Sometimes, you get all your gear from the precinct. At other times, you have to even buy your gun yourself. As a law enforcement agent, you can’t just go shopping for guns and their accessories like everyone else.
Unlike civilians, you’ll use them a lot more often and in more demanding circumstances. A reliable holster can be your saviour while you’re out there being society’s saviour. The question remains: what holster should you buy? To make it easier for you and narrow down your search, here are some things to consider when buying law enforcement holsters:
1. Material
Gun holsters come in an array of different materials. Leather, nylon, or synthetic polymers are the most common. Each material has its advantages and drawbacks. Traditionally, gun holsters are made with leather. These are durable, heavy, and comfortable to wear.
Like anything made of leather, leather holsters need some care to make sure they don’t crack or fray over time. With a little maintenance, your leather holster can serve you reliably for a long time.
Now, holsters made of synthetic materials like kydex or polymer are much lighter than leather ones. They offer the same utility but are stiffer than leather holsters. They don’t crack or warp without maintenance like leather ones do, and they are generally cheaper.
2. Attachments
Some departments allow their officers to add attachments to their guns. These attachments could be lasers, lights, or magazine clamps. Attachments are meant to make it easier for you to use your gun. You may have preferences for attachments that make you feel more comfortable behind the trigger.
You must ensure that the holster you buy can make accommodations for these attachments. If your gun cannot fit perfectly in the holster, then there’s no point. When buying holsters at the arms store or online, you can check if the holster of your choice comes in a version that accommodates your attachments.
3. Retention
Retention has to do with how easy it is to draw your gun. Civilians don’t have to care much about it since they rarely have close encounters with criminals. In a self-defense situation, you want to be able to pull out your gun in a flash to use at your discretion.
However, as a law officer, your sidearm is at risk of being swiped by a seasoned criminal close enough. Your holster should not allow anyone but you to draw your weapon. Most precincts or departments require you to purchase a holster with level 3 retention.
Level 3 retention has several locking mechanisms that prevent others from trying to steal your sidearm. With enough practice, you can draw your gun just as fast with these mechanisms in place.
Conclusion
When it comes to picking the perfect holster for your firearm, there are three things to think about. There’s material, attachment, and retention. You should discuss this with your department to know if they have any specifications or if you can choose whatever you want.
After that, there’s the cost to consider. Remember that you’re not shopping for a hobby. It’s a career and a responsibility to keep others safe. That’s why you should not skimp out while buying your sidearm or its accessories. Talk to your department about being reimbursed for your expenses or get a bank loan if necessary.
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