Alien Gear Holsters Blog

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

The idea behind the first Colt handguns was inspired more by sea spray and carved pine than by metal and gunpowder. Sixteen-year-old Samuel Colt, aboard the swaying deck of Corvo en route to Calcutta, was inspired by the wooden mechanics of the ship and translated that idea, a revolving cylinder repeater for firearms, into whittled pine.

By Sam Hoober | Senior Editor

It is reasonable to assume that time spent at a range, for most people, has them shooting under very ideal conditions. Perhaps they are rested, have a perfect stance, and are barehanded. But winter is coming, and that means more layers on your body, and not only jackets and hats, but gloves too. ...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Bear spray vs gun...which should you carry in the woods? Turns out...it's actually kind of complicated. Both are effective. Read on for more...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Why wear a shoulder holster? Like any holster style, it's a tool - so there's a definite task and user in mind. Read on...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Just for fun, just this one time...Alien Gear Holsters talks about Area 51.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

What should you look for in a chest holster? Read on to learn more about what to shop for...

By James England | Contributing Editor

It's always the goal to be a responsible everyday concealed carrier. In order to do that, there's a couple good habits to pick up. Not only do they all play well together, but they are important to develop the right mindset to react if danger pops up. In this article, we're going over a couple “everyday” tips for those who carry a concealed firearm...

By James England | Contributing Editor

There is a recent, reoccurring article published in the Des Moines Register about how Iowa has no restrictions on issuing concealed carry permits to the visually impaired. It's created a bit of a stir because many people believe that if you can't see the target, you shouldn't be shooting. And they do have a point – it fundamentally violates two of the basic safety principles governing the safe usage of firearms...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Wondering what size of Grip Tuck Universal Holster you should order for your gun? Read on to get a better feel for it...

By James England | Contributing Editor

Most any pistol or revolver can be operated by either hand with sufficient training and practice. However, in this article, we're going over some handguns that rock for lefties...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Why train to shoot center of mass? Is it really a viable tactic? If it has a failure rate, why do people continue to teach and learn to do so? Read on...

By Michael Cambron | Contributing Editor

Let’s start with some basic information about gun sights. More than likely, that new pistol you just purchased comes right off the showroom floor with a standard set of front and rear fixed sights.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Most firearms are said to be drop-safe...but reports of drop fires keep emerging. Just how drop safe ARE they? Read on...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If you have to shoot in defense of yourself, it is always a good idea to be shooting from cover if at all possible. Obviously, it won't necessarily be in the extremely rare event that you'll ever have to use your gun in defense of your own life or that of others.

By James England | Contributing Editor

Not everyone buys brand new ccw firearms off the rack. Used firearms – like the Glock 26 – can be picked up for hundreds of dollars less than they retailed. While gun manufacturers are always making the “latest and greatest” version of the same old gun they've made since the 80s, often times the older handgun models incorporated better metal alloys or polymer composites...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Negligent firearm discharges happen more often than they should. And very few times do they end without damage to property or person. That's why it's important to understand what a negligent weapons discharge is, what it entails, and how you can always avoid one...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Just how good are Beretta's striker guns? Find out in our Beretta APX Centurion review...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

A best practice for concealed carry practice is to incorporate some reloading drills into your practice routine. On the one hand, it is true that most defensive shootings are concluded very quickly with only a few shots fired, but it is also true that some are not. Therefore, it behooves you to train for both contingencies.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Wondering what the Kriss Sphinx SDP Compact is like? Find out in our Sphinx SDP Compact review...

By James England | Contributing Editor

Better than trying to write an all encompassing piece detailing out the different laws in fifty states alongside court specific statutes – we're running down a list of questions you should ask yourself prior to entering your workplace with a concealed firearm. This is not only for your own safety but also for legal purposes. As was the case recently in Tampa, FL, a bank manager for Wells Fargo was fired for legally carrying a concealed firearm into her workplace. The decision is expected to have its day in Florida courts but the issue still remains: can you conceal carry at work? ...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Alien Gear Holsters has just released the Grip Tuck Universal Holster...but what does it do?

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

What would a person get a chest holster for? Read on...

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

Firearms users who prefer a low recoil defensive carry gun may be subject to age restraints, arthritis, bodily injury or low experience. Some just don’t like recoil. No one should feel ashamed of their personal preferences on recoil and though they may feel inhibited by them, there are definitely options to consider and a community that has their back along the way...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Pondering a 10mm pistol? Springfield makes a few, but their entry-level model, the Springfield XDM 4.5, has a lot going for it. Find out more in our Springfield XDM 10mm review...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

With the advent of some pretty wild ammunition designs, some people wonder how effective they might be. RIP Rounds are one particular example. Are they up to the hype? Read on...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

You've decided you want an upscale 1911 but not quite custom shop; thus, you're trying to decide between a Sig 1911 vs Kimber 1911. Both are known to be great pistols, but which exactly is going to be better?

By James England | Contributing Editor

In this episode, we learn about the most common styles of ammunition used in concealed carry handguns as well as how they compare to each other. This is by no means an exhaustive comparison of ammunition types and we save discussing the role of specialty defensive ammunition for another episode.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Handgun rounds in the .38 caliber family have always been the most popular, but since some (.38 Special, .380) are a bit weak the most popular are .357 Magnum vs 9mm. Each of these rounds has a long history and pedigree of efficacy in the realm of self-defense, so that both are good carry rounds is not in dispute.

By James England | Contributing Editor

You can call it whatever you wish but some of us are carrying more than just a concealed pistol in our waistline. And for people with a bit extra around the waist, sometimes an inside the waistband concealed carry holster can be a bit uncomfortable.In this article, we'll discuss some concealed carry techniques and positioning that are helpful for us huskier gentlemen...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Springfield makes many firearms that are great for concealed carry. Here, we focus on the two that most concealed carriers end up weighing together: the XD(M) and XD-S. Two of Springfield's most popular compact firearms... How do they stack up against each other?

By James England | Contributing Editor

First thing's first – just because you're in a bar doesn't mean you can't legally protect yourself. However, depending on which state you're in, there are very specific prohibitions against you carrying your pistol on your person. Before you take a sip of that frosty brew or down a cowboy's shot of whiskey, here's a few things to keep in mind ...

By James England | Contributing Editor

Not all of us like to have long, droopy clothing that hangs loose. Some people like to dress up, wear a nice button-up shirt, and maybe some good slacks. For those of you that do, you may have been traditionally stuck either carrying outside the waistband or wrapping your dress shirt over and around an inside the waistband concealed carry holster that clips directly onto your gun belt.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

The thing about whether you can fire a gun in the woods is that it depends on just who controls said parcel of forest and where it's located.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Wanting to get on the .40 S&W bandwagon? Any one of these 7 .40 cal pistol models is a great starting point.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If you've decided you want to get a CZ for a CCW but want it as tactical as it is practical, the two choices that will quickly emerge are the CZ P07 vs P01. You'll have a hard time choosing between the two, because a lot of the on-paper aspects are like incredibly close...though some aren't.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

A 1911 9mm? Actually, it's a fantastic idea. The 9mm round gets more out of the platform than .45 ACP does, and makes it much more in-line with modern sensibilities.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Looking for a carry pistol with fewer onboard ounces? Start with these 7 lightweight concealed carry pistols...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Is an H&K VP9 vs Glock 19 comparison a foregone conclusion? Is the VP9 really that much better? Read on to find out...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If you've decided you want to get a CZ for a CCW but want it as tactical as it is practical, the two choices that will quickly emerge are the CZ P07 vs P01. You'll have a hard time choosing between the two, because a lot of the on-paper aspects are like incredibly close...though some aren't.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If you're after a subcompact striker gun, two of the most popular candidates on your list will likely be the M&P Shield vs Ruger LC9s. In fact, those happen to be two of the most popular holster models we sell here at Alien Gear and with good reason.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Looking for Father's Day gifts for the dad that conceals and carries? Here are 6 great gift ideas for your father or husband for this father's day...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

For the person looking for a quality concealed carry gun on a budget, two that get brought up a lot are the S&W Shield and the Taurus PT111 Millennium G2.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

There's no doubt that Sig Sauer makes some of the finest pistols available, but Sig Sauer concealed carry is not necessarily an easy proposition with some of their larger offerings. Let's face it - not everyone wants to conceal a service pistol everyday.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Pondering getting a CZ P07 vs Glock 19? Torn between them? Let's take a look at these two compact carry pistols...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Looking for 1911 pistols that are a bit off the beaten path? A little different? Check out these 6 brands that you may not have heard of...

So, what is that CLP stuff that so many people talk about? It's an all-purpose maintenance product for firearms. Learn more...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Both of these guns have track records that speak for themselves. Both are iconic. Who will come out on top in this matchup?

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

For those who prefer to pack a sixgun (or five-gun...because they don't always hold six) the best concealed carry revolver is partially subjective. You'll find you like one more than the others. That said, what would the best concealed carry revolver look like?

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Smith and Wesson make some of the best CCW pistols around, and what a number of people come down to is choosing a Smith and Wesson Shield vs M&P Compact. Both guns have their merits, and it would be hard for a person to go wrong with either one.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Why does it seem so difficult to find pistol holsters for laser sights? We can't speak for everyone else, but here's why we offer the models we do offer.