10 Deep-Cover Holster Designs for 24/7 Concealed Carry Protection
A.E. Nelson Shoulder Holster The upside down shoulder holster was designed in the 1930s by John Berns of Berns-Martin and built for Colt Detective Specials and 2-inch S&W J-Frame revolvers. In the 1950s, it was copied by A. E. Nelson and sold as the Handi-Holster. Both used a clamshell (split-front) pouch held together by a spring steel clip that went over the cylinder. The holster pouch enclosed entirely around the revolver with the exception of the hammer and grip frame, making it extremely secure. Both the Berns-Martin and A.E. Nelson Triple Draw were so named because they could be worn either as a shoulder holster or, with the harness detached, as a belt rig. Berns-Martin is gone, but A.E. Nelson still makes the original design for Colts and 2-inch J-Frame S&Ws. (nelsonleather.com; 503-394-3412)
Bianchi X15 The break-front design and use of spring steel for retention led to a number of derivatives, including one of the greatest holsters of the 20th century, the Bianchi X15, still sold today by the Bianchi brand of The Safariland Group. Originally developed for the Model 1911, the X15 shifted the weight distribution of the gun by 40 percent. Instead of a narrow 1-inch strap supporting the entire weight of the gun, a 3-inch shoulder strap was used to support the holster and gun, thereby dispersing the weight over a greater area and making it more comfortable to carry. The X15 used a leather-covered spring steel, split-front framework so a gun could be drawn quickly. It was followed by the X-2000 for semi-autos and X-2100 for revolvers. The X15 series remains one of the most successful holster designs in history. (bianchi-intl.com; 800-347-1200)
Galco Miami ClassicShoulder holsters can be configured in any number of ways, and among the most popular styles is the horizontal pouch developed in 1970 by Galco (then called the Famous Jackass Leather Co.). Today the holster style is called the Miami Classic. With a slight downward cant, this holster places the gun grips forward and directly into the hand when drawing. A thumb-break safety is used for handgun retention, and with the gun tucked up higher under the arm, a horizontal rig is easier to conceal. Another variation is placing the pouch at about a 40-degree down angle, like the famous DeSantis New York Undercover, which puts the grips at a very natural cant as the strong hand slides under the cover garment. Both original designs are trendsetters from the 1970s that have never gone out of style. (galcogunleather.com; 800-874-2526)
Galco Miami ClassicShoulder holsters can be configured in any number of ways, and among the most popular styles is the horizontal pouch developed in 1970 by Galco (then called the Famous Jackass Leather Co.). Today the holster style is called the Miami Classic. With a slight downward cant, this holster places the gun grips forward and directly into the hand when drawing. A thumb-break safety is used for handgun retention, and with the gun tucked up higher under the arm, a horizontal rig is easier to conceal. Another variation is placing the pouch at about a 40-degree down angle, like the famous DeSantis New York Undercover, which puts the grips at a very natural cant as the strong hand slides under the cover garment. Both original designs are trendsetters from the 1970s that have never gone out of style. (galcogunleather.com; 800-874-2526)
Galco Combat Master Another carry method that has held up over time and evolved into a variety of designs is the pancake belt holster. This design is basically two separate pieces of leather sewn together to form the pouch, with the surrounding leather (skirt) having slots to allow wear with a regular trouser belt. The options here are endless, but one of the all-time leaders in this class of holster is the Galco Combat Master. Featuring the traditional open-top design for a quick draw, Combat Master holsters are contour-molded for specific gun profiles to provide more secure retention. A butt-forward cant allows effective concealment of even a large defensive handgun, and since the Combat Master has an open muzzle, it is not barrel-length specific. This design is also an excellent choice for revolvers, as wheelguns tend to ride a little higher in the Combat Master. (galcogunleather.com; 800-874-2526)
Galco Combat Master Another carry method that has held up over time and evolved into a variety of designs is the pancake belt holster. This design is basically two separate pieces of leather sewn together to form the pouch, with the surrounding leather (skirt) having slots to allow wear with a regular trouser belt. The options here are endless, but one of the all-time leaders in this class of holster is the Galco Combat Master. Featuring the traditional open-top design for a quick draw, Combat Master holsters are contour-molded for specific gun profiles to provide more secure retention. A butt-forward cant allows effective concealment of even a large defensive handgun, and since the Combat Master has an open muzzle, it is not barrel-length specific. This design is also an excellent choice for revolvers, as wheelguns tend to ride a little higher in the Combat Master. (galcogunleather.com; 800-874-2526)
Mitch Rosen Clipper Louis Hoffman invented the first steel-clip belt holster in 1874. Steel clips have now been used to mount holsters on belts for 140 years and are a staple of models like the new Mitch Rosen IWB Express line sold for Kahr semi-autos like the PM9. It is the gunmaker’s recommended IWB rig. These are handsome-looking holsters with double stitching, thick, gusseted pouches, heavy-duty spring steel belt clips and finished in a distinctive Cuban Brown color. The Mitch Rosen Clipper (CLP) is a solid holster that keeps the Kahr firmly in place and mostly out of sight until needed. The outside is cut down to allow easy purchase of the grips, while the inside has a high-rise back panel that provides a buffer between the gun and body. The high-rise back panel also shields the gun from perspiration, making this an ideal holster to wear against skin with nothing more than an open shirt for cover. (mitchrosen.com; 603-647-2971)
CrossBreed MiniTuck Among the smartest moves in the evolution of belt clip mounting is using clips to secure the holster on the inside of the pants waist. The result is even better concealment of almost any size handgun with little compromise for comfort other than needing to step up at least one waist size to accommodate the width of the holster and gun—and some new narrow frame semi-autos even eliminate that need. One of the latest designs comes from CrossBreed Holsters. This version of the company’s MiniTuck is for the new Glock 42 in .380 ACP. As with all CrossBreed IWBs, the gun is securely retained in a triggerguard retention, hand-formed Kydex pouch riveted to a steerhide skirt that is fitted with two height-adjustable, steel belt clips. The naturally tanned soft leather will form to your body and make the holster rig comfortable to wear. It is 21st-century thinking based on a proven 19th-century idea. (crossbreedholsters.com; 888-732-5011)
DeSantis Nemesis With so many people wearing jeans today, squeezing a subcompact semi-auto or revolver into a front or back pocket has become surprisingly manageable since many of the latest .380 and 9mm handguns have very narrow widths. Still, a proper holster is well advised. DeSantis is among the leaders in designing and producing pocket holsters that can make a Ruger LCP, or a similarly sized .380, virtually vanish into a pocket, even a tight one. Pocket carry is also one of the easiest means of packing heat, and innovative synthetic pocket rigs like the DeSantis Nemesis are built to disguise the shape of the pistol as much as possible, so print-through is less likely. The pocket holster is one of those timeless designs that really work for just about anyone.(desantisholster.com; 631-841-6300)
Safariland ALS Paddle Holster The SafariLaminate thermal-molding process has revolutionized holster making for more than 30 years. Molded to the exact shape of the gun, the wraparound design makes it incredibly strong, allows for excellent gun retention and adaptation to multiple levels of holster security. A prime example is the Safariland Auto Locking System (ALS) Paddle Holster. The ALS holsters are available for a wide variety of handguns and offer an internal thumb-release mechanism that prevents the gun from being drawn until the release is properly deactivated. Being of SafariLaminate construction, with a suede leather lining to protect the gun’s finish, Safariland’s ALS rigs are rugged and weatherproof, and interchangeable mounting panels can be used to switch from a traditional belt holster to a paddle rig.(safariland.com; 800-347-1200)
Uncle Mike’s Ankle Holster Putting your best foot forward brings us to another long-established means of concealed carry: the ankle holster. While less practical for ease of access (unless you are kneeling or sitting), the ankle holster is generally very unobtrusive. Having evolved over the course of the 20th century, the ankle rig is as sophisticated today as any other modern holster design. A good example is Uncle Mike’s simply named Ankle Holster. Made of soft, breathable Kodra nylon, the Ankle Holster attaches snugly and securely to the leg via two adjustable hook-and-loop straps linked by a third. A nylon web retention strap with a reinforced thumb break keeps your gun securely holstered yet easily accessible. The Uncle Mike’s Ankle Holster is available in a range of sizes to accommodate small- and medium-framed semi-autos and revolvers, and compact large-frame semi-autos. (unclemikes.com; 800-423-3537)
Sneaky Pete Unconventional is the only way to describe another groundbreaking evolution in holster design: overt carry. Enter the Sneaky Pete. It’s a well-branded rig that looks like a carry case for a smartphone or any other small electronic device, but the inside is built to secure a handgun. Sizes vary according to the weapon choice, and the model shown is made for the new Glock 42 .380. Two spring steel belt clips secure the Sneaky Pete and the magnetic closure cover is easy to lift open when retrieving the firearm. It is 21st-century chic for concealed carry.(sneakypete.com)
Concealed carry is now permitted in all 50 states. It’s quite an accomplishment considering the times we live in and the polarized political climate in Washington. But these are actually the best of times if you look back at the history of “legal” concealed carry. And you can look back as far as the 1870s, when town marshals and sheriffs outlawed concealed carry within city limits, and many frontier city marshals, sheriffs and police chiefs flatly outlawed the carrying of any firearm. Today, carry permits still fall under the jurisdiction and discretion of local police chiefs and county sheriffs. Upon receiving a CCW permit, one must decide on the best means of discretely adding a sidearm to one’s wardrobe, an issue over which shooters have been arguing for over 150 years! Here are 10 of the most famous solutions ever devised.
