OWB Leather Holster with Thumb Break

[joelamosobadiah]

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.

Does the thumb break add any substantial thickness to the holster? I would prefer a thumb break for the few times I will get the urge or have the necessity to carry openly. In general I won't need it. However I can't justify buying two holsters right now.

[The Annoyed Man]

I'm carrying a full sized Glock 17 in a Safariland Shadow II pancake holster: http://www.safariland.com/belt-slide/sh ... 15997.html

[cbunt1]

TAM, do you know if that is a "true" Safariland, or is that originally a Bianchi design?

I really like the way that hugs up, and doesn't add too much bulk at the thumb-break...I've been hesitant to pick up a Bianchi/Safariland since I couldn't tell if they had made any subtle changes to the line.

I may have to pick one up...

ETA: I just clicked on the link, and answered my own question. Looks like they kept all the good stuff from the old Bianchi line!

[joelamosobadiah]

I'm carrying a full sized Glock 17 in a Safariland Shadow II pancake holster: http://www.safariland.com/belt-slide/sh ... 15997.html

Thanks for the detailed photos TAM. That was a holster I was definitely considering. What width is your belt? Also, I think I would like my holster to ride just a tad bit higher, but I also would be carrying a 3" barrel not full size.

[MeMelYup]

Ok, I have to ask. Is one of the pictures backwards or do you carry two?

[loktite]

Mirror, check the ring :) (also two spots visible on mirror near the hand reflection )

[lowdogtx]

This is from http://rossgun.com/
great prices very well made

[The Annoyed Man]

I'm carrying a full sized Glock 17 in a Safariland Shadow II pancake holster: http://www.safariland.com/belt-slide/sh ... 15997.html

Thanks for the detailed photos TAM. That was a holster I was definitely considering. What width is your belt? Also, I think I would like my holster to ride just a tad bit higher, but I also would be carrying a 3" barrel not full size.

The belt is a D.M. Bullard, and it is 1-1/2" Double Thick: http://store.dmbullardleather.com/1-12-double-thick.

I'm not sure that a higher riding holster would be practical for me with the full-sized G17. I'm not that tall (5'10"), and the grip of the gun already extends fairly high up my side as it is. But, I also own a Desantis speed scabbard for a G19, and it does ride a little higher and accommodates the shorter grip of the G19 just fine. It is roughly as comfortable as the Safariland. Also, the Desantis incorporates a screw which allows you to adjust the retention on the trigger guard. There is a thumbsnap version of that holster, and I may get one for myself for the G19: http://www.desantisholster.com/THUMB-BREAK-SCABBARD

[Glockedandlocked]

I use a Galco Fletch holster, it conceals well and is secure enough for open carry.

[The Annoyed Man]

This is not a thumb break holster, but I just acquired a G19 from another forum member yesterday, and I already had a holster on hand for it.... This is a Desantis Speed Scabbard. It does have a sort of retention mechanism, but it isn't a thumb strap. Rather, it is a screw which can be tightened/loosened to adjust the holster's tension against the trigger guard - making it harder/easier to draw the gun.

Front view (I'm a lefty):


Side view:


I've owned three of these holsters for three different guns (M&P45 Full Sized, H&K USPc .40, and this one for the G19). They are quite comfortable for all day carry, carry the gun a bit high, and they fit the guns well with pretty decent retention. The price is $77.00, which makes it on the affordable to mid-priced side of things.

The thumb-break version of this holster is the same price. Worth thinking about if you haven't spent the money yet.

[Jusme]

I carry my full size M&P 9 in a DeSantis three slot with a thumb break. I never felt like it was fully secure without it, I carried for years on duty with the thumb break and it's second nature to disengage it as part of my natural draw. I have a Kydex holster that clicks the gun in place but, I catch myself still trying to disengage the thumb break. The DeSantis rides high and tight which I like for having a shirt over it.

[OldCurlyWolf]

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.

I have a Bianchi Pancake for my Delta Elite that works quite well. I just wish it had a body shield attached as I am not nearly as slender as I once was.

[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.

Does the thumb break add any substantial thickness to the holster? I would prefer a thumb break for the few times I will get the urge or have the necessity to carry openly. In general I won't need it. However I can't justify buying two holsters right now.

Sorry - just caught this post. Thumb Break does not add any width at all, just a tad in height - as seen in the pictures above of the DeSantis. Only advice is, don't buy directly from DeSantis - buy from OpticsPlanet or one of their subsidiaries like Dvor. Shop on DeSantis site then google model number you're interested in - their will be lots of hits to choose from.

[Jusme]

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.

Does the thumb break add any substantial thickness to the holster? I would prefer a thumb break for the few times I will get the urge or have the necessity to carry openly. In general I won't need it. However I can't justify buying two holsters right now.

Sorry - just caught this post. Thumb Break does not add any width at all, just a tad in height - as seen in the pictures above of the DeSantis. Only advice is, don't buy directly from DeSantis - buy from OpticsPlanet or one of their subsidiaries like Dvor. Shop on DeSantis site then google model number you're interested in - their will be lots of hits to choose from.

Yeah I missed the post also, the thumb break is simply an extention on each side of the holster the front crosses over to the back and snaps in no thickness difference.

You can also get the holsters on Amazon.

[flintknapper]

Something to look for when choosing a leather 'Thumb Break' holster is a 'reinforced' TB/snap. It can be metal/double thick leather/other.... but if not reinforced, the thumb break feature can become difficult to unsnap over time.

Also, consider (and practice) your draw from the holster. Depending upon your weapon and the design of the holster, it is easy to 'Strap Trap' yourself until you have practiced with it some.

You will find that with 'most' holsters and most weapons...you will not want to try to immediately get a 'full' grip once you've un-snapped the thumb break. If you do...you'll end up with your thumb on top of the retaining strap, which will stall (or completely stop) your draw.

With 'most' holsters and weapons you will need to retain the weapon using the pressure between your fingers on the grip and your palm (at the thumb) UNTIL the strap has cleared the weapon. At which point you can orient your thumb and complete your normal grip. Done properly, you'll have a complete grip on your weapon long before the muzzle clears leather.

Its sounds awkward...but will become seamless IF you do it each time smoothly and resist trying to speed draw from your thumb break.

Re-holstering (again depending upon design) can end up being a two handed affair, just be aware. Take your time re-holstering and don't get the strap (or anything else) inside the trigger guard (Glock owners).