Glock Holster by Fobus

The basic function of a holster is to secure and hold a firearm, or another object, in a location where it can be easily accessed. A holster needs to tightly hold onto your firearm, but it also needs to be taken out relatively easy, so users must decide what balance they want to strike between security and accessibility. The simplest holster is a pouch that fits close to the gun. These simple pouches give a fair amount of protection and security, depending on material, and provide much more protection than clip-on holders, which can sometimes be flimsy. Pouch holsters can have a spring-flap closure to keep the gun inside the holster but also keep it even more secure.

A wide range of shapes, materials, and retention/release mechanisms are available on firearm holsters, and some even cover the entire gun. Because gun holsters are used in a wide variety of situations, a lot of options exist. Holsters are usually designed to be used with one hand, and because of this, the holster is usually made of relatively stiff material. But here a balance is necessary, too: if the material is too stiff, the holster might break when pressed between the user’s body and another object, like a wall. Most handgun holsters are made from leather, but nylon and molded plastic, such as Kydex, are also popular choices. Holsters can be worn a number of ways: attached to a belt, clipped to clothing, or inside a pocket. The holster is usually kept near the chest, waist, or upper thigh for easy access.