Quote:
Originally Posted by macsauce13
Oh wow, thanks for the tip! I think I will do that! They look really nice, although maybe a bit out of my price range.
I went with the 380 semi-auto. Loved the size and feel of it.
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Don't worry about the $100+ prices on the website, his prices are actually quite reasonable - for the basic slimline that I got my two holsters in, I think I paid ~$60 each at the show. And he stands behind his work, if it's not comfortable or working for you, take it back and he'll fix it on the spot.
(NOTE: this post ended up being a little longer than intended, but I think you'll see from my story why I think it's worth saying!)
Before that, I had tried a Remora holster for my Diamondback DB9 (tiny 9mm, just a hair bigger than your S&W). It was inexpensive, and fit in my waist fantastic, infinitely adjustable, could be put anywhere, held the gun well, etc etc... I loved it.
There was just one problem - it held the gun TOO WELL. Yeah, under controlled draw and presentation practice, it wasn't an issue. BUT I discovered that in a "frenetic" draw, quick, unexpected, with my heart rate up, there was a significant chance of me pulling the trigger while drawing it. Fortunately this was practice, and no round in the chamber. But it happened on more than one occasion. And that was the last time I used that holster!
The reason being that most inexpensive holsters holds the gun in by simple pressure of your belt, and since the size of the grip on a compact .380 is relatively small, it is held in so tight so that you just naturally grab for "a little too much" in your effort to get it out. I grew up around guns, owned them all of my life, I am NOT in the habit of putting my finger on the trigger before I'm ready to fire. BUT IT STILL HAPPENED TO ME!!!
So what am I trying to say? eh, just a point of first hand advice learned the hard way really, whatever holster you choose, practice the hell out of it. Do it under simulated stressful conditions. Sprint 10 feet, then quickly try to present your gun. Don't "pre-think" the presentation beforehand, just do it. Do it a few hundred times, see what happens.
Do it while the gun is cocked, so you know if you $#^$@ it up. And do it WITHOUT a round in the chamber, so you don't shoot your kneecap off if you do @#$#@ it up! I'm glad I figured it out with an unloaded gun in practice, and not a loaded gun when my life depended on it.
and that's the really long version of why I recommend spending AT LEAST $50+ on your holster. Whether it be kydex or leather or a hybrid, and where it's purchased, doesn't really matter, just that it's GOOD, and you practice a lot with it under stress. I think it's even more important for the smaller guns due to the firing problem outlined above, and because it is an often overlooked and superbly critical part of the effectiveness (or complete failure) of your gun should you ever need it
Just my
