The Price of a Great Holster

How Much Do You Think a Good CCW Holster Should Cost?

"Quality over quantity." It's a phrase tossed about when discussing the cost of true quality holster craftsmanship versus the availability of mass produced inferior product. It's come up a lot in discussion about concealed carry because in addition to a good, reliable gun, an equally reliable gun holster.

But how does price affect perception when it comes to finding the perfect inside the waistband concealed carry holster?

In this article, we'll discuss the in's and out's, myths, and misconceptions surrounding holster price and its quality.

Appearance Does Not Improve Performance

In self defense, it doesn't matter how pretty something appears. It just needs to work.

There are a lot of holsters that have beautiful, ornately drawn patterns and designs created to pull at the strings of one's imagination. Snakeskin, tiger striped, these are all signatures of holsters and custom paint designs which have become quite the rage in the concealed carry community. Unfortunately, how pretty a gun or a holster looks reflects nothing on its function.

A simple, arguably ugly looking Glock 17 can and has outperformed pistols twice its cost. Similarly, a simple black plastic shell well placed upon a neoprene backpad has already withstood the test of time in comparison to more ornate, flashier holsters twice its price.

How sleek or sexy an inside the waistband holster looks reflects nothing on its function: to until it is needed and not before.

Not All Quality Holsters Are Expensive

There's that old triangle analogy when it comes to production of any object. You have a triangle. On one corner is "cost", the other "quality", and "speed". When we're talking the old world of leather holsters, this triangle holds extremely true. Good leather requires curing and a lot of work in order to become a reliable holster - that's not a fast or cheap process. Similarly, a cheap pocket holster is fast to produce but none too reliable. Ideally, most people have to settle for two out of the three. Something that is fast and cheap, cheap and reliable but slow to produce, or fast and reliable but at a high cost.

However, with the invention of synthetic materials and the advent of mass production - it is possible to find an inside the waistband concealed carry holster that is in the "Goldilocks" zone of all three.

Adjustable retention and cant, comfortable, affordable, and reliable. More importantly, it comes with a lifetime guarantee to ensure you're satisfied throughout the life of the holster.

The Craftsman Is Just As Important As The Tool

This myth is partially true. Good tools definitely improve the quality of work. However, tools subtracted from proficiency are useless. A concealed carrier can carry the sleekest, most competition ready gun on the market inside the most expensive holster in the world and still be outperformed because he doesn't practice.

In self defense situations, there are rarely second chances to get it right.

It's best to focus on equipment that you can afford to carry paired with diligent and regular practice and training. Start today with an iwb holster that stands the test of time and won't clean out your wallet.

About The Author James England (@sir_jim_england) is the contributing editor for Alien Gear Holsters. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and private defense contracting in Afghanistan.