OWB Leather Holster with Thumb Break

[joelamosobadiah]

I know there's an entire thread on holsters already, but I didn't see many that fit my criteria. I'd like to get some personal input from those that have holsters that fit my criteria if possible.

With open carry passing, I now feel more comfortable carrying OWB even though I'll have a cover garment 99% of the time. I am looking for an OWB (probably pancake style) leather holster preferably with a thumb break or some other form of retention. I would like a very slim profile that rides fairly high and close to my body. I have a couple OWB holsters, but they all hold my Springfield XD too far out from my body and look like a giant growth from my waistline. Fine for under a jacket, but completely unwearable with just a shirt covering.

I am purchasing a gun belt as well and am leaning towards a beltman. Heard too many good things about them to not believe what people say.

[Beiruty]

Leather holster are thicker than other holsters to hold and keep the handgun in place. So, I am not sure if the OWB with Leather holster under a shirt is good idea. But why under a shirt, keep out of the shirt and throw on you a light jacket.

[joelamosobadiah]

Leather holster are thicker than other holsters to hold and keep the handgun in place. So, I am not sure if the OWB with Leather holster under a shirt is good idea. But why under a shirt, keep out of the shirt and throw on you a light jacket.

For flexibility. I would prefer to not need to wear a jacket most of the time. I'd like a holster setup that works around my clothing and not dress around my gun. I have a crossbreed IWB holster, but it's just not as comfortable for EDC as an OWB holster is and also wears holes in my jeans where the bottom of the kydex portion of the holster rides.

[Unocat]

A friend of mine recently bought a Thumb Break Pancake Holster form Tucker and Byrd. http://www.tuckerandbyrd.com/categories.php He really likes it.

I use crossbreed OWB holsters for under a shirt. They don't have a thumb break, but lay very close to the body and can sit under a tshirt. I recommend the sweat guard and combat cut if the pistol will wind up against your skin. http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/Hotca ... fault.aspx

If you want a thumb break and are willing to go to a paddle holster, I recommend Bianchi 7500 series.

[Pawpaw]

El Paso Saddllery Sky Six

Mine with my Kimber Ultra CDP II:

[cbunt1]

I too like the idea of a thumb-break holster for open carry, although I don't always use one. Although not a true "retention" holster by many standards, it provides a certain "perception" to the public

I've used a Bianchi thumb-break rig for both J-Frames and full-sized 1911's with great success. I wish I remembered the model number on it, but they were both 3-slot leather rigs, and concealed quite nicely.

I have also used the Galco thumb-break version with a commander-sized 1911 to moderate success. One thing I like about they way Galco does the thumb break is that I can snap the holster either hammer-down or hammer-up with my 1911's (Most thumb-break rigs for 1911's are either-or). Downside of that rig (and it's more attributable to the pistol than the holster) is that with my ambi-safety it can sometimes click it off with just the twisting around of carrying it. This can be cured by a minor mod to the safety itself, but I just haven't done so yet.

I will note that holster-for-holster, the Bianchi pulls a 1911 a tad tighter to my body than the Galco, and the Galco provides quite a bit more cant than the Bianchi. The cant of a holster (for me) becomes more significant with the thumb-break than with an open-top, and I find that I prefer a straighter draw -- of course in an open (or more-open) carry environment this is less of an issue as I can move the rig closer to 3:00 than I do in fully concealed environment.

I've also been looking at the Mitch Rosen 5JR model, which is available with a thumb-break in either the standard or express lines. I have a couple of open-top 5JR express-line rigs for Glock and 1911, and they are excellent holsters, and are durable enough for the way I beat them around (I'm not easy on holsters--I work on cars for fun!).

My experience with TB holsters is that they actually take up a little more "space" under a cover garment and are just a tad more difficult to conceal than an open-top rig. I attribute this to the thumb-break mechanism and not the fact that they're leather, although some are indeed a tad thicker than other materials.

The move to an actual gun belt will make even the Crossbreed a more comfortable holster to wear. I use an CompTac MTAC frequently even for my "bug guns," and the solid belt is a huge difference. It's even more of a difference in an OWB holster of any kind.

In the new world of "mostly concealed" that I find myself living in, I find myself thinking about my own "one layer to the gun" rule -- I never want more than one layer of cover between me and a draw...concealed under an un-tucked shurt is fine, but if I put on a jacket, the shirt gets tucked in. The new rules make it much easier to conform to that game plan, especially in Texas where it can be 40* in the morning and 70* at mid-afternoon!

If you move to a thumb-break rig, please practice with it! On a timer, I can document that it only costs me about 0.3-0.5 second in my draw-stroke, but it does change the motion of getting a firing grip on the gun -- it's not significant but under stress it will trip you up if you're not prepared for it. Also use the practice time to determine how the thumb-break fits into the "one layer to the gun" concept (which may or may not be as important to you as it is to me.)

Sorry for the novel!

[joelamosobadiah]

Thanks for all the info here, it definitely helps. I really like the different options from El Paso Saddlery, especially the Sky Six.

Ideally I had the cash to buy a nice leather rig and a kydex one as well but for me the leather provides the best of everything I'm looking for.

[WinoVeritas]

I have DeSantis 3-slot w/ and w/o thumb break - they ride high and tight - slots allow vertical or 15 deg. cant. Quality product at reasonable price.

[Shadow41]

I have DeSantis 3-slot w/ and w/o thumb break - they ride high and tight - slots allow vertical or 15 deg. cant. Quality product at reasonable price.

I'll second Wino on the DeSantis. I use the same ones he listed with my S&W Shield. Very comfortable for me.

[OldCurlyWolf]

I have a Bianchi Pancake with 3 slots. Works well with my Delta Elite( Colt 10mm on a 1911 frame),

[Overthehill]

Highly recommend Andrews Leather's Saddle Style holster. Use the crossdraw versions for Sig p938, 1911 Commander and Springfield Emp. Pricey but worth every penny spent.

[atx2a]

I carry a full size 9mm in an old Don Hume holster I've had for years. Keeps it high and close to my body, and still concealable under a pretty wide range of clothing.

http://www.donhume.com/index.php?main_p ... ucts_id=42

Of all the OWB I've worn, this one feels the best. And the pancake style distributes the weight nicely

[tomtexan]

I have one of these on order that is supposed to be in by the end of the month for my M&P 9 Pro.

I can't hardly wait to get it and try it out!

Bianchi Model 77 Piranha™ Pancake-Style Holster

[catfish37]

I work with a guy that can build you what ever you want. He built my holster and it has been fantastic. I wanted a belt clip with the gun sitting a bit lower than usual. I can pm his number to you if you would like. Here is a couple pics of mine