- IWB (Inside the Waistband) holsters which are easier to hide under an untucked shirt, but this makes the gun more difficult to draw and re-holster.
- Pancake holsters which are worn on the small of the back offer concealability but present challenges for drawing.
- OWB (Outside the Waistband) holsters which conceal the gun under a jacket or untucked shirt. The gun is more accessible but not as concealable. Open carry hip holsters which display the gun on your hip, ideal for the range the trail, or expansive private property.
Here are our recommendations for the 4 best holsters for Ruger SR9c pistols:
Barsony Black Leather Pancake Holster is an American made, reasonably priced leather pancake holster for concealed carry. It has belt loops, and a thumb break strap providing Level II retention (has a thumb break or strap that goes over the top of the handgrip). It is available in black, brown, tan and burgundy. Although it is intended for concealed carry, it is suitable for open carry as well. It holds the gun securely and is comfortable for EDC. The trigger guard is covered for protection against accidental discharge, and the leather is supple, the holster is concealable, and offers a snug fit for the gun and on the waist. This is easily among the best holsters for Ruger SR9c pistols.
DeSantis S and W Shield Sof-Tuck Holster is a leather holster with an adjustable metal clip, designed for IWB carry. It has good retention, is comfortable to wear, and is a great value. The trigger guard is covered to protect against accidental discharge. No printing is noted (where you see the outline of the gun through the clothes), and it is also a nice looking holster, with the two tone leather, and is among the best holsters for SR9c pistols.
Alien Gear Holsters are some of the most comfortable holsters on the market. After lots and lots of holsters, I’ve Alien Gear to be consistently the most comfortable on the market. The SR 9 is just one of the many guns they make holsters for. Their hybrid design mixes both leather and Kydex to create both a comfortable and modern holster system. The steel spring core keeps the holster malleable but strong. This IWB holster is tuckable, meaning it can be worn with a tucked in shirt with ease and comfort. The Alien Gear 3.0 gives the user excellent retentions but also presents the weapon for an easy and quick draw. You also get one of the best warranties in the business.
Ruger P95; P97; SR9 Side Holster by Ace Case is a black nylon side holster with a magazine holder. This holster is made for Rugers, and is fully ambidextrous, with both a removable metal clip and bilateral belt loops, and is designed to both clip on to, and feed through a belt for maximum security. It is made in the USA, and is of high quality but inexpensive. It has a thumb break to provide Level II retention. It is designed for open carry, at the range or on the trail, but could be concealed under a jacket. The magazine holder also had a strap to secure the magazine. The trigger guard is fully covered.
Holsters, regardless of the type, should be chosen with the following questions mind:
Durability: will your holster have a service life measured in years, and be able to withstand and protect your gun from rain, sweat, and rough handling?
Safety: does the holster cover the entire trigger guard to help prevent accidental discharge? And what is the retention level?
The Retention Level rating should be appropriate for its anticipated use, and must balance keeping the gun in the holster with being able to access it quickly. A definition of Retention levels is as follows:
- Level I: This is the lowest level of retention, relying on a snug fit and the friction of the gun against the interior of the holster. The gun will be easy to draw, but could fall out, on assailant can grab it out of your holster.
- Level II is a moderate level of retention with a thumb break, or strap which goes over the top of the handgrip, and fastens with Velcro or a snap to secure the gun in the holster, also making it more difficult for someone to take your gun from you.
- Level III: is the highest level of retention, typically found on Kydex or other hard plastic holsters, consisting of internal locks which keep the gun in place. One or more buttons have to be pushed to release the gun, and/or the gun must be slightly twisted to release it. This takes a lot of practice.
Concealability: Does the holster cause printing (visible outline of a gun through clothing) or flashing (exposure of the gun if your shirt rides up)? You don’t need an unscheduled visit from the local tac-team, a school lockdown, your face on the news and so on if your gun is spotted and someone panics.
Comfort: Is it comfortable enough for EDC (Every Day Carry) without chafing your skin, or feeling awkward or cumbersome? A lot of folks who carry concealed worry about caliber and mag capacity, which is all good, but the chances of you getting into a shootout while out and about is low whereas your discomfort with the wrong holster is guaranteed since you’ll be carrying it everyday.
Price: Is the holster affordable? Will you get a good product for the money you invest?
Stay Safe.
DAP
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About the author:
David A. Porter is an adjunct instructor in Criminal Justice, and a licensed clinician who provides substance abuse and anger management counseling to criminal offenders, and treatment of PTSD in victims of violent and sexually based crimes. He is a gun owner, avid shooter, and second amendment advocate.
