There is a hidden hero in the world of holsters: the holster attachment. The holster holds the gun, the belt supports the holster, and the attachment is what makes that critical connection between the two.
These attachments come in various forms: belt loops, slides, clips, and so much more. They play a huge role in how your holster rides, performs, and adapts to your carry style. Many Safariland holsters, for example, offer you a fair bit of modularity, and you can swap holster attachments to change the holster’s ride height, cant, and overall functionality.
You might not even know what you’re missing out on, but by the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of what these attachments bring to the table — and which might be the right fit for your setup.
Quick Locking System
The Quick Locking System is a two-piece system that allows the user to quickly attach and detach holsters to belts, thigh rigs, and other mounts.
The QLS system consists of the QLS fork and receptacle that allows for quick and easy attachment and detachment of holsters. This system fits any holster with a 3-hole pattern.
Belt Loops
Belt loops attach to the rear of your holster, and your belt flows through two loops. It’s a very secure and useful system that often allows for cant and locks the holster to your belt.
Removing a holster with belt loops requires you to remove your belt, break your belt, or break the belt loop device. Safariland offers several belt loop options for belts of different sizes. As far as holster attachments go, these are used for concealed and duty purposes.
Universal Belt Loop
The Univeral Belt Loop (UBL) is compatible with any 3-hole pattern Safariland holster. It pushes the holster to a high-ride position and accommodates 2 to 2.25-inch belts. These are typically used for duty, tactical, and competition use.
Cantable Universal Belt Loop
The Cantable Universal Belt Loop (CUBL) is identical to the UBL but allows the user to provide cant to their holster.
QLS Universal Belt Loop
The QLS Universal Belt Loop (QUBL) is the same as the UBL, but it allows you to use the Quick Locking System. You can also raise and lower the holster from low-ride, mid-ride, or high-ride without tools.
Vertical Universal Belt Loop
The Vertical Belt Loop (VUBL) holster attachment also allows you to adjust the holster to low, mid, and high-rise positions without needing tools. Cant can also be adjusted.
567BL Injection Molded Belt Loop
A standard ride belt loop designed for 3-hole Safariland holster systems, the injected molded belt loop comes in seven sizes to fit belts from 1.5 to 2.25 inches wide. Variants offer a 1-inch drop as well.
565BL Hi-Ride Belt Loop
The Hi-Ride belt loop fits any 3-hole Safariland holster. This series of holster attachments pushes the holder 1 inch higher than standard belt loops. It’s designed to push the gun under the shirt and above the belt. It’s available in 1.5—to 1.75-inch belt widths.
745BL Clip-On Holster Belt Loop
The 745 BLClip-On Belt Loop fits three-hole pattern holsters and allows you to mount and dismount your holster from your belt without removing the belt. The Clip-On design fits 1.5 to 2.25-inch belts and lowers the holster by 2 inches. Oh, and it’s also a replacement item for the Model 774 Single Magazine Pouch for long guns.
Paddles
Paddle devices attach the holster to the body without needing a belt to run through loops. Paddle systems can be quickly removed and replaced without removing the belt. These holster attachments are used for both duty and concealment holster systems.
568BL Paddle
The 568BL is the basic, injection-molded, full-sized paddle system that slides over the belt and is designed to contour to the carrier’s hip. The paddle fits belt widths up to 1.75 inches and any standard 3-hole holster.
571BL Micro Paddle
The micro paddle is designed for concealed carry and features a much smaller paddle for enhanced concealment. It’s ideal for single-stack subcompact concealment holsters and fits the 571 and 7371 model holsters. It fits belt widths up to 1.75 inches, with a hook that slides under the bottom of the belt to keep the holster secure.
Clips
Clip attachments are designed for concealed carry holsters, primarily AIWB and IWB holsters. They attach over the belt. Clips can vary depending on the holster; some allow for a shirt to be tucked in, and others do not.
J-Hook Attachment
The J-Hook system attaches to concealed carry IWB holsters. The hook goes under the belt and upward to keep the holster in place. The J-Hook allows for adjusting cant and can be work with any belt. Safariland has two holsters with this type of attachment, the Model 27 and Model 575.
Thigh Rigs
Thigh rigs are holster attachments that push the holster off the belt and onto the thigh. They sit quite low compared to a normal belt attachment and tend to be used for tactical purposes.
Thigh rigs feature leg straps that wrap around the leg for stability. They tend to position the gun right where the hand naturally falls for a quick and easy draw. The position also allows the gun to easily clear armor carriers.
Single Strap Leg Shroud
The single-strap leg shroud features a horizontal strap to attach to the holster to the leg. The vertical strap comes in three configurations. Users can choose from a standard strap, a D-ring for additional mobility, and a clip design for quick detachment. The shroud fits Safariland 3-hole holsters.
Lightweight Leg Shroud
The lightweight leg shroud is a single strap leg shroud that reduces bulk and size to lighten the load and provide a more comfortable thigh rig. It comes with a quick-release buckle and fits Safariland 3-hole holsters.
Thigh Plate
The thigh plate is designed as a replacement component for Safariland tactical holster leg shrouds. Available with single or double slots for elastic straps and mounting holes for various Safariland tactical accessories.
Other Attachments
Some holster attachments are attachments for attachments! Instead of giving each individual holster attachment a section, we’ll call them the others and group them here.
Universal Flex Adapter
The Universal Flex Adapter (UFA) is designed to attach to both a holster and a base belt attachment. It can work with things like the Injection Molded Belt Loop and basic Paddle design. The UFA attaches to the belt loop or paddle and then attaches to a thigh rig shroud to create a low to mid-ride thigh rig.
Drop Flex Adapter
Similar to the UFA, a Drop Flex Adapter features an integral belt loop. These holster attachments fit to the belt, then to a shroud, and then, finally, to a Safariland 3-Hole holster.
Tactical MOLLE Adapter
The Tactical MOLLE Adapter (TMA) lets you directly attach your holster to a MOLLE platform. The MOLLE Adapter design allows you to mount the holster to a plate carrier or MOLLE belt.
UBL Pad
The UBL Pad adds a simple pad to the Universal Belt Loop to increase comfort for all-day wear and carry.
Spacer Kits
Safariland spacer kits put more distance between the user’s body and the holster. Spacers allow your gun to clear additional gear, like plate carriers, gear belts, and similar items. They come in T and Oval-shaped designs.
6281HDA Holster Drop Adapter
The Holster Drop Adapter allows users to drop their holsters by two inches. This adapter fits between the holster and its mounting platform. This fits Safariland 3-hole pattern holsters.
HRA High Rise Adapter
The HRA High Rise Adapter raises your holster by two inches. The HRA increases concealment or comfort with duty guns. This adapter fits Safariland 3-hole pattern holsters.
Hood Guards
Hood guards provide you with an extra guard device to help prevent unauthorized users from obtaining your firearm. The hood guard is an additional layer of protection for your firearm.
Chest Rig
The Chest Rig system from Safariland allows you to attach a Safariland 3-hole holster at the chest position. This tends to be a popular option for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.
The World of Holster Attachments
As you can see, there are tons of different things you can attach to your holster.
You modify your chosen rig to be just about anything you want, from a high-ride rig that’s comfy in a patrol car to a low rig that easily clears an outer carrier. You can space, drop, and even guard devices. The big question is why? It’s simple: no mission is the same. We adapt to achieve objectives, and our gear has to adapt to us.
