# How to Choose a Gun Holster: The Criteria That Actually Matter

> By Ron, Founder of Tactical Fitness Austin
>  Last updated: July 2026

## TL;DR

People agonize over which pistol to buy, then grab whatever holster is on the shelf. That’s backwards. The holster is what keeps the gun safe, concealed, and reachable. Here are the criteria that actually matter, in order.

> [Watch this drill on Instagram →](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUoDfOykXvE/)

People agonize over which pistol to buy.

Then they grab whatever holster is on the shelf next to the register.

Backwards. The gun mostly sits there. The holster is what keeps it safe, keeps it concealed, and decides whether you can actually get to it when it counts.

**A holster isn’t an accessory. It’s the piece of gear your gun lives in, and a bad one is a safety problem, not a comfort problem.**

## Why it matters

Every negligent discharge in a holster traces back to the same thing: something got inside the trigger guard. And every fumbled draw traces back to a holster that was chosen for looks or comfort instead of function. This is equipment you bet on daily. Choose it like it.

## How we tell students to choose, in order

**1.** Kydex only for concealment. It’s the only common material that gives the trigger guard real protection. Soft leather and nylon collapse, fold, and let things reach the trigger. Non-negotiable.
 **2.** At least level-one retention. The gun stays put through movement: running, jumping, whatever you’re doing. If the pistol can walk out of the holster on its own, it’s not a holster, it’s a pocket.
 **3.** Match it to your exact gun and setup. Running an optic? You need the optic cut, and accept that you give up some of the high guard other models offer. A holster for “guns like yours” fits none of them well.
 **4.** Understand the tradeoff: concealment versus access. That’s the graph you’re working on. The deeper the gun sits along your belt line, the better it hides, and the harder it is to reach. Adjustable clip height lets you pick your point on that curve instead of being stuck with the factory’s choice.
 **5.** Look for anti-printing features. A claw or wing presses against your belt to rotate the grip into your body, so the gun sits flat under a shirt instead of poking out. A foam wedge at the bottom of the holster does the same job from the other end. These small pieces of plastic do more for concealment than sizing down your gun.
 **6\. If the gun rides visible.** Duty or open carry, and retention becomes the priority. That means level two or three: a thumb release plus a secondary button worked as part of the draw. A visible gun is a gun someone else can see and go for. Retention is what keeps it yours.

## Why most people get this wrong

They buy on price and comfort, never test the holster with movement, and never put real reps into drawing from it. So the first time they learn their holster is wrong is the first time they actually need it. The worst possible classroom.

**This is what we cover in private training.**

Bring your carry setup to a lesson and our ex-special-forces instructors will evaluate the whole system: holster, position, draw. Then they put real itions on it, one-on-one, on a private outdoor range. Gear problems show up in minutes when someone who knows what to look for is watching you work.

Train hard,

Ron

Founder, Tactical Fitness Austin

P.S. Audit your holster this week. Gun unloaded and verified clear. First: holster it and move: jog in place, squat, jump. If the gun shifts or lifts, you don’t have level-one retention. Second: look at the trigger guard. If you can flex the material and touch the trigger, that holster fails, today. Third: put a shirt over it and check the mirror from the side. If the grip prints, a claw or wedge fixes more than a smaller gun would. Three checks, ten minutes, and you’ll know more about your carry setup than most people ever bother to learn.

[Book a private lesson at Tactical Fitness Austin →](https://tacticalfitnessaustin.com/training/firearm-training/)

## Frequently asked questions

### What should I look for when buying a concealed carry holster?

In order: Kydex construction, at least level-one retention, a fit made for your exact gun and optic, and adjustable clip height. Kydex is the only common material that gives the trigger guard real protection. Level-one retention keeps the gun put through running and jumping. Holster problems show up in minutes when an instructor watches you draw, which is part of private training at Tactical Fitness Austin.

### Are leather holsters safe for concealed carry?

Soft leather and nylon are the wrong choice for on-body carry because they collapse and fold, which lets clothing, a drawstring, or a finger reach the trigger guard. Holster-related negligent discharges trace back to the same thing every time: something got inside that guard. Kydex holds its shape and shields the trigger, which is why it is the standard for concealment.

### How do you keep a concealed pistol from printing?

Use the hardware built for it. A claw or wing presses against your belt and rotates the grip into your body so the gun sits flat under a shirt. A foam wedge at the bottom of the holster does the same job from the other end. Adjustable clip height lets you set your own point on the concealment-versus-access curve. Those parts hide a gun better than sizing down does.

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Source: https://tacticalfitnessaustin.com/how-to-choose-a-gun-holster/
Last updated: 2026-07-21