Convenient but usually uncomfortable.

 

I opted away from the paddle style for the reasons you listed about pocket access and driving. I actually found an Uncle Mike's nylon IWB works very well. Easy to shift around, can be transferred to inside a pocket, and will work at any position from 5 o'clock around to the "spine-line".

 

I like them! I have a few old Bianchi leather paddle holsters and a half-dozen Fobus which I wear quite often. Don't want to remove my belt before/after a short trip so I just slide the Fobus in my waistband. The tabs on the back of the holster part lock onto my 1 7/8in wide dual layer belt fairly securely. The ones on the paddle can tear the fabric of my jeans after awhile, so I knock the sharp corners off a bit with an emery board or smooth file.

 

What are your thoughts on paddle style holsters?

I'm generally not a fan. However, most of my holsters are bought for concealment purposes. If I was choosing a range/training/competition holster (or if I was LE, who seem to be the folks most interested in paddle holsters), a paddle holster may be something I'd consider.

The key feature of most OWB concealment holsters is the trailing loop, the loop aft of the trigger guard. A pancake has one, a Nelson #1 Professional (55BN) has one, and Tucker's HF1 has one. The trailing loop is what pulls the grip into the body to help concealment. Most, probably all, paddle holster lack this feature. Without the trailing loop, most holsters will allow the grip to stick out like a diving board.

I have noticed a couple of kydex paddle holsters that don't have a trailing loop, but appear to do a better job of bringing the grip in to the body than the typical paddle holster,

the Panther Concealment OWB paddle OWB Holsters

and the RM Holsters Extreme Cant Paddle https://www.shop.rmholsters.com/Extreme-Cant-Paddle-Holster-ECP20.htm

 

I have noticed a couple of kydex paddle holsters that don't have a trailing loop, but appear to do a better job of bringing the grip in to the body than the typical paddle holster,

the Panther Concealment OWB paddle OWB Holsters

and the RM Holsters Extreme Cant Paddle https://www.shop.rmholsters.com/Extreme-Cant-Paddle-Holster-ECP20.htm

While those two have looked reasonable from a concealment perspective, RickB's comment is also something that has been on my mind, and has kept me from giving them a shot.

I've seen a guy draw his paddle holster along with his gun, and that steered me away from them.

 

When I was working and carrying off duty I used to carry my Glock 23 in a Fobus paddle holster but I haven’t used one in quite awhile. The holster I use now is the Blackhawk Serpa holster and it comes with a belt loop or paddle attachment but I always use the belt loop attachment. I used to like the convenience of the paddle holster. Don’t really know why I got away from them.

 

I tried a paddle about 2 weeks ago - the 1911 leaned waaaaaaaaaaaaay out and away from me. Prolly fine for wear while at the range, but nope - not for work. I'm wearing the bianchi slide this week - it's cheap and light and easy.

 

I have two Fobus paddle holsters. One for a P345, which is my fishing buddy, and the other for 1911s. With a good belt they are reasonably comfortable, but need to be cinched up fairly tightly. I wear the one for 1911s only when I am going to be wearing a suitcoat or some other larger cover garment for an extended time. Retention is good. It takes a healthy, straight-up tug to pull the firearm.
For normal use I prefer a Milt Sparks VM2 or Summer Special for IWB or a good Pancake or belt slide for OWB.

 

Fobus is okay. I'd like additional retention and or something between the safety and the body.
Too often I've taken the pistol from the holster only to find the safety in FIRE position.

 

Fobus is okay. I'd like additional retention and or something between the safety and the body.
Too often I've taken the pistol from the holster only to find the safety in FIRE position.

Extended safeties?

 

I carried a paddle holster for about 15 years as a major case detective. We did have to take our guns off quite often. Going into the jail for bookings or interviews, in our office, etc. Never had an issue with my paddle holster and it was quite comfortable. Shot tens of thousands of rounds from that holster as Chief Firearms Instructor for our department.

Retired from that position and county in 2008 and I have not used a paddle holster since then.

I am pretty much a blued steel (and most recently a DLC gun guy in a leather holster ever since.

Carry what you like, in a holster that fits your needs the best. But it is a trial and error situation to find out what works best for you and of course that is all that counts.

 

I carried a paddle holster for about 15 years as a major case detective. We did have to take our guns off quite often. Going into the jail for bookings or interviews, in our office, etc. One time in another county going into the court house to talk to their Prosecutor on a cold case homicide, only because my holster did not have a thumb break (their county, their rules). Never had an issue with my paddle holster and it was quite comfortable. Shot tens of thousands of rounds from that holster as Chief Firearms Instructor for our department.

Retired from that position and county in 2008 and I have not used a paddle holster since then.

I am pretty much a blued steel (and most recently a DLC gun guy in a leather holster ever since.

Carry what you like, in a holster that fits your needs the best. But it is a trial and error situation to find out what works best for you and of course that is all that counts.

Please explain the acronym DLC. My google fu comes up with a Gatling gun!

 

Lots of interesting answers here. There are not too many paddle holsters that do fit like a pancake. I have a Red Nichols paddle for my P226, and it fits as close as any pancake. Unfortunately, he retired. I wish I had owned a 1911 at the time because that holster would be in my possession.

 

I've seen a guy draw his paddle holster along with his gun, and that steered me away from them.

 

I had two paddle holsters . I didn’t like them because they didn’t pull the grip in close to your body and resulted in the gun really printing no matter what shirt you wore . I eventually just threw them in the trash . Pers I love my pancake sty holsters and how they hind the gun tight against you .
Just my personal opinion and experience.
Respectfully
Joe Dice

 

I know guys with full use of both hands who carry their mags backwards. A lot of folks here would say, "Do what works for you".

 

I liked my Fobus for 1911, but gave it to my son-in-law, and have not yet replaced it. I have a really comfortable lined leather holster with leather paddle from Maxx Carry. Good for the range or open carry but it holds the grip and butt too far out from the body, unless you're wearing a big coat.

 

I don't care for them myself. Use what YOU feel comfortable with. Yours is the only opinion that matters. 😉

 

I like them for the convenience, but I like them to ride high. I know that makes the grip droop out, but what I did was take the holster off the paddle and take a heat gun to the plastic paddle and ever so slowly bend it inward until I found the perfect spot and now it rides perfect.

 

I did the same thing to my holsters, and the grip lays close to my body.

 

I carry my ultra carry in a Galco black suede paddle holster, I don't wear a belt with jeans.