Belt Clips, Holsters

A holster is a specialized article of clothing worn to hold a device, such as a handgun or other defensive weapon, cellular telephone, hand tool, or other small object about the person, most commonly in a location where it can be easily withdrawn for immediate use. more...

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Basic functions of a holster

Holsters are generally designed to offer protection to the object, secure retention, and ready access. The need for ready access is often at odds with the need for security and protection, so the user must decide how much they are willing to compromise on ready access to gain the security and protection. Picking the right compromise can be very important, especially in the case of a defensive weapon holster, where failure to access the weapon quickly, or damage or loss of the weapon due to insufficient retention or protection could result in the user's death. Even for a device as simple as a cellphone, the balance between safe and secure versus the ability to answer an incoming call, while not a life and death situation, can still greatly impact the usability of the holster.

Basic designs

Holsters must hold an object, so they must provide some means of doing so. The simplest type is a pouch, ideally one that closely fits the shape of the object it holds, while more complex holsters may clip onto the object, holding it at certain well defined points. Pouch-type holsters provide a fair amount of protection, depending on the material from which they are made, while the clip-on holsters provide little or no protection. Pouch type holsters may also be open on one or more sides, to provide easy access to the object, or they may have a spring or flap closure that retains it and provides protection on all sides.

Holsters are generally designed to be used with one hand, allowing the object to be removed and/or replaced with one hand. To be able to return an item to a holster one-handed, the holster should be made from a fairly stiff substance that holds its shape, so that the holster won't collapse without the object inside to give it support. Too stiff, however, and the holster might be prone to breakage if it is pressed between the wearer's body and another object, such as a chair or wall.

Holsters are generally worn attached to a person's belt or waistband, or clipped to an item of clothing. Some holsters may also fit inside a pocket, where they add stability and protection to the object, keeping it secure in the pocket. Holsters are generally kept near the waist, chest, or upper thighs of the user, where they may easily be reached. Other holsters may be behind the back, at the ankle, or even inside the pants, if they are intended to be concealed.

Materials

Since holsters are best made from fairly stiff yet tough materials, there are a limited number of common choices. The traditional material, particularly for handgun holsters, is leather. Leather is commonly considered attractive, and can be found dyed in many colors and/or embossed with elaborate designs for cosmetic reasons. Ballistic nylon is a commonly used fabric for holsters, as it is stiff, wear resistant, and thick enough to provide protection. Molded plastics, such as Kydex, are also becoming popular.

Read more at Wikipedia.org