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If you are carrying a pistol for defensive purposes, on- or off-body, that pistol generally needs to be in a holster, especially when it is loaded. If not a holster in the traditional sense, then at least something that protects the trigger and prevents the firearm from easily falling out from or off your person. Or, you know? A holster, as holsters enhance the safety of pistol carry.

And of course, there are some exceptions. For example, if you are taking a pistol from your house to a gun range to shoot, then carrying it in its original case or in a pistol bag or some other aftermarket case is fine. Ideally, your pistol remains unloaded while in that case; but carrying it to the range in something other than a holster remains perfectly acceptable. Other exceptions will be discussed shortly. However, generally speaking, defensive pistols need to be in a holster (or something similar) when carried, even when off-body, because they enhance pistol carry and handling safety.

Why a Holster

The short answer? Safety. Of course, safety needs to be a priority anytime we are handling a firearm; and holsters play a vital role in enhancing safety when handling and carrying pistols. In fact, a holster serves two primary purposes when it comes to your safety and those around you. And I will also make an argument for a third and maybe even a fourth.

Protecting the Trigger

First and foremost, a holster covers the trigger and prevents wandering fingers and other things, like items inside of a purse, things in a glove compartment, keys in your pocket, etc. from coming in contact with the trigger. The focus isn’t just covering the trigger but protecting it from being unintentionally pulled, whether by an object or even by you.

Retention

Secondly, a holster helps maintain pistol retention. Holster retention refers to its ability, typically through tension, to hold a pistol securely in place, reducing the likelihood of it falling out.

Some holsters include straps that go behind the hammer, in addition to built-in retention features. Duty-rated holsters used by law enforcement involve multiple levels of retention based on the number of manual steps required to release and draw a pistol. While that topic is beyond this post, the key takeaway is that a holster adds a layer of control, improving the safety of carrying a pistol.

Muzzle Control

A holster can also help keep the muzzle pointed in a generally safer direction, potentially providing a better starting position. Specific holster types must be used to ensure the muzzle is oriented downward or mostly downward. Off-body carry methods, such as purses, should ideally provide a safer muzzle orientation while maintaining quick and easy access.

Honorable Mention – A Firearm’s Finish

A fourth reason to use a holster is general protection for the firearm’s finish. Keeping a pistol covered helps protect it from scratches and blemishes. However, frequent drawing from a holster during training or use will inevitably cause wear. Though not a primary safety concern, it is worth mentioning.

Types of Holsters

On-Body Carry Types

• IWB – Inside the waistband
• OWB – Outside the waistband
• AIWB – Appendix carry
• Ankle
• Belly band
• Pocket

Off-Body Carry

Off-body carry isn’t a holster type, but holsters should still be integrated into any off-body method. Examples include purses, backpacks, kidney pouches, and sling bags. Some purpose-built options incorporate holsters or built-in mechanisms for trigger protection and retention. However, many non-purpose-built bags lack secure firearm retention, making a separate holster necessary.

If a pistol is placed in a confined space, like a purse pocket, the trigger may technically be “covered,” but that does not provide the same protection as a holster. A safe muzzle orientation must also be maintained.

If an off-body carry method does not include a holster or built-in retention and trigger protection, a holster should be purchased for any pistol carried in that manner.

Holsters to Avoid

Shoulder Holsters

Shoulder holsters allow a pistol to be carried under the arm opposite the strong hand, facilitating a cross-draw. Some designs carry two pistols, one under each arm, secured by a strap across the back. These holsters typically position the muzzle either backward or downward.

Cross-Draw Holsters

Cross-draw holsters can be IWB or OWB holsters whereby the holster is carried on the opposite side of an individual’s strong hand and is usually mounted such that the muzzle is not facing entirely downwards but off to the side. It is angled like this to facilitate a cross-draw.

Why Avoid?

While both holster types cover the trigger and provide various means of retention, I do not care for shoulder holsters or cross-draw holsters. Why? Because these holsters do not afford the safest muzzle orientation, especially when it is time to draw. Only under ideal conditions, with no others behind or beside the individual carrying a pistol in this way, would you not have to worry so much about muzzle orientation while drawing a pistol. The rest of the time, you would need to be extra conscientious about flagging / covering someone, and if not, there is still a chance you could flag yourself in the process. Not good. Holsters are supposed to enhance pistol carry safety, not make it worse.

I realize training might help; but what is the likelihood of an individual who opted for either of these types of holsters to get training; and who would train near someone using either of those holster types? I would not. Plus, you likely would not even be able to go through training with those types of holsters due to them being a bit unsafe. But they sure can look cool on a movie character; can’t they? And I will confess that I had a shoulder holster once upon a time a very long time ago. Live and learn. Hopefully.

Quick Terminology Break

Flagging or Covering: When a person handling a firearm points said firearm at another person, animal, or object that they should not, whether intentionally or not. The context is usually when a handler of a firearm is simply not paying attention to what they are doing and not following a fundamental gun safety rule. Additionally, it does not matter if the firearm is loaded or not, as we should always be treating all firearms as if they are loaded at all times.

Some Ways Not to Carry or Transport a Pistol

For the very reasons we need to be carrying or keeping a pistol in a holster, i.e. trigger coverage, retention, and muzzle orientation, here are some ways we should not carry or transport a pistol, at least not without a holster (or another means of securing). And again, this is even for when it is believed the pistol in question is “unloaded.”

Loaded and Loose in Vehicles

What do I mean by “loose?” Not in a holster and not in your direct and immediate control.

• In Between a seat and the console.
• Under a seat.
• On the passenger seat or back seats.
• On the floor board.
• In the glove compartment.
• In the trunk.

The trigger could get snagged on any number of things during normal braking or acceleration. Combine that with a direction the muzzle might get pointed in. What about if you are in an accident? That firearm could also become a projectile on top of everything else. And if you are keeping loaded guns in your car, you definitely have some uncertain scenarios that you likely  cannot predict.

For example, if your pistol is in your glove compartment when you are in an accident, can you guarantee the trigger won’t get snagged on something or the hammer not get pulled by something and the muzzle be pointed in a safe direction? What is a safe direction in a glove compartment anyway? Where would a round go if the pistol did go off while it’s in there? Are you the only one in the vehicle?

If you are carrying a loaded pistol in your car, ideally that pistol should be on your person and in your full control at all times and … in a holster.

Loaded and Loose in a Bag

Whatever your off-body carry method of choice may be, you still need to have a pistol in a holster for the safety reasons we have already mentioned. If not, your off-body carry method needs to have a holster-like means of securing a pistol built in.

Plus, if your pistol has an external hammer, you may need to reevaluate your decision to carry off-body, unless you have the appropriate holster for it that is capable of securing the hammer. Either that or consider a different pistol for off-body such as semi-automatic with an ‘internal’ hammer, a striker-fired option, or a revolver with no external part of its hammer exposed.

Pocket Carry

Don’t carry a pistol in a pocket without a pocket holster, all for the same reasons to have a holster in the first place. In addition, pocket holders are specifically designed for pocket carry, to hold a pistol firmly in place and allow drawing of the pistol without the pocket holster pulling out along with the pistol.

A pistol just in a pocket may easily print or show through giving away its ‘concealment,’ which may not be convenient. A pocket holster will help prevent that pocket pistol from printing or at least, its form not being so obvious. There are no guarantees that you won’t find yourself in a situation where that pistol could easily slide out of your pocket either, which a pocket holster can help prevent.

Left in a Vehicle

Regardless of the placement, loaded or not, firearms should not be left unattended in a vehicle. Theft happens and guns are a target. In fact, gun theft from vehicles is just one way the bad guys get guns for their deeds. So take those guns with you and keep them in your direct control when you are not in your vehicle.

If you absolutely insist on keeping a firearm in your vehicle, at least lock it in a storage case, preferably cabled to something, make sure it is completely out of sight (like the trunk or covered up with something in the back of an SUV), and lock your doors. The bad guys generally do not like spending much time getting in and out, so slow them down and make it harder on them.

Side Bonus Tip: Remove all the gun-related decals on your vehicle letting all the bad guys know you may have a gun in there. No sense in advertising.

Exceptions to Carrying a Pistol in a Holster

Aside from the one we mentioned at the beginning of this post, there are not many; and even less when you are carrying a pistol for defensive purposes.

Kept in Small Safes and Lockboxes

When you are keeping your pistol in a small safe or lockbox, for quick access, you may elect not to keep that firearm in a holster while it is inside of that safe or lockbox even when it is loaded. You have it locked up, so others likely cannot get to it; and you are not carrying at that time. That’s OK because while you need to keep it locked up more often than not, you do not want to slow down your ability to effectively access that pistol should you need it. Of course, if you take it out to carry, it needs to go into a holster whether at home or in a vehicle.

Stored in Large Gun Safes

If you keep all your pistols in your main gun safe(s) unloaded, then you probably do not need to keep them in a holster when they are in the safe. However, if you keep them loaded and you do not have alternative means like the pistol sleeves on the inside of the door, for example, then you should store them in a holster. Again, we are assuming you will be pulling them out and putting them back in again, so you want those triggers covered.

Bonus Safety Tip: If you have kept a loaded firearm in your safe for an extended period of time or just cannot remember whether it is loaded or not, simply clear and check it following all the fundamental gun safety rules while doing so. Never pull the trigger to test whether a firearm is loaded or not. You would be amazed how many people do.

What Holster to Get?

There are lots of quality holsters on the market today; and there are some not so great ones too, like everything else. The key is to find the ones that are made from quality materials and ideally, are made to fit your make and model firearm so as to ensure the proper retention. Then after the basics comes personal preferences, i.e., look and feel, combat cut-outs in leather or not, sweat guards and preferred height thereof, choice of cow or horse hide, Kydex, or a hybrid, and so on. Then choosing the type of carry you are wanting to do based on the one you have the most experience with or the one you want to give a try, such as OWB, IWB, AIWB, ankle, belly band, or a pocket, with some being better suited for smaller pistols, like ankle or pocket.

If you are trying a holster for the first time, find some training that can help you get used to the notion of drawing and doing so effectively. In the meantime, at least you will be carrying more safety and wisely with a holster.

If you are considering putting a pistol into your vehicle’s glove compartment or even a purse, as examples, then a lot of popular holsters could work. The key is to ensure there is enough room in your glove compartment or purse to fit your firearm with it in the holster you get for it. The easiest thing would be to try and use the holster you may use for on-body carry (assuming it is for the same pistol); or you can buy one specifically for that glove compartment or purse. Hopefully, you are picking up what I’m putting down.

Conclusion

I bet a lot of us know one or more people that still do not handle their firearms safely or they think they do when they do not. There is no reason to be one of those people too. You can easily be safer for yourself and those around you when you carry your pistol of choice just by using a quality holster for it. 

We are ultimately responsible for the safe keeping and handling of any and all firearms in our possession. Holsters just enhance how we can safely carry our pistols.

No matter your firearm carry or transport choices, always follow the fundamental gun safety rules anytime you are handling a firearm, even when you ‘know’ it’s loaded or ‘unloaded.’ And keep those firearms locked up when they are not in your direct control or you are not around to oversee them.

Happy holstering…

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