Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we went over the various types of holsters you can carry in Part 2 of our holster rundown. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, we are going to wrap up our holster rundown series by looking at some of the accessories for concealed carry holsters. With a variety of options and additions available on the market, there are plenty of options to look at when ordering a Kydex or leather holster. What accessories are worth the money, what may be a waste of money, and how do you tell the difference?
Belt Clips
One of the most common upgrades you’ll see on holsters is the ability to add on metal clips instead of the standard plastic monoclip or the addition of a holster “claw”. First, I’ll dive into the metal versus plastic clip debate. There are plenty of holster manufacturers that offer metal clip upgrades, with the monoblock clip being the typical standard option. While the metal clip is certainly a stronger option for winter time, where the plastic can become cold and brittle, the metal clips aren’t perfect either, so it’s important to keep in mind what you value most when looking at the holster clips.
Although I do like the increased durability of the metal holster clips, they often scratch and snag on things like my truck door frame when I get into my vehicle. The plastic is much less abrasive if you scuff or hit anything with the clip. This may seem like a weird example, but this is one of the real-world issues I’ve had with metal clips. Most people prefer metal clips, but personally, I choose plastic clips every time and just order a spare.
Claw Attachments
Claw attachments for inside the waistband holsters can be a huge aid for those of you who carry a larger handgun and need that extra bit of help to conceal the longer frame of full-size or mid-size guns. A claw is another attachment that goes through your retention screw points, where the holster is held together and it’s essentially a small arm coming off the holster to push your pant line slightly out, allowing for your gun to contour your body more effectively. The claws really do help your holster stay planted with another point of contact.
It may not seem significant, but if you’re carrying a full-size handgun on your hip, that little extra push on your pant line has absolutely made a difference for me personally and it’s definitely worth looking at if you’re starting to go down the rabbit hole of custom Kydex holsters. Now, roughly 90% of the time, these are for Kydex holsters, but some custom leather crafters have started using claw attachments on their holsters as well, so keep in mind that’s absolutely a possibility on leather IWB holsters for 1911s and other handguns.
Wedges and Add-ons
When it comes to smaller add-ons and other things like wedges, they can certainly help in certain situations, but they aren’t a must for everyone. Wedges are a small foam accessory that people who carry appendix use so the holster is pushed flat against the pants instead of at an angle where it starts to dig badly into your private area. This small wedge does a nice job of pushing the holster forward to allow for less printing on the butt of the handgun.
Other attachments have add-ons where you can attach a spare magazine carrier, which allows you to comfortably carry a spare magazine on an appendix holster setup, but depending on the condition, this can make your holster much bulkier than just a standalone holster. I know plenty of people who love a combination rig like this, but personally, I don’t find them to be super comfortable. Again, at the end of the day, it really is important to remember that everything boils down to personal preference and what you need a holster to do. What works perfectly for me may not work at all for you and that’s why there are so many variations of holsters on the market today.
Overall Thoughts
Holsters can be a tricky decision if you’re brand new to the market. But with some tips and a little understanding of what you may need, it’s certainly not impossible to find your perfect holster, no matter the material or configuration. What is your go-to holster and why do you enjoy carrying it the way you do? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. If you have questions about holsters or firearms in general, you may absolutely shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you next week for another edition of Concealed Carry Corner.
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