Holster question - with or without thumb break

[Guest PapaB]

I'm looking at holsters for my S&W SD9 and find them available with or without thumb breaks. Is there any benefit to a thumb break for me? Here's how I'll use it.

Jeans and a t-shirt, OWB 1 or 2 o'clock, some walking and standing but mostly sitting. I'm disabled so no running, jogging, bending over or such.

I don't have any experience with holsters but I don't see the need for a thumb break if the holster has a retention screw to keep a good grip on the gun. Am I missing something?

[Erik88]

If you are going to carry the pistol openly then I would get the thumb strap. Otherwise I don't see any reason you should get a holster with a thumb strap unless you're going to be doing hand stands

[Guest friesepferd]

a thumb strap is a must if you are going to carry open.

if you are going to always carry concealed, then dont get one.

[Bubba0031]

What they said

[hipower]

What they said

And my personal preference has always been a holster without a thumb break.

[Reservoir Dog]

I always carry in an open top holster, no thumb breaks for me.

My favorite is a Galco Combat Master. I have one for each of my carry pistols. It holds the pistol very securely.

[MikePapa1]

Why a thumb break for open carry? I don't do anything when I carry that would warrant a thumb break. LEOs use them for retention when they're jumping or rolling around on the ground. I can see very few circustances where I'd ever need a thumb break.

[Guest Seraph]

No thumb breaks for me.

[peejman]

If your holster has adequate retention, then a thumb break isn't necessary. However, only you can define "adequate retention" and "necessary".

Why a thumb break for open carry? I don't do anything when I carry that would warrant a thumb break. LEOs use them for retention when they're jumping or rolling around on the ground. I can see very few circumstances where I'd ever need a thumb break.

So it's more difficult for someone else to grab your gun, since they can see it.

[Guest friesepferd]

yea. although i dont find it necessary to have one for open carry, it certainly makes me feel better.

i certainly have all intention of making sure nobody walks up behind me and tries to grab my gun, but it can happen - especially if in a crowded area.

id prefer to make it more difficult for someone to just walk up behind me and grab my gun.

[MikePapa1]

ISo it's more difficult for someone else to grab your gun, since they can see it.

If you are in such a situation where you fear someone may grab your pistol from your holster, it seems to me extremely ill advised to go to that place in the first place. I carry IWB and for someone to grab my gun before I could, even in an open carry situation, seemed decidedly unlikely. But, OK.

[Garufa]

I know all about situational awareness but unless you have eyes in the back of your head someone could walk up behind you at anytime and snatch a gun right out of an unsecured holster.

[DaveTN]

Weapon control. I worked the streets and have seen many unsecured weapons go skidding down the street.

All my holsters have thumb breaks. I pop the snap at the first sign of any trouble; snap it back when its over.

[Guest Red5]

I only carry with a thumb break if we are out hiking.

Or out hunting zombies.

[DWARREN123]

Open carry or a lot of physical activity then I would get a holster with thumb break, i.e. motorcycle riding, hiking.

If not OC'ing or doing physical activities then no thumb break, just my opinion.

[gregintenn]

If you buy a quality holster, molded to the gun you are buying it for, a thumb break is no more than decoration, and possibly a hinderance.

[Guest PapaB]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I should have mentioned it'll be concealed. I couldn't see any need for the thumb break in my situation but I'm not experienced like many of you.

Thanks again.