Am I crazy? Thumb access on holsters

[spolct]

I've had my CHL for close to 3 years now, but I've only carried one gun, my LC9 for the entirety of it, mainly in a Theis IWB holster, but sometimes in a pocket remora or an OWB pancake. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but I like to be able to have a good purchase on the grip to include my thumb. I trimmed back part of the leather so that my thumb can wrap around the back side and be in place as I draw.

I've recently added an M&P 9c (range report forthcoming) that I also have a Theis holster for. Although the overlap on the backside is minimal, it's still there and it kinda bugs me. The overlap on the few holsters I've had leads me to believe that not everyone gets a full grip from the start of the draw. The only thing I can think of is that some have the thumb on the rear of the gun in preparation to disengage the safety, then move the thumb down into position as the draw occurs. Am I the only one that trims back the leather to allow a full grip?

[gfmun]

You are not the only one. If that is not an option offered by the holster company then I cut it back.


thanks,
George

[mojo84]

You are looking for what is commonly known as a combat cut. It may not be scalloped out enough for your liking. You can usually easily modify it yourself on most hybrid holsters with a sharp knife or exacto knife. I did it on my Crossbreed.

I also stopped in at a local saddlery and had a small extension added to the top of mine so there would be leather between me and the hammer on my cocked Hi-Power. It appears when Crossbreed make the pattern for my holster, they used a Hi-Power or blue gun that wasn't cocked.

Sometimes things need to be tweaked a little to make them fit one's particular needs.

[ripnbst]

When I draw my thumb is typically flat parallel to the top of my belt and I rotate it down and around the grip as I draw(sweeping a safety off if needed). For me this is easier and feels more natural as I typically carry about 4:00. It feels awkward depending on body position to get my thumb around the grip prior to drawing. It can be downright difficult to finagle my thumb down between the gun and my body prior to beginning the draw.

I prefer this method because doing this keeps my thumb above a safety should I need to disengage it rather immediately. Grabbing the grip with thumb wrapped around the grip and then pulling the gun from the holster means more motion needed in the opposite direction of momentum to disengage a safety(Again, if the safety is there). I've developed the consistent draw no matter if the gun has a safety or not. Consistency and repetition of the same draw stroke no matter manual of arms is better than "Well for this gun I draw this way" and "For that gun I draw that way". God forbid you ever have to draw under stress, which draw is your body going to do without thinking about it?

I will add that I no longer carry guns with safeties save 1911's, but I still draw the way I do every single time. The safety would appear to not matter to the OP as he has two guns without safeties. Just something to think about.

[spolct]

I guess I just have an inherent problem taking something that was handmade by a craftsman and hacking it up to where it seems to feel right for me. Although at the end of the day, I've still taken a knife to both of my Theis holsters and an OWB pancake. I marvel when form and function come together in glorious perfection, but given a choice of one or the other I'll choose function every time.

I appreciate the points about the thumb placement prior to draw. If I thought that I would wind up with a 1911 carry piece any time in the foreseeable future, I would rethink my current draw.