Picking The Right Holster for Your Battle Belt
Picking the right holster for your battle belt might seem to be an easy task, but making sure you pick the one that works best for your needs is essential. Having the right holster can leave the user feeling comfortable and secure. The wrong holster can leave the user searching for their firearm and worried about its security.
We are here to help you pick the right holster for your battle belt by showing you the best qualities to look for.
Picking the right holster can make or break your battle belt, so picking the right one is vitally important. We will look at qualities like materials, function, safety, and positioning. Let’s dive into the important qualities to look for when choosing the right holster for your battle belt.
Materials and Construction
When it comes to the materials used in the construction of firearm holsters, there are many to choose from on the market. Materials like leather, polymer plastic, nylon, and others can be found in all kinds of holsters and in numerous designs as well. Picking a durable material and construction style is vitally important for your battle belt.
While leather might seem like the tried and true type of holster, they have become a little dated. They are no longer the best to use for battle belts for several reasons. The biggest issue being their durability and resistance to the elements that they might face. Water, dirt, and sweat are the biggest elements that can affect a holster. Leather doesn’t hold up long-term to those types of elements compared to other holster materials.
Nylon and other synthetic materials hold up much better than leather, but they also have their pitfalls when it comes to durability and function. Because they are manufactured and need to be sewn together, they tend to wear and fray with extended use over time. Over the long haul, you end up replacing them more often, which can multiply expenditures that could be used elsewhere.
The best option these days is to opt for a holster that is made of polymer plastic. These molded polymer plastic holsters are form-fitted for specific types of firearms and are constructed to be durable in all types of elements without degradation of the material or loss of function. These polymer holsters have become very popular in the tactical area of firearms, which fits perfectly with our topic at hand.
With the durability of a polymer holster being the best option for your battle belt, let’s move on to the best functions of these types of holsters.
Function
When picking the best holster for your battle belt, we recommend choosing one that functions in a way that creates the utmost confidence and comfort for the shooter that will be using it. Without feeling confident and comfortable, shooters become more worried about how their gear will operate instead of focusing on the task at hand. So, a holster that functions well for the shooter and gives them confidence and comfort will be the best option.
The main function of a holster is to securely hold your firearm when it is not in use. While that may seem like common sense, some holsters just outperform other holsters in this category. Finding the type that works the best and securely keeps the firearm in the holster is paramount when rounding out your battle belt.
Holsters usually have one of two ways in which they hold the firearm securely. The first is by using a strap that goes over the back of the grip of the pistol and keeps it firmly fastened inside the holster. These are usually found on leather and nylon holsters. Polymer plastic holsters on the other hand will sometimes use a snap or velcro to contain the firearm.
The second way that holsters tend to secure a firearm is by using tension or interference. These types of holsters use a retention design inside of the holster that firmly secures the pistol and takes some extra force on the pull to draw the firearm. These have become the most popular function of securing in the firearm world because they still secure the firearm while also taking away the need to undo a strap before drawing.
There is a third option, but they are not as popular and often coincides with the use of tension. This uses a button that helps the retention device lock the firearm into the holster. When drawing, the user uses their index finger to press the button which releases the firearm allowing it to come out. This device isn’t recommended due to safety concerns with the trigger finger accidently pulling the trigger during the draw.
We highly recommend using a holster that uses tension to hold the firearm in place. It is completely safe, holds the firearm securely, and allows for quick drawing and holstering of the firearm which is perfect for a battle belt. Most tension holster styles are adjustable so the user can adjust how much effort it takes to draw and holster their firearm.
Our favorite brands of holsters that offer this function is ANR Design or Safariland if you need a level 2 or 3 retention holster.. They make great high quality products.
Another function of a good holster is safety. A safe holster is a good holster.
Safety
Firearm safety should be a key priority when picking the right holster for your battle belt. The ability to draw and holster a firearm safely is extremely important for the user of the firearm. When in the heat of a situation that needs extreme focus, you should not wonder if your firearm will inadvertently discharge on the draw.
Much of the safety aspect of a holster has to do with securing it, which we just covered in the previous section on function. Outside of the function of securing the firearm safely, a good holster should also adequately cover the trigger to avoid accidental firing of the firearm while holstered.
Most holsters today, regardless of type, have a trigger cover that keeps anything from lodging in the trigger and accidentally discharging it. This is very important for users of battle belts as they are usually very active and move around a lot while training and using firearms.
Another safety feature is the clip or belt attachment that is used for the holster. This needs to be a stable and secure piece of the holster to keep it attached to the battle belt at all times. Many holsters come with standard belt clips or belt attachments to secure the holster. Seeking out an aftermarket belt mount in many cases is a good idea. They often provide more safety, security, and functionality than the stock mounts that come with the holster itself.
The ANR Design Tac Belt Mount is one of the best aftermarket belt mounts out there. It is a great addition to any holster and battle belt combo. It fits 1.75” tactical belts and works great with Safariland and ANR Design holsters. It also comes equipped with the Safariland QLS System that allows the user to take the holster and firearm off their battle belt quickly without having to fumble around.
Positioning
Another very important aspect as we get into the comfort and usage of the holster is holster positioning. Cant is the angle the holster sets when fastened. Many holsters come with a standard 15 degree cant. Positioning varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but can ultimately determine the comfort level of the holster and its use based on where it is located on your body and the angle of draw.
If the position of the holster is awkward, it will make for a longer and more awkward draw by the user. This could cost the user vital seconds in a situation where seconds could mean a world of difference. Putting a holster in the correct position for the best and quickest draw possible makes a huge difference in a tactical situation that calls for speed and precision.
Many holsters have a standard cant. 15 degrees of cant is not always comfortable for every user. This is where having an aftermarket belt mount that is adjustable is key to help set a comfortable holster position. If finding a holster with the right cant for the user is proving hard, the Blue Alpha ANR Design Tac Belt Mount will allow the user to adjust their holster to the cant that works for them the best. It is a valuable tool that is well worth the investment.
Be sure to have the holster positioned in a place on your battle belt that will allow for the easiest access when needed. Most holstered pistols on a battle belt are considered secondary weapons, but it is important to be able to easily access your pistol when it is needed.
Be sure to give your belt some trial and error testing to make sure the positioning of the holster and firearm is correct. It will make a world of difference when the time arises to perform at the shooting range or in the case of an emergency.
Wrapping Up Your Holster
Picking the best holster for your battle belt doesn’t have to be rocket science. Choose a holster with durable material and construction that functions well to secure the firearm, keeps the user safe, and positions the firearm where it is easy to use.
We highly recommend a polymer plastic retention holster paired with the ANR Design Tac Belt Mount. This type of holster on the belt mount will give you the durability, functionality, safety, and comfortable positioning that you might need on your battle belt.
Be sure to check out good options to ensure that the holster you choose works with the firearm of your choice. Once you find that perfect holster that works on your battle belt, your tactical ability will be one of comfort, ease, and without worry.
