How much does a holster matter?

[NC Buckeye]

It has been a while since I posted anything like this and for somewhat good reason...  5 weeks ago I broke my elbow.

The last time I got to the range the purpose of the trip was to see if it hurt or not and while the pain wasn't too bad (2 weeks post break), my reloads were horrible and it limited the work I could do.  I should have used it as an opportunity to practice 1 handed shooting and reloads, but I wasn't really feeling it so I just shot what I could. 

As luck would have it I had 2 holsters with me and my AA kit so I decided to do a mini test to share.  My last one was testing if a 2nd gun was truly faster than a reload and I found it wasn't.  This trip I decided to quantify the difference in 2 different holsters (Comp-tac M-TAC IWB and Comp-tac OWB) then for grins I added Open carrying with the OWB.  On this day with my G19 and a loose cotton shirt the results of 10 draws were as follows...

MTAC with a baggy tee-shirt - 1.92, 2.01, 1.92, 2.00, 1.97, 1.84, 1.91, 1.80, 1.84, 1.82...  1.9 Average
OWB with a baggy tee-shirt - 1.86, 1.76, 1.83, 1.72, 1.77, 1.71, 1.94, 1.78, 1.71...   1.75 Average
OWB Open carry - 1.47, 1.54, 1.49, 1.51, 1.52, 1.47, 1.66, 1.59, 1.55...   1.53 Average

During the BUG test OWB open carry with the same gun was an 1.5 Average and with an unzipped coat it was an 1.67 Average.

It may not be a surprise that it takes longer if your pistol is more covered, but I thought the data was interesting.  I used to shoot summer IDPA matches with my MTAC and a polo due to the heat.  During a 6 stage match that would cost me 1.4 seconds.

As a bonus, I remembered John's challenge of shooting the same gun in different caliber to see how much it matters.  Since I had my Advantage Arms kit with me and both have the same sights I did a test between .22LR and 9mm. The difference was .242 vs .296 in favor of the .22LR.  On the video I couldn't tell a difference other than sound.  No, this isn't .45 vs 9mm but at this stage in my shooting life I doubt it would matter much more.

[NC Buckeye]

Oh, I also found my Advantage Arms slide sticks in the Comp-tac OWB holster and make a draw nearly impossible.  Test your gear!

[Bob Mayne]

Interesting. Good job getting out there after recovering from your elbow injury.  Your times aren't much different from each other.  I think a holster matters for concealment purposes and I use to think it mattered for speed, but your test show's it doesn't make as much of a difference as I thought it would.  Good analysis and I respect the fact that you got out there and tested it. 

[mistertaco]

To me, the difference is not negligible. 1.9 - 1.53 = 0.37 sec is an avg split time I'd say.

That's one more shot you could put out in the same amount of time.

Lee

[Devereaux]

OR, if the other guy has his gun drawn and shooting at you, one more round you might have to soak up before you got yours in on him.

[Fragman]

I really think a holster more than just matters, its fundemental. If it's a bad holster and therefore discourages one from carrying, then it essentially has completely made the gun useless while it sits in the safe. Let's face it, thats a hell of a lot longer than 1.5 seconds to present the weapon and fire!

We've all had holsters that have not been ideal, and I for one have, before I had the 'right' holster, elected not to carry as I could not avoid printing with what I was wearing at the time.

Now, by not carrying, we are not only doing ourself a disservice by eliminating a menas of defending ourself, but we are also doing a disservice to our mission to protect and maintain our 2A rights. Wearing a firearm should be no more unusual than carrying a leatherman.

So, if a holster stops you from carrying, even once, then it really, really matters.

[Bob Mayne]

I thought I would resurrect an old thread, since this is a holster discussion.  Since getting 2 of Concealment Solutions'  (www.concealmentsolutions.com) holsters, I'm wearing nothing else.  Now, in the interest of full disclosure, Jason sent these to me at no charge.  However, I've now used them for almost a couple months, every day.  Either the Sidewinder CE for my Kahr PM9 or the Black Mambe CE for my G19.  I do not say this because I got them free, but because I like them...a lot.  I've received other products for free and sent them back to their source, because they just didn't work for me.  I think a holster matters a lot!

[NC Buckeye]

Bob, is this a comfort only comment for carry? Or have you tested it in some other way?


NC Buckeye

[Bob Mayne]

I have not put a timer to it, like you did, but I've done a lot of dry fire practice (draw and shoot) with both of my CS holsters.  I've found them to be just as fast as the Comp Tac M Tac.  I like the construction of the CS holsters better, especially the metal clips.  Since they are just as comfortable and just as fast, the better contruction wins out.  Now, since I didn't put a timer to it, I was judging the speed purely by feel.

[mistertaco]

I have not put a timer to it, like you did, but I've done a lot of dry fire practice (draw and shoot) with both of my CS holsters.  I've found them to be just as fast as the Comp Tac M Tac.  I like the construction of the CS holsters better, especially the metal clips.  Since they are just as comfortable and just as fast, the better contruction wins out.  Now, since I didn't put a timer to it, I was judging the speed purely by feel.

Reminds me of a Todd Green post about feelings vs timer.
http://pistol-training.com/archives/5108

Get out the timer!

[Bob Mayne]

Wow, good article!  Thanks for the referral.  During my little podcasting break for the next week and a half or so, I'm going to get a timer.