Paddle or Belt?

[Ambassador4JC]

Im looking to buy a new owb holster. Im thinking about a fobus evolution for my S&W SD40 but I wanted yalls thoughts on whether a belt holster is better or a paddle holster. If possible please list pros and cons.

 

[Phillip Gain]

Honestly - with Fobus or Blackhawk, I'd do both. Blackhawk SERPA holsters usually come with both paddle and belt mounts in the package. With Fobus, you pay for either the belt or paddle holster...then the attachment for the other is about $10.

Right now I use a Blackhawk SERPA for my M&P 45, and usually use the paddle instead of the belt attach. But I've been thinking about changing to the Fobus Evolution Roto holster system, to give myself a lot more options.

 

[Phillip Gain]

Oh, and whichever you use...get a nice snug belt. I usually wear an "assault rigger's belt" from Elite Survival Systems. But if your wardrobe is more dressy, you can get a leather 1.25" or 1.5" belt from 5.11 Tactical that has the "permastiff" insert.

 

[cpio]

For concealed carry in an OWB, I highly recommend a Galco Concealable, asking with a Galco double magazine paddle. They're very comfortable and look good. That's what i'm carrying my Glock 30 in right now, with a Blackhawk CQC gun belt. The holster conceals very well with a loose button-down casual shirt that doesn't have to be tucked in.

 

[Sh00tn Butt]

something else to consider is whether you take it off and on multiple times a day .. a paddle is easier to remove and put back on than a belt type ..


SB

 

[Curmudgeon]

If we're just being playful she gets the paddle. But if she burns my grilled cheese sammich one more time, she gettin' the belt.





Wait... what were we talking about again?

 

[localgirl]

If we're just being playful she gets the paddle. But if she burns my grilled cheese sammich one more time, she gettin' the belt.





Wait... what were we talking about again?

Right? When I was a kid, it was a big wooden spoon. Ouch.

 

[Blooze]

I use the Blackhawk Serpa Concealment holster for my Taurus Judge. I myself prefer the paddle hook attachment that comes with the holster but as someone already stated Blackhawk holsters ship with both attachments. The paddle hook is extremely comfortable due to the large paddle distributing the weight more evenly, especially with a heavy pistol. I'm a huge fan of the Serpa retention system in the Blackhawk OWB holsters. With a little practice the release/draw is very natural and smooth as well as having excellent retention. When I want to carry concealed I use a Crossbreed SuperTuck, obviously not with the big ass Judge. With the supertuck a full sized 1911 disapears and my little Beretta PX4 Compact has zero print even in with a fairly snug T shirt tucked in.

 

[Raider-3]

I think it a matter of finding one that fits you. Because I have had good and bad experiences with both

 

[father-of-three]

I prefer a paddle holster for easy use.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I like the paddle holster better. Easier to put on and take off when leaving the house and coming in. The "catches" on the paddle do a great job of keeping the holster on your belt unless you push the paddle towards your body to disengage the "catches" (don't know how else to describe them). If you loosen your belt such as going to the restroom - the holster stays put on your waistband and doesn't flop loose.

 

[trophyhunter]

I like both, but when carrying my 1911 I prefer, my paddle Holster

 

[wizard]

I like the Fobus holster for comfort and ease of use, I wear mine at the 5 O'clock position when I wear the Fobus. It conceals my G23 very well under a loose T Shirt. The Belt holsters I have toyed with have been a bit bulky, However I am a IWB guy. I think the issue between the two is Gun Retention, Using a SERPA on the belt your gun is as safe as it can be, no worries about having it snatched. The Fobus has good retention as it has an adj.tension screw. Trial and error is what we go through to find what works best for each of us. It also depends on how much you are willing to give up in comfort to protect yourself and family.

 

[TAC]

I also have a Blackhawk Serpa with both belt and paddle attachments. I originally liked the idea of the paddle, specifically for the convenience of frequently removing it. However, I found that it was even more difficult to remove than the belt attachment. In order to get the “hooks” on the paddle to let go, I had to undo my pants and reach inside my waistband and pull the paddle away from the waistband of my pants. I had this problem with both jeans and Dockers. I ended going back to the belt attachment where I still had to undo my belt, and take it half way off, but at least I did not have to undo my pants.

If anybody is familiar with the difficulty I had with the paddle, and has a way to alleviate it while still having a paddle that holds the holster securely in your waistband, please let me know.