Gun News | Gun Holster Comparisons, Gun Reviews, Gun Safety and More

Safety is every gun owner’s responsibility. If you plan on carrying a firearm legally and responsibly, the priority should be ensuring your carry method is safe and reliable. For handguns, this means buying a quality holster.

However, with so many options available on the market, you may be wondering what exactly makes a holster safe or dependable. Ensuring your carry holster meets the criteria necessary for safety and reliability is one of your duties as a gun owner.

Durable, strong, and highly customizable, manufacturers use leather to produce slings, sheaths, gun belts, and ammunition pouches. It’s also a common material used in producing gun holsters. Manufacturing leather involves tanning the skins and hides of various animals, such as cows, sheep, and horses, to prevent deterioration. 

In the modern era, polymer-framed and striker-fired handguns are the standard for self-defense. Glock, Smith & Wesson, Heckler & Koch, and Walther are among the most popular brands carried by private citizens, law-enforcement officers, and military personnel. 

However, the gun owner who wants to carry a hammer-fired, steel-framed handgun has options. The classic 1911 platform remains a practical choice for self-defense and has been modernized to improve its ergonomics and combat effectiveness. 

Favored for its reliability, ergonomics, accuracy, and history, the 1911 has maintained a loyal following despite being sold in more or less the same form for 110 years. 

Women are one of the fastest growing demographics regarding concealed carry. According to the Pew Research Center, “Women are more likely than men to cite protection – rather than recreation – as the only reason they own a gun” — 27% of women say protection is their only reason for owning a weapon compared to 8% of men.

While gun holsters were originally only designed to fit male bodies, manufacturers have addressed the differences between male and female bodies by designing holsters that work well with both men and women. As a result, there are a wider variety of female concealed-carry options than ever before.

If you’re a gun owner who wants to carry your weapon outside your property’s limits, you have two choices – outside-the-waistband or OWB, or inside-the-waistband or IWB.

Both methods of holstering can be considered concealed carrying, but sometimes, if the firearm is in plain view, an OWB holster is regarded as an open carry. If you’re wearing an OWB holster, but you have a jacket that covers it, it’s considered a concealed carry.

The primary function of a quality holster is to protect your gun from accidental discharge. Secondary purposes include protecting the gun’s finish and providing a secure way to transport your weapon on your person.

Many people prefer carrying their gun outside their waistband in a holster rather than inside because it is more comfortable, provides easier access, and is the most minimal way to carry your firearm without being laden with extra gear.

Your OWB holster should be comfortable and adjustable to make it useful. Here are six reasons that you should consider carrying your weapon OWB.