OWB - Retention Hood or Open Top????

[OldLincoln]

For my birthday I get to choose a Garrett Industries OWB holster for Dad's Colt. It will still be concealed carry except in the mountains on a hot day so that's a big factor. I have narrowed it down to the STX model which is said to be very concealable.

The questionable part is which one. It comes in a open top model and a secured top with device covering the hammer. So, do I need the secured top or is an open top secure enough??

I am an old guy not prone to fighting and am only concerned with some punk suspecting the conceal and trying to grab it in a checkout line. Other concern is if I take a fall when hiking (mostly on well dressed trails nowadays). The more I think about it the less sure I am that I need the secure top but will appreciate my friends (and others) here weighing in.

[Bawanna]

I'd go open top without question. For an police officer where a bad guy might try to take his gun away it's a good thing. For us civilian types its one more thing to deal with and more to hide.
Those holsters fit well enough that the gun falling out even during a bad fall is highly unlikely.

I'm gonna tell my wife that you get to get one and see if she'll show sympathy and let me get one too. Never hurts to try, rarely successful but never hurts.

Incidently I just went and looked an the STX is the one I'd want too. With the belt loops. Maybe we can hit a 2 fer sale. Or buy one get one free and we could flip for the free one? Go Dutch. I'm trying to be flexible here. Melissa's gonna need one and MW Surveyor and Tucson.
Heck maybe we better just order a case?

[OldLincoln]

It's a very nice holster, but we need the pics for here. I am leaning toward the open top with belt loops also, but want other feedback before locking it in.

Open Top Model:

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/Holsters/Garrett%20STX/STX1.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/Holsters/Garrett%20STX/STX2.jpg

Hooded Top:
http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/Holsters/Garrett%20STX/STXHood1.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/Holsters/Garrett%20STX/STXHood3.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/Holsters/Garrett%20STX/STXHood4.jpg

I'm sure they would get a smile if we made a group buy. Let me know and we'll try to set up a code for it.

[Willieboy]

I like the open top model. A beautiful holster.

[steve666]

I have always carried open top. As long as you are carrying concealed I think that is the way to go.

[garyb]

Old Lincoln, You have been around the horn, so this is no real news to you and you'll pick whatever works for you. Just adding to share in the dialog. I would think both OWB holsters are good - open or over the top secured. I don't carry concealed OWB. That's just me at this time. I conceal with IWB or pocket carrry. However, I own and use an OWB carry when I am in the woods behind my house or at my 2500 acre hunting camp. I just don't worry about "conceal" carry in these woods situations and use a Gould and Goodrich Gold Line Holster. It fits the PM9 or PM40 with Crimson Trace Laser grip. It has a strap over the top and the belt loop can be changed out for a paddle. It gives me all the flexibility and options I need for a top quality OWB holster. I happen to like the strap, because I wear it on my ATV and it makes me 'feel' the gun is more secure. I don't carry it concealed, but it could be used concealed because it rides tight. It is simply more about how I feel with the gun OWB, rather than when I conceal carry with it more deeply carried. Please don't misunderstand what I am saying. There is nothing wrong with either carry (IWB or OWB) nor either holster (open or closed). It is more a matter of preference for how you "feel" with the conceal carry (open or secured, deep or OWB). We all change over time and it is entirely up to you on how you feel about your carry method today.

However, I will "probably" go with an open top for IDPA, if I keep shooting competitively. Here again, a different purpose for carry and nothing to do with conceal for me. Right now I am using the Gould and Goodrich because I want to practice gun handling with what I carry. I can't use IWB or pocket draw for IDPA and am forced to use OWB holster for IDPA. It would be better practice to draw from my normal conceal carry holster, but IDPA needs some safety rules applied. There are so many gamers in IDPA, that if you decide to compete as the primary reason for shooting IDPA, you must equip yourself for that purpose. IDPA was intended for conceal carry competition, but competition got in the way of the conceal part of it. Guys are using the largest gun that is legal for the competition that they can to reduce muzzle flip to decrease their times and improve accuracy with longer sight plane. Likewise the IDPA holsters are far from conceal in my opinion, other than you need to wear a long vest to cover the holstered gun. I just don't see many guys wearing these IDPA style vests on the street much. With the equipment (open holsters and larger guns) used for IDPA competition, I wouldn't "feel" comfortable that the gun was concealed enough to suit me. But that's just me. Nothing against the competition equipment.

Again, my point is that both OWB holsters are good- open or over the top secured. Just as some like leather and some prefer Kydex. It is kind of an individual "feel" for how a person likes it 'concealed' and 'secured', how comfortable it is to wear, the specific situation worn, etc..... I'm not an OWB conceal carry kind of guy right now, but that could change over time. I wasn't an IWB carry guy until I fell for the comfort of the Remora holster. I used to carry pocket 95% of the time. Now I carry IWB most of the time. So who knows? Go with what you like the most at the time, depending on your situations and forget the rest. Just my opinion for the thread. I sincerely hope you enjoy whatever holster you select.

[OldLincoln]

Thanks for all your input. I decided on the open top after a lot of thinking on actual use. Gary said what I was thinking originally, that if I were doing the things I did 20 years ago I might need a secure top. However, now days it's more like slipping out of the holster in my recliner than riding my buddy's ATV (sure was fun though).

Sheryl Garrett said she would set up a code for a group buy if you are interested. I will learn as I go but I suppose it will be something like the code is for a set period and you all order normally using the code. No details yet on discount but that info will follow.

[Bawanna]

Thanks for all your input. I decided on the open top after a lot of thinking on actual use. Gary said what I was thinking originally, that if I were doing the things I did 20 years ago I might need a secure top. However, now days it's more like slipping out of the holster in my recliner than riding my buddy's ATV (sure was fun though).

Sheryl Garrett said she would set up a code for a group buy if you are interested. I will learn as I go but I suppose it will be something like the code is for a set period and you all order normally using the code. No details yet on discount but that info will follow.

Thats great news. I had a PM inquiry about the group buy. That's cool.

One other thing I thought about in you case is you thumb. You might have a hard time makeing the hood release as it appears that one is thumb activated or released.

I'm slightly concerned about the attachment of the belt loops too being two separate deals and not a solid piece but relying on screws to hold them on. Could be a weak link. Still want one though.

Keep us posted.

[OldLincoln]

Hadn't considered the bum thumb but you bring up a good point. Wouldn't be a good thing to mess around with the latch. Anybody with a good thumb would do just fine with it, but mine is missing a few necessary parts.

[OldLincoln]

I just posted the information about the Kahrtalk Group buy in a new thread titled Garrett Holsters Group Buy!! Silent Thunder and More (http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7025).

This is not a group buy as much as a 20% discount via a code at checkout. See the other thread for the info.