holster basics

[schiffer99]

Just a curiousity on the lingo for holsters. Whats the difference between a paddle vs. pancake vs. thumb break...etc..? I see the words a lot but I have no idea what they mean. I do get ankle holster though as my powers of deduction are remarkable. I imagine whatever a "SOB" holster is must be the baddest holster of all.

[CColema4]

Just a curiousity on the lingo for holsters. Whats the difference between a paddle vs. pancake vs. thumb break...etc..? I see the words a lot but I have no idea what they mean. I do get ankle holster though as my powers of deduction are remarkable. I imagine whatever a "SOB" holster is must be the baddest holster of all.

paddle - paddle holsters usually have a "paddle" of ploymer or something between the holster and leg. I believe this is a comfort issue.

pancake - not a paddle holster.

thumb break - holsters that have a strap going over the hammer assembly, or rear of the weapon, for retension. called thumb break cause it is normally kept in place by a snap button that can be broken by the thumb before the draw.

SOB - "small of the back" a holster, usually for CCW, that is located in the small of the back instead of the side

these are my takes on the definitions for ya.

[FedRich]

Pancake: Usually threads through a belt, worn somewhere on the strong side of the body usually on the hip or slightly behind, and is close fitting.

Paddle: Has some type of clip that holds it to the pants/belt and allows for easy on/off. Some are not as close fitting as the pancake.

Thumb-break is the leather/plastic piece that goes over the hammer/end of the slide. Some have snaps, others are plastic shrouds that rotate out of the way. The snap is broken in order to draw the pistol from the holster.

Some holsters use thumb-breaks amongst other internal devices to retain the pistol such as Level II and Level III holsters (do a search). Some holsters also rely on internal devices and don't use thumb breaks.

SOB: Small of the back holster (not preferred by most).

IWB: Inside the waistband, believe it or not, worn inside the waistband.

[LearninginMN]

Levels: (correct me if I'm wrong)

Diffrent Levels Offer diffrent amounts of retention
Level 1: very basic holster only has one way to keep your gun secure

Level 2: Two diffrent methods of holding the gun in IE an inside the holster locking mechanism and thumb break

Level 3: three diffrent levels of retention, IE thumb break, another strap around the holster needing to be broken with the index finger, and an inside the holster locking device. The most secure way to keep your gun but you can give up a split second on the draw.

[AZ Cop]

Level 3: three diffrent levels of retention, IE thumb break, another strap around the holster needing to be broken with the index finger, and an inside the holster locking device. The most secure way to keep your gun but you can give up a split second on the draw.

Level 3 also borders on requiring a retinal scan, DNA test and voice print before drawing. :D

[LearninginMN]

Level 3 also borders on requiring a retinal scan, DNA test and voice print before drawing. :D
bahahahahahahaha that's sooooo true!!

[schiffer99]

Thank you everyone for the info. I can now cross holsters off my list of "things I don't know crap about." Now onto number 2... women.

[AZ Cop]

You had holsters before women? The main difference here is that a bunch of guys were able to inform you about holsters...and be completely accurate.