I originally started carrying my Sig P226 in a Galco Fletch with a thumbreak. It has a pretty decent forward rake, but not too canted. After the holster finally got supple and broken in, I was able to come straight from the top and wedge my thumb down and this would pop the snap open. Exact same draw I use on an open-top holster.

I did feel real secure with the thumb break, and still have a tendency to keep my elbow "tucked" when in a crowd even though I carry concealed.

Switched over to a Galco Concealable, which was open top and presents the pistol closer to the body. A very comfortable holster for extended carry and holds the pistol snug enough (mandatory possum test - upside down on a chin-up bar) to keep the pistol in the holster.

When doing Search and Rescue work, I usually carry in a Fobus paddle. It was given to me by another Team member, and I had my reservations about carrying with it. We did some weapon retention drills where he attempted to take my 226 and I tried to take his HK USP Compact and I was surprised at how hard it is to snatch it from someone else's holster.

I have also seen the video circulated around where someone grabs the pistol in a Fobus holster, forces the pistol down, and then rotates the holster and snaps off the paddle. While this is a possibility (just as having your weapon snatched from a non-kydex holster) I feel that anyone with a decent degree of situational awareness should be able to prevent this type of action from occuring.

I have since discontinued using a thumb break and carry open top exclusively. I have started looking at some tactical leg holsters for use with body armor as I have a short torso so this places a waistband holster in conflict with the body armor (our Search dog Team was issued Kevlar when we searched New Orleans post-Katrina).

I recommend trying several different types and see what you are comfortable wearing. And also let circumstances dictate whether you think you need a thumbreak or not. If you are going into a situation where retention may become an issue, the extra security of a thumbreak may be warranted.

One word: retention

If you're a guard who stands around with his thumb up his ass, you don't need to worry so much about retention.

Any street officer needs to worry about it. A lot.

I use 3 types of holsters. One is a Predator brand that holds the weapon by tension, no kinds of straps. I use these more for concealed carry. The second is Bianchi Accumold with the thumb break strap. It isn't difficult for me at all to break that strap and draw the gun in one swift movement, so I don't worry about the strap slowing me down. I also use a Blackhawk CQC Serpa holster that has a release button on the side of the holster. This one takes some practice with to get used to finding the release button with your trigger finger as you draw out the weapon, but once you get accustomed to it, you eventually draw the gun out without even knowing that you even hit the release button. It just becomes automatic and doesn't slow you down.

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This post has been edited by ArmaLiter: November 26th 2005 8:17 PM

I'll disagree. I think that the guard standing around with his thumb up his ass needs to worry about it more. If something were to go down where he's working, since he doesn't get paid as much or receive the same weapon retention training as the guy on the street, he's ill-prepared to deal with a snatch attempt. He needs all the security built into his holster that he can get, for if it happens to him, he's in a world of shit.

I agree.

I also use the 6280 for duty....an the 6004 for SWAT. I used to use the 070 on duty, but made the switch so both holsters would have the same retention system. I used to catch myself trying to release the dual snaps of the 070 while attempting to draw from the 6004. Some habits are hard to break.