Let's Talk About Paddle Holsters

[Blaster229]

Just did my LEOSA qual yesterday and saw a few holsters being worn improperly.
This kills me. The paddle part goes down INSIDE your PANTS for proper support. NOT under the belt.
Most spaces are 2 inches. Most regular belts are 1.5. that's too much play. 1, for the draw and 2 the damn thing can come right out from under the belt and you end up with a handful of holster. Also, the pants help to push the paddle against your body.
So anyway to shorten this up, keep it in your pants.
At best, paddle holsters are good for the range, not for carry. If it's not attached directly to a belt, you have zero retention.
A few pics for your viewing pleasure...

 

[Harrys]

There are always the 10 percenters.

 

[eruby]

Just did my LEOSA qual yesterday and saw a few holsters being worn improperly.
This kills me. The paddle part goes down INSIDE your PANTS for proper support. NOT under the belt.
Most spaces are 2 inches. Most regular belts are 1.5. that's too much play. 1, for the draw and 2 the damn thing can come right out from under the belt and you end up with a handful of holster. Also, the pants help to push the paddle against your body.
So anyway to shorten this up, keep it in your pants.
At best, paddle holsters are good for the range, not for carry. If it's not attached directly to a belt, you have zero retention.
A few pics for your viewing pleasure...

Chuck Cedar approves.

 

[Blaster229]

Chuck Cedar approves.

How?

 

[Squaregrouper]

I (properly) wear a Safariland ALS paddle holster and I love it. Nice and snug as well as easy to remove by spreading the belt clip/holster away from the paddle.

 

[Blaster229]

I (properly) wear a Safariland ALS paddle holster and I love it. Nice and snug as well as easy to remove by spreading the belt clip/holster away from the paddle.
View attachment 381914 View attachment 381914

I love how wide the paddle is. Just like the one Blackhawk! Has for the SERPA.

 

[Brychan]

Didn't there use to be leather paddle holsters, or am I remembering incorrectly?

 

[Mr. Anderson]

I also have the Safariland All holster with the concealment paddle instead of the big one.
I have no issues at all. It’s a solid rig. It ain’t moving. It’s all about quality.
I’ve seen several companies that have paddle holsters and they are designed wrong in that they want it to be outside the pants between the belt. Which makes no sense. Might as well just be and easy clip.

 

[Squaregrouper]

I also have the Safariland All holster with the concealment paddle instead of the big one.
I have no issues at all. It’s a solid rig. It ain’t moving. It’s all about quality.
I’ve seen several companies that have paddle holsters and they are designed wrong in that they want it to be outside the pants between the belt. Which makes no sense. Might as well just be and easy clip.

I found the concealment/smaller paddle isn't as rigid and the pistol grip "sags" away from the belt.

 

[eruby]

How?

Longfellow Deeds weeps

 

[jrumann59]

Just did my LEOSA qual yesterday and saw a few holsters being worn improperly.
This kills me. The paddle part goes down INSIDE your PANTS for proper support. NOT under the belt.
Most spaces are 2 inches. Most regular belts are 1.5. that's too much play. 1, for the draw and 2 the damn thing can come right out from under the belt and you end up with a handful of holster. Also, the pants help to push the paddle against your body.
So anyway to shorten this up, keep it in your pants.
At best, paddle holsters are good for the range, not for carry. If it's not attached directly to a belt, you have zero retention.
A few pics for your viewing pleasure...

In the pants is a hard and fast rule for all paddles? I have seen some paddles have "groove" on the paddle part that looks like its meant for the belt to catch there. Just asking for the info, I may go paddle in the winter when I tend to wear baggy sweatshirts.

 

[E.Shell]

In the pants is a hard and fast rule for all paddles? I have seen some paddles have "groove" on the paddle part that looks like its meant for the belt to catch there. Just asking for the info, I may go paddle in the winter when I tend to wear baggy sweatshirts.

Hooks under the belt by pushing the pants out.

 

[jrumann59]

Hooks under the belt by pushing the pants out.

 

[Kman]

Hmmmm. Ignorance or laziness?
It's not inconvenient to use it correctly.

 

[miles71]

More and more of my class time is spent teaching people how to dress/holster. Could be a 3 credit course.

TD

 

[Mr. Anderson]

I found the concealment/smaller paddle isn't as rigid and the pistol grip "sags" away from the belt.

Yea it’s not exactly tight against my side. But it’s secure. It’s not my summer holster. It’s my winter holster. Not worried about concealment. The only reason I didn’t get the regular paddle was because I’m built like a 2x4 and thought it wouldn’t form to my body. I also thought to myself. What if I take a heat gun to it and make it form to my body.

 

[Crazytrain]

More and more of my class time is spent teaching people how to dress/holster. Could be a 3 credit course.

TD

Sounds like a good use of time, actually.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Didn't there use to be leather paddle holsters, or am I remembering incorrectly?

Yup

 

[Biggfoot44]

I found the concealment/smaller paddle isn't as rigid and the pistol grip "sags" away from the belt.

It's a design balancing act .

A lot has to do with how the center of balance of the holstered gun in relation to the line of the belt . Ie , if it's extra high riding , gravity acting on center of balance , will pull the upper part of the gun outwards .

Conversely , if it's lower riding , it will stay in place better , but the muzzle will be lower . and require a longer cover garments ( if concealed ) . A ride height about the same as the classic Tom Threepersons is close to a sweet spot for comfort and stability .

 

[Biggfoot44]

Sounds like a good use of time, actually.

If a perfect world , yes . In probability , in 5 minutes it would go down a rabbit hole of pro/ anti Appendix aka Femoral carry .