Alien Gear Holsters Blog

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Should you get a Springfield XD40 vs Glock 22 for a full-size 40 caliber? Read on to find out...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

How to get a better fit with your ShapeShift Shoulder Holster revealed...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Looking into classic pistols? Learn what you need to know from Alien Gear Holsters' Browning Hi Power review...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Curious about the Sig P320? It is a mighty popular pistol and with good reason. Learn more about the P320 here...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

You might mull a budget-conscious SCCY 9mm vs Glock 26 for an easy-toting double-stack 9. Here's what you need to know...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Wondering what the difference is between a ShapeShift shell and Kydex? Let's get into that...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Since we released the ShapeShift Modular Holster System, the most common question we get is "When is the ShapeShift coming out for MY gun?"

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Want a Colt 1911 pistol? Don't know which one to get? Here are 7 killer Colt 1911 pistols to consider.

By James England | Contributing Editor

When we walk into a gun store, almost everyone naturally gravitates towards the .45s, .40s, and the coveted .44 when thinking about stopping power. The natural instinct ingrained in so many intermediate shooters is that a bigger round equates to neutralizing a target faster. In a defensive situation, no one wants to second guess whether or not the rounds they're exchanging will stop an aggressor. In this article, we'll dispel the myth but keep the fact about several misconceptions about the lethality of firearms ...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Occasionally, a person will have interactions with law enforcement while concealed carrying. This presents a question about whether or not - or how to go about - disclosing that one is armed...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Weighing the Walther PPK vs Makarovas an old-school CCW? Both have their good points...and failings. Read on...

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

You'll likely consider carry style, concealment, caliber, capacity and size. Often, an ankle holster is a go-to, but if you choose to shoulder carry two guns, things suddenly get a lot simpler.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

It's all well and good to discuss guns, shooting techniques, concealed carry and so on, but what happens after a self defense shooting? What does the aftermath look like?

By James England | Contributing Editor

Concealed carry is only effective if you're armed. It's impossible to know specifically the time, date, and location of a potential attack upon yourself, your family, or your property. Plenty of people get lulled into a sense of complacency because the vast majority of us go through our entire lives without any violent interruptions. That, however, is a luxury. The reality of the world is that is not the norm. There are desperate people in this world and they, at different times, will seek to take things that you may not be willing to give – your life being chief amongst them...

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

The ShapeShift Starter Kit has been renamed to the ShapeShift Core Carry Pack to better reflect that it offers the most popular, core carry styles.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If one were to pocket carry, it has to be done right. How exactly is that done?

By Mike Searson | Contributing Editor

To the uninitiated, silencers or sound suppressors have a very negative connotation due to their depiction in films and books as the tools of assassins, spies and criminals. However, for firearms instructors, hunters and shooters; they meet a number of needs. ...

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

The ShapeShift Hook & Loop Holster uses industrial-grade, high life-cycle VELCRO© Brand fastener to mount a polymer shell to nearly any surface in nearly any environment.

By James England | Contributing Editor

Even expert marksman are still never completely satisfied with their shooting abilities. There's always room to improve. And in the world of concealed carry, it's all the more important to address the issues that may hinder us in an actual hostile event...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

One of the most popular handgun lines out there is Smith & Wesson M&P pistols, and for a boatload of good reasons. These are the closest competitors to Glock in the domestic handgun market, and they are popular with police and civilians alike as implements of personal protection.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

There are a whole lot of CCW gun myths out there that people keep repeating. Here are 6 that are complete bunk...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

2018 is half-way through, but some fantastic concealed carry guns came out this year. In fact, a concealed carry pistol could be found for nearly any and every sensibility from 2018's crop of CCW guns.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

There are some special considerations that a person should be mindful of if carrying concealed on July 4th. Holidays tend to attract very large crowds, especially if doing the traditional activities such as watching fireworks. There is also something of a summer festival atmosphere and everything that entails...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Load selection is critical if carrying .380 ACP, but what's the best .380 ammo? After all, you want to carry the best carry ammo you possibly can.

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

A holster is used for safety. That's the primary reason it's there. That's what you need to be concerned with first and foremost when shopping for a leather shoulder holster.

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

Alien Gear Holsters released a modular, hybrid shoulder holster, the 10th addition to the ShapeShift Modular Holster System.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

For a couple decades, people have been debating 40 vs 9mm. You might be sick of hearing it, but we're covering it anyway! Both rounds have something to offer the right person.

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

Alien Gear Holsters has created a new version of the ShapeShift thumb release in response to the feedback of some customers, for even more options in active retention.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Which between the Sig P938 vs Kimber Solo are better for concealed carry? It's very subjective. Both are slim, single-stack subcompact 9mm pistols so they're well suited to the task...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

You need to know the difference between cover vs concealment. The base definition is rather simple; cover will stop a bullet, concealment only covers you up. However, that only tells you so much of the story.

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

The ShapeShift Driver Defense Holster is a holster mount with straps that loop over and below a car seat, buckling at its front and cinching an adapter for a full Shape Shift Shell configuration. It's a vehicle holster mount that doesn't require drilling into a surface.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Some people just want a .410 revolver, and this leads some people to ponder whether to get the Taurus Judge vs Governor by S&W. Since Smith and Wesson is such a long-lasting and trusted brand, some people wonder if you can get the same gun, just made better, by opting to not get the Taurus.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Wondering why you aren't getting the best groups while shooting? There could be a number of reasons, as a lot can throw off your shooting. Believe it or not, some very subtle errors in technique can pull, push or otherwise get shots off target.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

There's a difference between traditional marksmanship and concealed carry marksmanship. The latter could also be expressed as "combat shooting." Put a bit differently, there's a difference between target shooting and defensive shooting skills.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

You have made the decision that you want to concealed carry. Now you need to figure out how to make it part of your daily routine. After all, if you're going to carry you should do so as often as possible, rather than just on occasion.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

There are all sorts of fantastic gun-related gift ideas for the moms in your life. Here's just a few ideas for both concealed carry and those beloved range days.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

The root of any highly successful concealed carrier's degree of success will inevitably stem from developing some basic rules. Here's some suggestions based upon experience and observation...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Some people find as they age that they need to change concealed carry guns as the pistol they're used to just isn't to their liking anymore. Granted, some people have no issues; it's all really down to you in the end.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If you want to carry a wheel gun but need something that's with a bit more beef than the standard snubby, two guns that will come up in your search are the Ruger SP101 vs GP100. Which is better as a concealed carry revolver?

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If you're into guns that have a touch of class, a couple of old-school service pistols that you may find yourself weighing might be the CZ-75 vs 1911. Granted, the real answer is BOTH because both are amazing..

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

The difference between the Cloak Tuck 3.5 IWB Holster and the ShapeShift 4.0 IWB Holster rests within the shell, and what that shell can and cannot do. They both utilize the same comfortable backer that features twist-and-lock clips..

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Some people have made using the ShapeShift holster system out to be a whole lot more complicated than it is, and to prove it we're going to demonstrate changing a 4.0 IWB to the ShapeShift Appendix Carry Holster. These are two of the most popular models of ShapeShift holsters, and a lot of people are carrying with both.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

A folding Glock will make concealed carry very easy, especially if carrying a folding Glock 19. But does that come at the cost of function, to the point where it's no longer a viable carry gun?

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

An aspect of the 1911 pistol that some people really appreciate is that you can take a gun that's basically average and - with a few 1911 upgrades - make it a tack-driving machine with surgical-grade accuracy that would stop the Incredible Hulk in his tracks.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If you're looking for a big double-stack but won't have a darn thing to do with tactical Tupperware, two guns you might wind up considering are the Beretta 92A1 vs. M9A1. You might further ponder just what the heck the difference actually is...and if it's worth paying for..

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If you're going to carry a gun, you should concealed carry. Not that open carry shouldn't be allowed; there is a time and place for it.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

For those that like Kahr pistols, choosing a CCW pistol from their lineup often comes down to the Kahr PM9 vs. CM9. They don't always get the same amount of press as some of the other gun brands do, but Kahr pistols actually have a lot to offer believe it or not.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Granted, a lot of people are going to gravitate toward the M&P Shield and for good reason. It's one of the most popular carry guns on the market. However, you shouldn't discount the Kahr; Kahr pistols are actually overlooked to a degree that some might consider criminal. They deserve a look, and for reasons we will get into.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

What do you need to know aboutconcealed carry holsters? Everything you need to know will be right here. We'll go over what you need to know about the various types of concealed carry holsters and methods for concealed carry.