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Paddle VS Belt

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I am going to get a USP 45 fullsize next month and have decided on a Comp-Tac holster, but now I can't decide between the paddle or belt holster. I am leaning toward a belt, but a paddle might be a better option because I with a paddle, I wouldn't have to wear a specific size belt (different day, different belt width type thing). This will be for open carry on my right hip to wear while hunting or just in the woods. Which is more comfortable for open carry, and which do you prefer and why? Thanks!!!
-Mike
 
I thought about a paddle recently, but everyone online told me they don't conceal as well. So, I got another belt holster.

If I could open carry, I guess I'd get the paddle.
 
Paddles don't conceal as well, Eh? I haven't been made in 20+ years of carrying. NOT all that time was with a Paddle though. But Much of it was.

In the end it's what you are comfortable with. I'm not cormfortable with IWB at all. So it's paddle, or pocket, for me. I know you will make the right selection.:)
 
Paddles are just like any other holster. Some lend themselves well to concealment, some don't. Surely no one is going to buy the fobus roto-paddle that sticks out an extra 1\4" and say its the best thing since IWB.

That said, i wear a paddle when I want convienience. I wear a belt when I want to conceal. I'm sure there are some paddles out there that conceal better than some belt holsters (especially the Bianchi minimalist i picked up! yuck!), but i can't personally give you any recommendations.

Were i to try to find a paddle for concealment, I'd go for something leather. I dunno what it is, but leather just feels more concealed to me.
 
I have several of both styles.

I have Bianchi revolver paddle holsters and Safariland semi-auto paddle holsters. They conceal just fine with the right cover garment.
And they work better with some trouser/belt combinations.

But I must admit that my Baker Pancakes and Galco/Desantis/etc belt holsters hold the gun just a little tighter against my body. But I have to wear a good strong belt and the right trousers.

Both types have their own pros and cons.
 
I have two Comp-Tac paddles and they conceal fine with the right shirt. The quality of the holsters are top-notch, too. Comp-Tac makes good stuff. IMO nothing is more comfortable than a good paddle holster.
 
For a moment there I thought I was at the wrong site. :evil:

All joking aside have never used a paddle myself, are they as secure as a belt?
If you are going to be doing a lot of moving around stooping, lifting, and even
climbing (warehouse environment) which will stay where it is suppose to better?
 
Paddles are convenient, but work best if used WITH a good shooting belt. Together with the belt, they're as stable as a belt holster, and allow for easy removal. Without a good belt, some of them tend to move around a bit. (It'll vary with maker, etc.)
 
I've seen more than a couple of paddle holsters go flying downrange during draw & fire drills. Mite disconcerting for the fellow trying to pull his gun, and often flubs up the draw too.

pax
 
What, this isn't what I expected

given the title, I thought I'd be clicking into a corporeal punishment discussion .....

and Belt, all the way.

Ok, nothing more to see here, move along :neener:
 
For a moment there I thought I was at the wrong site.
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing. Between Catholic School Nuns with their Paddles and My old man's Belt, I like to pick neither.
 
You KNEW it was going to degenerate into this!:eek: :what:
Belt HOLSTER for me, but I did use a paddle HOLSTER for work, as the paddle HOLSTER would go on and off quickly at the gun locker. Then I found an HBE Specialty Leatherworks belt HOLSTER that is perfect, and use it all the time now.
 
pax, et al are right.

The purpose of a paddle isn't to allow carry without a good belt on, they were created for people who have to go into and out of "gun free" environments frequently to allow for the holster to be taken off and on conveniently (without having to undo a belt and unthread a holster).

The paddle is to replace the stability that widely spaced loops give a traditional belt holster and allow allow more friction to prevent the holster coming up with the gun. Most also have hooks on the inside of the holster body to engage the underside of the belt for that reason.

As a comfort issue, many holsters with hooks for the belt on the holster body have a corresponding hole in the paddle so the holster wont be canted out as much as the hook presses into the fabric below the beltline and hits the solid surface of the paddle.

A lot of people (some due to holster manufacturer's marketing :rolleyes: ) think that the hook and hole are there to hold the holster in place without a belt at all. It may work, but it isn't how the holsters were built, there just isn't enough clamping pressure in the design. Typically beltless carry is when people start losing paddle holsters.
 
I have a Comp-Tac C-Tac and also the SetCant with both paddle and belt attachment devices. My normal carry rig is the C-Tac; IWB is better for my environment.

When using the SetCant, I have found that the belt attachment is far superior to the paddle. It may be just this holster design, but the point at which the holster proper joins the paddle is much higher than the center of gravity of the loaded holster; this leads to a disconcerting floppiness that I can't bring myself to rely on. I have good belts, BTW.

Again, it may be a byproduct of the model in question, but I prefer the belt unit. Belt sizing isn't that big of a deal- when I got my CPL, I simply chose 3 belts I liked and ordered them all in the appropriate size. It's not like you're going to want to use any of your current non-gun belts when you carry...

$0.02,
Robert
 
I have a Galco paddle holster for my 9mm; it works great for concealed carry. It is better than the belt holster because of ease of removal. In SC you can't carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol for consumption, so every time I go out to eat (at anything besides fast-food) I have to leave my gun in the car. I like it because I can take the holster and the gun off in one step. The only thing about a paddle holster is that you need a belt to keep the gun close to you body if you are carrying concealed.
 
I've used a Comp-Tac CTAC belt clip model for several years. Carries my P229 just fine. Haven't been (obviously) made while carrying with it, either.

Slower to take off, yes, but I don't take it off much during the course of my day. For me, it's a very deliberate act to unwrap the holster. I like it that way. I know it's not going to surprise me at inopportune times.

Regards,
Rabbit.
 
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