Pistol Holster Types

Hip Holsters

• Designed to carry a pistol or revolver, a hip holster is usually made of nylon or leather and attaches to your pants via a built-in belt loop. Other hip-holster designs are equipped with a metal clip-on mechanism, which attaches directly to your pants or belt.

Shoulder Holsters

• Shoulder holsters attach to a person's back via an adjustable shoulder harness. There are three types of shoulder holsters: horizontal, vertical and angled. The vertical shoulder holster holds the muzzle down in a vertical position. In the horizontal design, the gun slides into the holster horizontally, allowing for a quicker draw. The angled version tilts the holster up toward the face but does not hold the weapon in a vertical position. Most shoulder holsters are equipped to hold almost any handgun, whether revolver or pistol, and are made of nylon or leather. You can also find a double-shoulder holster, which enables you to carry two handguns at one time.

Ankle Holsters

• This holster is designed to conceal a small pistol, which straps onto the ankle with a fabric fastener or elastic band. The ankle holster is not designed for larger pistols, but it often allows for the storage of one or two magazines.

Belly Band Holsters

• The belly band holster is constructed with a nylon elastic band that straps around your stomach like a weight belt, with either a horizontal holster positioned in the small of your back or side pockets designed to hold a firearm. In most cases, a thumb break apparatus is connected to the holster to help secure the weapon. This holster is designed to fit most handguns.

Pocket Holsters

• A pocket holster, designed to allow you to conceal a small firearm in your pocket, is usually made of nylon or leather. This holster allows you to stick the barrel of your gun into the holster pouch, which fits in your pocket.