Minimalist Holsters
Rob PincusDescription
Some truly minimalist options for carrying a handgun on your body are now on the market, but are they useful or reckless? Rob Pincus believes that a holster must do four things: keep the gun consistently against your body, allow you to carry comfortably, release the gun when you need it, and hold on to the gun when you want it to stay where it is. Whether it’s called a holster or something else, Rob advises against any device that does not perform these four functions. He calls these devices minimalist holsters.
Here comes another important tip from the Personal Defense Network. At least once a month, sometimes it seems like twice a week, I'm getting asked about a different product, a different way to carry a gun. What do you think of this holster? What do you think about carrying in this position? Well, of course, every once in awhile, we do come across something truly new and truly innovative in the world of firearms related products. Specifically, inside of the personal defense realm. But far too often, I see a lot of products that are in search of a problem to solve. You'll see a lot of bullet points of advantages, perceived advantages, that a certain product might offer. But the reality is, no one was looking for those advantages, and 99.99% of the people on the planet don't even need those advantages most of the time. For example, a holster that can be used right-handed or left-handed. Well, people are either right-handed or left-handed. They don't need to be both and they're not gonna switch. There's a big difference between a holster carrying way. For example, Appendix carry, where you can draw the gun with either hand, and a holster that is reversible. There's really not a lot of call for a reversible holster unless you are just a target shooter, who wants something to carry a gun around on the range, or maybe out at the sand pit where you're gonna shoot, and you wanna be able to put the gun on one side, and then put the gun on the other side. And I'm still not exactly sure why someone might wanna do that. So the versatility of a reversible holster, for example, would be, you know, a solution in search of a problem. One of the other big things I see is minimalist holsters. For the holster that I'm wearing right here that's inside the waistband, Kydex holster, I've owned this for well over a decade. And this is about as minimalist as you can get. You can see it barely increases the size of the gun in any way. It's got two very simple straps that are pretty well worn, that loop around the belt. Very easy to get on and off, but it does a couple of things. One, it's big enough to keep the firearm in a consistent position up against my body. Two, it's got a little flag here, which is gonna do two things. One, it's gonna keep the gun from pressing up against my body, which could expose me to the sharp edges, which makes it less comfortable to carry, which might eventually make me less likely to carry. And two, it keeps the firearm off my body, which is gonna keep perspiration off the firearm and make the finish last longer, especially if this were the type of firearm which might be prone to surface rust, something like that, which this one really isn't. We'd wanna make sure that it stayed off of our body. So, the other thing we've got going on here, is that it covers the trigger guard, of course. Now, this is imperative. I don't think anyone should carry a defensive firearm without a round in the chamber, and of course, to have a round in the chamber, we need to make sure that the trigger guard is covered. So this is about as minimalist as it gets. It's a holster that's gonna keep the firearm where it needs to be. It's gonna keep it anchored. We've got two attachment points to the belt, which means it's not gonna flop around. The holster's always gonna keep the gun where I want it so that I can reach back consistently and present from the holster. Straps, trigger guard's covered, and even is a little bit comfortable. So maybe this isn't even quite as minimalist as it could be, but I think this is a good idea. I think it's a good idea to make sure that your firearm is gonna be comfortable when you carry it. Now what are some of the other options that we've seen out there on the market? Well, there's one device which is designed to allow you to tuck the gun into your belt-line, and have the trigger guard covered. And of course that comes with a little lanyard. The lanyard attaches to your belt or to a belt loop. And the idea is, you don't actually need to have a holster. Well, what are you really saving yourself by not having a holster on the gun? Now, if I run, if I move, if I suddenly jump up, or I suddenly get knocked down, the gun pops outta the holster. Of course that little trigger guard cover is attached to my belt. The gun falls to the ground. It's now exposed, the trigger is exposed. Someone reaches for it. They could set it off accidentally. If I reflexively grasp for it, I could set it off accidentally. Or, anyone who picks it up, of course. Now it's just lying out there and it's gonna be ready to go. With the trigger guard, the only thing keeping it from being discharged, still attached to my belt. I don't know why you would wanna carry a gun in a way that didn't cover the gun and actually keep it attached to you. If you take a look at this, again, we're barely increasing the dimensions of the firearm with this type of minimalist holster. So the idea that I'm really gonna gain anything by simply having a trigger guard instead of an actual holster, I don't understand. And then there are some things out there that are just reckless. Just poorly thought-out, bad ideas. One of them is a device that I've seen recently, where you put it inside of your waistband and there's a rod, plastic rod, that actually goes into the barrel of your firearm. And then there's a belt clip. So, once again, you don't have a holster. You don't any of the advantages of an actual holster. The trigger guard is exposed. And while the website of this company actually says that this thing is designed for versatile, so-called versatile carry, is meant to be carried without a round in the chamber. They then also show videos, that if you choose to put a round in the chamber, and you draw the gun, and you fire it, the plastic rod will not damage the gun, won't damage you. It'll simply get blown outta the gun. Well, again, if it has a belt clip and it's supposed to stay on my belt when I draw, and I'm also not supposed to have a round in the chamber, which I think is a bad idea for a defensive carry firearm, then what's the point of showing me that video? Just seems like a really poorly thought-out design. Really poorly thought-out marketing strategy, as well. So, be careful about minimalist holsters. If you want a holster, if you need a holster, get a holster. Make sure it keeps the gun consistently against your body. It allows you to carry comfortably. And, will release the gun when you need it, but hold onto the gun when you want it to stay exactly where you're storing it. Be sure to check out the Personal Defense Network for more important tips just like that one.
A reversable holster can be handy for carrying a second gun on the off-side.
Used to be you designed things to serve some need or existing problem . I think a lot of areas of modern life are plagued now with people presenting solutions with no real problem existing- so we have a lot of solutions searching for problems. I have read so many people saying they have multiple holsters. I am new to firearms and I appreciate getting some basic principles to go by before I become a holster collector. I guess the holster you showed is the border line for minimalist.
Good explanation, and I agree with all that you said. Yes, the trigger guard cover with a string is a bad idea. However, I take issue with the omission of minimalist options like the trigger-guard cover VG2 with strut and belt loop. I know the kydex doesn't add much to the overall thickness, but it does add some. I find that my VG2 in appendix carry with strut and belt loop is the lowest profile carry option in my box-o-holsters--I can tuck in a lightweight, fairly tight t-shirt. I've done kettlebell swings, run, jumped, rolled, and drawn from the ground, and it has performed well. I find that my CCC Shaggy in appendix carry is the most secure and fastest draw option in my box-o-holsters. So, agree with you there. I guess I'm saying, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater re: minimalist designs.
There are several environments and situations where a minimalist holster can be useful: Non-Permissive Environments where the ability to move the weapon into deeper concealment is preferable to further reduce the risk of discovery and subsequent penalties. (The NPE does not have to be a legal one to still be an NPE.) Normal holsters don't allow as much concealment in this circumstance. Certain areas such as foreign countries where the ability to easily ditch weapon and holster if necessary is desirable. The minimalist holster will be easier to discard and less recognizable as a holster. Also, the minimalist holster has use as additional trigger protection and can be used to fix the weapon in place in 'soft' holsters such as a Smartcarry, belly band, or t-shirt holster system, or to fix the weapon in place and protect the trigger when the weapon is carried in a bag or purse. As a stopgap to a weapon that doesn't have a holster specifically made for it that you feel you need to carry anyway, a minimalist holster that fits over the trigger is certainly better than 'going lose' with it. These are situations where the minimalist rig can be considered a viable option. CR
I like the holster Rob shows in this video. I Who made this type IWB hoster and is it still available today?
Would you tell me where I might be able to purchase that exact Kydex holster. I have purchases a few Kydex holsters but those have all added something more to the gun than the one you demonstrated. I'm also attracted to the straps which are used to secure this holster. Thank you for your reply.
Agree. I teach my students the value of having a good, secure functional holster. My personal favorite is cross breed. What I ALSO teach my students is that situational awareness will go a long way to make you have that extra couple of seconds to unholster and present. Of course this doesn't cover every circumstance, but like I said. It goes a long ways to help you be prepared. Nice video. Keep em coming.
I own the first of the 2 minimalist holsters mentioned in the video. My opinion is that it is well designed and that retention of firearm is pretty good. Obviously it's not going to hang on like a real holster because there isn't as much material in contact with the gun. The problem for me is that one can not reholster safely and the ability to secure a firearm after it's been drawn is an obviously valid concern. The bottom line is that with the availability of holsters such as the one shown in the video IMHO there is no reason to go with the "minimal" holster. The price difference is a non-issue considering the importance of a good holster.
I'm a large person and found that a in the pant holster is very uncomfortable. I have been wearing a Blackhawk on my belt but have to cover it with a shirt or sweater and the look is sometimes sloppy! I now have a Sneaky Pete holster that I can wear with my shirt tucked in and it looks like a I-Pad case or a "Man Purse" in embossed alligator (very fashionable) and LOVE IT!
I agree with this video about these minimalist holsters. Sometimes too minimal could be more dangerous. I love these Kydex holsters though! Unlike leather, they don't hold moisture and it keeps the gun dry and prevents the weapon from rusting.