Best thumbbreak holster?

Meanie5470 · 10-25-2012, 16:24

Hey anyone here use thumb break holsters? I was considering the DeSantis mini slide for my G23. Normally I wouldnt consider a thumb break but Im going to FL next month and Im bringing my motorcycle with me. I feel like Id be constantly paranoid about losing my gun with an open top. Im a fat kid so an IWB would def be too uncomfortable with a gun that big. What do you guys ride with? I have a Harley Fat Bob and a GSXR 1000 but the Harley is the one im bringing with me. Plan on riding in jeans and a t-shirt. Im not THAT worried about flashing while im riding, more about comfort and retention, but it def needs to be concealed once Im off the bike.

jlavallee · 10-25-2012, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meanie5470

Hey anyone here use thumb break holsters? I was considering the DeSantis mini slide for my G23. Normally I wouldnt consider a thumb break but Im going to FL next month and Im bringing my motorcycle with me. I feel like Id be constantly paranoid about losing my gun with an open top. Im a fat kid so an IWB would def be too uncomfortable with a gun that big. What do you guys ride with? I have a Harley Fat Bob and a GSXR 1000 but the Harley is the one im bringing with me. Plan on riding in jeans and a t-shirt. Im not THAT worried about flashing while im riding, more about comfort and retention, but it def needs to be concealed once Im off the bike.

I generally ride with a Mitch Rosen shoulder rig. Occasionally on the ankle but that vibrates a lot and is not comfortable. I personally don't care for IWB or OWB on a bike since that is not going to be a good spot in a fall and you will hit your hip for sure. (look at any set of leathers and they're all padded there)

Riding in jeans and a T-shirt is never a good idea. Get a mesh jacket and save yourself some extra pain and it'll also allow you to stay cool and keep the rig covered.

dosei · 10-25-2012, 17:44

Ride behind anyone wearing just an untucked shirt...NOTHING on their waist is concealed AT ALL. As the air moves around your body, your back quickly becomes a "low pressure zone"...and shirts get pulled away from the body revealing EVERYTHING.

Meanie5470 · 10-25-2012, 18:46

yea on the gsxr the shirt immediately blows up. On my HD though it stays down pretty well. The way my seat is shaped I lean on the back of my shirt. With a long shirt on I really dont think itll be a problem. And yea I have riding jackets and such but bottom line is if its warm enough I just wont wear one. Dumb as it sounds its just how it is lol. Especially on the cruiser. Anybody have experience with DeSantis? Are they good quality? Ive got a Galco concealable belt holster for my Sig that I used to carry and I love it. Only thing similar to the DeSantis that I found from Galco with a thumb break is the Cop Slide. It doesnt seem like it sucks in as close to the body as the DeSantis though. Seems more duty oriented then CCW oriented. I considered just getting an ankle rig for my LCP but m just not a fan of ankle holsters in general unless its a backup.

jlavallee · 10-25-2012, 19:35

A good mesh jacket is no hotter than just wearing a T shirt but I'm getting the impression that this is more about style than anything. I have a DeSantis OWB holster for my P99 but without thumb break, in it, the gun is not going anywhere and is a quality holster.

There again, riding with a gun on your hip is asking for a serious injury in a crash but just like riding without a jacket, if it is all about looking "cool" over anything else, I doubt you are concerned.

Meanie5470 · 10-25-2012, 20:09

Ill look plenty cool whether im wearing a jacket or not lol. I promise you thats the least of my concern. I could see the gun hurting me if I slammed down directly on it but anything else wouldnt it protect the spot its covering? Especially with a leather holster?

isp2605 · 10-25-2012, 20:15

Rodek Holsters.
http://www.rodekleather.com/site-map/belts
Ed has been making holsters since at least the early 1980s that I've known him. He's made a truck load of them for our Troops and Agents and he's made quite a few for people on this forum. Ed is a perfectionist. If it's not right then it won't leave his shop.
Delivery time is about 1 week. You'll wait longer on the mail to deliver it than you'll wait for Ed to ship it.
The one pictured below he made for me in 1998-99. This is his mahogany basketweave. I wore it everyday in plain clothes and still wear it now that I'm retired. It's gotten a lot of use and it's still like the day I got it. Ed uses very heavy leather that maintains its shape and appearance.
Cost is about $33. Doesn't matter if you want it plain, basketweave, border print, lettering, or color. Price is the same. You're not going to find a better made holster for anywhere near that price.

Meanie5470 · 10-25-2012, 20:40

I kinda like how the others are molded to the specific gun but for 33 bucks i might give Rodek a shot. Def looks like good quality from what i can see on his website.

Patchman · 10-25-2012, 20:52

A kydex holster (real kydex, not the cheaper plastic holsters) offer just-as-good-if-not-better retention.

There's also the option of a laynard.

isp2605 · 10-25-2012, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meanie5470

I kinda like how the others are molded to the specific gun but for 33 bucks i might give Rodek a shot. Def looks like good quality from what i can see on his website.

He's made several hundred holsters, most likely more. A lot of our people use Ed's holster. It's not a boned type holster but it retains the firearm very well. Quite a few of our guys got matching holster, belt, handcuf case, and star holder which looks great in basketweave mahogany.
I was just by Ed's house today. He's making a pancake for somebody on this forum for a S&W 457 and also a S&W .460. He's also made a bunch of holsters for people on this forum for AMT .45 and 4" S&W 63. If a person has an idea for a different design Ed is not opposed to discussing it. He does custom work.
You won't be disappointed in Ed's quality of work. Here's one he made for my S&W 63. It's had harder use than for my Glock. I carry my 63 exposed to the elements when hunting so it gets all kinds of weather and drug thru all kinds of brush, etc. Still like the day he made it.

collim1 · 10-25-2012, 23:17

I like Don Hume holsters personally. They are a great bang for the buck. I have a H721 thumbsnap for each handgun I own.

They are good old fashion belt holster. The thumbsnap stays buttoned and it has just enough cant help it conceal.

dosei · 10-26-2012, 06:27

I've used a Bianchi Model 5 Black Widow in the past and was pleased with how well it kept the gun snug & tight against my body. It also has a thumb-break design that is more "minimalistic" and thus less prone to printing. Mine was for a Stainless Ruger GP100 with a 4" barrel, and it performed very well. My only complaint is that the belt slots are 1.75" and I wear 1.5" belts, and holsters really do work best when the belt slots are properly sized to the belt.

http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/...p?TxtModelID=5

The Retired Sarge · 10-26-2012, 07:58

Take a serious look at the High Noon Holsters "Sky High". Best of breed in a thumb break. Bill

Meanie5470 · 10-26-2012, 09:37

Yea I have a 1.5" Galco belt so Id have the same problem with the Bianchi. I like how the Sky High is molded all the way up the thumb break. Have you ever tried a "horsehide" holster? Ive never even heard of that until now when I saw it on High Noon's website.

The Retired Sarge · 10-26-2012, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meanie5470

Yea I have a 1.5" Galco belt so Id have the same problem with the Bianchi. I like how the Sky High is molded all the way up the thumb break. Have you ever tried a "horsehide" holster? Ive never even heard of that until now when I saw it on High Noon's website.

Horse Vs. Cow. I have used both for many years. Horse hide is very dense, thin, and very resistant to abrasion and moisture. Gentle on the pistol finish and wears like iron. Down sides of horse is it is very hard to work with and form. Also it is extremely stiff. If you want that "broken in feeling" or close forming to your body, horse is not for you. I have dealt with High Noon for many years and they do a superb job on every thing. Having carried for 36 years I have settled on cow for OWB but definitely horse for IWB. In belts I go horse no doubt. All my pistols ride in High Noon Holsters. Bill

SCmasterblaster · 10-26-2012, 10:29

http://www.bianchi-intl.com/

they have been making great holsters for decades.

dosei · 10-26-2012, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meanie5470

Yea I have a 1.5" Galco belt so Id have the same problem with the Bianchi.

You'll also have the same problem with DeSantis, Galco, High Noon, etc. They are all made with 1.75" belt slots. High Noon tries to say that even though the slots are 1.75", the holster works best on a 1.5" belt...if that is the case it is only because the slots are way too snug on a 1.75" belt.

SCmasterblaster · 10-26-2012, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by dosei

I've used a Bianchi Model 5 Black Widow in the past and was pleased with how well it kept the gun snug & tight against my body. It also has a thumb-break design that is more "minimalistic" and thus less prone to printing. Mine was for a Stainless Ruger GP100 with a 4" barrel, and it performed very well. My only complaint is that the belt slots are 1.75" and I wear 1.5" belts, and holsters really do work best when the belt slots are properly sized to the belt.

http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/...p?TxtModelID=5

I have been carrying my G17 in a Bianchi 4/4L for a good long time.

Remington 870 · 10-26-2012, 11:54

OP. the blackhawk serpa, my favorite in leather is the don hume model 721. or another blackhawk holster the " leather cutaway" , I carried my 23 in one of those for years. good luck hope this helps

dosei · 10-26-2012, 12:07

The Blackhawk Serpa is, hands down, one of the LEAST concealable holsters that is still marketed as a "Concealed Carry" holster.

Comfortable? Yes
Concealable? Only under bulky winter coats

And yes, I own one. I do know first hand what I'm talking about. A good "pancake" style leather OWB is MUCH easier to conceal.

SCmasterblaster · 10-26-2012, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by dosei

The Blackhawk Serpa is, hands down, one of the LEAST concealable holsters that is still marketed as a "Concealed Carry" holster.

Comfortable? Yes
Concealable? Only under bulky winter coats

And yes, I own one. I do know first hand what I'm talking about. A good "pancake" style leather OWB is MUCH easier to conceal.

I'll have to remember this in the upcoming heavy coat months here in VT.

Meanie5470 · 10-26-2012, 12:34

I was actually looking at the Blackhawk slide holster. It looks like it seats the gun a little lower then the others which I think will be more comfortable. It doesnt come in black tho unless I get the detachable one wtf is up with that? lol. And yea back when I bought my belt I probably should have done a little more homework lol.

Meanie5470 · 10-26-2012, 21:51

Anyone ever use Aker holsters? They have a few that Im considering. Thanks for all the input so far BTW. As always GT is a wealth of info and makes every decision difficult as hell lol.

High Noon · 10-28-2012, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by dosei

You'll also have the same problem with DeSantis, Galco, High Noon, etc. They are all made with 1.75" belt slots. High Noon tries to say that even though the slots are 1.75", the holster works best on a 1.5" belt...if that is the case it is only because the slots are way too snug on a 1.75" belt.

Appreciate you mentioning us in your post. Let me clarify what the intention of the wider slots do for everyone, it's on our site over here http://www.highnoonholsters.com/_Que...estions.html#9

If we were going to make a holster for a 1.75" belt, the slots would be 2" so you can slide the belt on with no friction from the top or bottom of the belt.

Our market is concealed carry and most people use a 1.5" belt. Making the slots 1.75" was not an afterthought, it was part of the design intention of the holster.

Hope that helps clear things up.
Alex

SCmasterblaster · 10-28-2012, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by High Noon

Appreciate you mentioning us in your post. Let me clarify what the intention of the wider slots do for everyone, it's on our site over here http://www.highnoonholsters.com/_Que...estions.html#9

If we were going to make a holster for a 1.75" belt, the slots would be 2" so you can slide the belt on with no friction from the top or bottom of the belt.

Our market is concealed carry and most people use a 1.5" belt. Making the slots 1.75" was not an afterthought, it was part of the design intention of the holster.

Hope that helps clear things up.
Alex

Thank you for the good explanation.