 at behind a cover garment I would have to say that you are training the wrong skill set.

Really I don't care what anybody outside my sphere of influence/responsibility uses. My advice was to the OP who was asking the forum for opinion as to what he should bring, not to criticise or demean anyone else. How my opinion is interpreted by anyone else is their business unless they are interested in my opinon.




Hey I totally get what you are saying... Train how you carry :D

[Alpha Sierra]

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp290/JRossy/guns/DSC00348.jpg

I see no point in training with gear that will not be on me when the SHTF and leather has to be cleared in anger.

[Ligament]

Are you wearing armor during the course?

No, thanks for asking.

[Ligament]

Guys, thanks for all the input.

I understand the points of "train how you carry" and cannot disagree.

However, I train primarily for home defense.

How fast could you get your carry gear on from dead of sleep?

Put the pants on, fly, belt, do you have spare mags on the belt? If not, put them on.

With a molle belt I roll out of bed and click it around my waist; everything I need is on me instantly.

So that is my rationale.

[Iraq Ninja]

My rationale is that planning for home defense means you may get into a gunfight. For me, that means having armor plates in a plate carrier. On the front of the carrier is my pistol, spare mags, a med kit, a flashlight, and a spare cell phone.

I can throw it on quicker than a molle belt system. I don't have to buckle it, just toss it over my head. Everything I need is easily located in my "working space" and not low around my waist. It normally takes two hands to buckle a belt, but one to throw the plate carrier over my head.

[G34Shooter]

This is my typical (ghetto) home setup minus the long guns...
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p178/G34Shooter/IMG_1398.jpg

[rob_s]

I just took Randy Cain's TH101 last weekend and used my Raven IWB holster and my usual Ready Tactical mag pouches, I just used more of the pouches than I would normally carry.

I don't get the "training for home defense" thing, but to each their own. Depending on the situation, I frankly find it a stretch to think that I'm going to strap anything on at all, but that's just me.

[G34Shooter]

I just took Randy Cain's TH101 last weekend and used my Raven IWB holster and my usual Ready Tactical mag pouches, I just used more of the pouches than I would normally carry.

I don't get the "training for home defense" thing, but to each their own. Depending on the situation, I frankly find it a stretch to think that I'm going to strap anything on at all, but that's just me.


Well I personally only CCW a handfull of times a year which is not in my state ,and home invasions are on the rise :mad:

[Alpha Sierra]

I am at home and wearing an M&P9 in a O'Rourke leather pancake. Belt is a dual layer bullhide from The Beltman. One mag in the gun and one in a cheap Don Hume leather mag carrier on my off side. It's what I have been wearing all day and what I will roll with if the SHTF before bed. After bed I'll just grab the same pistol out of my night stand and a light. I sleep in my undies, so I am sure no one at training wants to see me in my "let's roll" gear. :D

[woodywoodson]

This will probably sound stupid, and I don't mean to hijack the thread, but here goes anyway . . .

I consider myself to be in a somewhat similar situation as the OP.

I have the misfortune of living in an area where CCW is almost impossible to get for a non-LEO without serious political connections. One day I might move to another state, but I have a decent job now, and in this economy ...

I would still like to attend more and better training classes - my shooting could really benefit from some quality self-defense instruction, especially from some of the great trainers that get mentioned on this forum. Many classes require a holster setup and at least some other gear, so I have to get something.

Training as I carry would mean no training at all, so which would be the greater mistake? This is not meant as a rhetorical question.

I figured I would just get a sturdy gun belt, an OWB Comp-Tac holster or something, and some mag carriers. I know that it is not nearly as good as training with one's daily carry setup.

[ToddG]

woody -- Do you travel outside the state ever? Do you have a CCW from somewhere like FL or UT that allows you to carry concealed in most places when you're not home? If so, get a good concealment rig for those times (and any time when you may feel compelled by circumstance to be armed regardless of statute). Train with it.

Otherwise, if you are learning just for the sake of learning, there is nothing wrong with a basic OWB holster. The fundamentals are the fundamentals, and learning on an OWB is about the easiest way to do it.