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Best Tactical Holsters: Stay Combat-Ready
A quality tactical holster can greatly affect your kit’s effectiveness. Today, we’ll discuss my top picks for tactical holsters, or as some would call them, “combat holsters,” so you can have an excellent starting point in your search.
A tactical holster is typically attached to a battle belt. You’ll often see them used by military personnel and law enforcement, and they are typically in the form of a drop-leg holster to make the pistol easier to grab when needed.
In addition, they provide a level of safety/retention that is greater than your typical IWB or OWB holster to ensure the user is the only one who can easily access the firearm.
A quality tactical holster is not something to skimp on. Source: daraholsters
The holsters below are recommended based on experience, not a simple Google search. Between industry friends and me, these holsters have proven their durability and reliability.
Safariland 6360, 6390, 6354, 7000 Series
Safariland is the foremost purveyor of tactical holsters. Its holsters are trusted by professionals around the world and feature the ALS (Automatic Locking System), which locks the pistol in all directions when placed in the holster.
Instead of flooding this list with separate Safariland holsters, I’ll simply explain why you can’t go wrong with any of these.
We’ll start with the 6360, which is a level III holster, meaning it has three levels of retention: passive retention from the holster, a shroud that goes around the back of the firearm, and an ejector lock, which is why this holster is weapon-specific. It’s even suede-lined to protect the finish on your pistol.
If you don’t need a level III holster, the 6390 may be for you. It’s a level I retention holster that utilizes the same ALS system to keep the firearm in place. It’s a great candidate for carrying in the winter if you’re wearing a coat. The 6354 is identical to the 6390 but is a thigh holster, meaning it sits lower and requires you to strap it around your thigh.
Lastly, the 7000 series is Safariland’s most durable platform made from a proprietary nylon blend that is also non-abrasive to the firearm. It’s a huge plus for those with Cerakote finishes on their guns that may be damaged with excessive re-holstering.
It doesn’t get much more durable than a Safariland 7000 series holster. Source: safariland
The 7000 series comes in multiple forms and retention levels, so you can really find the exact holster style for your needs. If ultimate durability is what you’re after, consider a 7000 series holster.
All these holsters are expensive, but you won’t need another unless you buy another firearm.
Blackhawk Omnivore
You may be wondering why I’m recommending a Blackhawk holster, given the issues we all heard about with Sig Sauer pistols a while back.
Well, law enforcement agencies change gear about as frequently as the U.S. Military changes rifles…which is almost never.
The Omnivore is a new and improved design with two retention levels and is compatible with 150 different styles of handguns, including light-bearing configurations.
The non-light-bearing holster requires you to put an attachment on the rail of your pistol since the Omnivore was made to secure itself to the specified light, not the pistol frame itself.
Blackhawk’s Omnivore holster is a great addition to any battle belt. Source: blackhawk
It’s received a ton of love and praise for being versatile, durable, and affordable for anyone who needs a good tactical holster. Since you’re required to push two buttons to remove the firearm from the holster, you’re well protected from anyone trying to grab it from you.
Whether you own multiple pistols and want to have a designated holster, or you need one for a pistol that has recently come out, the Omnivore has you (and your firearm) covered.
Dara Level II Holster
The Dara Level II holster falls in the mid-range price category between the Omnivore and Safariland options. It’s not just another holster, though. Dara takes its time handcrafting each holster however you want it. Better yet, it’s available for dozens of different pistols.
It offers level II retention, which includes an adjustable Rubber Retention System and a thumb lever.
A no B.S. lifetime warranty on the Dara holster covers any damage, which means you only ever have to come out of pocket once.
The Dara Level II Holster is custom-made for each order. daraholsters
If you’re looking for a custom-made holster that won’t break the bank and will last you a lifetime, this is the one you should be looking at.
How To Choose A Holster
Choosing the right holster will save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.
If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck holster that you can use with all your different pistols, then you should consider the Omnivore.
Safariland holsters are built for duty and serious use. If you’re looking to build out a battle belt that can be used when SHTF and a holster that you can mount and never worry about, then you should go for a Safariland holster.
All of that is not to say the Dara holster can’t be relied on; I know many professionals who rely on the Dara Level II holster in their day-to-day jobs. With the lifetime warranty and tendency to be built like a tank, I would choose it over a Safariland holster if I didn’t want to spend two Benjamins on a holster.
Just make sure you’re buying a holster that fits all of your needs.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – six tactical holsters that I and many other shooters recommend for anyone in the market. Remember, you’ll probably need a battle belt and, of course, some extra magazines. It never hurts to have more.
Be good and take care.
