January 17, 2013
By Dylan Polk
Along with all the exciting new guns that are paraded out at the 2013 SHOT Show, the shooting industry also gets its first look at some of the most exciting firearms accessories, and for handgun aficionados, holsters are among the most popular.
From polymers to leathers, the Handguns online team was able to get a look at some of the most exciting new holsters hitting shelves in 2013.
Bianchi Kenda Lenseigne Signature Series This year,
Bianchi Cowboy rolls out its brand new western series of holsters, the Kenda Lenseigne Signature Series. Available in four models, each holster is designed for record-breaking shooting performance with a handsome leather exterior.
Price: $105-125
Blackhawk! GripBreak Putting the importance of a quick, smooth draw at the forefront,
Blackhawk! will roll out its brand new GripBreak holster in 2013. With a patented automatic locking system, the GripBreak features a secure locking system, and a simple thumb release allows the shooter to maintain a master grip while drawing.
Price: Nylon, $39.99; Leather, $76.99
DeSantis Dual Carry II Which route should you go: IWB or OWB? How about both?
DeSantis Gunhide will roll out its brand new Dual Carry II in 2013, which features the company's Tuckable 360 C-Clip for vertical positioning for inside-the-waistband carry, but it also comes with an outer belt loop, making it a great outside-the-waistband option.
Price: $32.99
DeSantis Hide and Chic With a growing number of female shooters,
DeSantis Gunhide has provided women with a stylish way to carry with the Hide and Chic. This purse holster features a hidden handgun compartment accessible from either end of the purse, plus room for keys, phone, makeup and other belongings.
Price: $229.99
Deep Conceal Visor Holster Deep Conceal's Visor Holster allows drivers to carry their firearm in a place they may not have thought of before — the sun visors. Compatible for guns 2.5 to 5.5 inches in overall length, the holster is positioned out of sight for anyone peeking inside your car, and features a quick release retention strap for quick and easy access. The holster fits all visors and can be easily swapped in between cars.
Price: $9.95
Galco Carry Safe Perfect for carrying inside purses, messenger bags, bug-out bags and more,
Galco's brand new Carry Safe holster is a nylon holster that attaches securely with Velcro to a leather backing plate, which includes an adjustable metal clip to alter ride height and ease of access. A reinforced thumb break retention strap offers great security, as well as a fast draw.
Price: $29.95
Uncle Mike's Reflex In the heat of danger, the human mind may forget how to operate a holster's release mechanism. For that reason,
Uncle Mike's introduced its Reflex holster, which uses no levers or buttons to operate — just grip, squeeze and rotate clockwise, and pull in a smooth draw. Easy as that. With a polymer construction, the Reflex includes pancake style belt loop up to 1 ¾ inches, as well as a paddle attachment.
Price: $36.95
Blackhawk! Epoch Blackhawk! introduced its brand new duty holster at SHOT Show — the Blackhawk! Epoch. This Level 3 retention holster, designed with law enforcement in mind, allows users to holster their sidearms with almost any tactical light mounted. The Epoch also features a thumb release rather than a trigger finger release, and comes in a matte black or basket weave finish.
Price: Matte Finish, $107.99; Basketweave Finish, $124.99; Plain Finish, $124.99
Galco Cop Ankle Band New for 2013,
Galco introduced its Cop Ankle Band at SHOT Show. With a high-grade elastic band, the CAB is lined with suede behind the holster area with a Velcro closure. The holster features thumb break release for semi-auto pistols, as well as a conventional release for revolvers. Both right- and left-handed models will be available.
Price: $53.95
DeSantis Tap Out With law enforcement in mind,
DeSantis Gunhide introduced the brand new Tap Out holster at the 2013 SHOT Show. This one-of-a-kind, ambidextrous holster features two carry options, plain clothes and on-duty. The plain clothes option allows users to fit the holster with a concealment slide or paddle — both adjustable for cant — and features two Level 4 finger breaks, though the Tap Out will also be available by custom order with one finger break on the body side. The on-duty option transforms the holster into what DeSantis calls "a high-security level duty holster," fitting the holster body with a "mode adapter" that allows the plain clothes mode to be transformed without tools. The Tap Out will be available April 20.
Price: TBD
Safariland Model 22 Wallet Profile Holster New for 2013,
Safariland introduced its brand new Model 22 Wallet Profile Holster. Designed to give the "print" impression of a wallet, the Model 22 features a hinged design that allows the backing to swing away from the holster, allowing the user to get a firm grip on the weapon for a smooth draw. After opening, the Model 22 will stay open; shooters simply drop the handgun into the pocket to re-holster.
Price: $37
Safariland Range Series Holsters Safariland introduced its brand new Range Series at the 2013 SHOT Show, which includes two models — the Model 5195 Low Ride and Model 5197 Open Top Mid Ride (pictured). The Model 5195, designed for female shooters, features an offset belt loop — which allows for a smooth, straight draw for shooters whose hips are bigger than their waists — as well as a modular offset adaptor for Safariland belt accessories. The updated Model 5197 features a belt loop that can be adjusted for cant while eliminating belt bulging. Both holsters feature low cut sides and a detent in the trigger guard, adding increased security.
Price: $37
Click here for more coverage from the 2013 SHOT Show.
