Gun Holster FAQs

Q: What types of gun holsters are there?

A: There are three main categories of gun holsters on the market today: duty holsters, concealment holsters, and sporting holsters.

Q: What are the different types of holsters used for?

A: Duty holsters are worn by uniformed police and military professionals, concealment holsters are used by plain-clothes officers and licensed armed civilians, and sporting holsters are worn for hunting and shooting.

Q: What kinds of duty holsters are on the market?

A: Duty holsters have two main considerations: appearance and weapon retention. Duty holsters are considered part of the wearer's uniform, so they are usually made with quality leather and polished to a high sheen. Some are made in camouflage for military use. They are usually only made for full-size and mid-size handguns. Duty holsters come in different levels of retention, and feature any number of security features, depending on the level. Some features include screws, decoy straps, thumb-break snaps, and others.

Q: What about concealed-weapon holsters?

A: These holsters, designed for mid- to small-size handguns, are meant to be worn under clothing, so they are lightweight and unobtrusive by design. Most are worn on the belt, under a coat, or under pants in a leg holster or trouser pocket. Protecting the weapon from sweat is an important consideration, as is comfort, so the holsters are often broader to have more contact with the wearer's body, primarily to prevent skin abrasion.

Q: I only use my weapon for hunting. What are my options?

A: You have many options. Sporting holsters come with minimum access for fast-draw shooting, adjustable holsters are used in pinshooting, and high-protection holsters are used for hunting rifles. The holsters can be adapted for whatever type of game the wearer is shooting. Large hunting holsters, for instance, are often carried across the body and have spaces for scopes.