Retention Holster for Open Carry?

[ezypikns]

If you open carry, do you use a holster with some sort of retention device on it?

I'm asking because I believe most LEO's do. Naturally they're concerned about someone grabbing their weapon and using it against them.

What about you?

Thanks

 

[Robo_Railer]

For the reasons mentioned in the other recent thread about open carry, I probably wouldn't (off-duty) except on my own property. But otherwise, yeah, I'd want a holster with at least a thumb break ("Level I") on it. All of my concealed-carry holsters have one, although the Bianchi shoulder holster has a different type of strap.
Uncle Mike's has some pretty decent hip holsters with thumb breaks, like the 7100X. (Those are for 2-3 inch barrel small/medium double action revolvers except 2" 5-shot. 'X' would be a 1 or 2 for right- or left-handed.) From the pics on the site, those seem to sheath pretty much the entire gun except for the grip.
If I ever did openly carry my Python, I might go with the same Uncle Mike's 66521 "Dual Retention" (Level II) high ride that's on my duty belt. (Except that it'd be a pain taking it off and putting it back onto the duty belt.) The 66521 is like the one on the left in the image.
It's pretty secure, and I like having the trigger guard covered.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I really don't open carry. If I did I'd want retention.

Back in my LEO days I quickly stopped being amazed at how many people (especially teen boys) would try to lift your sidearm out of the holster (often as a sort of "counting coup" thing). Handed out more than a few slapped hands and/or faces for that sort of thing.

Wow, we're talking YEARS ago and remembering that stuff STILL puts me on a slow burn

 

[Robo_Railer]

The "mechanical stuff" like a good holster is a step in the right direction, but if you can find someone willing to instruct law-abiding civilians on how to defend against an attempted grab, that's better still. Might be something your local gun club could set up for the members, or you could get together with some friends interested in the same subject. Maybe make a group purchase of at least one "red gun" or "blue gun" (never a real one!) and practice, practice, practice.

Back in my LEO days I quickly stopped being amazed at how many people (especially teen boys) would try to lift your sidearm out of the holster (often as a sort of "counting coup" thing). Handed out more than a few slapped hands and/or faces for that sort of thing.
Wow, we're talking YEARS ago and remembering that stuff STILL puts me on a slow burn.

Roger that. That's why one of my preferred anti-gunsnatcher techniques is an elbow up alongside the assailant's head. "Now that I have your attention . . . "

 

[Dienekes]

In spite of all those wanting to flaunt their rights, open carry is usually not a good idea. I could do it 24/7 but I don't believe in advertising plus I don't need the smartmouth comments it would attract. Just because something is possible doesn't mean it's a good idea.

As it is I do routinely carry strong side under a wool shirt or jacket. The least I have is a friction adjustable holster that is pretty secure. Other pieces I occasionally carry have straps, thumbsnaps, full flaps, or are kydex.

So far I have never had to go back and look for my gun, and that includes travel by horse, ATV, jeep, and light aircraft...don't know about skydiving yet.

 

[Majic]

Yes I have thumb breaks on my OWB holsters.

Just because something is possible doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Just because you don't agree with something make it a bad idea either.

 

[James NM]

I don't open carry, but if I did I would definitely have a high level retention holster.

 

[ProguninTN]

Thumb Snap

My OC holster has a thumb snap retention device.