Holster for vest or belt

[TurlteRaph]

I used a drop leg holster for the last few games and I am starting to dislike it.

I am thinking a belt holster and they are relatively inexpensive. I am also thinking about a holster for my vest as well.

In your opinion, which option is better. what are the pros and cons for each system?

FYI, I am using a KJW 1911.

[lupo]

What vest do you have? Do you already have a duty belt for a holster and what is your dominant hand?
It all comes down to personal preffrence in the end.

[TurlteRaph]

I use a molle vest and my dominant hand is my right hand.

I also have duty belt but no holster yet.

[lupo]

In the past I used a thigh holster or a hip holster both attached to my duty belt. I switched a few years ago and just run with my pistol on my chestrig/plate carrier. Having 1 piece for all just seemed to be less hassle. I just use a mag shingle to carry my pistol aswell.

[ILLusion]

Originally Posted by TurlteRaph

I use a molle vest and my dominant hand is my right hand.

I also have duty belt but no holster yet.

Specifically what "MOLLE vest" do you have? It makes a difference. Some ride higher than others. You need one that has high clearance to allow room for a belt holster.

For example, a 6094, APC, JPC, or some other high riding plate carrier would allow ample room for a belt holster (especially if using a bungee cummerbund), but if you're rocking something huge like a RAV, there's no way you'll comfortably get a belt holster on comfortably without interfering with the "MOLLE vest".

Having your sidearm off the vest has it's benefits. If it's a hot day, or you decide you need to strip some weight to move light, you can always ditch the rig, but keep the pistol on you.

There are also hybrid options, where some guys have been using thigh holsters (specifically, Safariland's), and modifying them so that they ride extremely high on the leg... but a bit lower than a belt ride. This allows for ample clearance for any vest option while giving a draw distance similar to belt ride.

See:
http://www.militarymorons.com/faq/faqs.html

Second article: "Modified Safariland 6004"

[TurlteRaph]

Originally Posted by ILLusion

Specifically what "MOLLE vest" do you have?

I wish I can tell you which vest that I have. I think that it will ride high enough to allow me to use the belt holster.

I also never thought of how the heat will make me wanting to ditch the vest.

Thank you

[Shirley]

If you have a Molle vest, you can get a Blackhawk strike platform and you can hook a holster onto it that's a Serpa. If you choose not to run with it, then you can use the belt loop panel to mount your holster onto your belt.

[Hectic]

What is it you dislike about the drop leg?
I had one tha tdrove me nuts flopping around and shifting about till i went out and got a decent one with two straps and a rubberized backing on them and the platform the holster attaches to, not it stays wher i put it.
Also to note the holster you have should be able to come off of the platform to go onto a belt without issue even my crappy one was able to do that.
Im not saying go with a drop leg im just suggesting that whatever your disliking about it may be a matter of the paticular holster your using.
you may also like to try cross draw on your vest if they make a stand alone type attachment that will allow you to mount the holster at an angle

[Brian McIlmoyle]

Originally Posted by Hectic

What is it you dislike about the drop leg?

looking down while you crawl up on your quarry... and seeing your pistol grinding into the dirt.

also loading up your legs will slow you down.. and unbalance you in rapid motion.

In the field I generally run my pistol on my belt , holstered on the strong side Flank.. well back and out of the way

if I am not running a belt .. the pistol goes into my most right mag pouch on my chest rig

[Hectic]

Originally Posted by Brian McIlmoyle

looking down while you crawl up on your quarry... and seeing your pistol grinding into the dirt.

also loading up your legs will slow you down.. and unbalance you in rapid motion.

In the field I generally run my pistol on my belt , holstered on the strong side Flank.. well back and out of the way

if I am not running a belt .. the pistol goes into my most right mag pouch on my chest rig

yeah i dislike the mud and sand in my m9 buty it still works lol also ive lost a cpl mags from it while in the drop leg, problem i have is my skinny ass has no realestate to spare on the rig tho ive been considering putting it round back on the belt just its harder to get at in a hurry.

[docholiday]

Just get an OSH RTI Kydex Holster from G Code with two RTI wheels. Put one wheel on your battle belt and one on your plate carrier and you can switch the holster from one to the other in like less than 5 seconds.

[TurlteRaph]

[

Originally Posted by Hectic

What is it you dislike about the drop leg?

I have a one with the rubber stripes, and it stays put when I run. But I have short legs and big thighs (from years of cycling) and I don't find the holster to be comfortable when running.

[zone 69]

It come's down to personal preference & load out/vest

I tried them all & use a TM 1911.

Drop leg I did not like sitting on my gun and dragging it in the dirt.

Hip on a belt my pouches on my rig would inter fear with a smooth quick draw.

On the vest on the right side was to high for a smooth quick draw.

I ended up placing my holster on my belly right in the middle of my vest where I can keep my eye on it and easily get to it for a smooth quick draw.

[Dustin_d]

Originally Posted by TurlteRaph

I wish I can tell you which vest that I have. I think that it will ride high enough to allow me to use the belt holster.

I also never thought of how the heat will make me wanting to ditch the vest.

Thank you

and make sure you have your plate carrier sitting in the proper place ... if you do then there should be enough room for a belt holster (or battle belt with molle adapted holster)

[darkshift]

can't go wrong with a raven concealment holster. great for on the belt.