Pistol Holster
Do Shirt Firearm Holsters Work?
In my last job as a SEAL, I had to carry concealed weapons as part of my duties. I didn’t go anywhere without a least two weapons. As the popular Navy SEAL saying goes: “Two is one and one is none.”
Most of the areas that I had to carry in were very dangerous. To define dangerous, in some of the places that I had to carry, if a “good guy” noticed my gun, I was headed straight to a foreign jail , and if a “bad guy” noticed my gun, I was headed straight to a shootout. For these reasons , I needed to avoid both of those dangerous scenarios.
I give this background to ensure the readers that the opinions that I share come from experience and not from theoretical musings. Take notice that I use the word “opinions” as I use that word purposefully. I will never claim that what I teach or write about is the right way or only way to do something. What I will claim is that my opinions are based on experience and significant thought and research.
Ways to Carry a Concealed Handgun
There are many ways to carry a concealed handgun and all of these come with their individual pros and cons . It is important to think about the positives and negatives of each as well as your expected use before you decide your individual course of action. I am going to cover the use of “holster shirts” and the limitations that I see in their use.
I stick to discussions around defensive firearms use as a primary concern. I define defensive firearms use as using a weapon to stop or deter a lethal threat to your life or another’s life. I am not going to discuss these topics from a weekend range shooter, or a competitor shooter’s point of view.
Holster Shirts
“Holster shirts” come in many shapes and sizes; most are tight and are meant to be worn under another shirt, while others are normal shirts with holsters stitched into their construction.
The one capability (pro) that I see with using a tight undershirt type of carry is that they provide for very good concealment of the firearm. You generally do not have to worry about “printing” (being able to see the outline of a firearm under your clothes) with these types of holsters.
The one positive capability is outweighed by the many limitations:
- Slow on the draw – the more secure something is, the slower it is to get to!
- Sweeping others –Crossdraw rigs require that the weapon starts out facing the wrong direction and that results in the “sweeping” (intentional or unintentional pointing of the weapon) 180 degrees, which can pose many dangers in public.
- Sweeping yourself – another limitation of crossdraw rigs is that it is very difficult to remove a weapon pointing backwards from under your arm without “sweeping” your own arm.
- No close quarters options – when you have to draw across your body, it does not take much for the bad guy to trap your weapon against your body.
- Requires a different physical actions from traditional weapons presentations.
Whatever you practice the most you will do
This last point is the most important. Whatever you practice the most you will do in high stress situations. This means that if you practice nothing, you will do nothing…can you say, “deer in the headlights?”
So if you have always practice your firearm training and weapons presentation out of your favorite outside the waistband hip holster, but you carry your firearm in your long underwear shirt, be prepared for a surprise when the rubber meets the road.
My favorite story is that of my SEAL buddy who always had the newest gear . His home looked like a cross between REI and a Police equipment store.
With all the options he had to choose from , he was always changing his gear around. He decided that having a pistol on his belt was not cool enough so he mounted it on the front of his load bearing equipment. His theory was sound and it did make it more comfortable to sit in a car, but I saw an opportunity to make some easy money.
He was incredibly fast with his pistol and would constantly beat me. So I proposed a challenge : one shot with our Car-15s and then a weapons transition to our pistols for the second shot . Whoever won would get $100. That much money would be sure to add to the stress level I knew I needed to create for him.
We lined up and the starting buzzer sounded. Off he blazed with his rifle, he beat me by at least half a second , then a quick transition; his hand beat mine to the pistol by a good bit. Yet, I walked away with a smile and $100.
Why?
His hand may have been faster , but he was left grasping for a pistol on his hip that wasn’t there anymore . I will never forget the confused look on his face as he looked down and realized that his pistol was not where his muscle memory remembers it being , it was sitting on his chest instead.
The point of this story is to plan ahead, and practice your gun training; when getting attacked is not the time to start developing muscle memory.
About the Author
Lt. (ret) Lawrence Yatch, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a ten-year veteran of the U.S. Navy SEALs, has been a leader while serving in extreme environments around the globe. Mr. Yatch planned and led his SEAL platoons in the assault on the world’s largest oil platform in the most extensive Special Operations mission in history during the opening night of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the commercial sector, Mr. Yatch has provided security and operational management guidance to international architecture firms, high net worth individuals, the Motion Picture Association of America, Walt Disney, SONY, FOX and Warner Brothers Studios.
What Holster to Buy? OWB Holsters
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Leg Holster for Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol $37.95 |
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Tactical Cross-Draw Vest Pistol Holster Magazine Pouch w/ Belt – TAN Coyote $64.99 |
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ARIAKON OVERLORD RX PISTOL PAINTBALL MARKER, 3 CLIPS, HOLSTER $89.95 |
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Used – Valken Tactical Holster for Tiberius Paintball Pistol $10.99 |
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Tiberius Arms First Strike Pantball Pistol Holster LH $34.95 |
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Tiberius Arms First Strike Paintballs Pistol Holster RH Paintball $34.95 |
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Warsensor Zeus Pistol Holster Olive Drab $19.95 |
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TIPPMANN TPX PAINTBALL PISTOL TACTICAL LEG HOLSTER CAMO $39.00 |
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BT SA-17 SA17 Paintball Pistol GxG Mask Goggle Package Holster NEW $154.95 |
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BT SA-17 SA17 Paintball Pistol with GxG Mask Holster Laser Package NEW $164.95 |
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NEW SA-17 PISTOL BT PAINTBALL GUN WITH HOLSTER SA17 $138.95 |
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Tiberius Arms First Strike Belt Mount Pistol Holster RH Paintball – 2184 $24.95 |
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Tiberius Arms First Strike Paintballs Pistol Holster RH Paintball $34.95 |
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Tiberius Arms First Strike Pantball Pistol Holster LH $34.95 |
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Tiberius Arms Pistol Magazine Pouch Holster (1) NEW Paintball – 2476 $19.95 |
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Tiberius Arms Pistol Magazine Pouch Holster (3) NEW – 2289 $46.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike FS SOCOM Paintball Pistol Package with Holster $269.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike FS SOCOM Paintball Pistol W/ Holster $253.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike Paintball Pistol Black Package with Holster $224.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike Paintball Pistol Marker Gun Silver With Holster $203.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike Paintball Pistol Silver Black Package w/ Holster $224.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike Paintball Pistol Silver Black With Holster $203.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike Paintball Pistol Silver Package with Holster $224.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 FS Paintball Pistol GxG Marker Package with Laser Holster $234.95 |
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Tippmann TiPX TPX Paintball Gun Pistol Remote Adapter Package with Holster $308.95 |
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Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol Marker Gun & Leg Thigh Holster TiPX $229.95 |
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TiPX Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol Marker Gun 2 Clips Case with Holster $229.95 |
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PAINTBALL PISTOL SHOULDER HOLSTER FITS TIPPMANN TPX DC $16.99 |
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1 Tiberius 8 Paintball Pistol w/4 Co2 Tubes, 1 leg holster, 1-3 clip leg carrier $140.00 |
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NEW TIPPMANN TPX PISTOL LEG HOLSTER $39.00 |
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NEW SA-17 PISTOL BT PAINTBALL GUN WITH HOLSTER SA17 $138.95 |
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BT SA-17 SA17 Paintball Pistol GxG Mask Goggle Package Holster NEW $154.95 |
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UTG SHOULDER HOLSTER Pistol HI-POINT 9MM 40 45 BLK #4 NEW Free Shipping Black $19.99 |
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BT SA-17 SA17 Paintball Pistol with GxG Mask Holster Laser Package NEW $164.95 |
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Tactical Cross-Draw Vest Pistol Holster Magazine Pouch w/ Belt – Black $64.99 |
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Tactical Cross-Draw Vest Pistol Holster Magazine Pouch w/ Belt – OD Green $64.99 |
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Tactical Cross-Draw Vest Pistol Holster Magazine Pouch w/ Belt – ACU Digital $64.99 |
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PAINTBALL PISTOL HOLSTER 4 TIBERIUS ARMS T8 & T9 WC $16.99 |
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DELUXE PAINTBALL PISTOL HOLSTER ARIAKON MILTEC 8 T9 NEW $20.99 |
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USP paintball leg pistol holster & belt fits USP Tiberius T8.1 Tippmann TPX TiPX $9.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T9.1 T8.1 Right Hand Paintball Pistol Holster Black BRAND NEW $29.95 |
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Tiberius ArmsT9 T9.1 T8 T8.1 Left hand paintball pistol holster Black BRAND NEW $29.95 |
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NEW Black Double Shoulder Gun Holster BB Airsoft Pistol $12.95 |
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BT Tactical Pistol Holster – Woodland – paintball – NEW $10.75 |
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Tippmann TPX Pistol Paintball Tactical Leg Holster $39.95 |
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Tippmann TPX TiPX Paintball Pistol Gun Genuine Tippmann Made Leg Holster 2 Clips $258.00 |
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UTG PAINTBALL PISTOL HOLSTER FOR TIBERIUS ARMS T8 & T9 $16.99 |
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PAINTBALL NEW TIBERIUS ARMS 8 Pistol Holster – Right $39.95 |
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Tippmann TPX TiPX Paintball Pistol Gun & UTG Leg Thigh Holster Case,2 Magazines $229.00 |
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NEW TIPPMANN TPX PAINTBALL PISTOL TACTICAL LEG HOLSTER $39.00 |
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Tactical Utility RESPONSE SHOULDER SLING HAND BAG Pistol Holster – ACU Digital $59.88 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike Paintball Pistol Silver Black With Holster $203.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike Paintball Pistol Marker Gun Silver With Holster $203.95 |
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Tactical Utility RESPONSE SHOULDER SLING HAND BAG Pistol Holster – OD Green $59.88 |
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Tactical Utility RESPONSE SHOULDER SLING HAND BAG Pistol Holster – Black $59.88 |
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New Extreme Rage Paintball Gun Pistol Holster and Tube clip belt Stock Class $24.95 |
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TiPX Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol Marker Gun 2 Clips Case with Holster $229.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike Paintball Pistol Black Package with Holster $224.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike Paintball Pistol Silver Black Package w/ Holster $224.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike Paintball Pistol Silver Package with Holster $224.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 FS Paintball Pistol GxG Marker Package with Laser Holster $234.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike FS SOCOM Paintball Pistol W/ Holster $253.95 |
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Tiberius Arms T8.1 First Strike FS SOCOM Paintball Pistol Package with Holster $269.95 |
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Tippmann TiPX TPX Paintball Gun Pistol Remote Adapter Package with Holster $308.95 |
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CAMO PAINTBALL PISTOL HOLSTER FOR TIBERIUS ARMS T8 & T9 $16.99 |
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Drop Leg Paintball Pistol Holster UTG Fits Tippmann TiPX TPX NEW 9MM Glock&More $27.99 |
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Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol Marker Gun & Leg Thigh Holster TiPX $229.95 |
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Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol Gun + Holster + 10 CO2 $229.00 |
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Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol Marker Gun + Holster $222.00 |
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Tippmann TPX Pistol Paintball Pack Newest Product TiPX 4 Mags, Holster, Case NEW $259.99 |
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TIPPMANN TiPX TPX Pistol Paintball Leg Holster Black 2374 $43.50 |
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TIPPMANN TiPX TPX Pistol Paintball Leg Holster Black 2374 $43.50 |
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TIPPMANN TiPX TPX Pistol Paintball Leg Holster Camo 6963 $43.50 |
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TIPPMANN TiPX TPX Pistol Paintball Leg Holster Camo 6963 $43.50 |
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PAINTBALL PISTOL SHOULDER HOLSTER TIBERIUS ARMS T8 T9 C $16.99 |
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PAINTBALL NEW TIBERIUS ARMS PISTOL HOLSTER LEFT $39.95 |
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Tiberius Arms Pistol Magazine Pouch Holster (3) NEW – 2289 $46.95 |
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Tippmann TPX Pistol Tactical Holster Camo NEW, IN STOCK $39.95 |
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BT Tactical Pistol Holster – Woodland – paintball – NEW $20.95 |
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Tippmann TPX Pistol Leg Holster – Black – TiPX – Genuine Tippmann Product! $39.95 |
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BT SA-17 Paintball Pistol Holster JT Mask Co2 Combo $166.95 |
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BT SA-17 SA17 Paintball Pistol Holster JT Mask Combo $149.95 |
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BT SA-17 SA17 Paintball Pistol Laser Holster MEGA Combo $182.95 |
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EMPIRE SA-17 SA17 PISTOL BT PAINTBALL GUN WITH HOLSTER $138.95 |
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Tippmann TPX TiPX Paintball Pistol Holster Digi Camo $44.75 |
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Tippmann TPX TiPX Paintball Pistol Holster Black NEW $44.75 |
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Tippmann TPX Pistol Paintball 4 Clips Holster Package $259.90 |
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Tippmann TPX Pistol Paintball 4 Clips Holster Combo $248.90 |
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Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol TiPX Laser Holster Combo $241.95 |
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Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol Marker Gun & Leg Thigh Holster + 1oz Gun Oil $229.00 |
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Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol TiPX Holster 2 Clip Combo $229.00 |
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Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol Leg Holster 2 Clips Set $287.50 |
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Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol Leg Holster 2 Clips Pack $287.50 |
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Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol Gun Leg Holster TiPX Set $258.50 |
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Tippmann TPX Paintball Pistol Gun Leg Holster TiPX Pack $258.50 |
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Rap4 Paintball Pistol Holster Fits Tippmann TPX TiPX $39.95 |
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Extreme Rage Paintball Pistol Holster Fits Tippmann TPX $9.95 |
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PAINTBALL DROP LEG PISTOL HOLSTER FOR TIPPMANN TPX WC $16.99 |
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Tiberius Arms Pistol Magazine Pouch Holster (1) NEW Paintball – 2476 $19.95 |
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Tiberius Arms First Strike Belt Mount Pistol Holster RH Paintball – 2184 $24.95 |
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Mil-Spec Plus Adventure Gear Casual Duty Jacket $80.99 Moisture Repellant Foul Weather Casual Duty Jacket. Concealed right and left handed pistol holsters, 2 D ring attachment points, 20 pockets with zipper or hook-n-loop closure. Jacket folds into the rear zippered pouch. |
