Big oops.

[Venus Pax]

I have this bad habit of dropping my gun. This has happened at least five times since I've been carrying, which has been since May.
What usually happens is that I will be in the bedroom or bathroom tending to my clothes, and the gun falls out of the holster.
Now until I can train the gun to behave better, I need to make adjustments on my end.
How do you keep the gun from falling out of the holster when you go to the RR or are making clothing adjustments? Do you have a retention strap on your holster? Do you simply remove the gun from the holster completely while taking care of clothing-related business?
I need some feedback here, as this is a rather dangerous oops.

[kw5kw]

my holster has a retentision strap.

[Greybeard]

Details on your holster might help us some. Form fitted? Leather or kydex? Tension screws?

Most of my IWB holsters have no retention strap, but the guns fit snug. But, in thinking about "the unconscious habit", I typically unbutton and have right thumb inside the waistband (on holster) and the rest of my fingers over the gun as the old drawers are dropped. Beyond that, it get's rather personal.

[txinvestigator]

my holster has a retentision strap.

+1000 Strap, buckle or release button only.

[Paladin]

A proper holster should be able to be turned upside down and still retain the gun. Of course you'll want to test this only with an unloaded gun.

Kydex holsters typically have retention screws so you can set the resistance. They're not the most comfortable holsters in the world, but they are fast.

The bathroom can get interesting... and what you do there depends largely on the specifics of your gear.

My kydex holster with 2 J-hooks attached to my belt is mounted pretty well and generally just stays attached to my belt/pants.

With a waist-pack, I'd just hang it from the stall door.

If there's a solid countertop available, laying it down is an option... but you probably already knew that

[stevie_d_64]

I've never really had too much of a problem, even with a leather De Santis (non-thumb break) holster for my G23...

I've had it for about 7 years...Its well broken in obviously, and it retains real well...

Donning and doffing the holstered pistol in an easy two snap/strap operation...I have never had it fall out or felt like that procedure was unsafe at any time...

Yes, some more details on your rig would help Venus...I believe you'll get plenty of outstanding advise and help...

I am a believer in leaving the thing alone as much as possible during the day...Sure, there will be times when you may have to adjust and pull up yer pants and the like...But a good belt, and proper fitting clothes will alway enhance the safety and retention of the firearm...

Preaching to the choir, I know...

I believe we have a substantial archive of bathroom tips and stories here in the forum to review as well...

The versions which I have seen which involve the removing of the pistol from the holter and either placing it somewhere safe and secure while your doing your business, are what I feel more comfortable with, even though I know the less ya mess with it the better...But I see no way to avoid it, and still remain as safe and secure with it hanging, and weighting down your clothes in this condition...

Just remember to NOT leave it behind after yer done...I almost had a G22 for free, if I had not made the effort to turn it in, and give the rightful owner a chance to recover it, which he did...

We all desire to be a safe as possible when we carry, and discussing these ideas on a regular basis helps way beyond any repeatative annoyance factor anyone may have...

Check back in Venus...Let us know...

[Greybeard]

OK V.P., don't feel lonesome as similar was a recent topic of article in SWAT magazine. Since you asked (and presuming you may be sitting a "wee" bit more often than some of us) I looked this one up. http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/sho ... W+restroom Maybe something to be gleaned from that thread too. As Law Dog once said, sometimes I must hang out with some pretty sick puppies because portions seem quite humerous ...

[Venus Pax]

The gun I tend to drop the most is my Bersa .380. I wear it in a Comp-Tac shirt tucker holster.

I don't drop my big girl (1911) as much, but I don't carry it as much. (It's just so much harder to conceal.)

Greybeard, I got this from your Swat forum:
"This was posted in another forum and one of the members said he uses the Underwear Hammock, you drop your drawers, spread your legs, and you have created a perfect Hammock for you gun to sit in while dropping a duece. It can be accessed very quickly if the need be. I hope y'all find the Underwear Hammock as useful as I have!!" N.C. Hornet.

The first thing that cracked me up about this was the mental picture of a .45 resting in the comfort of a pair of tighty-whities. I couldn't help but laugh. I do, however, think this individual has a point.

I will try this, but I'm imagining his under-rigging is slightly different than mine. As I'm sure you are aware, ladies' underthings are made differently than men's. We don't have heavy, double-ply material with reinforced hems. (And there's no way I'm switching to those big drawers they sell by the yard at Wal-Mart.)

Keep coming with the other recommendations, including holster recommendations. Does anyone know how I can modify my kydex holsters to include functional retention straps?

[Piney]

Greetings--

I carry my G26 in a C-TAC. I tightened the screws a bit. I don't know if your holster has such screws. They're not so tight I can't pull it w/o giving myself a wedgie , but it won't fall out when I move or if I hold it upside down.

I've gotten in the habit of holding onto the pistol with my thumb and forefinger as I begin to remove my pants *blushing*. I then use the "hammock" mode mentioned earlier, folding the holster over inward.

I never remove it and place it somewhere as some do.

[stevie_d_64]

Again...

I can't imagine another group I would rather talk to about bathroom etiquite than y'all...

And to think I was going to do some potty humor myself...

I can't now because my Dad just registered in the forum...I cain't be phunny anymore...Dirnit!

[Mithras61]

I dunno, VP. When I skin my pants down, my gun belt supports the holster so my 1911A1 remains upright inside my pants. Retention is good enough that the pistol doesn't flop around in the holster, too.

To anticipate your question, I have a 1.5" double-thick horsehide belt from The Beltman at http://www.thebeltman.net/ and a Tucker "The Answer" IWB holster from http://www.tuckergunleather.com/. The belt is stiff enough that you'd think it would be uncomfortable, but it is actually pleasant to wear. My "The Answer" is half leather & half kydex, and has retension adjustment screws that let me set retension so that the pistol neither flops nor sticks. I have a SA 1911A1 GI model with a 5" barrel that hides quite well inside my waistband, and doesn't fall over when I loosen my belt or my pants.

[fm2]

Keep coming with the other recommendations, including holster recommendations. Does anyone know how I can modify my kydex holsters to include functional retention straps?

I am not a big fan of the "hammock" method, I like to leave the gun in the holster. I undo the pants with legs wide enough to keep them from sliding down, or hold them
with one hand during this step. I pinch the gun & holster between thumb and fingers and guide the pants down, maybe to knee level, keeping gun & holster verticle. Then sit, spread knees to keep holster in place.

I have a heat gun to tighten your holster a little if you like. Leather holsters are not as bad about loosing the gun. Just PM me.

[nemesis]

I have this bad habit of dropping my gun.

What usually happens is that I will be in the bedroom or bathroom tending to my clothes, and the gun falls out of the holster.

That holster needs to be retired. There is no reason nor excuse for a gun to fall out of a holster.

[casselthief]

#2
Maybe something to be gleaned from that thread too.

yeah, that was disturbing.
Red Grant has tooooooo much time on his hands.
I just pull the gun and holster, sit'em on the TP rack, thurr ya urr.
I don't know how this whole thread ain't 10yrd voided.....

[KinnyLee]

I've dropped my Springfield Loaded once. It was not because of the holster. It was me. I missed the holster all together while trying to reholster. Poor Gladis went barrel first into the ceramic tile floor in my room.
Surprisingly, Gladis didn't get a dent, but the tile floor in my room did.