Since the advent of firearms, armies around the world have faced many new challenges. And we are talking here not only about the increased firepower of enemy soldiers, but also about the issues of carrying and transporting personal weapons. Around the same time, a holster appeared. For a pistol, this item of equipment is especially necessary, as it allows you to always have it with you without experiencing any inconvenience.
What is this?
Holster (from Turkish kubur - “case, quiver”) - a small case, a case adapted for carrying personal firearms. Initially, it was not so often worn on the body, since it was mainly attached to saddles. Already in those distant times, a pistol holster had to meet one basic requirement - its contents had to be removed as quickly as possible, without creating delays that could become fatal.
Summary of the development of the holster in our country
In our country, this piece of equipment is also knownas "pistol", "olstra" and even "chushka". The latter term usually referred to holsters that clung to both sides of the pommel of the saddle (that is, for cavalrymen).
It just so happened that in the army of our country a pistol holster is one of the main signs of belonging to the officer "class". Most often, this piece of equipment is made of natural or artificial leather, which is dyed black. It fastens on a waist belt with a harness. An additional pocket can be sewn on its side, in which it is convenient to store an additional magazine for a pistol, a ramrod for cleaning it, etc.
The military industry of the USSR and the Russian Federation centrally produced holsters for revolvers, TT and PM pistols. It should be noted that the purpose of the pistol holster in those days was often twofold. It was not only a “case” for protecting personal small arms from bad weather and encroachments of the enemy, but also a stock. We will discuss this in more detail below.
Basic types
There are several types of such a useful device for carrying personal weapons. First, waist, which are divided into two varieties:
- Designed for open wear.
- Hidden, worn on the inner thigh (which makes them difficult to visually identify).
The following types also exist:
- Operational designed to be worn on the shoulder.
- Legs, better known as "tactical".
- Pocket. No explanation needed.
Key distinguishing featuresvarious types of holsters
Initially, the holster appeared solely as a bag for placing a pistol, as well as to protect the powder shelf from moisture. In those days, to get a weapon, it was necessary to unfasten a lot of fasteners and hooks, which took a lot of time. So very quickly the holsters became smooth. This was largely due to the improvement of the weapon itself, which could be brought to battle faster.
To further speed up the process, some craftsmen sewed a special strap into the holster. If you pull it with a skillful hand, the weapon jumps right into your hand! Such a holster for a pistol was a real godsend for breters and other personalities who could find the need to shoot at any moment. Open holsters without rigid fixation of pistols are very convenient, which are widely used even today.
Such varieties do not have any cover, which makes it easier to draw weapons. The pistol grip just pops out. It is fixed in the holster either due to friction force, or with the help of a small and narrow strap. It can be easily thrown off with one finger, and no effort is required for this. In addition, some models have become widespread, in which the fixation of weapons occurs due to a small magnet. They are also quite comfortable.
Tactical holsters, which are fixed on the shoulder with the help of a special "harness", are highly respected by operatives of various law enforcement agencies. On the other hand, a special clip can be attached withloaded magazines to the pistol. If the fitting has been done by a professional, then only another experienced person may notice the fact of carrying a weapon.
In the relatively recent past, hard holsters with a stock function were quite common. In this case, they are made of hard plastic or even wood ("Mauser C-96", APS). In some cases, the role of the butt was performed by a hard board, to which a “classic” leather bag was attached (parabellum, there was such a holster for a TT pistol). When attached to a pistol, such a device significantly increases the accuracy and accuracy of fire.
What are the requirements for a concealed carry holster?
Firstly, such an accessory should be as easy to put on and take off as possible, in no case should it damage clothes or shoes, and should not restrict movement. But the main thing is that such a holster (for a PM pistol or another) should not only securely fix the weapon, but also not prevent it from being removed as quickly as possible. If we are talking about purely official brands, then these products, in addition to all of the above, must also reliably protect pistols from moisture and make it as difficult as possible for intruders to take possession of service weapons.
We note right away that everything written below primarily refers to the legendary PM pistol, which has been in service with domestic law enforcement agencies and the army since the 60s of the last century.
Speed or convenience?
According to an amateur, each holsterfor a PM pistol, first of all, it is obliged to ensure the maximum speed of reaching the "barrel". But it's not. In real life, and not in a colorful movie, this situation is extremely rare. In most cases, the operative, finding himself in a potentially dangerous position, will unfasten it in advance, or even take out a pistol from there. In the case when it comes to detaining a dangerous offender, in any case, the weapon should already be in the hand, but not on the hip.
Even an ordinary person who has a license to carry "civilian" options for self-defense, it is better to put his gun in his pocket in advance if he is going to enter a particularly dark entrance late at night. Even if he knows the technique of speed drawing, it will not help to repel an attack made from a distance of less than two meters. In this case, even a very comfortable holster will fail with a high degree of probability.
Of course, all of the above should not be understood as if the speed of drawing a weapon is not important at all: any person who owns it should train this skill without fail. But still, we will repeat once again that this is not the main thing. Suppose you need a PM pistol holster for concealed carry. What should I pay attention to when choosing?
We advise you to remember three points: comfortable to wear, secure fit and ste alth. Why? Most likely, you are unlikely to ever find yourself in a situation where your life will depend on the speed of drawing a weapon (in any case).case, it would be better if this did not happen), but you will most likely be carrying it almost daily.
Imagine a situation where you have a holster that can unfasten from any "sneeze": your gun may well fall out when you bend down to tie your shoelaces. What about the bad model? Yes, you can bleed your skin every day for at least eight hours a day without parting with your weapon.
Tips for motorists
If you most of the time move around the district not on foot, but by car, you need to remember something else. We are talking about the circumstance that a person who is wearing a seat belt simply cannot physically draw a weapon … when belt holsters are used for pistols. In the case when your main means of transportation is public transport, bring to automatism the skill to check for the presence of a pistol in a holster unnoticed by others. If you get used to its mass, then one day you simply may not notice how a clever pickpocket will leave you without a service or personal barrel.
Optimal options for concealed carry
In recent years, many employees of law enforcement agencies believe that the best holster for a concealed carry PM pistol is the one made by the company of Igor Kosarev and Yuri Mosunov. Oddly enough, but it is small-scale manufacturers that are distinguished by increased attention to ergonomics and overall workmanship, which is far from always the case for mass-produced products. What is even stranger, actually pieceproducts at the same time are much cheaper than "in-line" models.
Experience shows that in any situation, "strong" holsters, complete with a pocket for an additional store, perform best. By "strong" is meant that the weapon should always be under the working hand. The classic option is when the holster is put on a belt, which is put on it through two cutouts along the edges. Remember that there really are no special differences between models from different manufacturers, since here we can only talk about the quality of workmanship, but about the materials used in this.
Position of the handle in relation to the body of the shooter
It is better when the handle rises relatively high above the shooter's belt, as in this situation it fits most closely to the human body, minimizing the chance of detecting weapons. Professionals testify that even when wearing a light jacket, the gun is completely invisible, and wearing it is not difficult. If you're looking for a concealed, everyday, and permanent carry option, the high-handle options are the ones to go for.
Western or real exploitation?
There is an opinion that in fact it is more convenient and practical those systems that involve the removal of the handle at a certain distance from the body of the shooter. In particular, it is this holster for the Yarygin pistol that is the leader among professionals in the bullet trap shooting environment. Yes, in such a situation, they really show themselves perfectly, significantly surpassing all existingoptions that were created specifically for the purpose of hidden wearing. But nothing happens just like that, and there are no consequences. Everything is very simple here - the farther the handle of the weapon is from the human body, the more clearly it is “printed” even through thick clothes.
In some situations, such a circumstance may well cost lives, and therefore you should not confuse bench shooting with the experience of the real work of employees of various law enforcement agencies. Of course, if a holster for an air pistol is being discussed, which can only scare away stray dogs, then all of the above does not really matter, unlike real combat options.
And if in pants?
Yes, there is such an option. In the west, it was called the IWB. In this case, the holster is located directly in the pants, clinging to the edge of the trousers with the help of a specially released bracket. Such models are extremely good because the presence of weapons can be disguised, even when wearing light trousers and a summer T-shirt. Since it is not easy to make a holster for a pistol of this type convenient, the cost of these models is quite high. But they are definitely worth their money.
The second great advantage of such holsters is the fact that they do not depend on the waist belt in any way. Sitting behind the wheel, they can be easily moved to the side that is convenient for you. At the same time, you can wear such an accessory not only in trousers, but also outside, in an open version. In addition, most manufacturers make loops on such holsters, thanks to which they can be fastenedon the belt.
Holsters designed to be worn on the back of the belt
There is also an unusual option for attaching a PM pistol when it is on the back of a belt with a handle that is slightly set aside to the right and slightly up. The fastening method is very non-trivial, so such specific holster models have both a lot of defenders and a considerable number of ardent opponents. The latter quite rightly notice that with such a holster it is difficult to sit at least somewhere comfortably, and if you fall on your back, your he alth is in serious trouble.
But supporters insist that such an operational pistol holster is ideally covered by clothes hanging from the back. In general, everyone is right. Many experienced operatives believe that such a holster is not suitable for all shooters, but only for those who have rich practical experience. However, for some reason, this method of carrying weapons was widely used in gangster circles in the 90s. Probably the wide-legged pistol grip looked good on the big screen?
It is only important to note that when carrying a weapon on the back, the choice of a holster should be treated with increased attention, since it will be difficult to snatch it, with the slightest flaws in the design of the latter.
Shoulder options
Again, a fairly wide range of operatives are fans of shoulder options, and made from modern synthetic materials.
However, the same experts will say that in real life it is better to have a traumatic pistol: holsters formilitary weapons are somehow more convenient to wear on a belt. However, these models also have a well-defined tactical niche, which should not be completely forgotten. For example, such an accessory is put on very simply and quickly: just put on a “harness”, and the process is completed.
In addition, the belt system intelligently distributes the weight of weapons and additional magazines so that a person practically does not feel it. So on the mount of such a holster it is quite possible to place either extended ammunition, or some necessary tools. Simply put, this Makarov pistol holster is ideal for creating a “alarm kit” that needs to be instantly put on at any time of the day and in any condition.
Other advantages of shoulder systems
Finally, when a person uses a shoulder holster, he immediately frees up a lot of space on his waist belt, on which there may not be enough space. To remove a bunch of accessories from the belt in order to put on a holster there is still a hassle, and not all shooters are ready to put up with this inconvenience. With the shoulder option, everything is much simpler, since you can simply put it on and take it off without “bothering” with some little things. The only thing that can cause inconvenience is the need to fasten two fixing straps on the belt, but this procedure is not among the mandatory ones, and therefore can be ignored.
The shoulder system ideally should consist of the holster itself, a pouch for storing additional magazines, as well as a suspension system that evenly distributes the weight of the weapon over the shooter's body. The ideal mount is X-shaped, with wide straps that do not rub the skin and favorably affect the convenience of constantly carrying a pistol.
Oddly enough, but the widest belts show through clothing much less, minimizing the likelihood of the shooter "opening up". In an additional pouch, ideally, there should be not only a pocket for carrying an additional magazine, but also a fairly roomy side compartment where you can put documents, additional cartridges, and other necessary accessories.
Injuries as a "nice addition"
Practice shows that such a holster for concealed carrying of a pistol allows you to comfortably place not only a combat "barrel", but also a traumatic weapon.
If the compartments are equipped with Velcro flaps, then the additional weapon is securely fixed, and the probability of its spontaneous slipping is reduced to zero. You should choose a model that can be unfastened with one thumb, due to the presence of a convenient push-button fastener. Shoulder holsters are also good because they can be easily converted to be worn on a belt, and this operation does not take much time.
Of course, there is no absolutely universal equipment in the world, but still one holster for a pistol (their photos are presented in the article) is more convenient than a set of two or three different types of modifications between which you have to choose.
In general, these are the basic information that should be followed when choosing accessories for weapons. Andthis information is absolutely universal and allows you to choose with equal success both a holster for military weapons and an “envelope” for a traumatic “pugach”. Do not forget that the main thing in this case is to achieve maximum wearing comfort.
