Best practice for holstering IWB at start/end of day?

[ClangClang]

I've been wondering about the "order of operations" for holstering up in the morning and deholstering at the end of the day. Anyone have any recommendations? Do any of the famous "trainers" have anything to say on the topic?

When I wake up, my Glock (loaded mag, round in the chamber) is in my nightstand. I put on my pants, insert my IWB holster (Old Faithful, if it matters) into my pants, get it all adjusted and seated properly, then remove the pistol from the nightstand, holster it, put on my cover garment, and leave the house.

Is it considered safer to have the pistol in the holster when putting it on? What about at the end of the day? Pull out the pistol, place into nightstand, then remove the holster from pants? Or the other way around?

 

[Outlaw Man]

I always left mine in the holster. Of course, I didn't have children in the house or other reasons I needed to worry about securing it. I'm not sure what the "textbook" says.

I can see the utility of using it as another opportunity to practice your draw.

 

[Potatohead]

I took the belt loops off of my holster and put the clip back on it. (heavy duty clip) So I leave it holstered mainly. Just stick the whole thing into a gallon ziploc bag (leave unzipped) and grab it back out in the morning.

 

[beatledog7]

Just stick the whole thing into a gallon ziploc bag...

Why the bag?

 

[ClangClang]

Same question here... that just seems like it would promote rust.

 

[Outlaw Man]

Maybe he keeps it in the freezer.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I take the holster off with the gun in it, and I put the holster back on with the gun in it. But no, I don't use a ziploc bag when I take it off.... Not quite sure of the reasoning behind that one.

 

[bensdad]

I pull the gun. Cooper's rules and such (it's loaded, pointed safe, booger-hook off trigger, pointed safe x 2).

 

[Shawn Dodson]

All my IWB holsters have belt loops because, in my experience, belt clips are less secure (I've had holsters pop out of my waistband) and belt clips don't keep my pistol in the same consistent position and orientation.

Here's my routine for jocking-up:

1. Get dressed
2. Undo my belt and pants and "install" my IWB holster and spare magazine carrier (I remove and inspect the magazine as I do this)
3. Do up my pants and cinch up my belt
4. Obtain my loaded pistol from storage, give it a quick visual inspection and perform a Battle-Readiness Check
5. Holster it like I do on the range (I use this as a training opportunity)
6. Adjust my clothing and go about my business

Here's my routine for the end of day:

1. Present my pistol from the holster (I use this as a training opportunity)
2. Give it a quick visual inspection
3. Put the loaded gun away (usually in a quick access Closet Vault)
4. Remove the spare magazine carrier and holster from my belt and stow

 

[TacticsWithPractice]

I keep an eye on my steel

I always pull mine. Especially in the summer months here in Georgia, my leather IWB holster tends to wick sweat, and being a mechanic in the humid sunshine; I fear failure to keep my slide oiled almost daily would rust it to the rails!

 

[bigfatdave]

I put the belt through the loops, then I put the holster on the pants, empty. Then I put on my pants, buckle the belt, and pop the gun in the holster.

If I intend to re-wear pants, I just leave the whole deal assembled and put it on my dresser, and depending on how heavy a gun I'm carrying, it may go back on without even unholstering the gun. (steel-frame guns tend to be awkward for that, those I'll pull and dump on the dresser while I put the pants on)

 

[rcmodel]

I don't know much of anything.

Except I know you need to lose the zip-lock bag for sure!!

Sweat & salt collect and soak into in a holster all the time you are wearing it.

The gun needs to be out of the holster and wiped down when you are not wearing it.

And the holster needs to be out of a zip-lock bag to dry out at all times you are not wearing it!!

I know that much for sure!!

Myself, if I can stuff a loaded Glock already in a holster my pants?
Or stuff a loaded Glock in a holster in my pants??

I'll take stuffing the holstered loaded Glock in my pants every time!

rc

 

[bdickens]

You're way overthinking this.

 

[LNK]

I leave the 1911 in the holster for both operations. As far as sweating is concerned, I have not had a problem as horsehide does not seem to absorb moisture. I do check the readiness of the gun after removing holster and before putting on holster. I work outside in the summer and winter and sweat alot in the summer. I clean and re-oil weekly or bi-weekly, and have had no rust issues, even under the grips.

I would not put it in a ziplock bag though....

LNK

 

[AWorthyOpponent]

I load my carry gun in the morning when I get dressed, and unload it when I get undressed. It gives me a chance to check the gun, and wipe off dirt, dust, lint, and here in Florida, Sweat as well as oil if necessary. I do however put the firearm in the holster before putting the holster on. I have another firearm that stays by my bed, so I don't have to worry about that.

 

[ATLDave]

I like to have the gun holstered, then put the holster on. When holstering into an IWB holster, it's very easy or even inevitable (depending on your build) that the muzzle of the gun will sweep some part of your anatomy (outside of leg usually). Having it in a holster doesn't prevent that sweep, but it does ensure the trigger is covered at the time it happens!

For an outside holster, particularly something that stands a bit off the body, the sweep is more easily avoided.

 

[Bobson]

I put my pants on first, one leg at a time. Then my belt, then my holster - with the gun already in it. At the end of the day, the process is reversed.

 

[Sam1911]

As I've got a range of young'uns in the house, any time I set down my carry gun -- even if it's going under lock and key -- it's unloaded.

I do occasionally put some holsters on with the gun inside already -- and that's a fine thing to do, very safe -- but I tend to get my holster set in place, load the gun, holster, and then adjust my shirt tucked in around the gun (assuming a tuckable holster).

 

[Fred Fuller]

IMHO it's important to always be fully aware and "in the moment" when handling a loaded firearm, especially when doing routine things such as holstering it first thing in the morning. Accidents happen more often when attention is not focused on the task at hand.

Beyond that, whatever is safe and works for you... I doubt there is a universally agreed upon set of 'best practices' for holstering in the morning .

 

[HankR]

Seems to me I'm violating Rule 2 whenever I holster/unholster if I'm already wearing the holster. I tend to put the gun in the holster first, but that means I don't get the practice that you guys get holstering (and drawing) while it's already on the belt. The gun definitely covers the outer portion of my hip and/or butt cheek when holstering.

 

[JustinJ]

As I've got a range of young'uns in the house, any time I set down my carry gun -- even if it's going under lock and key -- it's unloaded.

What about re-chambering the round? Assuming its not a revolver.

 

[Sam1911]

What about re-chambering the round? Assuming its not a revolver.

Assuming you mean bullet set-back?

I rotate the ammo a bit, and watch for signs of set-back.

That's really about 0.01% of the big deal many folks make of it. Besides, I generally carry .45ACP so even if a bullet does set back (and I've had a few that eventually did) that's pretty low pressure to begin with.

 

[JustinJ]

That's really about 0.01% of the big deal many folks make of it. Besides, I generally carry .45ACP so even if a bullet does set back (and I've had a few that eventually did) that's pretty low pressure to begin with.

Agreed. Some do make a big deal out of it so was just curious.

 

[Comrade Mike]

I swear you guys will argue the technicalities about anything. Even putting your pants on

When I travel to free states where I can actually carry. Gun goes on night stand before bed, holster stays on pants, pants go on in the morning, gun go back in pants. Repeat ad infinitum or until range day.

 

[conw]

I think more of what not to do.

I don't handle it unsafely or leave it out of the safe outside of arm's reach.

I don't fiddle unnecessarily with it (unloading/clearing/reloading, messing with magazine, stroking it while watching TV).

I don't pick it up, grasp it, or hold it any manner whatsoever short of a full firing grip with my strong hand (finger off trigger and pointed safe of course). I don't want reps of weird grips and I want full control of it when it's outside of my waistband, holstered or no.

I do keep a reload nearby (on my person or near the gun) and I do ensure if the gun is within arm's reach and is in ready condition, that I will be able to put it back iwb minimal preparation. That means if it's in a holster I'm still wearing a belt. If it's not it's in a belly band or I'm wearing a belly band already and can slip it in.

To paraphrase Heinlein, keep your clothes and weapons where you can easily reach them in the dark.

Those are my best practices.