Is A Paddle Holster Good For Concealed Carry?

A paddle holster is a type of outside the waistband (OWB) holster. The main difference with a traditional OWB holster is how it is secured to the wearer’s gun belt. This holster uses a paddle attachment instead of standard belt loops.

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The paddle functions as a belt clip and can be depressed for quick installation and removal without removing the gun belt, making it more convenient.

Plainclothes law enforcement officers commonly use paddle holsters, but is it a good idea for a concealed carrying citizen to use them as a  concealment holster?

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Materials

Paddle holsters can be made out of the same materials as traditional belt holsters. The most common are leather, nylon, and Kydex. Although leather holsters may be more pleasant to the touch and have additional features such as thumb break straps, Kydex is typically a better choice.

If you are new to Kydex, it is a lightweight, durable  thermoplastic material that has been used as a holster material since the early 1970s. This material does not sag or stretch, requires very little maintenance, and water or sweat will not damage it. Most of the time, the only thing you need to clean a Kydex holster is to run it under the sink, and paddle Kydex holsters are no different.

Most paddle Kydex holsters use the same manufacturing principle as regular pancake holsters: two Kydex sheets molded and designed to fit the exact shape of the firearm it is intended to secure.

In general, as long as the holster is manufactured with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, a paddle holster works just as well as a standard belt loop holster, providing the same safety and retention levels for your firearm.

Safety and Retention

Modern paddle holsters are designed to safely hold onto the belt or waistband while also easy to adjust and install in any position. These sorts of features allow you to adapt to different situations.

However, because the paddle is secured using friction instead of physical retention (such as a belt loop), it is critical to pair a paddle holster with a good, robust gun belt, maximizing holster retention and giving you the best results. Many shooters that tried then abandoned paddle holsters did not use a sufficiently stiff gun belt, so make sure to have one before trying a paddle holster.

For example, if you usually carry on the strong-side hip, you may carry it at the usual 3 o’clock position if right-handed or the 9 o’clock position if left-handed.

Most people find it uncomfortable to carry a handgun on the strong-side hip while remaining seated, as it causes the gun to dig into your side. With a paddle holster, you can easily adjust your paddle holster in a more suitable position.

Adjusting a conventional belt loop holster would not be as easy, as it would require you to remove your gun belt, re-adjust your holster, then reinstall it. Not practical, especially on the field.

Strong-side, appendix, 1 o’clock, 4 o’clock, small of the back; you can place your paddle holster wherever you wish according to your personal preferences, with a low or high ride and with any cant. A wide variety of configurations are possible, as long as you can quickly and comfortably reach for your handgun.

Concealability

As a type of  OWB holster, paddle holsters are naturally not as concealable as traditional IWB holsters; they ride on the outside of the waistband, which means you will have to wear an additional layer over your shirt to effectively conceal it, such as a jacket or a vest. Extra layers may not always be a practical possibility, especially if you live in warm climates or an area with hot and humid summers.

Also, a typical paddle holster’s construction causes it to sit further outside and away from your waistline than a belt holster, causing it to print visibly. Extra care when selecting your clothing may be required to ensure that you are concealing it properly.

On the flip side, because it is a type of OWB holster, it may be more comfortable for you if you prefer carrying larger, full-size handguns, such as those commonly carried by law enforcement officers. And because it isn’t going to ride on the inside of your waistband, you do not need to buy pants one size larger than usual to accommodate the width of your handgun.

Other Purposes

The quickly adjustable nature of a paddle holster allows a shooter to easily change carry firearms in a matter of seconds, which can be useful at the range or in your backyard when you want to practice holster drills with different handgun models.

And of course, if you live in a state where open carry is legal, a paddle holster is perfectly suitable as well.

The Takeaway

As long as you understand such a system’s strengths and weaknesses, using a paddle holster for concealed carry is not only possible, but it can even be quite practical and convenient. Do not hesitate to experiment with them; they could be the ideal holster type for you.

Incognito Concealment offers IWB, OWB, and paddle holsters made of durable Kydex. Our holsters require little maintenance and will provide a safe and secure fit for all of your everyday carry handguns.

Our products are proudly hand-made in the USA. We are pleased to offer a 10% discount to all active and retired law enforcement or military customers. If you need to know more about any of our products, call us at  (586) 333-4240.