Our annual industry convention is the SHOT (Shooting Hunting Outdoor Tradeshow). It gives firearms industry professionals an opportunity to see the latest from their favorite manufacturers. This year’s meeting was held in Las Vegas on the third week in January. It attracted over 52,000 people and more than 2500 exhibitors. Some of the most sought-after holsters in this industry were among the products that were offered. I chose my top picks.
The Best Holsters at SHOT Show 2023
The show had a huge floor area. After the Venetian Expo was full, exhibitors moved to the Caesar Forum for the second consecutive year.
Las Vegas was unusually cold this winter. The wind and rain made it uncomfortable to walk from my hotel towards the convention center. The highlight of this event was the chance to see old friends I made over 30 years as a gun writer.
I am fortunate to have so many wonderful friends. It was almost impossible to walk from Point A-B without being stopped by someone I had shared a range, campfire or event with.
Here are some of my favorite holsters from the 2023 SHOT Show.
Alien Gear
Tedder Industries’ Alien Gear division is really thriving. Their factory was open to me in December 2022 in Post Falls. The facility is located in a large building that was once an outlet mall. It has plenty of space. The space was used for executive offices, retail, engineering, and a sophisticated research and development laboratory.
I was able to see their injection molding machines and holster forming machines firsthand. Alien Gear is a vertical company. I was a huge fan of Alien Gear when I had the opportunity to test their Rapid Force Level 3 Drop Leg Holster.
The rig is well-designed, secure, and comfortable and is attracting a lot of attention from law enforcement agencies across the country. This includes a large trend-setting agency from southern California. Alien Gear is perhaps best known for their CCW solutions for responsible concealed carriers.
Alien Gear Roswell
Alien Gear presented their Roswell line of Appendix Inside the Waistband and Outside the Waistband holsters at the 2023 SHOT show. The new holsters are made from a proprietary injection-molded polymer and claim to be 20% lighter than Kydex, 40% tougher, 80% more heat resistant, and 80% stronger than Kydex.
Alien Gear comes with a claw and wedge kit. This ensures that the Roswell AIWB remains close to the body, for better concealment. An optional Micro red Dot hood protects your optic. The Roswell is currently available in 20 popular CCW guns at a cost of less than $40. It is also available in left- or right-hand draw.
For more information, please visit AlienGearHolsters.com.
Alien Gear Photon
Alien Gear’s Photon Holster was also unveiled at SHOT 2023. This versatile holster is loaded with features! It can be worn IWB or OWB and is completely ambidextrous. It can also be used with light-equipped guns and can be cut for an optic.
It can accommodate threaded muzzles, and it will work with guns with suppressor height sights. The holster can be adjusted to adjust for ride height, retention, cant, retention, and sidecar magazine carriers can be attached to the Photon.
For more information, please visit AlienGearHolsters.com.
Barranti Boot Holster
I had the opportunity to test the Bond Arms Stinger earlier this year. It’s a neat, two-shot derringer that has modern updates to make it safe to conceal. Gordon Bond sent me both the.380 ACP as well as the 9mm Stingers. He advised that I practice with the.380, but keep the 9mm.
There is a significant difference in recoil between these two calibers. Although the 9mm isn’t too heavy, the recoil can be quite brisk. These little guns are often carried as a backup or to their backup. They are small enough to conceal well.
Mike Barranti, a fan of Stingers, designed a holster to fit inside the cowboy boots. The holster has a rough-out look and an Ulti Clip that secures it to the boot. Doc molds the holster in order to secure the gun’s trigger guard.
Barranti calls it The Boot and makes it for the Ruger LCP II Max and S&W J frame revolvers. Prices start at $75.
BarrantiLeather.com has more information.
Bravo Concealment LINKed Holster
Bravo Concealment products have been a favorite of mine for many years. Bravo Concealment products are well-made and designed for safe and secure carry without sacrificing comfort. They are also very economical!
Their LINKed Holster is a new product for 2023. It combines an IWB Torsion holster and a magazine pouch. This rig is very comfortable thanks to the angling of their mag carrier and the flexible attachment to the Torsion Holster. Bravo also includes a detachable wings to press the gun’s grip into wearer’s bodies to prevent printing.
The LINKed holster is very affordable at $63.39. It comes with a 30-day money back guarantee and an unlimited lifetime warranty.
For more information, please visit BravoConcealment.com.
Comp-Tac QD Holster
Comp-Tac introduced a QD holster for SHOT 2023. It comes in four sizes and can hold approximately 90% of the most popular CCW firearms on the market. The QD’s Kydex construction is aircraft-grade, ensuring a smooth presentation. The QD also comes with an IWB waistband clip and an OWB paddle.
The versatile holster can also be made in black, coyote and OD colors. The suggested retail price is only $49.
Comp-Tac.com has more information.
DeSantis Persuader
Gene DeSantis has been a valued friend for many years. It was a pleasure to meet him and visit his booth. We spent time sharing photos of our grandchildren on our phones, but when it was time to “talk business”, I was handed over to Chad, his son who now manages the majority of DeSantis Holsters.
The DeSantis Persuader is a thermoformed polymer IWB that features a carbon fiber finish and is new for 2023. You can choose from a multi-cant centerclip or tuckable C–Clips. To pull the gun butt close the body, the holster uses DeSantis’ ARW (Anti-Rotation Wedge). You can also attach the Persuader mag pouch (available separately) to the holster body to make it easy to reload.
DeSantis offers the Persuader to fit multiple popular carry guns such as the Sig’s P365, Springfield Armory’s Hellcat, and Glock G19. The DeSantis Persuader is priced at $64.99 and offers concealed carriers and law enforcement officers a cost-effective and comfortable conceal carry solution.
DeSantisHolster.com has more information.
Galco Big Iron
Revolvers are back in a big way and one Great American Leather Company is ready for round-gun shooters. Mike Barham, Galco’s Media Relations representative, showed me their latest holster, the Big Iron.
The belt holster is made from premium steer hide and was designed for S&W’s N frame revolvers. The smooth leather lining makes it easy to present the gun. The gun is secured and protected by a snapping flap. You can release the gun with a polymer tab, even while wearing gloves.
The Big Iron can be worn on the beltline, or with an optional drop. Galco also includes a leather tie down for when the gun is in its lower position. Galco’s Big Iron has a suggested retail price just $220 and $89 to drop the belt. This makes it very popular among bear country residents!
GalcoGunLeather.com has more information.
Versacarry Decree
Versacarry has built a reputation for making high-quality American-made holsters at a reasonable price. Versacarry holsters feature a unique look thanks to their use of tough buffalo leather. The hybrid Decree is new for 2023.
The Decree OWB holster features an optics cut to suit those who use a micro-red dot sight. It is available in four sizes to fit a variety of popular carry guns. It is made from premium water buffalo with an inlaid, polymer front. This prevents the holster mouth bursting and allows for easy re-holstering. You can also adjust the retention screw to achieve the perfect fit.
The Decree’s belt loop placement gives it a forward, FBI-style, cant. Versacarry includes a sweat guard to prevent oil and residue from getting on your clothes. The Gun Metal Gray color is now available with khaki thread.
It is a strikingly beautiful holster that retails at $69.99 in this color and $64.99 in distressed black or brown colors.
Versacarry.com has more information.
Falco Multifit Holsters
2023 SHOT was my first encounter with Falco Holsters. The brand is made in Slovakia and features premium, pre-tanned, full-grain leather. The company’s leather artisans hand-cut, stitch, and lacquer the holsters. Falco employs over 100 people and strives to provide American shooters with high-quality leather holsters.
Falco’s Multifit Optics Ready holsters come in five sizes that will fit most CCW guns. The holsters are optics-ready and have open muzzles that can be threaded barrels. They also have covered trigger guards and barrels for safe carrying.
Prices start at $59.95 and can vary depending on the mode of transport.
FalcoHolsters.com has more information.
Hogue Carry ARS Stage1 Holster
The Hogue company is well-known for its aftermarket handgun grips. The company also makes great knives and holsters. I was able to see the company’s holsters with the patented Automatic Retention System. This system offers an additional level of security than open-top, friction-fitted pistol holsters.
Hogue manufactures the ARS line for sport and duty use, but also offers a line of Carry Holsters with the thumb-activated locking mechanism. It is extremely quick to use and offers excellent retention and protection. Hogue offers the Carry ARS Stage 1 holster for many popular CCW guns. It comes with a paddle attachment and an OWB belt loop attachment.
Prices starting at $59.95
HogueInc.com has more information.
Elite Survival Systems Advanced Belt Slide Hoster
Elite Survival Systems presented the Advanced Belt Slide Holster to the SHOT Show this year. The holster is made from leather and padded nylon ballistic nylon. It has a truncated mouth for maximum concealability. The PowerBand, a proprietary tool that adjusts tension and has hook-and-loop adjustable thumb-break retention straps, is also available.
Elite Survival’s SightStrip protects your gun’s sights during draw and re-holstering. The Advanced Belt Slide Holster comes in 8 sizes to fit most pistols. It can also accommodate belts upto 1.75″ in width. Prices start at $54.95.
EliteSurvival.com has more information.
Mission First Tactical Hybrid holsters
Mission First Tactical (MFT), introduced a new line of leather Hybrid holsters for AIWB, IWB, and OWB carry. These holsters are made from full-grain American leather and Kydex.
The combination of laser-cut Kydex and the warmth and comfort of leather can give users the perfect fit. This new MFT hybrid holster has no break-in time, unlike complete leather holsters. There is still a click when the gun locks into its holster.
Each holster is available for AIWB, IWB, and OWB carry in right- or left-hand carry. MFT Hybrids are designed for optics carrying, suppressor sight compatible and ambidextrous. American-made holsters can be hand-molded, trimmed and buffed by hand to ensure user comfort. Prices start at $69.99.
For more information, please visit MissionFirstTactical.com.
Safariland Holsters
Safariland, a trusted name in police duty holsters has some new products to display at SHOT 2023.
Schema is an optics-ready minimalist gun holster that can be used with subcompact firearms. Its skeletonized design allows for concealability and a smaller footprint. It features a reinforced mouth that allows for one-handed reholstering and passive trigger guard retention. Safariland currently stocks the Schema for micro-compacts such as the Sig P365XL and Taurus G2C and Glock 43 and 43X.
The Safariland Species is an IWB holster that has been thermoformed and features a suede-lined interior. It is ideal for everyday carry. The holster has an adjustable retention screw that allows you to personalize it for a unique draw.
Safariland announced a partnership with Haley Strategic Partners in order to create a refined IWB Holster for compacts and small-sized subcompacts with lights and optics. The Incog X holster can also be ordered with an optional direct mount magazine sidecar.
Safariland.com has more information.
Tagua Gunleather Hybrid holsters
I was able to visit Tagua Gunleather at SHOT 2023, and was impressed by the quality of their leather and hybrid hoists. Their vegetable-tanned leather, which is made in Paraguay, is imported through Miami, Florida. Tagua offers concealed carry options in a variety IWB and OWB styles. They are rugged, durable, handsome, and cost-effective.
TaguaGunLeather.com has more information.
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Personal Defense World’s post These Righteous Rigs were the Best Holsters at SHOT Show 2023 originally appeared on Personal Defense World.
