One Clip or Two on the Holster

[Mtbkski]

I'm looking for a new inside the waistband carry holster. I had one in mind, and two of you gave it bad ratings on the "Don't use this holster thread". So, I am looking again. I saw another one I liked, and someone wrote and told me that holsters with one clip will move around a lot.

So, is two clips really a must have? Are there holster out there that your using that have one clip and your happy with? Let me know what you all think.

One Clip or Two

J - Hook was getting bad reviews too. Is one style of clip better to use?

[dgg9]

First of all, are you talking about IWB holsters?

[dgg9]

If IWB, there are a lot of trade-offs, and no one thing is paramount.

For starters, no IWB should slide fore and aft along the belt freely. Friction alone should prevent that.

Spread-loop format like CTAC, Milt Sparks VM2, FIST 20 = the most stable, since the spread clips hold the gun stable. But the price is: the spread clips take up a lot of waistline real estate and you might find that it take an annoying amount of time to wrestle into place. For large guns, one could argue it's worth it.

The "two loops right next to each other" style -- Sidearmor, Milt Sparks Summer Special, Kramer, etc -- are a little more stable, and a whole lot easier to get on and off. But a larger gun with a longer handle, say a G17, presents a lot of weight in the handle that torques the holster off center.

The "one single belt clip" style you see is the least supportive of all. I would rpefer J hooks to that style. With the single belt clip, the clip is not doing much anchoring in place, so perhaps it's best for slim, flat guns where the belt against your body supplies the gripping action to keep it in place. For example, I found that stubby, blocky, squarish guns like mini-Glocks to not be held firmly in place by the single-clip holsters since gun in the holster is almost a round object.

[MarcS]

I guess since it was my advice to begin with, what don said is about right.

[Mtbkski]

Wow, no large amount of good advice and insights. (Nothing personal to those that posted. I'm just surprised your the only ones that have) I thought this subject would bring up a good listen and learn kind of subject. You guys have to have some opinions on this. Anyone esle want to jump in and give me their two cents worth? I would love to hear it.

Thanks to those that have posted so far. Hope you didn't take the opening statement the wrong way.

[Karys]

I have no experience with two clip or two loop holsters. My experience with one clip holsters is the clip has to be wide enough and strong enough to keep the holster where you put it.

This is the holster I'm currently using: http://www.holster-connection.com/ht...r/tb_ST17.html
Notice how wide the clip is?

As long as you get a holster with a clip that's at least an inch wide, you should be fine. An inch and a half would be better.

I've also tried IWB holsters with a single leather belt loop. They were by far the worst as far as staying put.

I tried the Sidearmor IWB and the J-hooks worked OK. I couldn't get used to the gun riding up higher than my leather IWB so I went back to my Ted Blocker ST-17B.

[Mtbkski]

And that last post brings up another good question.

What are the pros and cons of having some kind of a restraining device on your holster. And how many of you use something like this.

How many of you use a thumb break style holster? I know there are other types of devices meant to hold the pistol in the holster. Anyone like or dislike these? Pros and Cons of each?

[dgg9]

I tried the Sidearmor IWB and the J-hooks worked OK. I couldn't get used to the gun riding up higher than my leather IWB so I went back to my Ted Blocker ST-17B.

I use the SA for my G19. For that size gun, the J hooks work fine, and the holster goes on in 3 seconds with no wrestling, a major plus in my book.

The height of the IWB ride on the SA can be controlled by which J hook you buy.

For my G17, the J hook SA is a little overwhelmed, so I had to go with the spread-loop type leather holster. I tried several, and at MarcS's advice, settled (for now -- holsters for me is like Carrie Bradshaw and shoes) on the FIST 20.

[XD45]

I think most people will tell you 2clips are better than one. With that being said I have one one clip IWB and have no problem with either

[Mtbkski]

I couldn't get used to the gun riding up higher than my leather IWB .

What do you mean by this statement? Was the gun falling out of the holster? Was the holster coming out of your pants? What is the difference between the holster mentioned and "my leather IWB".