Gun Holsters

A paddle holster is a holster for a handgun whose method of securing the holster to the wearer utilizes a flat, concave shaped piece of plastic or stiffened leather designed to be worn against the body inside of the pants. The broad surface area of the "paddle" and the material from which it is made use friction to prevent the holster from being pulled up and away when the handgun is drawn.

The primary benefit of this style of holster is that the entire holster and firearm may be removed from the wearer easily. Firearm wearers such as plain-clothes detectives who frequently need to move between vehicles, offices, and field work may employ paddle holsters as they allow them to conveniently remove the holster and firearm when sitting and then just as easily replace it when needed. A typical handgun holster that attaches to the user via a belt does not offer the same flexibility requiring the user to remove his/her belt in order to remove the holster. This lack of dependence on a belt allows users the option of not even wearing a belt and still using a paddle holster. One disadvantage of the paddle holster is that its physical security is not as great as a holster secured with a belt as the paddle holster relies on the friction of the "paddle" to keep it in place.