Taking a quick look at a holster, it is easy to think that it is such a simple item, but the more you come to learn of them, the more realize that that is not true. Holsters may be basic, but they are not simple items. For a holster to do its job perfectly, it needs to have certain features that cannot miss. A good holster is one that holds your weapon tightly in place, but loose enough for you to grab easily when you need to. However, it shouldn’t be loose enough for the gun to fall off when you jump, run, or fall. If the holster is meant for concealed carry, it is supposed to be small enough in sizes to fit whichever part of the body it is kept. On top of all that, leather shoulder holsters are supposed to be comfortable for you to wear them. You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable by way of extra pressure being exerted on you by the item.
The material that the holster is made from also needs to be safe enough for the wearer. For instance, you shouldn’t have a severe allergic reaction to the material the holster is made from. The material must also be smooth enough not to cause you injury as the holster rubs against your skin.
In this article, I am going to talk about parts of a holster that make these items so great to own.
Backplate
The backplate as the name suggests is the part of your holster that sits against your body and the inside of the gun. It is the part where the gun itself leans. This part is usually made from a piece of leather in most types of holsters but leather is not the only material. It can also be made from other materials as well. If this part is made from leather, the leather is softened by soaking it in a suitable material. Once softened, the leather can then be molded into any suitable shape. If you are looking for a holster that is comfort for you, then you should start by choosing an item that has a comfortable or suitable backplate.
Hardware
A holster usually has a few parts that can be classified as hardware. Some of the most common pars that are referred to as hardware include rivets, buckles, clips, and screws just to mention a few. These parts function to hold different parts of the holster together. Rivets are for instance used to hold the backplate and the pocket part tightly together in case the two were not sewn together. Screws usually serve the purpose of allowing you to adjust the tension in the holster accordingly.
Pocket or shell
The pocket is also called the shell and it is the part of your gun that serves to hold the gun in place. This part is usually molded carefully so that it can suit your gun. Pockets are designed from leather or some other strong materials such as polymer plastics. The pocket must be precise so that the gun can stay in position without falling off.