Free For All Friday 10-12-2014: Holsters, new guns and stuff!
Ever notice how we often try to make solutions far more difficult than they need to be? As a long time programmer, I find myself running into this quite a lot these days. I’ll have a feature I need to implement and I’ll start coding. After hundreds and hundreds of lines of code, I’ll have something that works but not as well as I’d like. I’ll sit back and stew on it for a bit then, after yelling a swear word or two, delete those few hundred lines of code and replace it with about a dozen lines that does exactly what I need and exactly how I need it. I recently heard another programmer mention that he could “complicate the heck out of a ball bearing”. Keep this in mind when problems present themselves to you. As is stated in Occam’s Razor (although paraphrased greatly): the simplest solution is often the best one.
I am getting a Taurus Millennium G2 soon and in my state we only have a concealed carry, open is not an option. My questions are 1. What’s a good holster to start with (with cc in mind)? 2. With holsters, do you normally get what you pay for? And 3. Just out of curiosity, what do you think about versacarry holsters ( if that’s what you would call them). Thanks a lot for all your advice! -JD
Trying to squeeze three answers out for the price of one, are ya?! Well, I’m sorry to say I’m going to have to charge you full price for all three. So that’s the normal price to $0.00 times 3 which, let’s see….carry the one….ok, your total is $0.00 plus tax. I accept payment in Bitcoin. Now that’s settled, let’s get to it!
- I like the combination leather/kydex holsters that are becoming more and more common. We’ve done a review of Dragon Holsters here but I would recommend anything from Crossbreed Holsters as well. Stay away from those cheap nylon ones that are all over the place at sporting goods stores (usually names Mike’s Holsters or something to that effect). They are uncomfortable, flimsy and they have absolutely zero retention for the gun and that can lead to accidents.
- Yes. Holsters, like a lot of things in the gun world, has a equivalent quality to price ratio. There are diminishing returns at some point, mind you. I wouldn’t pay more than $100 for a holster unless it was some custom job made for competition and such.
- I am actually writing an article about the Versacarry Holsters for this Monday’s article. I’ll give you a hint: there’s a reason I didn’t mention it in my answer to the first part of your question. Be sure to check back Monday for the full review!
What are some of the pitfalls that a first time buyer might run into when buying a pistol, and how can new shooters to avoid the “One gun to do it all” mentality when looking for a pistol? -Steve G.
The “one gun to do it all” you spoke of is a great description, actually. Many people when they go to buy a gun will say they “want a gun for home defense and possibly to carry later on”. The best bit of advice I can give anyone buying their first gun is to go in with the understanding that there is no Swiss Army Gun. Okay, well, there is a standard issue gun for the Swiss Army, mind you but I’m talking about their knives. While there is some overlap, a gun for home defense is mostly likely not going to be your best bet for concealed carry. At the same time, the perfect concealed carry gun for you is more than likely not going to be the best for home defense. I’ve said it before many times on this site: your carry gun shouldn’t be your first gun. Get a full sized gun for your home and for practice. Once you’re comfortable with that, then look for a smaller carry gun.
Also, when you are ultimately ready for a carry gun, don’t get drawn in by some gimmicky folding revolver or neat looking cheap derringer. I wouldn’t bet my life on either of those and neither should you. Stick with the tried and true pistol styles. Find a store you can trust and talk with the clerk. They’ll help you find one that’s right for you.
You can also look through our Beginner Gun Reviews for a look at guns from the “is this a good first gun for a person” point of view. /ShamelessSelfPromotion
Thanks for the questions!
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