A revolver holster is a great addition to any gunslinger’s gear. They can be used for concealment or open carry, and they come in many styles so there are no limits. The best revolver holsters are made from durable materials like nylon or polyester and feature large grips that prevent the gun from slipping off while carrying it. These holsters also may include a belt clip or shoulder strap for added stability and comfort.
When choosing a new revolver holster, there are several factors to consider. The size of the grip matters because it impacts how much hand movement is required to fire the weapon. A larger grip requires more muscle strain to pull the trigger than does a smaller grip. Therefore, when looking for a quality revolver holster with a large grip, one should choose something that will require less effort to fire than if he were holding a small-grip handgun.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Revolver Holster
Some of the most crucial things to keep in mind when looking for a new revolver holster are listed in the section that follows. These factors include fit, retention, and material.
Material
- Kydex is a rigid plastic that can withstand extreme temperatures without cracking. It’s also flexible enough to accommodate different sizes and shapes of handguns.
- Nylon is another popular option, though it may not be as durable as Kydex. This fabric-based material is more forgiving in terms of size and shape than metal or hard plastics.
- If you want something soft and comfy to hold your firearm, leather is a great option. Holsters made of leather are frequently quite adjustable; when they wear down, they stretch out even more, improving the fit.
Retention
A good revolver holster should prevent the gun from firing unless engaged. To accomplish this, many holsters feature what’s called “active retention”, where the trigger guard prevents the hammer from moving until fired. Other designs use passive retention, where the weight of the firearm keeps the hammer down. Passive retention requires additional steps to disengage the gun, such as pulling the trigger or pushing the muzzle end of the barrel forward. Active retention automatically blocks the trigger unless actively engaging, making it easier to quickly put away a firearm.
Fitment
A revolver’s fitting requires more than just possessing the suitable length or width. Additionally, the holster’s fit on the waist must be taken into account. As an illustration, if it is worn at a small downward inclination as opposed to straight out and level, it may cause the wearer’s hips to sag lower than their knees, which may be uncomfortable or even damaging.
Also, the location of any extra padding inside the holster, like foam rubber, can affect comfort. If the padding presses against the user’s thighbone (the top part of the hip), it will likely cause swelling and bruising. However, if the padding sits higher up toward the torso, it won’t impact the thigh bone but might still cause swelling and bruising due to pressure on other parts of the body.
Length
When choosing a revolver holster, there are two options: short-barreled or long-barreled. Each has benefits and downsides.
- Short-barreled holsters are great for concealing weapons because they don’t stand out so much. But they’re less effective at stopping a threat because the shorter barrel means fewer bullets per shot.
- Long-barreled holsters have longer barrels, giving them greater firepower. They do take up more room, however, and the added bulk could make them harder to conceal.
Weight
It’s important to remember that while a revolver weighs a lot less than a full-size pistol, it doesn’t mean it’s lightweight. In fact, a large revolver can weigh between 8 and 12 pounds, depending on how well it’s fitted to the user and whether it features a belt loop or a shoulder strap. However, modern technology allows manufacturers to reduce weight by using lighter materials and eliminating excess padding and flaps, so it’s possible to get a really light revolver that only weighs 4 or 5 pounds.
Style
There are countless ways to dress a man, including jeans, shorts, sweatpants, leather jacket, wool sweater, and dress pantsuit. Likewise, there are numerous types of boots from which to choose, ranging from heavy work boots to dress shoes. Similarly, there are plenty of knives one can carry, including chef’s, hunting, utility, and gardening knives. Finally, there are dozens upon dozens of styles of firearms available today, including standard pistols, subcompacts, compact autos, and rifles of all varieties.
While these choices seem overwhelming, finding the perfect combination is often just a matter of paying attention to details. For example, wearing a thick winter coat in summer won’t help anyone, especially if they’re sweating profusely. Conversely, a pair of lightweight gym shorts may feel great during exercise, but they’ll probably leave marks on the thighs if worn under a bulky winter coat. And, while dress pants suit most people, a leather jacket may be preferred over a dress shirt and tie by persons who need to conceal their firearms.
Comfort
Having a holster as comfy as feasible is always a priority. After all, you don’t want your revolver to be taken away from you because of an uncomfortable holster. Some holster sellers claim that a holster works best when the wearer is unaware that it is on. That’s accurate in some situations, particularly with holsters for concealed carry. We doubt you’ll forget that you have an additional 4.5 pounds hanging off your hip, but that concept makes sense with weapons weighing less than a pound! The holster should be as pleasant as possible so that you won’t mind wearing it for long periods of time, even if you are aware that you are wearing a revolver. It shouldn’t obstruct anything either.
Types Of Revolver Holsters
There are numerous varieties of gun holsters available. Each has a purpose, but before making a purchase, you should understand what you’re getting into.
Outside-the-waistband (OWB)
An outside-the-waistband holster is used for carrying your firearm in an open position. The most common type of OWB carry involves wearing your pistol on the hip with a strong strap running across the front and back of the waist. This allows for quick access at all times without removing your pants or jacket. It’s also very comfortable because it doesn’t dig into your body. However, this style isn’t ideal for concealed carry as there aren’t many options for concealing large handguns under normal circumstances.
Inside-the-waistband (IWB)
An inside-the-waistband holster is worn for carrying your firearm in a closed position. The most common type of IWB carry involves looping a strong strap around your waist and then attaching your holster to that strap. This allows for easy access at all times without removing your pants or jacket. It’s also very comfortable because it doesn’t dig into your body. However, this style isn’t ideal for concealed carry as there aren’t many options for concealing large handguns under normal circumstances.
Shoulder
It is worn for carrying your firearm over one or both shoulders. The most common type of shoulder holster uses hook-and-loop straps to keep the holster firmly in place while allowing for freedom of movement of the handgun. This kind of holster is great for women who want to be able to move their arms freely during exercise or working out. It’s also good for people who plan on doing a lot of driving.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
When choosing holsters for this guide, we relied on personal experience with concealed and open-carry holsters from a range of manufacturers. We also reviewed other sources to identify the best options in each category (concealed or open-carry). In order to choose our top picks for the best revolver holster, we examined evaluations from reliable sources as well as comments from internet forums and social media platforms.
We specifically looked for people who had purchased either a concealable or open-carry holster from a reputable manufacturer and then had some sort of negative experience with it. This could be due to an inconsistent fit, poor quality materials, or simply because they didn’t work for you personally. Whatever the reason, these folks were able to provide us with valuable insights into what makes a good holster, which will hopefully help future buyers make better choices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revolver Holsters
What is the most comfortable holster for a revolver?
The holster that fits you best will totally depend on what you plan to use it for. You need something with solid support and little movement for concealed carry.
How tight should my revolver holster be?
Your firearm’s manufacturer may have specific requirements regarding how snugly it needs to fit in order to function properly. However, generally speaking, if you can see your trigger finger when aiming downrange and/or there is no space between the edge of the gun and the end of the slide (when the weapon is cocked and locked back) then it’s too loose. If you can’t get an adequate grip on the gun with your hand slightly extended, then it’s too tight. Make sure you adjust accordingly before drawing from the holster.