Open or closed cuff cases?

[pantless]

Do you carry open or closed cuff cases, or cuff straps. 1 of each, or 2 of the same kind? In my department most officers carry one open and one closed but there's a mix of other setups. Just curious of everyones elses preferred case style and why?

[Birky]

I have used all three and I prefer the closed then open then strap in that order. I like the closed because the cuffs aren't going anywhere if I get in a foot pursuit which has happened to me. Also they do not slap me when I am running either. If working plainclothes I used an open design with a snap over the cuffs. The straps just end up looking like crap after a few months of wear and tear. I carried two sets of cuffs on my duty belt.

[jqk407]

I carry two sets, both open (Safariland models, they are pretty secure and I haven't had them come out....yet). I carry one set on the front of my belt, and the other on the back, away from my spine. Reasons are:

Front: In case I'm in a tussle with a badguy and am pretty much all wrapped up in him, the front case is easier to get to...especially if I'm in the bad position of being under the suspect on the ground. Hopefully that doesn't happen, but things don't always go as planned.

Some may say that if you're on your back, suspect on top of you, chances are you won't be in a position to cuff him in the first place. Possibly so, and I though the same thing. That is, until I was at a ground fighting course. I found that I was trying to grab my cuffs while on my back, from my back pouch. Didn't happen, and the only reason I couldn't cuff the badguy was because I couldn't reach my cuffs.

Back: Keep everything away from your spine. Especially if you're sitting alot (like in a car). If you fall, even a small knife or cuff case or something in the right spot can do some good damage. Everyday sitting will also screw up your back, so having nothing even close to your spine is a good thing.

Because of these two reasons, the open cuff cases work best for me because they are thinner and don't take up as much space.

Just my .02

[army_recon]

I carry two sets of cuffs, both in a double cuff case, on the front of my belt, directly to my left of the buckle. Worked great for me so far.

[FedRich]

I've found that the downside to open cuff cases is that the cuffs get dirtier, faster and are exposed to the elements (rain, etc.). I always carried two pair of cuffs on the street, but only had room for a strap for the front pair. Same issues as with the open case, though I did like how quickly I could access them. Closed top cases also help prevent that joker in your squad from double locking the cuffs on you when you hang up the duty belt in the locker room. ;)

[LearninginMN]

I have 1 and 1, One open case for my hinged cuffs on the front, its a safariland and i love it, keeps my peerless hinged in there, have done a little grappling w/it on nothing to serious but they stay in there. I found them to be an easy draw, when needed, and since im rather slenderly built they don't take up a lot of space. I also have a Bianchi closed case, and it's great for my chained (also peerless what can i say). It's broken in, opens easily, and is a good second pair....

[SonRunner]

I like my padded one: RIPOFF, PO Box 3270 San Dimas CA 91773. Yes, sounds whimpy, but even off the spine this padded one is much more comfortable when sitting in a car.

[FedRich]

Ripoffs are pretty solid and the clip works well. I use them for my cell and pager. I would definitely recommend them to plain clothes officers/agents who may need to throw on an extra pair of cuffs (warrant, etc.).

[cjc]

I like the closed cuff case. Since there is not room on my duty belt for two cuff cases, I think the double cuff case is wonderful. I always carry two sets of cuffs.

[LearninginMN]

I'll second the Ripoffs for a cellphone, didn't know they made cuff cases, I suppose they're not Basketweave then.....

[FedRich]

Nope, two different kinds of nylon: ballistic and pack cloth.

[jscop21]

I personally carry an open set up front on the left side of belt buckle next to my spray and baton.. I like having it up front because I have control over it and its easier to access... I don't believe any officer should carry their cuffs behind them because its easier accessed by anyone who's behind you and if your in a fight its hard to defend your weapon as well as cuffs... just my personal opinion

[LeeRoy]

Closed cuff case by department policy. I carry a double cuff case behind my Sig.

[LearninginMN]

I personally carry an open set up front on the left side of belt buckle next to my spray and baton.. I like having it up front because I have control over it and its easier to access... I don't believe any officer should carry their cuffs behind them because its easier accessed by anyone who's behind you and if your in a fight its hard to defend your weapon as well as cuffs... just my personal opinion
I agree about the ease of draw, for open case, I don't carry a gun yet, but in training I've scrapped a few times and I don't feel an advantage/disadvantage to having either. (as previously stated I carry both one front and back both left side) I wouldn't want anyone getting anything off my belt, but I can understand where your comming from with someone rushing up behind you in a crowd or something.