Train Like You Carry: Choosing the Right Holster for Pistol Training
One of the more overlooked decisions in pistol training is the choice of holster. We spend considerable time discussing pistols, optics, ammunition, and other equipment, but rarely give the same consideration to how we carry the pistol during training. This matters because the holster you use on the range should have a direct relationship to how you carry outside the range.
Walk down the firing line at almost any pistol course and you will see a variety of configurations. Some students carry concealed, others use open carry holsters, and some wear duty rigs or war belts. Each has a legitimate purpose, but the question is whether your equipment reflects how you actually carry or whether you selected it because it makes training easier.
There are three primary holster conditions to consider: open carry, concealed carry, and duty carry. Understanding where each belongs in your training is important because the objective is not simply to perform better on the range, but to develop proficiency with the equipment you actually depend on.
Open Carry: Where Training Should Begin
For students learning to draw a pistol, I prefer starting with an open carry holster. There is already enough going on when learning a new skill without introducing unnecessary complications. The student must understand the relationship between their body, pistol, and holster while maintaining muzzle discipline and proper trigger-finger control. An exposed holster simplifies the process by eliminating the cover garment and allowing the student to concentrate on developing safe, consistent habits.
The objective is to establish a safe and repeatable process before adding complexity. Once the student demonstrates proficiency, the next step is transitioning to the holster they intend to carry most often. For most armed citizens, that means concealed carry. The open carry holster serves an important purpose during initial training, but it should not become the default simply because it is easier. There may be occasions when returning to an exposed holster makes sense, particularly when correcting a deficiency, but the long-term goal is proficiency with your actual carry equipment.
Concealed Carry: The Standard for Most Armed Citizens
For the majority of armed citizens, concealed carry should represent most of their pistol training. If you carry a concealed pistol for personal protection, your training should reflect that reality. Holster position, clothing, and access to the pistol are all part of the skill. Removing those variables might improve performance on the range, but it also eliminates challenges you need to learn to manage.
Concealed carry introduces problems that are not present with an exposed holster. Cover garments can interfere with access, clothing choices can affect consistency, and certain carry positions may restrict movement. These are not reasons to avoid concealed carry during training. They are reasons to spend more time working with it. I want students addressing these challenges under controlled conditions rather than discovering them when the consequences are much greater.
Consistency is another consideration. If you carry concealed every day but conduct all your training with an exposed holster, you create a disconnect between training and application. Not every repetition must come from concealment, but the majority should. Simplifying a training problem is sometimes necessary, provided you eventually return to the conditions you are preparing for. The objective is not to make training easier. It is to make training relevant.
Duty Rigs and War Belts: Different Equipment, Different Purpose
The obvious exception applies to law enforcement officers and military personnel required to carry a pistol in a duty holster. For these individuals, the duty rig is part of their professional equipment, and the majority of their professional training should reflect that configuration. Duty holsters introduce additional considerations involving retention systems, equipment placement, and accessibility. Familiarity with these features is just as important as familiarity with the pistol. Many professionals also carry concealed while off duty, and that equipment deserves attention as well. The point is that each configuration serves a purpose, and training should reflect when and how it is used.
There are also armed citizens who train with duty-style war belts or battle belts. These configurations often include a retention holster, magazine pouches, medical equipment, and other supporting gear. I have no issue with this equipment when there is a legitimate objective behind it. A war belt can be useful for specialized training or preparedness, but I would question making it your primary training configuration if you carry concealed every day. The concern is not whether the equipment is good. It is whether the equipment supports your training objectives.
Equipment Familiarity Matters
One mistake I see students make is selecting a training holster based on convenience rather than practical application. An exposed holster simplifies access to the pistol and eliminates many of the complications associated with concealed carry. There are legitimate reasons for reducing complexity when introducing a skill or correcting a deficiency. However, what makes training easier does not necessarily make it more relevant.
Your holster is part of a complete carry system. Its position, retention features, and compatibility with clothing all influence performance. Constantly changing these variables makes it difficult to establish consistency or accurately measure improvement. I encourage students to experiment with different equipment until they find something that works. Once they identify a reliable carry system, however, there is value in committing to it. Familiarity comes through repetition. Consistent equipment allows you to better understand your capabilities and limitations without introducing unnecessary variables every time you train.
Training Should Reflect Reality
A good training program should challenge your abilities while maintaining a connection to the conditions you are preparing to face. I have seen shooters produce impressive results with exposed holsters only to struggle when asked to perform similar work from concealment. That should not be surprising. The equipment and demands are different, and the results may be different. This becomes especially important when measuring performance. Faster times with a dedicated range holster may demonstrate improvement, but they do not necessarily represent your capabilities with your everyday carry equipment. Training should expose these differences rather than hide them.
I prefer a simple progression. Begin with an open carry holster to establish a safe and effective foundation. Once those skills are developed, transition to your intended carry equipment and dedicate the majority of your training to that configuration. Other equipment may have a place, but its use should support a specific objective. Whatever configuration you choose, the holster should properly retain the pistol, protect the trigger guard, and meet the safety requirements of the training environment. The purpose of training is not simply to perform well under ideal conditions. It is to develop skills that remain dependable when conditions are less than ideal.
The Bottom Line
Choosing between open carry, concealed carry, and a duty rig should be based on how you intend to use the pistol. Start with an open carry holster to establish safe fundamentals, then transition to the equipment you carry most often. For most armed citizens, that most likely means concealed carry. For professionals required to wear a duty rig, training should reflect those requirements. War belts and other specialized equipment have their place, but they should not replace training with your primary carry system.
I am not suggesting every training session must use the same equipment. What I am suggesting is that the majority of your training should have a direct relationship to how you actually carry. Your holster is part of your equipment, and becoming proficient requires consistent practice with that equipment. Train with what you carry, understand its limitations, and make your training relevant to the conditions you are preparing to face.
