Although the world is hostile and chaotic, you don’t have to leave your rock thrower at home. You can have a trustworthy pistol for personal use if you look at the most recent products from the military-industrial complex. Even while the Army may be drawing to a close its conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Department of Defense still has enough funding available for initiatives like the Ruger LCP Max.
Holsters for the Ruger LCP Max are popular with both military personnel and civilians. A bolt-on accessory that slid over the trigger guard and held the pistol steady while the user pressed the trigger was the straightforward original design. With time, the weapon gained additional features like movable sights and a quick-release system that made it simple for the user to fasten the pistol to their equipment. While these modifications enhanced the weapon’s overall usefulness, they also made it heavier and larger, which made it harder and slower to fire. A “long-range precision holster” was developed as a solution to this problem. These customized holsters have thin designs that fit the body snugly for a secure fit while staying discrete and simple to use.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Ruger LCP Max Holster
The following section contains some of the most important considerations when shopping for a new holster. These include materials, retention, and other features that can help make your experience better.
Material
- Kydex is a rigid plastic material commonly used in holsters because it’s durable, water resistant, and easy to clean. It’s also flexible enough to accommodate different pistol shapes and sizes.
- Leather is another popular option, but it isn’t as tough or long-lasting as Kydex. Leather does have a natural moisture resistance, though, so it may be a good choice if you plan on keeping things wet.
- Nylon is another synthetic polymer often used in holsters because its lightweight yet strong. However, this fabric tends to get very hot during extended use, which could cause problems if you’re wearing it near your waistline.
- Textilene is a cotton canvas usually used for work pants and jackets, not firearms accessories. While textilene doesn’t rust like leather, it will tear easily and wear out over time.
Retention
A quality holster should prevent your gun from bouncing around inside the vehicle or falling out accidentally during movement. To achieve this level of security, many holsters feature a strong retention system.
This mechanism ensures that the pistol stays in the holster even during vigorous activity. Some holsters utilize a ratchet-style retention system where the more aggressive you are moving, the tighter the holster grips your weapon. Other holsters use a twist lock system similar to how seat belts work. This method allows for quick deployment without having to fully tighten the holster every time you move.
Size and Fit
Rugers are known for making high-quality handguns, and their LCP models are no exception. The size of an LCP Max holster depends on the model; however, they generally fit on average between a standard M1911 pistol grip and a large hunting knife handlebar. For women, the ideal length for an LCP Max holster is at least 15 inches longer than the height of the shooter. For men, an LCP Max holster should fall just below the hip bone.
Style
When it comes to choosing an LCP Max holster, there are two main styles available today: drop-free and traditional molded.
- Drop-free holsters eliminate the need for a button or flap to cover the handgun when it’s not being carried. Instead, the holster sits directly on top of the firearm. This design makes for a sleek look, but it requires the user to actively engage or disengage the retention system whenever they want to put the gun away or retrieve it. Active engagement means applying pressure to the trigger while holding down the release button, whereas passive retrieval involves simply lifting off the holster.
- Traditional molded holsters require the user to open up the front of the holster to access the gun. Although these holsters tend to look less slick, they allow for simple, one-handed operation and easier concealment since the opening is hidden by the holster itself.
Weight
If you’d rather not hold the weight of your gun while doing everyday activities, then opt for a lighter weight holster. Lightweight holsters weigh anywhere from 2 to 3 pounds, compared with heavier duty options that typically weigh 5 to 7 pounds. However, lightness isn’t always best. If you plan on using the gun frequently, then a heavy-duty holster that retains well might be worth the extra ounces.
Quality Construction
When looking through the various manufacturers of holsters, you’ll notice several common characteristics. One way to determine the difference between low-cost products and those made from higher-end materials is the constructional quality. You can find cheap knockoffs made from inferior plastics and fabrics, but if the welds between metal pieces aren’t tight, the whole thing won’t function properly. Also, pay attention to the stitching, as sloppy seams lead to frustration when trying to deploy the gun. You’ll see that most holsters have been stitched together with superior threading techniques, and you shouldn’t expect anything less from a reputable manufacturer.
Types Of Ruger LCP Max Holsters
Holsters for the Ruger LCP Max are available in a variety of styles and with a number of interesting characteristics. The first thing you need to know is what kind of holster your weapon uses.
Outside-the-waistband (OWB)
When the gun is drawn from an OWB holster, the barrel extends past the edge of your belt. Because there are no corners or sharp edges where the muzzle can grab you if you fall, this can be an excellent option for concealed carry. Additionally, it is incredibly comfortable because it doesn’t poke you in the waistline as an inside-the-waistband holster would. This isn’t the best option for open carry, though, as you’ll always need to maintain the muzzle parallel to the ground.
Inside-the-waistband (IWB)
In contrast to an OWB holster, an IWB holster keeps the gun’s muzzle close to your body so that it won’t protrude. As a result, carrying the weapon OWB is less convenient than carrying it concealed in the front pocket. However, the majority of people discover that they prefer having their gun in their front pocket to continuously having to tuck and retuck the barrel every time they draw. This is frequently the greatest solution available for CCW circumstances.
Shoulder
Another choice is a shoulder holster. The holster is worn underneath your clothing, typically over your shirt, and is then looped around both shoulders using straps. This enables you to keep the gun’s muzzle low, which helps you avoid snags and prevents muzzle damage. The drawback of a shoulder holster is that it entirely exposes your upper arms. Consider wearing a jacket or a loose-fitting shirt over your skin armor if you’re wearing one of them while shooting.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
We started by looking for the available solutions that had the highest ratings and were the most popular. Our search was narrowed to holsters that were made from long-lasting materials and were created to cover the trigger guard in its entirety. Following that, we zeroed in on a specific price range to further refine our search.
In the end, we didn’t consider any holsters that weren’t made to be used for carrying a hidden weapon in a John Correia class 3 setting as legitimate options. This is due to the fact that we are not aware of any manufacturer who would be willing to create a holster for us that would be suitable for use in a range of settings (i.e., more than just concealing).
Frequently Asked Questions About Ruger LCP Max Holsters
What is the most comfortable way to carry a Ruger LCP Max?
The answer depends heavily on what you intend to use it for. For self-defense, I recommend something with good sight alignment and zeroing systems that can be easily carried in public.
How do you wear a holster?
Holsters are worn either cross-chest or waist-mounted, depending on whether they’re right- or left-handed. Most holsters also have an extension tube that allows them to be worn over one of your backstraps, so you can adjust the ride height accordingly.
Can you ankle-carry a Ruger LCP Max?
Sure, but there’s not much variation in size between leg and waist bands, so you’ll need to look at other options if you plan to purchase a large variety of calibers. Also, ankle holsters tend to move around when you walk, which could cause issues downrange. Finally, some states require you to lock up your firearms before leaving home, meaning you won’t be able to draw them in an emergency unless you happen to remember to lock up after using them all day. This extra step isn’t always practical, especially if you live in an urban area.
Are belly bands better than hip belts?
Belly bands are generally preferred by those who engage in strenuous activity as they don’t dig into your lower spine like hip belts do. However, many prefer traditional three- to five-o’clock shoulder rigs with a chest rig or two-piece hard-shell jackets instead.