Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

Gun, shooting and equipment discussions unrelated to CHL issues

Moderator: carlson1


Topic author
Abraham
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 3
Posts: 8400
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:43 am

Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#1

Post by Abraham »

I wonder how many will do so, because it's cheaper to just use what you have?

What say you?

Thanks!

Topic author
Abraham
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 3
Posts: 8400
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:43 am

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#2

Post by Abraham »

I think my question is pretty straight forward.

casp625
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 671
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2015 9:24 pm

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#3

Post by casp625 »

Abraham wrote:I wonder how many will do so, because it's cheaper to just use what you have?

What say you?

Thanks!
Absolutely not. At the very least, I'll use my thumb break holster.
User avatar

AJSully421
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 1436
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:31 pm
Location: SW Fort Worth

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#4

Post by AJSully421 »

Big, fat "NO" for me. I have some Safariland holsters that are all either ALS only, or ALS and SLS. I mostly have them for retention while working with the tractor, riding 4 wheelers, climbing trees and such.

I have decided to OC with a full level III 7360 with my Glock 17, and have a 7360 with a mounted light on order for my G21.

I would not OC without some sort of retention.
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan, 1964

30.06 signs only make criminals and terrorists safer.

NRA, LTC, School Safety, Armed Security, & Body Guard Instructor

RHenriksen
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 2058
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 1:59 pm
Location: Houston

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#5

Post by RHenriksen »

I may; but I also have a retention holster on order.

I also have a couple of decades of martial arts training under my belt, and have no back or knee problems that would preclude a vigorous defense. YMMV.
I'll quit carrying a gun when they make murder and armed robbery illegal

Houston Technology Consulting
soup-to-nuts IT infrastructure design, deployment, and support for SMBs
User avatar

oljames3
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 4
Posts: 5358
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2014 1:21 pm
Location: Bastrop, Texas
Contact:

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#6

Post by oljames3 »

Abraham wrote:I wonder how many will do so, because it's cheaper to just use what you have?

What say you?

Thanks!
When carrying concealed, I use an IWB holster with no retention. When carrying openly, I use either a belt slide holster with a strap or a paddle holster with thumb-break. The strap keeps the pistol in place as I traverse broken terrain while recovering my sport rockets.

The picture below was taken outside of Tucson, AZ, in August, 2015. I'm on the left with my 9mm. My son (18 then) is on the right with his Nike Smoke scale model and his .45 sub-compact.
Image
O. Lee James, III Captain, US Army (Retired 2012), Honorable Order of St. Barbara
Safety Ministry Director, First Baptist Church Elgin
NRA, NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Instructor, Rangemaster Certified, GOA, TSRA, NAR L1

Richbirdhunter
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 1109
Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 7:45 pm
Location: DFW Denton County

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#7

Post by Richbirdhunter »

Yes I will
Disclaimer: Anything I state can not be applied to 100% of all situations. Sometimes it's ok to speak in general terms.
User avatar

Distinguished Rick
Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:38 am
Location: Trinity, Republic of Texas.

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#8

Post by Distinguished Rick »

If and when I OC (a big IF), it will be in a retentive holster.
CHL holder since 1996.
USMC Shooting Team 1985 - 1988
Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge - 1986
"People sleep peacefully at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
User avatar

Oldgringo
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 11203
Joined: Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:15 pm
Location: Pineywoods of east Texas

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#9

Post by Oldgringo »

I have hardly any plans to OC and even fewer plans to buy new holsters.
User avatar

longhorn86
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 383
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2011 5:49 pm
Location: Schertz, TX

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#10

Post by longhorn86 »

If I decide to ever OC, I will use the DM Bullard Dual Carry that I recently purchased. My gun fits nice and tight, plenty of natural retention.
NRA Life Member

Countryside
Banned
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 252
Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2015 4:59 pm

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#11

Post by Countryside »

As an ex-law enforcement officer I would not open carry without some sort of holster that has retention properties. I am aware of my surroundings...but I am not perfect and capable of making an error...so any extra security is welcome. If I could find a break-front holster for a 1911 I would consider getting one.
User avatar

drjoker
Banned
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 1315
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:19 am

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#12

Post by drjoker »

Yes, it is safe to use a handgun open carried in a non-retention holster. Just do like they did in the old west and attach a lanyard to the gun. Glock handguns have lanyards for that exact reason.

A strap or a thumb break should do just fine, along with a lanyard.
User avatar

The Annoyed Man
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 8
Posts: 26852
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:59 pm
Location: North Richland Hills, Texas
Contact:

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#13

Post by The Annoyed Man »

What is "retention"? I have a couple of belt holsters for two of my pistols that have thumb snaps. I have another one that has a lever that has to be activated to release the gun. I also own a couple of paddle holsters for two different guns that hold the gun so tightly that it is hard to draw the gun, even without a retention mechanism. I own a custom made holster that has no retention device other than being perfectly fit to the gun. Any or all of these are fine with me.

Situational awareness is my best defense, and I've never bought a holster that a gun would just fall out of.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”

― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"

#TINVOWOOT
User avatar

drjoker
Banned
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 1315
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:19 am

Re: Will You OC Using A Non-Retention Holster?

#14

Post by drjoker »

The Annoyed Man wrote:What is "retention"?
Your holster with a lever is a "retention" holster. Also, some holsters require you to tilt your gun forward before drawing it. That's also a "retention" holster. Or a holster that requires pushing a button such as Blackhawk Serpa. It's just fancy schmancy "marketing".

A thumb break or snap strap with a lanyard should be fine.
Post Reply

Return to “General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion”