Glock 17 holster question

[Cardinal]

Hi. I was recently appointed to a new job (after a selection process of over a year) in which it is necessary to carry a Glock 17 under a suit. Standard issue holster we use is the Fobus polymer paddle holster, but during shooting exercises I found this to be a somewhat uncomfortable thing to carry (although we were using Jericho Baby Eagles). Not only does the holster feel a bit awkward to carry, but the triggerguard lock is constructed in such a way that you more or less always have your trigger finger on the trigger when you draw the weapon.

We are allowed to buy our own kit to a certain extent, what kind of holster would you recommend I'd get? It has to be a stronghand concealed belt or paddle holster, crossdraw and shoulder holsters are not allowed. It doesn't have to be a deep concealment holster. I am right handed.

Thanks in advance for any useful info, of which there is plenty here I think ;-)

[Aussie E]

I've had good luck with Blade-Tech holsters.

[Royal]

I'll repeat my reply to the last CC question:


If you want to CC, you want a covert holster, not something with thumb breaks and the like... http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v345/Royalphot/b7c03e6e.jpg

[pretorian669]

There is a version of the Fobus glock paddle holster without the trigger guard lock. I assume you're from Israel or trained by Israel if you did the course with the Jericho. I use a Fobus Tactical Roto Holster for off-duty carry for years on a Glock 17C with Optima2000 and Insight M6.
http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v34/pretorian669/2.jpg
http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v34/pretorian669/DSC02544RESIZED.jpg
http://secure.fobusholster.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FH&Product_Code=GLT17RP&Category_Code=Roto+Holsters

I love the Roto Holster. I also carry a standard non tactical Fobus Roto when the M6 is not on the glock, which has the trigger guard lock. You can adjust the angle of the gun 360 degrees, so you can configure the same holster for strong side, cross draw or small of the back carry. I’m sure that in the development of the trigger guard lock guard, safety was taken in considerations. It's all about training. I carry my Glock with a round in the chamber all the time and train the same way. Never had a problem clearing the trigger while drawing. Some dry firing drills can get you used to safely draw you're gun. I have seen people simply cut out the trigger lock portion of the holster too. I do not recommend this as it lives the trigger exposed while in the holster. Bad idea when you carry your glock with a round in the chamber (for witch double action was invented in the first place), but most Israeli's I know do not carry the glock loaded and ready to fire.

[landshark]

Pretorian669, would you recommend the Optima2000 over night sights for the glock? (In a combat role.) Thanks. :)

[pretorian669]

Pretorian669, would you recommend the Optima2000 over night sights for the glock? (In a combat role.) Thanks. :)

Simply put: NO
I am switching to Docter. Much more reliable. Metal body instead of plastic. Glass lens instead of plastic lens.

With optical sights on pistols which usually do not let you keep your back sights you have to practice some emergency fire drills for cases the optic fails like using the contour of the sight as a ghost ring together with the front sight. For this option the higher to front sight is the better. Another drill is to turn the gun 45 degrees left and point shoot with the slide.

Remember. These are emergency drills only used when the optics fail.
And ALL optics can fail. On rifles in which the optics co-witness with the iron sights it's not a problem. With the optima or docter mounted on the slide of a handgun you loose your back sights.

[Cardinal]

Thanks for the replies everybody. It's true that with the proper amount of training the trigger guard lock should pose no problem concerning safety, but I am still working on that ;-)

I'm not from Israel and I didn't receive any training there, but the service I belong to has the Jericho 941 FSB as standard sidearm. They are specially configured saftey-wise, we carry it with a round in the chamber but we cannot carry it cocked and locked. The safety catch doesn't function as a safety but a a hammer drop.

A subdivision (the one which I belong to) carries Glock 17 and 19, also carried with a round in the chamber. therefore we have to use holsters which envelop the trigger guard.

Thanks for your suggestions Royal and Aussie E, I'll look into it. Keep those suggestions coming, they are highly appreciated.

[Laconian]

I've always had great success/satisfaction Galco products (www.usgalco.com). Their pancake (FLETCH, FX) styles are good and their belt slide (silhouette) is the rig I use for my SIG. Their avenger is a good rig also. I don't know if your agency will allow an IWB carry, but their stuff is good too.

Personally, I don't like a paddle for concealment as I think they are bulky or at least they feel it to me. Plus, I've never heard anyone drawing their f/a from a pancake/belt slide and having the rig come with it. I can't say the same about a paddle.

Don't skimp on your holster. You get what you pay for, and the f/a will stay in there longer than out. Make sure its comfortable. Good luck & congrats on your new job!

[2RHPZ]

Little bit off topic but still about GLOCK ... action under water:
http://thundermaster.com/underwater.mpeg (988kb)

http://thundermaster.com/g17auto.avi (1.2MB)

Bonus :lol: http://thundermaster.com/negligence.mpg (2.3MB)

[Glock]

Fobus Paddle Holsters are the best Holster for Glock in world. :D
Greatings Leo

[Tributal]

Okay, so you've carried the Jericho in a Fobus. Have you tried to carry a Glock 17 in one? You know the holster will feel different depending on what firearm you are carrying, especially if there's a difference in weight between the two firearms.
I'd give the Fobus a try first before discarding it for something else. I carried a G19 in a Fobus and it's by far the most comfortable setup I've had.

[eggroll]

I disagree that FOBUS is the BEST holster for glocks.... BladeTech and Comp-Tac run circles around fobus in terms of durability and function.

But then again why argue with mr. GLOCK :roll:

[Glock]

Why Fobus makes the best holster?
Fobus Paddle holsters a very nice to carry. They are are very light, the Gun is fine to pull out of the holster. The matirial is very refractiveness. The prices are cheap. And for undercover work the gun is not easy to see under a jacket.
The holsters are proving from Thailand over Israel to the US. Even in Austria i saw EKO Cobra with the Fobus holster in undercover work.

Greatings Leo

[Cardinal]

Thank you for your comments.

If any of you are interested, I put up a picture of the Fobus Jericho holster I am using at the moment. The gun isn't in it, we're not allowed to take it home when we are not working (I'm on holiday). I'll probably receive my Glock 17 next monday.

I'll keep you guys updated when I have made my choice. Thanks again.



http://users.pandora.be/tron/misc/fobus.jpg

[Tributal]

I disagree that FOBUS is the BEST holster for glocks.... BladeTech and Comp-Tac run circles around fobus in terms of durability and function.Thing is though that Fobus are more common and are by no means a bad holster (it's not like it's an Uncle Mike's cordura "1-size fits all.") The Fobus is cheap and fairly if not very common, which makes it easier to replace than a BladeTech and/or Comp-Tac, especially if you're outside CONUS, in case you somehow lose it or it breaks.

Cardinal, do you have to have a lock on the holster? Otherwise I'd stick with a plain ol' Fobus GL2.

[Cardinal]

I don't think we need to have some kind of lock on the holster. I've seen instructors with a fairly decent belt slide holster without lock or thumb break. I'll have to ask them what rig it is.

I'd feel more comfortable with a belt rig, since we have to carry a tactical belt underneath the suit jacket to carry all sort of other kit, like a collapsable baton, magazines, cuffs and a radio. I think it's better to use the holsters loopholes to secure is rather than slide the paddle underneath the belt.

[Royal]

since we have to carry a tactical belt underneath the suit jacket to carry all sort of other kit, like a collapsable baton, magazines, cuffs and a radio.

I take my comments back. You're looking for a discreet holster not a covert holster.

The Norwegian SF we used to work with used the FOBUS and loved it. I prefer leather (oo er) - it's more comfortable, especially when driving.

[Beardog]

[Hi. I was recently appointed to a new job (after a selection process of over a year) in which it is necessary to carry a Glock 17 under a suit. Standard issue holster we use is the Fobus polymer paddle holster, but during shooting exercises I found this to be a somewhat uncomfortable thing to carry (although we were using Jericho Baby Eagles). Not only does the holster feel a bit awkward to carry, but the triggerguard lock is constructed in such a way that you more or less always have your trigger finger on the trigger when you draw the weapon]

mmm p-) The only unit who uses those two weapons are the Belgian Secret Service (state security). The close protection unit are using the Glocks and the guys who gather the info are using the Jericho Baby Eagles.[/quote]

[Cardinal]

The information I gave here should have made it clear that I'm in the CP team, yes ;-)

[Beardog]

http://www.falcon-raptor.be and go for a safariland.

[Cardinal]

Hey thanks!

[landshark]

Pardon my ignorance here, but how does the paddle help in a paddle holster? Thanks. :)

[Cardinal]

I'm not sure what you mean. The paddle slips inside the waistband or behind the belt and secures the holster in place. Personally I'm not very fond of the system, I didn't find it very comfortable and there's still the psychological disadvantage of knowing that the holster might follow the gun up when you draw it. But then again, training... ;-)

[Tributal]

It seems as though the world can be divided into three groups - the ones who think Fobus paddle holsters are VERY comfortable, the ones who find them VERY uncomfortable, and those who've never tried them (which would be the vast majority.) No middle ground.

As Cardinal stated, the paddle helps secure the holster in place. One of the advantages (could be a disadvantage in some situations I guess) of a paddle holster is that it prevents the holster from flopping around thus providing a repeatable angle to draw from, whilst at same time also preventing the gun from digging into the side of the user. Of course if you have massive love handles I guess the gun could still dig into your side. It also seems as though people with somewhat skinny hips find the Fobus paddles uncomfortable more often than people with some meat on their bones.

[landshark]

Thanks. :)

[SMGLee]

I've had good luck with Blade-Tech holsters.

I second that. I love bladeTech, fast on the draw and quick re-holster, secure when holstered.

[Kodiak]

Well I think the question is what kind of job you have.
A driver? Try a shoulder holster or crossdraw (you only drive)
I usually carry a G19 on a Safariland Paddle Custom Fit, realy a nice one.
I think the best for concealed carry is an IWB (inside the waistband). Mine a Blade Tech.
Hope this help.
K

[CQB_Operator]

Cardinal,
I agree with Kodiak, I think the best for concealed carry is an IWB (inside the waistband).

I personnally own a FRONT LINE IWB in KYDEX (for plain clothes jobs), and I very satisfied with it.
If you're interrested in such holsters, you can go to A.L.E.X (Kroonlaan, 480 1050 BXL, ask for Marc). they also have a lot of other brands.

[Cardinal]

Thanks for the input, but we cannot carry IWB-holsters since we have to carry a tactical belt with a lot of other stuff on it underneath our suit. (collapsable baton, mace, radio, spare clips, Glock 17, cuffs, ...) And even for drivers shoulder holsters are not allowed. By the way, we are all drivers and "footpeople" (we take turns) .

My Glock:

http://users.pandora.be/tron/misc/glock.jpg

[Kodiak]

So, you'll walk the beat.
Uniform not plainclothes and of course no concealed carry.
Well I think that a Fobus is not the best option to carry a sidearm in uniform. Think about retention.
If you are planning to invest in you then you must look for a safe holster. I think that may be you can try the Safariland SLS system.
I personally use a 6004 rig for the G19 and they are very comfortable.
But I don't think that this holster is a good option for patrol.
Are you gonna wear body armor? The the jackslot model is a good one.
Anyway you can use what you want and what your budget want but always train a lot with every piece of equipment you have.
Don't know where you live but if you are living aoutside the US I'm sure there are tons of good holster makers around the world. I know some holsters from France and they are very similar to Safariland and Bianchi. Don't know if Fobus make a security holster.
Well my 5 cents again.
See ya.
K

[Cardinal]

I'm not in uniform, I have to wear suits. I talked to my instructors the other day and they told me they prefer a G&G belt slide holster. Think I'll go for that. Thanks for the input people, really appreciated.

[Iceman]

How about the new CQC holsters from Blackhawk. They got a new line of undercover/plain clothes holsters for many types of guns also Glock.

I think it´s a really good stuff. www.cqcholsters.com.

Cardinal, congratulation with your new job.

[Zenchan]

Cardinal - having carried and worked with the Jericho for a lonng time, I think you got a bad deal having to switch to the Glock - okay I can see all the Glockfans screaming at me now :D .
Re. Holsters. One reason the Fobus /Frontline holsters are such a success is their prize and their variety . They are not bad holsters, some are very useful depending on gun and mode of operation - but they are not the ultimate solution to every problem. (And I dare say that though the company's boss is a good friend of mine!) . Also the polymer bodies are making of the gun's finish. If yours is an issue gun, that's not your worry.

If you carry concealed, then there really is no need for an elaborate holster locking device. Look at the Galco pancake. Pancakes make for very comfortable carry and close to the body, stay away from inside the pants/beld designs.

There are a few paddle holsters which are king. Safarilands are by far the best . I carry the Colt 45 and the jericho in those and they never failed me, not cheap though.