Our Top Picks For A Great Pistol Holster

Our Favorites
Best OWB Pistol Holster:Alien Gear OWB Cloak Belt Slide Holster 
Best Thigh Pistol Holster:BLACKHAWK SERPA Level 2 Tactical Holster
Best Hybrid Pistol Holster:Urban Carry G3 Holster
Best Ambidextrous Pistol Holster:Sticky Holsters MD-1
Best Tactical Pistol Holster:BLACKHAWK EPOCH Level 3

Our Research Of The Best Holsters For Pistols


Alien Gear OWB Cloak Belt Slide Holster

This new cloak belt holster is an upgrade from the original cloak slide with an even slimmer design providing you with hours of concealed comfort for a growing library of over 500 firearms.

The hardware is completely concealed leaving nothing but comfort on the outside. The rigidity of leather tends to decline over time but the holster still provides you with unmatched stability making it easier to re-holster over and over

An ergonomically cut base is added to give you the best full firing grip possible and with the second generation alien skin texture and edge binding you can rest assured knowing that your holster gun won’t go anywhere.

The patented stainless spring steel core design evenly distributes the weight of any handgun. Additionally, the adjustable retention can be set to exactly how you need it. This holster features an all-new set of sturdy slim belt clips. Upon purchase, you can choose between two sizes, an inch and a half an inch and three quarters to match perfectly with your favorite gun belt.

Just slip the tail end of your belt through both clips then back through the remaining belt loops on your pants. Done with built-in flexibility on both ends, the cloak belt holster gives you zero break-in time so you can feel confident faster.

Pros

  • Fits a wide range of pistols
  • Adjustable retention
  • Comfortable to carry
  • Great ergonomics
  • Neoprene holster
  • Rigid holster

Cons

  • Not an ambidextrous design

BLACKHAWK SERPA Level 2 Tactical Holster

Delivering both lightning quick deployment and two levels of retention, the circle level 2 auto-lock tactical holster has a battle-proven retention system optimized for a natural draw in high-stress situations. First with a detent screw that provides adjustable tension on the trigger guard, second with the Serpa auto-lock that responds intuitively when the trigger finger is indexed along with your firearm slide and the locking mechanism is depressed during the draw cycle.

Upon drawing, your finger finds itself in a safe position parallel with the slide. You can slip your firearm back in the holster and it is automatically engaged at level two.

It has a full-length design to protect your rear sights and multiple mounting options available. It is made in the USA, serving with honor and distinction worldwide.

Pros

  • To retention levels
  • Rubber leg straps
  • Fits a wide range of Glock pistols
  • Flexible thigh holster
  • Made of polymer
  • Buckles and loops for straps

Cons

  • Reholstering could be an issue

Urban Carry G3 Holster

Rather than pinching and prodding on your waistline, this holster puts the gun below your waist where it is completely concealed and more comfortable, whether standing or sitting.

This holster is an upgraded and improved version of the urban carry G1 and G2. It allows you to drop the firearm deeper, updating the profile of the holster for a better draw and integrating the new lock leather retention technology, the same used in traditionally styled lock leather holsters.

This creates a hybrid that gives you the safety and security of Kydex, with the comfort and durability of premium leather.

The g3 uses an extended feed ramp to transfer your firearm directly into your hand every time. It will easily work with any pants or shorts that are comfortably relaxed, giving you the freedom to wear what you want.

When a traditional style holster won’t work the g3 is designed to work with any person and any type of body and can conceal your pistol, even through thin materials, by holstering behind your pocket.

Even with your pocket in use, you can still draw standing or sitting with your shirt in or out, using two hands. The g3 has lock leather retention and magnetic lock retention for lasers and revolvers and is still proudly made in America.

It has premium saddle-grade leather, making it breathable and easy to wear, while still maintaining strong lifelong durability. The g3 is the only holster that has an upward rapid draw and is comfortable to wear all day while completely concealing your firearms.

Pros

  • Conceals completely without printing
  • Comfortable holster
  • Secures pistols
  • Versatile holster
  • Hybrid holster with leather and Kydex

Cons

  • Only available for right-handed folks

Sticky Holsters MD-1

Sticky holsters are redefining the way you carry a handgun. The holsters work with compression in the waistband and friction in the pocket to hold holsters firmly in place for easy access and smooth draw of your Pistol.

Specifically designed with no clips and loops, they are naturally ambidextrous and will provide you with a low-profile carry option. The holsters are made from a superior non-slip material that is soft to the touch while providing significant grip in the waistband or in the pocket.

Sticky holsters can be worn without a belt in gym shorts, yoga pants, and sweatpants. As long as there is ample compression, your handgun will stay in place. Sticky’s modular design allows any holster to be used in the waist, pocket, or in any optional carry accessories.

With the unique ankle-biter wrap, you can adjust the cant or angle of the holster to the most comfortable position. The travel mount allows you to store your gun and holster in a variety of locations such as cars, motorcycles, boat compartments, and nightstands for off-body carry, still providing you the ability to draw your gun if needed.

Pros

  • Easy and smooth drawing
  • Ambidextrous designed holster
  • Soft and comfortable holster
  • Versatile carry holster
  • Can be stored in multiple places

Cons

  • Not a great tactical holster

BLACKHAWK EPOCH Level 3

Designed for law enforcement, the epoch level 3 light-bearing tactical holster fits the most popular under-barrel lights and keeps your pistol secure with a three-point locking system that is optimized for a swift natural draw.

Your firearm is secured with a passive adjustment screw that provides adjustable tension on the slide and under-barrel light.

The pivot guard locks over the slide and the auto-lock thumb release responds intuitively as you drive down with a full master grip releasing both the pivot guard and the ejection port lock.

For added assurance, the pivot guard closes with a slight depression of the release and rocking it back, preventing accidental closure and eliminating the chance of being locked out of the holster

It is an instinctive and efficient holster and the overall result is consistently faster draw times, a more effective response, and multiple mounting options. It comes equipped with either a jacket slot belt loop or a tactical thigh platform and is made in the USA.

Pros

  • Tactical pistol holster
  • Three locking systems to secure the firearm
  • Swift and easy draw
  • Multiple mounting options
  • Pivot guard
  • Adjustment screw

Cons

  • Needs some level of expertise to get acquitted to the pistol

Buyer’s Guide For Pistol Holsters

There is no doubt that a pistol is a great equalizer when someone is looking to protect themselves. But using the best holster for your handgun, body shape, and needs is incredibly important.

We know you just want to easily carry a gun at all times with immediate access that is why we came up with this list of quality pistol holsters.

History of Some Classic Pistol Guns

Top five classic carry pistols, based on their total production, effectiveness, and popularity throughout the years.

To qualify as a classic, in this case, the pistol has to have been designed in the 1920s or before.

FN Model 1900

The 1900 was the first pistol ever with a slide, and this alone makes it incredibly innovative. But it also introduces the 32 ACP cartridge that is still popular to this day.

The 1900 was an incredible commercial success. And while far from being the first automatic pistol, it was small, accurate, reliable, and above all affordable. No longer were self-loading pistols priced out of the hands of the common man.

Guns like the Broom handle Mauser and the C-93 were hugely expensive and cumbersome. The 1900 changed all of that and helped garner widespread acceptance of self-loading pistols.

As per the gun’s individual merits, it’s a Browning design that can only be described as elegantly simple. The safety is in a place that is easy to operate and is intuitive. While the gun is not cocked, a small lever impedes the sight plane.

Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless

The 1903 is probably the best-looking classic pistol on this list, and one of the most coveted. The smooth contours of the gun allowed it to be carried comfortably and drawn from a pocket without snagging on anything.

It was in production from 1903 until the end of World War II, and the 1903 enjoyed a very long production run.

The 1903s are simple blowback guns that, like the FN 1900, are chambered in 32 ACP. However, as an improvement to the 1900, there are fewer snag points, contours, and they can be taken apart without any tools.

The general layout is similar from the grip and manual safety, to the sight picture and crisp single-action trigger.

Some have even argued that 1903 is the most comfortable carry pistol of all time. This may well be true if it weren’t for the modern pocket pistol revolution that started in the 1990s.

The 1903’s a fantastic gun and with half a million made in 40 years, it was a popular option that is even being reproduced today.

The Savage 1907

These were available in 32 and later 380 ACP, and they brought something to the table that made them quite coveted in their day, a 10-shot magazine capacity with a double-stack magazine.

The marketing slogan for these guns was 10 shots quick, and it worked. Over 200,000 were produced in 13 years. The 1907s look a bit strange, but that is in part due to the 10-round magazine.

The aforementioned FN and Colt held seven and eight rounds respectively, but 10 was truly impressive for the time.

The Savage guns employ a strange form of delayed blowback. The barrel does rotate a bit in a cam track located in the frame. And the rifling is cut so that the projectile rotates opposite the unlocking direction.

While seemingly unnecessary and complex, it certainly wasn’t a bad thing to have. The Savage guns were however pricey. The allure of high-capacity and a high-gloss blued finish, not to mention the delayed blowback mechanism resulted in a higher price than Colt and Browning offerings. So far fewer were ultimately sold. Still, the guns were a commercial success,

Mauser 1914

This little gun is probably one that you are least likely to have heard of, despite the fact that a million in total were produced.

These classic 32 ACP blowback pistols were cheap, affordable, reliable, ergonomic, and just excellently well-made guns that sold well for decades.

They are even highly coveted by collectors today. You can find examples priced as low as a few hundred dollars, all the way into several thousand depending on numerous factors.

The gun was made in the early 20s and is marked LG for the Saxon Land Gendarmerie, essentially a rural constabulary. They are appropriately kitted out in a police rig.

These Mauser pocket pistols are noteworthy as having one of the most unique safety systems ever.

With a lever to engage the safety, and a button to quickly deactivate it, charging the pistol is easy, and the trigger is quite lovely.

While crude, they are very effective and don’t snag easily. And the contours of the pistol make carrying it in a pocket very easy.

Realistically the compact size and friendly shape would allow the Mauser 1914 to easily fit into any pocket.

The guns are strange-looking without a doubt. But when you are choosing a pistol, especially a carry or duty pistol, aesthetics should be the absolute last thing you take into consideration.

The Walther PP

This little pistol was certainly not Walthers first foray into pocket pistols. But it was their most famous. Technically it remains in production today by Smith & Wesson because it would be uncomfortable due to US import laws and the pistol point system.

These guns are so iconic that James Bond has been seen using one in nearly every Bond film. Countless appearances have led to collectors trying to gobble up every variant possible. And while attractive, aesthetics are not the only area that the Walthers excel in.

These guns are brilliantly simple, blowback-operated, 32 or 380 ACP pistols. They feature a safety decocker, so they can be carried safely with the safety disengaged. And they just shoot fantastically well.

The Walther PP has been the basis for many pistols after it, including the Makarov, and more modern designs like the Sig p230.

Total production of the original Walther design is in the millions and still climbing. Unlike the other guns on this list, the fact that the pistol is still in production is truly a testament to how amazing it is. It is an embodiment of a classic carry pistol.

Final Thoughts

Pistol holsters are available in various categories of holsters and you can make your choice based on preference, or holster type.

You probably spent a lot of time and effort deciding what gun to carry and it makes sense to take the same approach when choosing a holster.

You cannot always plan when you will need a gun. Rational gun owners carry not because it is a weapon, but because it is a shield. They do this even when most options to carry a gun can be inconvenient, uncomfortable, or difficult to conceal.