Although the world is hostile and dangerous, you don’t need to keep your rock thrower at home. Look at the most recent fat guy holsters to see how the manufacturers have continued to look backwards while keeping an eye on the future. The end result is a big guy holster that can complete any assignment you give it. Law enforcement professionals, soldiers, and individuals who wish to carry a reliable pistol without worrying about it falling out of their hands frequently use fat man holsters. Even while these holsters could seem like an easy choice for people who are overweight, there are several factors to take into account before making a purchase of one of these specialist holsters.
Choosing between a single- or double-stack fat guy holster should be your first priority. Your shooting technique and how much extra weight you have to carry around will determine how this works. When looking for a holster for a large guy, the second crucial consideration is whether it should be worn on the left or right side of the body. It can be challenging to choose which side of the pistol offers the best fit for your specific demands because of variances in how these two sides of the gun operate.
What To Consider When Choosing
The best fat guy holster is one that keeps your gun secure while allowing you to draw it quickly if needed. Before making a purchase, consider where you will keep your pistol and whether an integrated or removable design would be better.
Intended Use
Before deciding on a new fat guy holster, think about how you intend to use it. If it’s for protection then you might want something more durable than leather. However, if you’re looking at it as a fashion item then a sleek leather piece might work just fine.
- Protection: An integral part of any good fat guy holster is security. A well-made product should prevent access by unauthorized individuals, which often requires a combination of a strong latch and a heavy trigger guard.
- Fashion: While wearing a suit and tie every day may not seem like a big deal, when you’re walking around with a gun strapped to your waist, it can make a world of difference in how people perceive you. For this reason, many choose to wear their guns externally rather than internally, using a belt or a pack of some kind to hold it together instead of a traditional inside jacket pocket.
Material
Most holsters are made from either leather or plastic, though there are variations within those categories.
- Leather holsters have long been considered the classic style because they’re so easy to put on and take off. They consist of two pieces of leather sewn together along the sides, forming a loop through which you slide your firearm. The front piece has a zipper that opens to reveal a spot for your handgun.
- Plastic holsters tend to be less popular due to the difficulty involved in cleaning them after a fight. However, they do offer a streamlined shape that fits closely to your body, leaving little room for error. Plus, they’re lightweight and usually very affordable.
Size
Next, decide on the size of the fat guy holster that suits you best. There are several options available, including small, medium, large, and extra large, with each having benefits.
- Small: This type of holster fits snugly around the waist without impeding movement or breathing. It’s great for smaller handguns but larger ones can’t fit comfortably, resulting in too much drag.
- Medium: As the name suggests, these holsters fit right above the waistband and buckle down low on the hip bone. They’re generally preferred by most law enforcement personnel and military personnel who need to conceal their weapons but don’t want to sacrifice mobility.
- Large: Designed for bigger pistols, these holsters sit farther up on the hips and curve sharply downward toward the feet. Though they look intimidating, they’re actually quite comfortable and suited to taller users.
- Extra Large: Also known as gaffs (for guttersnipes), these oversized holsters resemble a loincloth and were originally designed for throwing knives. Today, they’re also used for other sharp objects and even firearms.
Fit
Finally, check how well the fat guy holster fits you. Since these holsters aren’t worn under clothing, the fit depends entirely on how well they stretch. Most manufacturers describe their products as being made for specific sizes, so try measuring yourself against the measurements provided by the manufacturer before buying a new one. However, if you’d prefer to buy a custom-fit holster, there are companies that will measure your torso and adjust the fit until it feels perfect. These measured-fitting systems eliminate the guesswork involved in finding the right fit, but they cost money.
Types Of Fat Guy Holsters
There are many different kinds of fat guy holsters available, and each has a purpose. You wouldn’t want to carry your firearm in a cheap holster, but you can be confident that the majority of premium holsters made for secure carry can shield your investment from burglary and moisture.
Shoulder Holsters
Underclothes, a shoulder holster is fastened to the body. The original fat guy holster design was a shoulder holster. They are easy and cheap. They consist of a strap that crosses the chest and a leather bag that holds the weapon. They are not very noticeable because they are hidden by clothing. They are easy to hide and are cozy to wear. Putting them on and taking them off takes very little time.
Belt Holsters
A lanyard attaches a belt holster to the weapon, which is carried around the waist. Both holster designs are appropriate for concealing a gun but the most recent fat guy holster design is a belt holster. In comparison to standard shoulder holsters, they are more fashionable. Additionally, they offer greater security compared to shoulder holsters and are more expensive. They are attached to the weapon by a rope and worn around the waist and since they protrude above the waistline, they are also more difficult to conceal.
Appendix Holsters
It depends on the individual if appendix carry with an appendix carry holster is successful for them. Where your rifle rides is the enterprise’s key piece. So, for the majority of people, whether the holster and gun prevent your hips from fully extending is what makes appendix carrying viable. You’re okay to go if you can squat or bend over without the weapon sticking in your stomach while wearing an appendix holster. If so, appendix carry may not be for you.
In other words, you’re ideal to carry an appendix holster if you have a reasonably high natural waist, which means your jeans naturally sit closer to your belly button than your hips. But what about the pistol and holster sticking out from your spare tire? Here, a little careful positioning can go a long way. The common strategy is to place the holster nearer the button/tab on the front pants pocket. The reason is that the belly’s rounded border will help conceal the holster’s bulge. In this way, one bulge helps to conceal the other. You won’t experience any draw issues either if you place it properly. So it’s definitely a possibility! However, whether you are suitable for it mostly depends on your unique shape and proportions.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
We started by searching for holsters from reputable companies, online retailers known to sell high-quality gear, and we specifically looked at the reviews of independent experts just to make sure we weren’t missing anything.
Next, we narrowed our search based on price point. There are plenty of freebies out there that will do the trick, but most people want a quality holster that won’t break down over time. So we only included holsters priced higher than what you’d pay for a good leather jacket.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most comfortable holster for a large frame?
The most comfortable holster depends heavily on your body type and lifestyle. Some manufacturers advertise their products as “anti-snag” or “easy to use”, but those terms are subjective.
How tight should my fat guy holster be?
Your holster’s fit will depend on what you intend to use it with. For concealed carry, you’ll want something that’s not too loose, but not overly constricting. Open-carry holsters can tolerate more variation in fit, while law enforcement need to keep things snugly fitting against their belts to avoid catching on gear or causing damage if they’re forced to draw and aim quickly without any cover. The best way to determine what works best for you is to try them all out and see which one feels most comfortable and natural when wearing it with whatever you plan to carry. If you tend to run or climb, make sure you get a model with enough room inside for your arms to bend at your sides while seated. Also, consider getting a thigh holster so you don’t have to worry about losing sight of the trigger finger during strenuous activity.
Are belly bands good for carrying?
Belly bands aren’t designed to hold guns comfortably while sitting, but they can serve as an excellent addition to your tactical loadout.
Can I wear a belt with a fat guy holster?
Absolutely! Many manufacturers offer their products with either a leather or nylon belt. Make sure you check this before purchasing though, as some require proprietary belts while others only accept standard ones. Also, note that certain models may not be compatible with certain types of belts; for example, many open-top designs won’t work with closed-bottom styles.