Traditionally, law enforcement professionals wear hip holsters. However, thigh holsters are becoming an increasingly popular alternative. Which is better? Read below to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of switching from a hip holster to a thigh holster.
Also known as drop-leg holsters, thigh holsters wrap around a few inches underneath the belt. Some law enforcement professionals choose this type of holster for its various benefits, like its convenient positioning. The positioning of your holster might benefit you — this will depend on the length of your arms and torso.
Since thigh holsters rest lower than hip holsters, you might find it easier to reach for them. Law enforcement officials are no stranger to these moments. By Aaron Ward In the world of holsters, there are a plethora of options for carrying your handgun.
First, some history…. Share this: Facebook Email Print. Like this: Like Loading Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Loading Comments Email Required Name Required Website. Additionally, for officers with a smaller waist, this may be the only way he or she can carry all of their necessary equipment.
Hip holsters are closer to the torso, making it easier to retain immediately after removal from the holster. Thigh holsters, on the other hand, place your weapon further from the torso and in an easier position for the bad-guy to grab the weapon away from you. Yes, this matters. Police are being scrutinized for becoming too militarized. Thigh holsters add a combat-ish look to the uniform that hip holsters do not bring, comparatively speaking.
Thigh holsters are more cumbersome in many circumstances. Dave Spaulding adds. Ive spent 30 years in law enforcement, including 12 years in SWAT and five years on a drug task force. Ive been involved in hundreds of raids and forced entries and Ive tried all types of holsters.
I admit that I have never been a big fan of the leg or thigh holster, as I could never find an elevation where the thing was comfortable. If the rig was left low on the leg, it swung around the leg when moving and the gun snagged on every doorframe or fence railing that it encountered. Of course, a moving holster is difficult to draw from quickly. If the gun were pulled up high and tight, the leg straps would cut off circulation to the leg as well as "pinch the boys" on occasion.
The short vertical strap also limited movement in regards to how well the leg could move when climbing or running. So, I mounted a holster on my carrier vest over my body armor in a low, forward cross draw position before such rigs were readily available. Most carriers of the time had the holster located under the offside arm like a shoulder holster, which made rapid access difficult, but moving the gun to the front of the body eliminated this problem.
The lone drawbacks, at least in my experience, to mounting the gun to the chest was when you slung your rifle or went face down prone. Taking note of where the pistol is suspended in relation to where the long gun hangs could easily minimize these concerns. Nothing is perfect, but I admit that if I were involved in entry work at this stage of my life, I would be holstering my handgun on the front of my vest in some place so that I would have both rapid access as well as freedom of movement.
Some will say that if the vest comes off, so will the pistol. Well, in a hot zone, the vest shouldnt come off and in a LE situation where the vest might come off while an evidence search is conducted, the pistol can easily be transferred to a simple hip holster When we carry pistols, openly or concealed, we like the gun to be within the elbow arc.
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