A good holster matters as much as the gun you carry. Here's how to pick one that's safe and comfortable, so you'll actually wear it every day.
Non-negotiables
- Covers the trigger guard completely. Nothing should be able to reach the trigger while the gun is holstered.
- Made for your exact model. A Glock 19 holster is not a Glock 43 holster. Molded holsters are cut for one pistol.
- Retention. The gun stays put when you bend, sit or run, but comes out cleanly when you draw.
- Stays open when empty, so you can reholster with one hand without looking.
Carry positions
| Position | Good for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| IWB, strong side (3 to 5 o'clock) | The classic: conceals well under a shirt | Can dig in when sitting; harder to reach in a car |
| Appendix (AIWB) | Fast draw, easy to conceal, easy to reach seated | Requires extra care when reholstering |
| OWB | Comfortable; great for the range and classes | Needs a cover garment to conceal |
| Off-body (purse or bag) | When clothing won't work | The bag must stay under your control at all times; use a dedicated holster compartment |
Materials
- Kydex and Boltaron (molded thermoplastics): rigid, fast, easy to reholster, and they hold their shape. Boltaron handles heat and impact a bit better.
- Leather: comfortable and classic, but it can soften over time. Check that the mouth stays open.
- Hybrid: a leather or padded backer with a molded shell, for comfort against the body.
Lights and red dots
If your pistol carries a weapon light (like a TLR-6 or TLR-7) you need a holster built for that exact gun-and-light combination. Running a red dot? Make sure the holster is cut to clear the optic.
Don't skip the belt
A thin dress belt lets the holster sag and print. A stiff gun belt keeps everything tight and comfortable all day.
Practice the draw
Practice with an unloaded gun until the draw is smooth, and always reholster slowly, looking the gun into the holster. Then take it to the range. Drawing from concealment under stress is exactly what our Defensive Pistol course is built around, and a private session can fix a specific problem in an hour.
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Classes that help
The holster is half of it. The other half is training.
- Arizona CCW Certification · $85
4-hour classroom course. Arizona carry law and use of force; DPS application and fingerprints done in class. Select Saturdays at 11:30 AM. - Defensive Pistol · $295
Advanced, coming soon: stress-fire drills, low light, malfunction clearance and force-on-force scenarios. Prerequisite: CCW. Join the interest list. - Private Instruction · $140/hour
One-on-one or two shooters, on your schedule. Bring your own firearm or use ours. Built around your skill gap, not a fixed curriculum.
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Taught by NRA-certified instructors. Range members save 10% on every course.
Questions? Call us at (602) 715-2677 or stop by 6030 E Main St, Suite 103, Mesa, AZ 85205.