Beginner Holster Question - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

sasomers · 09-26-2007, 09:49 PM

Hi all,

I have been looking through the holster threads, I know there are a lot of them but I have to claim ignorance...

I've read about this holster and that holster and a whole bunch of stuff I don't understand.

Would someone (or many someones) be willing to give a rundown of holster types, why I may want to use them and why?

Basically I know about the IWB and OWB holsters. Why do most people not use the holster that came with their XD?

Eventually I want to carry concealed full time, but I have a lot to learn before I start doing so...... I don't want to be an ignorant gun owner...

P.S. I am trying to get involved in some handgun training, but I'm almost 200 miles away from the closest place where I can do so...

Mason0352 · 09-27-2007, 12:18 AM

Why don't people used the holster that the XD came with? Because it's... well... junk. I can see its use at the range though.

I open carry OWB for 10-12 hours at work in a gun shop. I chose the Blackhawk Serpa CQC because the paddle is comfortable and it is a Lvl. 2 retention.

Concealed however, you'd want to go with something that pulls the grip in tight to the body. The Serpa definitely does not do that. I'll let others go on about that, since being in Illinois I have no experience with concealed carry.

tomfoolery · 09-27-2007, 12:37 AM

i can lend some info on carrying conceald and non concealed.

as he mentioned...the blackhawk serpa is a nice rig, i use it as my ipsc holster (minus the trigger lock button...easily removed, something about buttons under stress that bothers me). at any rate. OWB i would suggest something like the serpa or an uncle mikes (anything with adjustable retention).

for IWB this just comes down to preference. i have a few nylon IWB general pistol holsters, i have a supertuck IWB, then i have a galco leather OWB but rides so close its easily concealed.

the main thing you want in a holster IWB or OWB is that it covers the trigger when carried. as far as buttons and snaps go.....its just one more thing you have to think about doing when reaching for that gun (if you choose a button or a snap i suggest you practice drawing from it thosands of times).

Good luck!

Frisco Pete · 09-27-2007, 10:42 AM

The XDGear holster by Fobus that comes with the XD is a nice touch for free for range carry but like other holsters of its type does not pull the gun, especially the butt, close enough to the body for CC. Pancake styles with their widely spaced slots do. So do IWB rigs - but you want one that won't pull off your belt with your pistol (clips are prone to do this) and one that the mouth won't collapse so you can't reholster again.

dannyg0811 · 09-29-2007, 11:15 AM

The reason I don't use the XD holster is due to several reasons. I prefer IWB, comfort, the gun prints to much, and I like the gun to sit higher.

What works for you will be different, we all have different needs, prefrences and body frames. For a smaller guy like me wearing the gun in an IWB is a better option. I don't have the extra mass to conceal the gun while bending and moving while in public. I still feel self conscious and find myself tugging on my cloths to make sure my shirt or jacket doesn't ride up.

You also need to think about how you want to draw the weapon, small of back(wouldn't recommend) cross draw, shoulder rig, IWB, Belt.

Do a search on google for choosing a holster or something similar. Handguns, Soldier of Fortune and other magazines have articles archived on their websites. They have writers that are more capable of verbalizing this stuff.

Here is one.
Skin pickin': choosing the right holster takes as much thought as choosing the gun

jtkratzer · 09-29-2007, 02:54 PM

I carry IWB and OWB, IWB started last night. I wanted to start IWB carrying for a couple reasons...

1.) I lost almost 35 lbs and my jeans now have this perfect space in them to hold a holster and my XD inside.

2.) I have clothes that aren't long enough to cover the end of the muzzle on the 4" XD45 compact.

3.) Just more options and a lot of people seem to like carrying that way, so I wanted to give it a try.

OWB means you don't have to buy new pants/shorts to accommodate the extra space for the holster and gun. IWB allows you to conceal the muzzle with shirts/jackets that aren't as long. IWB also protects the gun more.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Figure out where and how you plan to carry and then get the holster that works best for you and your clothing.

Ishpeck · 09-29-2007, 07:36 PM

God gave us the XD Gear holster so we could mount it in our trucks for quick drawing and easy concealing.

09-26-2007, 09:49 PM	#1
sasomers XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 10	Beginner Holster Question Hi all, I have been looking through the holster threads, I know there are a lot of them but I have to claim ignorance... I've read about this holster and that holster and a whole bunch of stuff I don't understand. Would someone (or many someones) be willing to give a rundown of holster types, why I may want to use them and why? Basically I know about the IWB and OWB holsters. Why do most people not use the holster that came with their XD? Eventually I want to carry concealed full time, but I have a lot to learn before I start doing so...... I don't want to be an ignorant gun owner... P.S. I am trying to get involved in some handgun training, but I'm almost 200 miles away from the closest place where I can do so...

09-29-2007, 11:15 AM	#5
dannyg0811 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: California Posts: 476	The reason I don't use the XD holster is due to several reasons. I prefer IWB, comfort, the gun prints to much, and I like the gun to sit higher. What works for you will be different, we all have different needs, prefrences and body frames. For a smaller guy like me wearing the gun in an IWB is a better option. I don't have the extra mass to conceal the gun while bending and moving while in public. I still feel self conscious and find myself tugging on my cloths to make sure my shirt or jacket doesn't ride up. You also need to think about how you want to draw the weapon, small of back(wouldn't recommend) cross draw, shoulder rig, IWB, Belt. Do a search on google for choosing a holster or something similar. Handguns, Soldier of Fortune and other magazines have articles archived on their websites. They have writers that are more capable of verbalizing this stuff. Here is one. Skin pickin': choosing the right holster takes as much thought as choosing the gun __________________ Springfield XD .45 Tactical - XD 9mm Compact Glock/SIG/Walther/Winchester--NOT Nearly enough. Semper FI! http://semperfifund.org/ http://togetherweserved.com/usmc/index.jsp And now a few words from PATTON(well George C. Scott) http://www.turtletrader.com/speech.mp3

09-29-2007, 02:54 PM	#6
jtkratzer XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lancaster Co., PA Posts: 17,560	I carry IWB and OWB, IWB started last night. I wanted to start IWB carrying for a couple reasons... 1.) I lost almost 35 lbs and my jeans now have this perfect space in them to hold a holster and my XD inside. 2.) I have clothes that aren't long enough to cover the end of the muzzle on the 4" XD45 compact. 3.) Just more options and a lot of people seem to like carrying that way, so I wanted to give it a try. OWB means you don't have to buy new pants/shorts to accommodate the extra space for the holster and gun. IWB allows you to conceal the muzzle with shirts/jackets that aren't as long. IWB also protects the gun more. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Figure out where and how you plan to carry and then get the holster that works best for you and your clothing. __________________ "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it." - Thomas Jefferson The Gun Lounge Pennyslvania Firearms Owners Association Hockey Forum

09-29-2007, 07:36 PM	#7
Ishpeck XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 4,232	God gave us the XD Gear holster so we could mount it in our trucks for quick drawing and easy concealing. __________________ When given a chance to issue letters of marque and reprisal against Bin Laden, Congress voted against it and instead, voted the Patriot Act into law. Tells you who they think their real enemies are. http://www.ishpeck.net/

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09-27-2007, 12:18 AM	#2
Mason0352 XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Camp Pendleton, CA Posts: 41	Why don't people used the holster that the XD came with? Because it's... well... junk. I can see its use at the range though. I open carry OWB for 10-12 hours at work in a gun shop. I chose the Blackhawk Serpa CQC because the paddle is comfortable and it is a Lvl. 2 retention. Concealed however, you'd want to go with something that pulls the grip in tight to the body. The Serpa definitely does not do that. I'll let others go on about that, since being in Illinois I have no experience with concealed carry.

09-27-2007, 12:37 AM	#3
tomfoolery XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 5,312	i can lend some info on carrying conceald and non concealed. as he mentioned...the blackhawk serpa is a nice rig, i use it as my ipsc holster (minus the trigger lock button...easily removed, something about buttons under stress that bothers me). at any rate. OWB i would suggest something like the serpa or an uncle mikes (anything with adjustable retention). for IWB this just comes down to preference. i have a few nylon IWB general pistol holsters, i have a supertuck IWB, then i have a galco leather OWB but rides so close its easily concealed. the main thing you want in a holster IWB or OWB is that it covers the trigger when carried. as far as buttons and snaps go.....its just one more thing you have to think about doing when reaching for that gun (if you choose a button or a snap i suggest you practice drawing from it thosands of times). Good luck!

09-27-2007, 10:42 AM	#4
Frisco Pete XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 133	The XDGear holster by Fobus that comes with the XD is a nice touch for free for range carry but like other holsters of its type does not pull the gun, especially the butt, close enough to the body for CC. Pancake styles with their widely spaced slots do. So do IWB rigs - but you want one that won't pull off your belt with your pistol (clips are prone to do this) and one that the mouth won't collapse so you can't reholster again.