open carry, retention vs. no retention preferences

[10mmfan]

I have used a blackhawk serpa holster on glocks and berretta's but with my 1911's it looks wrong and it doesn't work properly.  I use a hybrid iwb holster with no retention,  a generic owb leather holster with no retention and a tagua owb leather holster with retention that the retention strap disables my safety and drags so much on the gun I can barely get it in and out. If I open carry without retention I don't go anywhere where I will have people in close proximity like waiting in line etc.

[eph411]

I wore a Serpa to a three day handgun class a few years back, and on day one it jammed up after getting a little dirty so that I couldn't draw from it any longer. So I've ditched all my Serpas now, just don't trust them to be reliable after that experience. As far as retention goes, the passive retention provided by a good custom molded kydex holster is more than adequate for my needs. Quality kydex offers enough retention to secure the weapon when I'm active, and when I do open carry I feel plenty confident in something like a Raven Concealment knowing the design of a good kydex rig makes it difficult to snatch a weapon without drawing pretty straight up from the holster.

[Ramjet]

As unpopular as this may be with open carry enthusiasts I use concealment as my retention they cannot take if they have no idea it's there. A now the areas I do open carry are remote wooded areas and not many folks around there.

[will965]

if you choose to open carry, please use retention. How many videos have you seen where prisoners are practicing to disarm cops. You think these r-tards wouldnt jump at the chance to disarm someone w/o a badge and radio?? i carry in a safariland ALS holster...great retention and just as quick as a regular holster...build your muscle memory by drawing a few hundred times and you will be very smooth and quick on your draw...practice, practice , practice..and be safe out there

[redbaron007]

I have opened carried a lot....most of mine have some friction retention or actual thumb-snap retention strap. My favorite holster is the Glock Sport Combat.....I've OC'd with it many times. My Bianchi Serpant has the thumb snap, however, without applying it, there is still plenty of retention.

Without retention, your greatest concern is it working its way out and falling out when you sit/bend-over somewhere. So far, there hasn't been any attacks on an OCer to have their gun taken then shot with it. There is one potentially in MI (I think), he was killed by some kids who knew/followed him. Not sure CCW would have made a difference.

[10mmfan]

I should have been more clear I don't think of friction or passive retention as retention I was meaning thumb snaps etc. I bought a desantis thumb break holster and it's pretty nice so far.

[Buckeye 50]

I don't carry openly but if I did it would for sure be WITH retention of some kind. 

Just my preference.

[Pinsnscrews]

Open Carry=Retention in my book. Too many nutjobs out there that would walk up and pull a gun from a holster just to be a dumb ass.

[Centimeter]

Open Carry=Retention in my book. Too many nutjobs out there that would walk up and pull a gun from a holster just to be a dumb ass.

Agreed. Only time I carry "open" is at work, when it's in a positive retention holster, on my duty belt, and I have armor on. No sense in advertising or inviting second looks if you don't have the training, skills, and gear necessary to retain that weapon if necessary. I'll always be a believer that the best retention method is simply concealment. You can't take what you can't see, ya know? That's why I so greatly dislike states that only allow open carry. Talk about giving up the advantage...

[P33v3]

If I ever did, I would use a Safariland level 3 retention holster just like the police do.

[10mmfan]

Even when I open carry with retention I still conceal it if I am going to be in close proximity to other people.

[GunBugBit]

Where one open-carries is a factor.

In the woods?  Out in the desert or mountains?

Urban? (for me, this is CC, always)

On a competition range?

[10-4]

Just recently discovered this holster system: http://www.7-62precision.com/kng-thumb-spring-holster-on-belt/

I have it on order and should be seeing it in the next week.  All my other holsters have a thumb break and I've never had a problem with that form of retention.  Personally I want retention on all my holsters even when fully concealed but that's a personal choice.  The thumb spring retention looks interesting as does the Kydex New Generation material.

My only experience w/Kydex is the old generation hard plastic. 

http://frontline-holsters.com/new-generation/

This new gen stuff is described as follows: KNG (Kydex New Generation) is an advanced multi-layer material developed by Front Line for use in tactical, law enforcement, and carry holsters. The outside layer is a light but sturdy Kydex. The next layer is a durable Cordura. The third layer is a molded PVC that fits the shape of the weapon perfectly. Beneath this is a layer of firm polyethylene for extra protection against impacts. The inner layer is a smooth, waterproof velvet that offers the best possible protection for the finish of your pistol. The layers are tastefully molded and assembled for a stitched leather look. With your new KNG holster, holster wear will be a thing of the past. This holster is a must for anyone with a pistol that has a softer melonite type finish, such as Glocks and Springfield XDs. Frontline KNG holsters offer all the benefits of Kydex holsters combined with the best available fit and protection for you firearm.

Like fine leather holsters, KNG holsters require a break-in to mold themselves perfectly to your pistol.

[will965]

Try patriot concealment holsters...they are pretty good... Love mine