Holster That Expose The Front Sight, Are Terrible....

[WrongHanded]

Change my mind!

Backstory:
I recently bought a Desantis pancake holster that I thought was a good deal (being a lefty). Unfortunately it was not very well presented on Midwayusa, and appeared to be a two belt loop pancake that covered down to the end of the muzzle. But it doesn't do that, and does not cover the front sight on my G20. It is however the exact holster I ordered ("Mini Scabbard"or some such), cheap and with free shipping.

Could I return it? Sure. But that's not the discussion. The discussion is about whether holsters that expose the muzzle and front sight are just a bad idea, or if they can be okay under certain circumstances.

My thought is that it's generally a bad idea. Particular for a "working" holster where you might be doing manual labor or walking through brush, bumping into stuff, etc. In typical social situations around town, maybe it's not so bad?

Thoughts, experiences, and wild scenarios welcome!

 

[.455_Hunter]

I agree completely. The ONLY holster I have right now that deploys in that condition is a 2" K-frame example when used with 2.5" (Model 66) and 3" (Model 10) guns. This is happening simply because I have yet to source proper holsters for the longer barrels.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

If you like it, then have at it.

However, if your holster is IWB, then I wouldn't recommend this at the range. That exposed muzzle gets HOT.

I grabbed the wrong holster size once for my full sized 1991A1. Didn't realize it until several weeks later when I first started using it, which was a bit beyond the return policy.

So I went with it for a while, until I dropped the money for a much better Milt Sparks. Then I found a new home for the previous one who had a 1911 that matched the holster.

 

[JTQ]

Could I return it? Sure. But that's not the discussion. The discussion is about whether holsters that expose the muzzle and front sight are just a bad idea, or if they can be okay under certain circumstances.

I have one such holster, an El Paso Saddlery High Slide https://epsaddlery.com/product/high-slide/ , but I won't buy anymore. I found sitting down in arm chairs, I'd smack the muzzle on the arm of the chair and launch the gun out of the holster. Fortunately, I'd catch it with my elbow.

However, as a range holster, they are probably OK. Jeff Cooper was known to wear a Yaqui slide holster with his 1911.

 

[WrongHanded]

Here's my particular conundrum:


(Ignore the extended barrel. Winter means a TLR-1 and the extended barrel. The desire for lower profile in Summer, coupled with more daylight, would mean the stock barrel is back in.)

I was expecting it would be closer to this other holster (which doesn't fit the wider G20 frame btw) but without the third belt loop. Obviously that's not the case.



However, on the couple occasions I've worn it (around the house), I've found the muzzle and front sight sit just behind my hip. The front sight seems pretty out of the way and protected right there. I'm still skeptical, but will probably try it out next year regardless.

 

[Zerodefect]

Yep. I like to have the barrels crown protected as well, owb.

 

[Speedo66]

Easy fix, trade the G20 for a G29.

I used to carry a 3" J frame in a 2" holster, no problems long term.

 

[WrongHanded]

Easy fix, trade the G20 for a G29.

I used to carry a 3" J frame in a 2" holster, no problems long term.

What a good excuse to buy a G29. "But honey, I had to fill that $60 holster with something."

 

[mcb]

I agree for the most part. My only exception is my chest rig. That does leave the muzzle uncovered but given its on my chest not my waist it has never been an issue. All my belt holsters completely cover the front sight of the gun they are made for.

 

[Lo-Profile]

I have two Holsters I love that are meant to work with numerous guns that don't cover the holster on guns over 4".
Their made by Frontline Holsters.
Use a snap retention strap, had two snaps on the back to adjust the length. One of them has a 3rd snap added

 

[WrongHanded]

I have two Holsters I love that are meant to work with numerous guns that don't cover the holster on guns over 4".
Their made by Frontline Holsters.
Use a snap retention strap, had two snaps on the back to adjust the length. One of them has a 3rd snap added

So any issues with damage to the muzzle or front sight?

 

[WisBorn]

I would think using the holster while working in a industrial/construction environment would be a risk, hiking I would think that you would be fine.
I have not carried in my versa holster yet because I like the Forbus.

 

[Mizar]

It's bad idea even in "civilized" environment - carry guns get bumped a lot, that's the nature of the game.

 

[WrongHanded]

It's bad idea even in "civilized" environment - carry guns get bumped a lot, that's the nature of the game.

Perhaps it differs from person to person. Usually, I'm pretty aware of my surrounding in civilized/social settings. I don't feel like I bump my gun on things often, but I'll pay more attention and see if I'm wrong about that.

 

[JTQ]

I would think using the holster while working in a industrial/construction environment would be a risk, hiking I would think that you would be fine.
I have not carried in my versa holster yet ...
View attachment 1113668

The detailed "boning" you see on quality holsters is not decorative, it is functional. The shape of the holster provides retention.

It may have a lot of retention, but I would be very skeptical of the retention properties of the pictured holster.

 

[CapnMac]

Having used a Yaqui Slide with various sizes of 1911, they can be quite effective (if better with a rounded front sight)

I also was far too deep in ISPC back in the day, and wide open was the way to game that extra 0.01 second

Mind IPSC holsters are not exactly suited for concealed carry.

 

[Mizar]

Usually, I'm pretty aware of my surrounding in civilized/social settings. I don't feel like I bump my gun on things often, but I'll pay more attention and see if I'm wrong about that.

It's inevitable - guns get bumped on car doors, door knobs, arm rests, corners... I'm not saying it happens every day if you pay attention, but if you carry long enough it will. And I don't like it - holster wear is one thing, but unneeded dings and scratches are not my cup of tea. Not to mention that you get extra portion of lint even inside the gun. Another thing, that the Captain pointed out - a sloped front sight is a must, because squared ones can hang on the garment. I will add and an adequate holster sight track, which should be checked from time to time if it's molded, to make sure it's not collapsed from wear.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I carry a 45Shield and they are a little longer than a 9mm Shield, when I first started hunting a holster all I could find was the 9mm size and the barrel was about 1/2"long, I hit that on everything, now they make a slightly longer holster that covers the barrel and I prefer them. Now I need to get a 9mm Shield

 

[gwpercle]

I have always liked the Yaqui Slide and various Belt Slide ... seems Jeff Cooper favored them .
The 1911 has a rugged front sight and muzzel . It's like wearing shorts ... if you are going to be walking through brush ... wear long pants ... but for a day at the beach ... wear minimalist .
Gary

 

[FL-NC]

I agree.

 

[JTQ]

I found sitting down in arm chairs, I'd smack the muzzle on the arm of the chair and launch the gun out of the holster. Fortunately, I'd catch it with my elbow.

The other issue I had was the muzzle catching on the seams of my pants, especially jeans. I ended up tearing the top corner of one of my jeans back pocket. I couldn't just reholster the gun, I had to make a conscious effort to avoid the seams of my pants when reholstering.

 

[CraigC]

Would be fine for going hands-free at the range with something like what San Pedro Saddlery used to market as the "gun bucket" but other than that, it makes no sense to me.

 

[doubleh]

I have an adjustable heavy duty nylon one for using at the range. It can be adjusted to fit about anything. Other than that it's full coverage for me.

 

[JohnKSa]

Holsters not only house the gun, they protect it. They also protect the things that will inevitably by bumped by the gun while it is being worn and they protect clothing from being frayed/torn/worn by the gun. More coverage is better, as long as it doesn't unnecessarily limit rapid access to the gun.

 

[Alllen Bundy]

My first concern would be that the front sight could catch on the holster during a draw. The finish could be worn off of the sight. Tritium sights can die if they take a hard whack. You could conceivably knock the sight out of alignment and throw off the point of impact. The sight could wear your clothing. A foreign object could enter the barrel. The pistol could conceivably be accidentally pushed out of the holster.

I can't imagine any advantage that could possibly outweigh these potential disadvantages. An unprotected front sight just seems like a very bad idea.