Tactically and ergonomically is it better to station your pistol holster from your chest rig(plate carrier), drop leg holster or war belt?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 16:13:20 -0400

Response by LTC John Shaw made May 23 at 2017 4:22 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 23 May 2017 16:22:26 -0400

Start with chest, move to belt or leg if necessary for other equipment. Leg is last for me, bottom line: longer time to draw and fire.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 4:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 16:38:00 -0400

Sir, I would have to say that it is best to configure the holster in a fashion that is comfortable, ease of access based on how your equipment is set up, and how fast you can access and draw your weapon to fire in order to kill the person before they kill you.

Response by MSG Andrew White made May 23 at 2017 4:39 PM

MSG Andrew White — Tue, 23 May 2017 16:39:05 -0400

For me comparing Police Tactical and Military! Personally, I prefer belt! More Control!

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made May 23 at 2017 4:47 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 23 May 2017 16:47:04 -0400

Think it depends on what your job is, if it catches on stuff and what's comfortable. I moved mine all over after we got the new style body armor and this is what I ended up with.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 4:58 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 16:58:51 -0400

First, you need to access your needs. Don't be Tacticool. Be tactical. You are a signal officer. You should have gear that fits your position. I am not sure if you need a war belt. Usually I have seen drivers do a chest rig. But don't do something just because it looks cool.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 23 at 2017 5:00 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 23 May 2017 17:00:34 -0400

When I deployed I initially had it on my leg which gave me more room to put Ammo, Comms, camera (CA mission) on my chest. However, being attachments we often operated out of the vehicle of choice for that assigned unit - any version of MRAP, humvees, and Strykers. Sometimes I'd TC, sometimes I'd be a passenger, and on rare occasions be a the gunner or driver. Depending on the vehicle, and my assignment in the vehicle, it was more often then not that having the holster on my leg got in the way. It would catch something or slowed my entry/exit from that vehicle (e.x. I'd think I was all the way in only to find the door wouldn't close because my pistol was sticking out three inches off my thigh or I'd hit ammo cans in the middle).

Another reason why I moved it to my chest was because Iraqi kids liked to try and grab and steal stuff from your pockets. I went out once and they swarmed me saying "Mista, pencil?" and suddenly they all had pieces of candy and my pens in their hands and were running away - candy that was in my cargo pocket. After that I preferred to keep any sensitive items closer to my chest and out of reach from any sticky hands.

In the end do what's most comfortable for you and what your mission requires.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 23 at 2017 5:08 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 23 May 2017 17:08:51 -0400

I don't know about tactical advantage, but the greatest thing that happened to me was when I was gifted with a tanker's shoulder holster. I was pretty damned tired of that 45 slapping against my leg whenever I ran in Vietnam. We didn't have the type that strapped to the leg in those days, so I don't know how that might have been.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 5:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 17:11:51 -0400

Put it where it's comfortable and reachable. If you move it, practice drawing it and holstering it until its second nature again. Whenever we moved anything we did drills with it. This is one of those things the only thing everyone will agree about is the other guy is wrong. Do what's comfortable, reachable, and natural for you. You're the one who knows.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 5:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 17:29:21 -0400

When I was a .50 gunner on a HMMWV/MaxxPro in Iraq I went with the Blackhawk serpa chest rig. Being in a turret it was an easier and quicker draw if I needed it.

As a Black Hawk Crew Chief in Afghanistan I went with the drop leg. Anything else got in the way of the restraint system. The lanyard did have a habit of getting snagged sometimes on the locking pin for the 240 mount, but beyond that it was best for what I was doing.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 23 at 2017 5:38 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 23 May 2017 17:38:40 -0400

This a question that is going to be something that only you can answer for LT Acido? When considering where is best for you, do not consider what position you may find yourself when needing to draw the weapon? In other words, taking fire what are you doing as you draw the weapon? Standing there calmly...probably not...ior flat on the ground seeking cover...probably? No real right or wrong answer, only right and wrong for you.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made May 23 at 2017 6:17 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Tue, 23 May 2017 18:17:39 -0400

As a police firearms instructor, I would have to say that it depends on what you are doing, what your other gear is set up, accessibility issues in whatever vehicle you are in, etc.

The best option is to get to your unit and see what your counterparts are doing, then ask them about it.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 23 at 2017 6:19 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 23 May 2017 18:19:54 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Probably not the Best but Belt was how we did it on the Security Alert Team on the Ship. Actually it was Kinda Preferable going thru some Hatches, I could Rotate My Belt as Necessary.

Response by SFC George Sease made May 23 at 2017 6:33 PM

SFC George Sease — Tue, 23 May 2017 18:33:34 -0400

I would have to say that go with what you are accustom to and what type of environment you are going into. If you are a gunner on a vehicle you would probably think about a chest rig. If you are infantry you would probably think about a rig on your hip or a leg drop rig.As a retired police officer who wore a pistol his entire career, I always wore my weapon on my hip. In the military/law enforcement/carrying as a retired police officer I still carry on my hip. Old habits die hard. Regardless of the type of rig you choose always go with the rig that you are accustomed to and the type of mission and to hell with looking "cool ".

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 7:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 19:30:19 -0400

tactically the leg holster is best, but do you really want to have that weight on one leg and not the other going on a 12 mile patrol, i carried my m9 on my chest as a 240 gunner on my 1st deployment

Response by MAJ Raymond Haynes made May 23 at 2017 9:03 PM

MAJ Raymond Haynes — Tue, 23 May 2017 21:03:18 -0400

Put the holster where ever you want, place the muzzle of the weapon firmly between the eyes of the objective and squeeze with constant pressure, until reaching the desired result.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made May 23 at 2017 9:10 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 23 May 2017 21:10:58 -0400

Sir,just a question from a very old grunt,what is a "war belt"? I've seen the chest rig,and the "drop leg holster" on deployed units in newscasts,is it anything like the web belt from my era 60s?

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 10:32 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 22:32:06 -0400

It all depends on your needs like for me as Infatry I might tend to favor a drop holster because it allows me to carry more ammo or gear on my plate carrier for my rifle which would be my primary weapon. Some troops prefer plate carrier holsters because it frees up that weight on your leg but it all depends what you do and what meets your daily demand.

Response by CW3 Harvey K. made May 23 at 2017 10:38 PM

CW3 Harvey K. — Tue, 23 May 2017 22:38:04 -0400

Just for historical perspective; my ancestor was a Doughboy in WWI. He returned from the fields of France with a .45 1911 in a swivel holster, which he noted was a much-preferred, and hard to find rig, that let you be comfortably armed while seated as well as standing.

Response by CW3 Harvey K. made May 23 at 2017 10:49 PM

CW3 Harvey K. — Tue, 23 May 2017 22:49:01 -0400

I remember a WWII veteran tanker telling me that he was issued a .45 1911 with a hip holster and a shoulder holster.
Sometimes tank maintenance was uncomfortable with the weapon in either holster, but it was a court-martial offense not to have your weapon on your person at all times.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 1:09 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 01:09:02 -0400

Just try different setups until you find one that works for you and your mission. It's an endeavor must undertake alone, son ring your compass LT!

Response by SGT David T. made May 24 at 2017 7:50 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 24 May 2017 07:50:06 -0400

It is really a matter of your gear set up and personal preference. I don't like cross draw so I would shy away from a chest holster personally. I like drop holsters personally. Experiment with both and see what you like best.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 8:02 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 08:02:54 -0400

Depends on your mission and your load layout, but bottom lome, the rule is to always configure your rig to what's most comfortable for you. You're the one that has to carry it and shoot.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made May 24 at 2017 9:07 AM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Wed, 24 May 2017 09:07:38 -0400

Depends on what and where your primary duties will be. As a beat up old Infantry Sojer I am reminded of a vintage Bill Mauldin cartoon showing Willie and Joe flat on the ground with bullets whizzing over their heads. The caption, "I'd get lower but me buttons are in the way!", is a great argument for not having a lot of equipment on your chest in that sort of environment.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 11:28 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 11:28:44 -0400

This is something that is going to be personal preference and situation dependent. I can tell you from personal experience that drop legs don't work for me. I go with a Blackhawk on my kit and then a quality belt slide on my belt. I do this because in a vehicle of or out and about I can have the pistol readily accessible on my kit, but when the kit comes off I have the pistol on my belt. I like the way the slide keeps the bulk of the pistol close to my body, but once again, different strokes for different folks. For every 10 people who tell you a drop leg is the way to go you'll have another 10 who tell you they suck. Bottom line on this is to try different set ups and see what works best for you.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 12:26 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 12:26:39 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member In the civilian LE world, we went to drop leg holsters because a chest rig got in the way of the radio and access to your pockets for notebooks, etc. I realized it's a world of difference between the two worlds. I also wonder about mobility if wearing heavy kit? is it easier to reach down to mid-thigh, or up and across your chest?

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made May 24 at 2017 6:46 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Wed, 24 May 2017 18:46:26 -0400

It depends on your job. If you have to move more than a few hundred meters on foot, I would not do a drop leg holster. A chest rig fills up pretty quick, so I would be inclined to put it on a war belt, but in some situations you might want to make room on your chest.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 7:50 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 19:50:57 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I personally did the leg drop. It is hard to pull from a belt if you are in body armor. If you are going to need it and have to lay down on the ground you cannot get it from your chest. Unless you are in a vehicle you can always pull from your leg. I know some tankers who had both a leg drop and a chest rig. This way in the tank they put it in the chest rig and they moved it to the leg when outside.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 4:01 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 04:01:55 -0400

Thank you all for your input. From tryouts today war belt for the win!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 11:23 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:23:23 -0400

My personal advice would be to use a belt mounted holster with a slight drop, but not a drop leg. Chest holsters are very impractical if your primary weapon system is a carbine, as your rifle gets in the way if you ever need to transition to a sidearm. Drop leg holsters are not particularly secure and tend to flop back and forth on the leg while moving. Mounting a holster on a belt is ideal, but it must be dropped an inch or two to allow the sidearm to clear the underside of body armor. The abbreclviated version of the transition would be the non-firing hand sweeps the primary weapon system down and to the non-firing side of the body, allowing the firing hand access and ease of movement to draw the sidearm.

One other note, don't fall prey to the mistake of getting a holster that has an attached magazine pouch; if it's important enough to carry spare pistol magazines, it is essential to have those magazines in an area where your non-firing hand can easily and quickly reach them.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Firearms and combat marksmanship is my forte and I absolutely love teaching it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 3:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 15:07:50 -0400

Where ever the most comfortable draw for yourself is, is the correct spot to attach the holster. 10X more important than the position of the holster is how often you actually practice drawing the weapon from that spot and developing the necessary muscle memory.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 8:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 20:13:57 -0400

Comfort and ease of use is first and foremost-- same with rifle slings. With rifle slings, some guys like the old fashioned sling; some liked the "wolf hook" or other variants. I had a 3-point rig with a small section of bungee that I liked. If it works *for you*, then use it.

That said, for pistols I'd say form follows function. I have trained with pistols on ranges but rarely carried them "for real"-- I had a couple years of National Guard time an an M1A1 driver which gave me some experience with carrying a pistol in tactical training environments. Most of my career I was Reserve Combat Engineer. Most of my Iraq time was spent mounted with only a little bit of foot patrol.

I'd say for mounted operations, you'll probably have best luck with a shoulder rig. But if you're going to be walking, find a hip or thigh/drop holster and see what feels more "natural". If mounted, bear in mind the type of vehicle you'll be in, how cramped it is, and if you're expected to get in or get out combat fast. A leg holster (IMO) will catch in a Humvee door with all your armor & gear, while a chest rig is less likely. OTOH if you're going to be standing in the back of a Brad or a Stryker, a chest holster will be one of the things that gets pushed into your torso when the vehicle stops or maneuvers suddenly and you get bounced around in the lip of the hatch coaming. So again, consider the environment of use.

Good luck.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2017 12:35 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 May 2017 12:35:30 -0400

Sir When I was a 240 gunner I always had my pistol on my belt. Personal preference because I wanted my silhouette as low to the ground as possible in the prone (obviously the handgun would prevent me from reaching the lowest point possible if on my chest while in prone). For drivers/dismounts on machine gunners I would have it on my chest. Less time from chest to extension of the arms than hip to chest to extension of the arm firing position.

Response by SFC David Bentley made Sep 15 at 2018 7:02 PM

SFC David Bentley — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 19:02:06 -0400

Getting in and out of turrets and seat belts and getting drug by my pistol leash off a LZ by a black hawk has let me to the chest position for my 9mm.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Sep 16 at 2018 11:21 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 11:21:22 -0400

Whichever one you personally can access it from most expeditiously in the environment you are working.

Response by SFC Jaysin Smith made Aug 9 at 2021 5:54 PM

SFC Jaysin Smith — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 17:54:05 -0400

Both tactically and ergonomically it's better to carry in a drop leg. Tactically if you're in close combat or have to engage prisoners it's easier for an enemy to grab from your chest then your leg. Ergonomically you're muscle memory will adapt better to a downward then upward movement of u holstering and drawing your pistol then crossing your chest and drawing out. Also if your on the ground fighting with someone you can lay on your pistol leg to keep it out of enemy control. It's hard to fight laying on your stomach. You can pull your leg up to draw when you need to if you're fighting on the ground. If it's on your side you're less likely to get it hung up on shit when you're low crawling then you would if it's on your front.