[hogship]

The retention holsters are the most popular these days.....by a far margin, I think.

Are they really easier on the draw than a thumb break?
On the surface, you'd think so, but in practice the difference is nil.

A thumb break doesn't have to pass the shake test, and because of that, it can have a loose fit......making it easier to slide out of the holster. This can be an advantage under some circumstances.

Are retention holsters secure if you get knocked down, fall down.....or other extreme circumstances?

Re-holstering is a bit more tricky with a thumb break.....and, that's a big part of why a retention holster is the more popular, me thinks.

Now.....I wouldn't be trying to say one is better than the other, but I would be saying a thumb break isn't as awful as some might be thinking......

I use both, by the way......

your thoughts...........

 

[Green Dragoon]

For me, it really isn't a vanilla vs. chocolate thing, it is simply what I'm used to. I carry and compete (casually) with retention holsters.

I've been using them since the 80's. I still have my original Bianchi "Askins Avenger" for a 1911. It came with a removable thumb strap which I lost long, long ago.

YMMV

Edit: When I drove an armored car in the 80's, I did indeed have a thumb break....as mandated by our company.

 

[rudeguy]

For me, its retention by far. I buy quality holsters to avoid problems and I've never had a problem.

 

[BamaBud]

I only use thumb break holsters owb.

No problems for my 45+ years of concealed carry.

 

[Bruce M]

Usually for me it is a thumb break.

 

[Walter Bishop]

When you say "retention holster" are you referring to something like the Safariland ALS or just an open top holster with friction holding the gun in?

 

[Jim]

There are lots of different retention holsters, some are much more secure than others and some are much quicker than others, and it's not always an either-or situation.

A thumb break loses much of its security advantage if your opponent can see (or feel) it, because they all work about the same; retention holsters vary considerably. A thumb break can also get into the trigger guard of a gun that doesn't have a thumb safety, and fire the gun as you push it down into the holster.

In my old days in uniform, I carried my 1911 or BHP in a thumb break, the thumb safety is an additional help. When I switched to a Glock, I went to a real security holster and practiced enough to get good with it.

Now retired, carrying concealed, and not wrestling with creeps very much; I use an open top holster with a firm (adjustable) friction fit.

 

[hogship]

When you say "retention holster" are you referring to something like the Safariland ALS or just an open top holster with friction holding the gun in?

The latter.....

 

[Terlingueno]

The retention holsters are the most popular these days.....by a far margin, I think.

The latter.....

The "latter" is not a retention holster,

 

[hogship]

The "latter" is not a retention holster,

OK, my bad......when I say "retention holster", my meaning was any open top holster that relies on a form fit, or friction fit to retain the firearm.........

 

[rudeguy]

The "latter" is not a retention holster,

Yea...I was confused but I got what he meant.

 

[Bruce M]

I wonder when clamshell holsters will make a come back.

 

[Gun Shark]

I use an open top friction holster for concealed carry. And a Safariland ALS for hunting in the woods. Having used a thumb break I find the ALS system way easier to use. At least for me.

 

[SCmasterblaster]

My G17 rides in an old open top Bianchi 4/4L.