I have one with a solid loop, and a kydex with a clip. Curious if the snaps provide as good of retention for IWB behind the hip

Question:
Which retention is best?

Choices:
Snap loops
Clip

 

I strongly prefer snap loops.

I've had clips slip off my thinner nylon belts before.

Not as much of a concern on thicker leather belts, though.

When I carry IWB, it is either in a Sparks SSII or a Comp Tac CTAC or MTAC.

I think that the snap loops on the SSII provide more retention.

Another vote for snaps. To me there is much less to go wrong with snaps.

Clips, these kind usually.

Very durable and I've never had them slip off.

I've been using comp tac clips and I dont think I've ever had the holster come out with the gun on a draw. Nice when you pop your holster off once or twice a day and paired with a good belt they stay put as your belt is part of the retention.

With that said I have some blade tech pull the dot loops and they are hard enough to get off intentionally.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I strongly prefer snap loops.

I've had clips slip off my thinner nylon belts before.

Not as much of a concern on thicker leather belts, though.

I have both. My day in day out 18 hours at a time holster is loops. My hang around the house run to the store is a clip.

Loops.

Clearly, closed loops are going to Jeep the holster in place better as snaps are more difficult to pop as opposed to a clip the relies on tension. That said, I’ve never had a clip slide over my thickish belt when I go IWB which I’ve been doing more after picking up my 365.

I voted for snap loops, but there are some excellent clips out there used by some makers. The steel clips used by Garrity, FIST, High Noon and Side Guard Holsters are all very secure. They have a portion of the clip that extends around the bottom of the belt.

I like both really depending on the holster.
I have had some snap loops that were difficult to snap and some clips that seemed a bit flimsy.
Favorite holster right now is my PJ holster for my G48. Solid molded clip that curves under my belt and locks on securely.

I use clips for a little easier quick on/off, but their effectiveness depends on the design of both the clips and the belt. The bottom of the clip that hooks under needs to be reverse-angled, and the belt needs to be fairly thick. The clips I have on my holsters will slip off the nylon Wilderness Instructor belt, but not the ¼" leather Beltman.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
I use clips for a little easier quick on/off, but their effectiveness depends on the design of both the clips and the belt. The bottom of the clip that hooks under needs to be reverse-angled, and the belt needs to be fairly thick. The clips I have on my holsters will slip off the nylon Wilderness Instructor belt, but not the ¼" leather Beltman.

Belts make the holster IMO. If you don't have a good belt, it doesn't matter how good the holster is.
I use a Hank's for IWB carry and it's usually a smaller pistol. The belt works great for me.
I use an Armour belt for OWB carry that has an internal stiffener added to it. Full size pistol and the Hank's is decent but to carry the weight, I needed something more.
The holster can be great but if you have a crappy belt, it won't matter.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I strongly prefer snap loops.

I've had clips slip off my thinner nylon belts before.

Not as much of a concern on thicker leather belts, though.

I agree. Snap loops are also much easier to put on and take off for a lot of holster styles. I have a ton of different holsters that I've picked up along the way over time.

Depending on the type of holster and where you wear it, every day life can push and pull on your holster, sitting in chair with arms can catch a holster and pop those clips off your belt, even IWB holsters. I just prefer the straps with snaps.

I think clips can be stressed a little quicker than snaps especially on the less expensive holsters which seem to have a large following. Then they can break easier.