Recomendations on open carry holsters

Derpdude53

Derpdude53

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Looking for recomendations for an open carry holster of a G17. I'm looking mainly toward 12 o'clock IWB or 3 o'clock OWB. Just looking for some ideas or opinions, new to open carrying.
 
GoWolfpack said:
This should be good.

Please don't open carry in an appendix rig. It looks like your privates are public.
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Yeah, I don't really like the idea of it but I was talking to someone else about it. They said it would hold it in place as much so it doesnt move around, but I imagine a solid owb holster would work plenty good.
 
If you are going to open carry it should only be done in a holster with active retention of some type (my opinion)
I’m user and fan of Safariland. If you practice with it, the retention doesn’t pose an issue to you and will make it really difficult for someone to snatch your pistol
 
I'm stuck on the @chiefjason leather pancake holster at 3:00 position for my G17.

Absolutely love this holster and you'll forget the gun is even there for an OWB carry style.
 
Brangus said:
I'm stuck on the @chiefjason leather pancake holster at 3:00 position for my G17.

Absolutely love this holster and you'll forget the gun is even there for an OWB carry style.
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I carry a G23 or a G21 in the same holster. About to start doing the same with a Rock 57 once I open the gift I bought and wrapped for myself that’s under the tree. 🤣

I carry mine more about 2:00, with a horizontal mag pouch at ~11:00-11:30.
 
Plus 1 on the Chief Jason Pancake. I carry both my 43 and my 17 in them. I often carry my 19X in the 17 holster too. It works wonderfully
 
Any decently made leather holster WITH ACTIVE RETENTION.

(I have a Craft with a thumb strap that I carry on the hip.)
 
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I carry OWB at 3 oclock. I always wear a shirt with a long tail that hangs over the pistol. I buy the shirt a little big so tt hangs loosely over the grip. I like a little retention but not enough to make me have to snatch it hard or start pressing buttons and such. For this reason I have two brands I fall back to using. I like the leather 1791 Gunleather holsters for carrying my full size Canik or a 1911. For my canik mc9 I use an AlienGear that has adjustable retention. A loose shirt over the grip of the pistol makes it very hard for an aggressor to grab the grip and pull your weapon out and the loose fit also allows for uncovering if needed quickly. Very seldom do I carry IWB because I find it uncomfortable to sit with a pistol pushing into me 1791 Gunleather with the Vintage finish is a beautiful, comfortable holster for my size and carry style.
 
Brangus said:
I'm stuck on the @chiefjason leather pancake holster at 3:00 position for my G17.

Absolutely love this holster and you'll forget the gun is even there for an OWB carry style.
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BigWaylon said:
I carry a G23 or a G21 in the same holster. About to start doing the same with a Rock 57 once I open the gift I bought and wrapped for myself that’s under the tree. 🤣

I carry mine more about 2:00, with a horizontal mag pouch at ~11:00-11:30.
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Radar said:
Plus 1 on the Chief Jason Pancake. I carry both my 43 and my 17 in them. I often carry my 19X in the 17 holster too. It works wonderfully
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#metoo

As you can tell, I don’t actually “carry” that 17. I run it in matches in kydex. But I’m ready to up my game from G43 to G17 if I need to. I carry a 43 in the same thing (but for a 43).

IMG_2750.jpeg
 
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90% of law enforcement carries with some flavor of Safariland holster with level 3 retention. Honestly, if you are just carrying the gun and unlikely to get into a physical altercation then a level 2 is probably fine.

There are also great leather retention holsters too, but I can only speak from my (limited) experience and say that Safariland is a durable and reliable holster. Please, for the love of all that is good, do NOT get a Blackhawk SERPA holster.
 
If you can't carry concealed, then you definitely want a holster with active retention. Safariland ALS is pretty much the standard.
 
ALS or a thumb break should be an absolute minimum for open. ALS+SLS is better but slow and sometimes hangs up a bit.

MAKE SURE YOUR THUMB BREAK IS LARGE ENOUGH TO NOT FIT INSIDE OF YOUR TRIGGER GUARD!!!!!!
So it doesn't accidentally actuate your trigger. Sounds ridiculous, but the old Bianchi tan holsters weren't so great back in the day.

I've never ever seen someone open carry at 12/appendix. Not knocking it, just never seen it.
I picture a struggle for the gun... partially out of holster... gun going off pointed toward groin... etc

I know a few guys I know that open carry very nice 1911s, do so in fancy leather holsters with the gun cocked and locked ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER. It looks nice and the mag is full, but their secondary is in condition one and available should someone grab for the 1911. Polite company and private social events... not walking around Walmart.
 
Brangus said:
I'm stuck on the @chiefjason leather pancake holster at 3:00 position for my G17.

Absolutely love this holster and you'll forget the gun is even there for an OWB carry style.
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I also have a CJ leather pancake for my G17.
 
Please get a retention holster (level 2) if you are going to open carry. Safariland are great but expensive. Blackhawk Serpa or something similar are cheaper and WORK JUST FINE. The gun wont fall out or get easily pushed out.
 
fieldgrade said:
I also have a CJ leather pancake for my G17.
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And if I remember correctly it was you sir who posted a review years ago that steered me to @chiefjason for the leather options he offered.

No regrets here and they are still on active duty.
 
Variable said:
Please get a retention holster (level 2) if you are going to open carry. Safariland are great but expensive. Blackhawk Serpa or something similar are cheaper and WORK JUST FINE. The gun wont fall out or get easily pushed out.
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I will say Serpas handle the retention part rather well and there's a nice audible click when the gun locks in. I won't get into the other thing about Serpas that has been debated enough times already.
 
I am a huge fan of Tier 1 Concealed.
www.tier1concealed.com

Tier 1 Concealed

These holsters are designed to be worn inside your waistband (IWB).
www.tier1concealed.com www.tier1concealed.com
they have good options for both OWB and IWB
 
Are we talking for carrying daily? Or for matches/training?
The Safariland are gigantic cop/military holsters. Not at all appropriate for daily carry. Great for multigun matches and range training if you need retention.

Personally I would get several holster options. I have three holsters for my Glock 19 for different applications.
 
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