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Dave Young and Gary T. Klugiewicz
11holsters are not created equal. You know that. You also know that different types of holsters are designed to be used for different police applicaLtions. But what you may not know is how to evaluate holsters for quality, fit, retention, and general function. Every cop should know how to evaluate a holster. This is true whether your agency lets you buy your holster from an approved list using your personal equipment allowance or it simply issues one. And it's especiallytrue if you are involved in making the decision about which holster your agency will issue to its officers. No officer who has spent time on the street working in full duty gear will question why the greatest of care should be taken in choosing a holster. A good holster and belt combo can increase vour effectiveness and minimize that gear. A bad I
holster and belt combo can make your day a misery and, in certain extreme cases, endanger your life. It's important that you have the right holster for the job and that you train with it to gain skills that you will need when things go bad on the street. Drawing and reholstering should be second nature to you kom a variety of positions and with eithe~ hand. You should also take care to ensure that the gear on your belt does not interfere with your ability to access your duty pistol under stress. (See "The Tragedy of Officer Molly Bowden" on page 44.) Officers have been wounded or even killed because of improper, poorly designed holsters, and their own lack of familiarity with their holsters. About the worst thing that can happen to you in a gunfight is to have trouble drawing your gun. The successful deployment of gear hinges on three actions: choosing the right equipment for the policemag.com June 2005
38 POLICE
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to other types of holsters. Selection Protocols Holsters are no different than any other piece of equipment. There is not one right kind of holster fi 11officers. A holster must
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When testing a retention holster, put it on and have one of your buddies try to take a replica of your gun. (Above) One of the most neglected holster tests is the cross-draw. (Right) Your survival may someday depend on your ability to draw your weapon while seated in your car.
ty,and security. Evaluation Protocol There are a lot of ways to evaluate a holster. The following is a detailed explanation of our method. If you are evaluating holsters for an agency, the manufacturers will gladly provide you with their products for testing. If you're an individual officer who is thinking of switching holsters, about the only way to make this evaluation is by Warning:To prevent acadental
han the non-functional plasti
t o know how t o evaluate i t and how t o trai job, proper supervision of officers using that gear, and training so that officers gain familiarity with the gear. If you skip any of these steps or cut them short, then you compromise officer and public safety. As veteran officers and police trainers, welve put a lot of thought into developing an efficient protocol for the selection of holsters. We've also created training programs that will help officers transition to a new holster. And we've worked with law enforcement managers and executives, teadung them how to perform ongoing reviews and evaluations of their agencies' existing duty gear. So let's take a look at our evaluation protocol and discuss ways to improve policemag.com June 2005
fit the duty assignment of the officer wearing it. For example, different holsters may be needed for the patrol officer, the plainclothes detective, the bike officer, the court officer, the tactical operator, and the list goes on and on. There is no one specific style of holster that fits all functions. On some agencies that issue holsters to their officers, the gear is selected by administrative protocol. This selection is primarily based on price, appearance, and estimated service life. This means that holster selection is made by the fiscal management/accounting departments, not the end user. Often the evaluation process consists of nothing more than reviewing the manufacturers' and
firearms for this testing. With pull tests, the "hardness" of the ÂŁirearm needs to be as close to the real thing as possible. RetentionTesting Tree Pull TestSecure the holster on a duty belt; then strap the duty belt around a tree. Now stand at different angles to the tree to simulate a rear, side, and front pull. Use two hands and make three jerk and pulls for an average of one second each. This is an excellent simulationof someone trying to disarm you. So obviously retention is one of the critical concerns that you are evaluatingwith this test. But there's more to it than that. It's great to have a holster that can prevent
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Holster Roundup ELThere are plenty of holsters to choose from today. A multitude of new materials and retention technologies have a ,, lot to offer, if only you can decide which ones you want. Each holster has a different feel, a different fit, a different level ? of retention, and might require a different type of draw. Here's a selection of products to serve as a starting point in se- 7 lecting your next holster. A wrap-around thumb-break flap
Bianchi International DutyLok from Bianchi IS a 1 tenance multi-retention hotster. The DutyLok uses the company's Auto Reo intention concept. ~ u t Retention stantly locks a gun into place as it's holstered. Bianchi's KnuckleBreak thumb snap makes the hokter more secure and allows for a om-step drawing motion. FingerLok provides speed and security for quick middle finger release of the firearm. With its injection-molded belt loop with Ergotek comfort pad, the DutyLok fits snugly on the Bianchi ErgoTek belt or any standard 2.25-inch equipment belt and is available in six fits for semiautomatic pistols. Circle Reader Senrice M.316 3 $.8 ' .
Cmle Rsmkr !Service No. 318
Don Hume Leathergoods @?$ Utilizing a pancake-style design, Don Hume's Agent 711 concealment hokter provides a comfortable fit by permitting the detailed molding to c p to tk front side, keeping the back flat. Compact size makes this holster w l l suited to conceal~nt.It also features a reinforced opening at the m w t h for longer life and easy rehdstering. Circle Reader S e m i i No.319
side. A nun-stretch retention strap and molded thumb break are designed to stay open for easy reholstering, even one-handed. An adjustabletensioning d&e a d . an injection-moldedbelt loop ensure correct placement. The holster is suspended within a thermoplastic exoskeleton for support and strength.h' ' ' Constructed with a foam core, , smooth nylon lining, and a choice of % either a Mirage or Cordura nylon ex- f terior, the PRO-3 is durable and easy . to care for. "' ‘ I
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gum secure h i k alkwing you tar draw md r@.hd~er quickly m e s a ~ l k x k ~ n l h a t ~ " tEach F h M e r under require thumb straps. owes an$ has B c-ured a d fndd paddle that.secures.hk w h tilg.frtlp. The Serpa Lock b deigned to engage the trigger guard as flu b k t w the pi% onto qrcw M. The m m m say^ thy
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tdandprotletgountilyar it To are mi Ma.320 release the gun, we ycrur normal d m i~mouCmVhfi~~ZTjlpgerfln~lwxt totkhokterbadyartd ~ppesstbereGould & Goodrich lease m h a n b u h your fin* EM Constr-d af a p n ~pdyf yau draw. w w laminate, K-FfXCâ‚Ź duty Iwkter5 mGouM&Gmh@e-tob c a w with bath ~-~ and paddle dusa& and xuff rm.irtant.These hdp&mms stem are B d En CSrdat w i Plo.517 a l 1 w water and deb&
Bilhed ss the first a srmmfh, faat draw. %fwrth IeverId r c t m c m witk the addirtjon srF th ho&er"s opticural sentry ~ Y WTtw . . b h t e r autmt&ally goes into M2 wwr@ upsn &okteriq by of a md&d ejection port iMert thsrt locks the gun. The Raptor features a seH-f-krckirpg r ryrtern,hm-iqrga tfw 0713JT53,a d a uniwmal rwjk 1009. " that a l h fior a W e ran* of mount-
R a b I 2 2.: ,MW a n d I ~ 3 ~ t e ~ M w , ~ t a j $n g a unique S* to keep a gun ware. $ The R o W d usestf-ee@cto in 4: port of the h;l.dgun for securing the gun k i c k the M e r . This, coupkc! with a finger try and W q tab, ai?\!
Millennium rn,aterialk r durability. It's a f f k d to a thermoplartk kit haflger with aircraft.-grade fasterren. The features De5mti9' Monolac
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Hdster Retention tevels The fevak one t o three a s i g n d to halstm by manufacturers are samewhat subjective. There is no industry standard. Nor is t h e any unHwrn tgsting like there b with ~e NLI standard for ballistic vests. Fallawing are the 1Ey accepted definitions of txlllstsr re4entb.n h b Lraval I-You or a km can just gra4 the weae~)atand draw it fam he haktster. The weaport is retained imi& *e hsbster by the hoktw"s mold, configuration, design, a d t&m. The primary ~ 3 k apglicatien e f a r Iml1 holsters is fw gEair~toPkq m t b n s that require ccmcecealnwnt sr far k k -
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2-These haMtn at@ a thumb break {safety strap) retention qstem that ha/& tk gun in place. Y w wilt find lwI2 hlsters in
sterr feature m h a n b m that p a ~ i d eleanother lwei af pa'tectlon to mfquard t k weapon.h t mans the wearer mt.& rock the w e a p n in a s.pwia~lway or push BJ h r w bw~ttonPo effect a g n d Par patrol officers, aldraw. These hofsters are p zkizugh smaXisr cmcealm re aSm p p b r with plaioIf you want to know how well your holster can protect your gun, fasten it to a tree with a non-working replica of your duty weapon. Now, imagine that you are a muscle-bound bad guy and try to disarm the tree.
the bad guy from taking your gun. However, a critical concern that's often overlooked is the effect of a disarming attempt on the operation of the holster. Once you have tried to disarm the tree, be sure to strap on the holster and evaluate whether the "firearm" can still be drawn and re-holstered properly. The tree test will tell you many things
More and rnme affierr are chc~oritnqholsters wi.eh mere retention %aIres anid here's why FBt statistics shw that. in the 10-par p e r i d from 1992 t~21001.. 48 polb officers were kilfed witkt their own hsrdguns after lesing them to a subject Rememhr, at any time during a physical emwnter durlrig which you
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about a holster. It will help you evaluate the protection provided to your firearm inside that holster, the durability of the belt shank and holster, and expected serviceabilityof the holster and belt. OfFcer Pull Test-You can only simulate so much using a holster strapped to
Warning: Play It Safe When MrqReal Guns
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Unku yw an on a r a w , drawing a d firing at targets, always practice M a r drilb with inoperable training gum such n Blue GUM. tf p u rJsnY hm awcrr tcr training gum, cr - r ftc like ycw naed to practice with your actual IL firearm, k sum t o f o l l ~ w thew! rules. Clear your -pan. Make sum there b no li.ammunith m your pmar on yaur dwty belt. Thm, to k abrdutdy safe, put an Amma fafe in your gun. A r n m Safe b a plastic W c t that3 dumknd ta fit y w r ,,.I. It I- than $5, and it prsscntr the Introduction af m y lh ammunitim into your w a p n . With an AmmO bfs in ghatI y t n ~can cycle the weapon and avckn put1the triggm without wcurying about an ac-
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cidental d i a r g t . You knolrv an Ammo Safe b in a gun because e kng,brightly colored plastic whip protrude from ttw muzzle. The whip m.y hinder drawing and reheharing. tf it dow,you can cut it But don't cut it x, short that you unY KC it. Rea
42 POLICE
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No. 325
a tree. So have one of y o u officers put on his or her duty gear, the holster to be evaluated, and the non-functional training firearm and holster. Now have another officer or volunteer stand at different angles at the rear, side, and front of the officer and using two hands give three separate jerk and pulls, qing to yank the firearm out of the holster. Have at least three different volunteers of various heights and weights try to disarm your officer. Also, have y o u ofassume a variety of positions, ding standmg, kneeling, sitsupine, and prone. As you did with the tree test, once the disarming exercise is complete, attempt to operatethe holster to evaluatewhether the firearm can be drawn and re-holstered correctly without jeopardizing holster integrity. This tests the protection the holster provides the firearm, along with the durability and serviceability of the holster and belt system used.
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Access Testing This test is conducted in the various positions an officer may find him or herself in on duty, including standing, kneeling, sitting, on the ground,
policemag.com June 2005
supine, prone, and sitting in a vehicle. Wear your assigned duty gear, including ballistic vest. Then draw the training firearm, scan from left to right with the firearm drawn, and then secure the firearm. Repeat this drill in all positions
with your gloves on and with bare hands. Once you have completed this drill with your gun hand, do it again with your non-gun hand. Now, perform a series of draws while standing,kneeling, sitting, supine, prone,
and while sitting in a vehicle. Draw with your gun hand barehanded and with gloves. Then do it again with your nongun hand. This may seem like an awful lot of trouble to go through just to evaluate a
m e Tragedy of ~ f T i aBowden l ~ air* imZ trrksrn
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holster. But it's important to remember that your holster is more than just a carrying case for your gun. It is also a critical piece of survival gear and the only way to know how this gear will function when the chips are falling is to test it under real-world conditions ,or as close to real-world conditions as you can simulate.
Start with a basic orientation. If an en- drawing and reholstering of the firearm tire unit or agency is switching its gear, is going to take place in a standing posithis can be accomplished in a classroom. tion or with the strong hand, alternative But a single officer making a transition drawing positions and draws must be to a new, agency-approved holster should practiced prior to real-world confrontations where both operator and equipalso follow this procedure. To keep things simple, we're going to ment limitations may lead to tragedy. Remember that when you are on the address the rest of this section to individual officers. If you are a trainer or super- job, unless you are plainclothes, you will visor, you will easily be able to adapt be wearing a full uniform and your balthese training instructions to suit the listic vest and duty gear. You need to When to Change a Holster In many cases, departments consider needs of your officers. make absolutely certain that you can duty gear to be a one-time purchase, Make sure that you know how the hol- draw your weapon from your new holm e w the purchase should last the of- ster operates, how to draw and reholster, ster in the field and that none of your ficer's entire 20- to 25-year career, under and how the holster needs to be gear or clothing will impede your draw placed/stabilized on the duty belt in con- or your reholstering. normal circumstances. So once you are comfortable drawing The problem with this approach is that junction with other duty equipment. it doesn't account for advancements in Once you understand the operation of and reholstering your firearm from your duty gear technology. In recent years, we the holster, it's time to practice drawing new holster, put on your uniform and have not only seen a variety of new re- and reholstering your weapon. It's criti- your vest, outerwear, gear, and gloves. tention holsters, we have also seen a cal that you build skills drawing and re- Now practice drawing and reholstering growing demand for lighter, more com- holstering before progressing to more from a variety of positions and stances. fortable duty belts. We call this the "dress rehearsal." complicated training. You are now ready for the most imporAfter you have achieved proficiency Transitional Training with basic d r a w and reholstering from tant phase of the transitional training. The following is a training regimen the new holster, it's time to work on non- Can you draw and reholster your weapon that we would recommend you follow traditional drawing positions and sup- quickly and effectively under stress durwhen transitioning to a new holster. port hand drawing drills. Since not all ing an unchoreographed, unrehearsed
policemag.com June 2005
Circle No. 66 on Reader Service Card
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simulation?Have some friends work up a role-playing scenario or use a simulator for this test. If you can draw and reholster your weapon successfully under stress, then you and your holster are now truly ready for the street.
TRADITION AND LEADERSHIP P.O. ( 1300, ATTLEBORO FALLS, MA 02763-0300 TEL: 800-699-4436 CALL FOR DEALER IN YOUR AREA FAX: 508-695-5349 Circle No. 150 on Reader Service Card
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Putting It All Together Buying a new holster for yourself or for an entire department is not a task to be taken lightly. The holster must be evaluated for safety, durability, appearance, and, most importantly, utility. Then, once the holster is selected and acquired, you will have to train with it until drawing and reholstering are second nature. If you are a trainer, supervisor, or administrator who is outfitting a number of officers with new holsters, you should keep in mind the professional management paradigm. The rule here is that maximum officer preparedness can be achieved by choosing equipment, in this case, holsters, with protocols that provide a fair and comprehensive evaluation, by requiring officers to train with the new equipment before using it in the field, and by making sure that each officer has adequate supervision. But please remember that all officers are still responsible for their own safety. Each individualofficer needs to take the equipment in hand, use it, evaluate it, train with it, and properly placelstabilize it on his or her belt in conjunction with other equipment. @ Dave Young has served more &an 20 years as a militmy and civilian law enf-t oflcer. He is the director of specialized programs fbr the Tactical naining Division of Technical ~ o i l e and ~e a Fox Valley WE.) member of the POLICE Advisory Board. Gary T Klugiewicz served 25 years with the Milwaukee County Sherifs Department, retiring with the rank of captain. He is the director of training for the Tactical Training Division of Fox Valley PC.) Technical College.
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Circle No. 37 on Reader Service Card
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The authors' readvto-use holster evajuation form.
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policemag.com June 2005