Question to LEOs about Holsters

Doug.38PR · June 1, 2005, 11:16 PM

Why did Police change from the old holsters that would hang from the belt down the leg to holsters level with the belt? It makes it a lot harder to clear the holster with the belt level holsters.

CajunBass · June 2, 2005, 12:45 AM

I'm not a LEO, but I would imagine it has a lot to do with riding in patrol cars.

boston strangler · June 2, 2005, 12:56 AM

That is part of it. A low ride holster will just pummel your kidney. Some idiot at Ford made it even worse when they redesigned the way the seatbelt is positioned in relation to the seat, that gets in the way of some mid-ride styles.

The other reason is that low ride designs just aren't available like they used to be. We can't buy a holster that isn't made.

STEVE M · June 2, 2005, 04:31 AM

It is also much easier to hold onto when someone is trying to grab it out of

the holster. I think it would be more comfortable since it's not flopping

around (don't know for sure, never worn a lower holster.). I think the others

nailed the main reason, riding in cars.

FrankDrebin · June 2, 2005, 04:33 AM

There's no more height requirement to get on most police departments, and they needed a universal holster that wouldn't drag on the ground and wear out.

Capt. Charlie · June 2, 2005, 11:57 AM

Riding in cars and weapon retention design. But I agree that they're a pain in the #@%*. I'm long and lanky and feel like I'm reaching into my armpit to get that weapon out

They're especially a pain in the Winter, when if you want to get to your weapon, you either have to wear a short Tuffy jacket and freeze to death, or wear a coat with a zippered weapon slot and freeze to death, or leave the jacket open and still freeze to death.

MrBill · June 6, 2005, 05:21 PM

Don't know the true reason why. All the agencies i've worked for used the belt level holsters. Never had a problem with them. Even my SA shooting rig "john wayne" style stays pretty much level with my waist. I've only seen them used by mexican police dept.'s. I think it's probably just another public image thing..staying away from the "gunfighter" image. don't know.

June 1, 2005, 11:16 PM	#1
Doug.38PR Junior member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Posts: 3,298	Question to LEOs about Holsters Why did Police change from the old holsters that would hang from the belt down the leg to holsters level with the belt? It makes it a lot harder to clear the holster with the belt level holsters.

June 2, 2005, 12:45 AM	#2
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	Holsters I'm not a LEO, but I would imagine it has a lot to do with riding in patrol cars. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

June 2, 2005, 04:31 AM	#4
STEVE M Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 1999 Location: TN. USA Posts: 607	It is also much easier to hold onto when someone is trying to grab it out of the holster. I think it would be more comfortable since it's not flopping around (don't know for sure, never worn a lower holster.). I think the others nailed the main reason, riding in cars. __________________ MOLON LABE! I've joined the 300.

June 2, 2005, 11:57 AM	#6
Capt. Charlie Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 24, 2005 Location: Steubenville, OH Posts: 4,446	Riding in cars and weapon retention design. But I agree that they're a pain in the #@%. I'm long and lanky and feel like I'm reaching into my armpit to get that weapon out They're especially a pain in the Winter, when if you want to get to your weapon, you either have to wear a short Tuffy jacket and freeze to death, or wear a coat with a zippered weapon slot and freeze to death, or leave the jacket open and still freeze to death. __________________ TFL Members are ambassadors to the world for firearm owners. What kind of ambassador does your* post make *you?* I train in earnest, to do the things that I pray in earnest, I'll never have to do. --Capt. Charlie

June 2, 2005, 12:56 AM	#3
boston strangler Member Join Date: December 28, 2004 Posts: 35	That is part of it. A low ride holster will just pummel your kidney. Some idiot at Ford made it even worse when they redesigned the way the seatbelt is positioned in relation to the seat, that gets in the way of some mid-ride styles. The other reason is that low ride designs just aren't available like they used to be. We can't buy a holster that isn't made.

June 2, 2005, 04:33 AM	#5
FrankDrebin Junior member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Posts: 1,101	There's no more height requirement to get on most police departments, and they needed a universal holster that wouldn't drag on the ground and wear out.

June 6, 2005, 05:21 PM	#7
MrBill Junior member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Posts: 91	Don't know the true reason why. All the agencies i've worked for used the belt level holsters. Never had a problem with them. Even my SA shooting rig "john wayne" style stays pretty much level with my waist. I've only seen them used by mexican police dept.'s. I think it's probably just another public image thing..staying away from the "gunfighter" image. don't know.