The Gun Counter

I've read several snarky comments here and on the old forum about "cheap" holsters. The truth is that for many of us, our firearms are more about utilitarian use rather than our version of the BMW, Lexus, etc. Futhermore, I find it hard to make myself shell out the same amount or even twice the amount for a holster than what I paid for my military surplus CCW pistol.

Is there some sound tactical reason to go with a high dollar rig or is this merely gun snobbery rearing it's ugly head? I look forward to comments from our knowledgeable, senior members and moderators.

I never heard any bashing over cheap holsters... I have good ones, but that's mainly because I carry odd guns, so the holsters have to be custom made.

I don't know that a leather holster can really be made well, if it's cheap -- of course, I never saw a cheap leather holster, so...

Usually it's in reference to some "cheap, nylon holster bought at Walmart." I actually do have a leather rig I spent about $40 for at Sportsman's Warehouse. However, I also have a few of the Walmart variety, too.

I also don't want to derail the thread, but what kind of "odd" guns do you carry?

It really depends on what your needs are. If you just need a holster to carry you pistol in while you go back and forth onl the range to reset or paste you targets a cheap on will fill your needs so why pay a $100 when a $10 rig will do. If however you are carrying pistol 8-14 hrs a day as an LEO, security officer or even CC citizen who exercises there rights then you need strength and comfort. A $10 holster is not going to fullfill your needs. Holsters that stand up to that daily abuse are not cheap, you really get what you pay for. Just my $.02

I'm not knowledgable, senior, or moderate, but...

I have a $25 Don Hume leather IWB that I got used for $20. I also have some "cheap" holsters. The "cheap" ones are uniformly uncomfortable, difficult to use and difficult to draw from.

That said, I think there's some snobbery at work, too.

If you have a holster that's comfortable to wear, conceals as you need, holds the gun securely, lets you get a combat grip when you draw, stays in place (both when wearing and on a draw), I don't see how it matters what you paid for it. But usually, it's a lot.

P7 PSP. a 625, Glock 29, etc. I personally have never been comfortable w. those floppy nylon holsters -- I picked one up in a pinch once, and could never get it to keep my 1911 stable, etc.

I didn't really think of the Don Hume's as particularly cheap -- I had one for my G29, but stopped using it when it came loose in a movie theater.

Frankly, the crossbreed holsters have really worked well for me, so I pretty well stick w. them.

A desantis nemesis is pretty ideal as a pocket holster, however. (Provided it fits the gun properly -- for some reason the one I bought for my P3AT fits my Rohrbaugh just fine, but the one I bought for the Rohrbaugh is too small -- I didn't mix them up, I ordered them months apart.)

I've heard a lot of good things about the crossbreeds. I know several people with them, and they're just down the road from me. But they don't make one for a Mak.

Anyone know a gun close enough to a Mak that I could substitute holsters?

Maybe a Walther PPK.

I posted a thread recently about a guy who blew his penis and one testicle off, carrying in a cheap nylon bag holster. Think about THAT.

By cheap I refer to the quality, not price point. I've found same great deals at gunshows and clearance tables at stores.

I have the plastic Glock factory holsters and Fobus paddle holster that didn't cost a lot, keep my pistol secured and have held up well.

However, you usually do get what you pay for. I spent $200 on a quality Miami Classic shoulder rig and it was well worth the money. I've got couple of cheap (under $50) nylon shoulder rigs at gun shows. They've never fit worth a damn and I frankly don't trust them to retain the weapon on my person. Until I tried the Galco, I had decided shoulder holsters were not practical. I now wear it about as much as I use my Ted Blocker IWB (another quality rig, not cheap, but not top dollar either, about $70 these days).

With my CCW, I consider my holster system part of my life support equipment. Not an area to skimp.