Speak the Language ...
Holster Talk
By Kathy Jackson
When it comes time to pick out a belt holster, the choices seem overwhelming
and the terminology mystifying. A holster maker uses words few other people
do, and uses familiar words in unusual ways. A rake is something you use
in the garden, right? Not to a holster maker! With all the specialized
terminology, it isn’t any wonder that the rest of us are often confused.
Here's a cheat sheet that might help make your next holster-buying expedition
a little less confusing.
This glossary includes terms that refer to
For more about finding a holster, please see the following articles:
Terms that refer to the angle the muzzle will be held…
Adjustable rake – the angle can easily
be changed by the user.
Cant -- rake
Extreme rake – the muzzle will be angled
more sharply than other designs by the same maker. The exact angle meant
by this term varies from one maker to another.
FBI rake – a widely used term, but the specific
angle it refers to varies greatly from one holster maker to another.
Muzzle forward -- the holstered gun
will have its muzzle angled toward the front of your body.
Muzzle rear -- the holstered gun will have
its muzzle angled toward the rear.
Rake – the angle at which the holster will hold
the gun. It is measured by degrees.
Straight drop -- the holstered gun will
have its muzzle pointed straight toward the floor.
… how the gun rides on the belt
Dropped and offset
kydex holster
|
Drop or dropped – as little of the gun as possible
is held above the belt line. This is often more comfortable for people
with curvy waistlines, but the tradeoff is that it is not very concealable.
However, holsters which combine drop with offset are usually very
comfortable and practical for range use.
High ride or high rise – as much of the gun
as possible is held above the belt line. This is often more comfortable
for people with curvy waistlines, and is very concealable even under short
cover garments. The tradeoff is that it can be difficult for short-waisted
people, or those with shoulder mobility issues, to easily draw a weapon
carried in a high ride holster.
Offset – the whole top portion of the holstered
gun is held away from the shooter's body by a wedge or simply by the shape
of the holster. This is usually more comfortable for people with curves
and provides better grip accessibility. The tradeoff is that it is bulky,
usually isn't very concealable and often makes the wearer look chunky.
However, holsters which combine offset with drop are usually very comfortable
and practical for range use.
Leather OWB
hide ride holster
|
Hook or J hook – a piece which partially encircles
the belt.
Loop – a piece which completely encircles the
belt.
Tunnel – the belt is completely enclosed within
the holster for some distance.
Slot – an opening in the holster body or wing.
Clip or belt clip -- a metal clamp, often covered
with leather, which fits over the top half of the belt.
Canted OWB pancake
with thumb break
|
Paddle – a wide holster designed to be snapped
or clipped onto the belt.
Pancake -- a wide holster with slotted wings
on either side which increase stability.
Scabbard – designs which fully enclose the
muzzle end.
Slide – designs which do not enclose the muzzle
end, allowing them to carry otherwise identical guns with different muzzle
lengths.
Body guard / sweat guard – a high piece
on the back of the holster where it touches your body, designed to prevent
contact between your body and the exposed part of the holstered gun.
Covered trigger guard – the holster
completely covers the entire trigger area, and it is impossible to reach
a finger in to touch the trigger of the holstered gun. A completely covered
trigger guard is absolutely necessary for safety in a carry rig, because
of the potential for clothing or gear to get snagged in it and trigger
an unintentional discharge.
Grip accessibility – how easy it is to
get a complete grasp on the grip while the gun is in the holster.
Liner, lined – material on the inside of the
holster, where the gun rides; occasionally refers to material on the back
of the holster, where it touches your body.
Tuckable kydex holster
with single loop,
appendix carried
|
One-handed reholstering – the holster will
stay open when the gun is drawn, enabling you to reholster without holding
the mouth of the holster open with your support hand. Absolutely necessary
for safety, because otherwise you will point the gun at your support hand
every time you holster.
Open top – holsters that don’t have a retention
strap.
Retention holster – a holster which has a
retention strap or other device intended to prevent the gun from being
drawn by anyone but the person wearing it.
Stability – how much the holster wiggles
around when you draw or reholster the gun.
Thumb break / retention strap – a strap
that goes over the top of the holstered gun and is (usually) snapped in
place for security. Called a thumb break because the thumb must break
it open in order to draw the weapon. This feature is frequently desirable
on holsters which will be carried openly rather than concealed.
Tension – how tightly the gun is held in the
holster.
Tension screws – screws which allow
the user to adjust how tightly the gun is held in the holster.
Tuckable or shirt tuck feature – enables a shirt to be tucked in
over the holstered gun, leaving only the holster’s loop(s) or hooks visible
on the belt line.
Small of back carry
(not recommended
due to risk of
spinal injury)
|
Appendix carry – the holstered gun is placed
forward of the hip on the strong side, usually halfway between belly button
and hip bone.
Behind the hip – the holster is placed immediately
behind the hip.
Between pants & belt -- the holster is placed outside the pants,
but inside the belt.
Cross draw – the holstered gun is placed
forward of the hip on the support side, usually halfway between belly
button and hip bone. It is usually carried butt-forward in this position.
Combination IWB/OWB – the holster can be worn
either inside or outside both pants and belt.
IWB (Inside Waist Band) – the holster is placed
inside the pants and inside the belt.
On the hip – the holster is placed on the waistline directly below
your armpit.
Canted leather IWB
carried behind hip
|
OWB (Outside Waist Band) – the holster is placed
outside the pants and outside the belt.
Small of back – the holster is placed in the center
of the back, over the spinal cord.
Strong side – the side corresponding to the dominant hand. The
holstered gun is usually placed butt-rearward when worn on the strong
side.
Weak or support side – the side corresponding to the non-dominant
hand.
Kydex holster,
appendix carry
|
Combination kydex / leather – a holster which includes both kydex
and leather in its design.
Custom holster – a holster that is made just for you to your specifications.
Often surprisingly affordable, but also often involves a lengthy wait.
Injection-molded – a process used to form kydex or plastic holsters
inside a hollow mold by injecting completely melted polymer into the mold.
Non-injection-molded holsters are made by placing sheets of skydex or
plastic over a form and partially melting them until they conform to the
proper shape.
Kydex – a very sturdy polymer which has characteristics that make
it work well for holsters.
Leather – gunleather is usually made of cowhide or horsehide, but
may be trimmed with exotic leathers such as shark or snakeskin.
Plastic -- a polymer which is less expensive and generally less
sturdy than kydex.