People in the firearms and tactical world love to tinker. That’s why so many build their own ARs, constantly adjust their plate carriers, and treat their gear like a kid treats a toy box. With that in mind, what about holster mods?
Can you modify your holster to perform better or better fit your needs? We can do anything with a Dremel and a dream, but the real question is: should you modify your holster?
Why Mod Your Holster?
The first question to ask is why you’re modding your holster in the first place. Holster mods can improve performance in several ways, and Safariland holsters are intrinsically modular.
Some mods change how the holster carries or fits. Others protect retention devices, improve concealability, or make drawing easier. A few even allow the holster to carry more than just a firearm. Safariland’s newest holster, the Ballast, is built around modularity—simplifying logistics by producing one adaptable system.
Holster Mods: Don’ts
Let’s start with the most important part: the things you should never do
1. Don’t modify retention devices.
Safariland engineered these to secure your firearm. Any modification risks making them unreliable—or even dangerous.
Retention saves lives, and when you start fiddling with these devices, you are risking that retention. Just leave them alone. If you think mods will make your draw faster, remember: speed comes from training, not shortcuts.
2. Don’t alter mounting devices outside of official options.
Your holster mount is what keeps the holster attached to your belt or platform. You know that piece of gear that connects your holster to your belt? That’s what ensures the holster doesn’t break off your belt.
Stick to official Safariland accessories like pads and straps. Don’t drill holes, change cant beyond factory adjustments, or try to make it featherweight. Just leave it alone!
3. No Dremels. Ever.
I shouldn’t have to say this, but if your gun doesn’t fit your holster, don’t use a Dremel to try and make it fit. Don’t Dremel your holster at all.
Ever.
I’m reminded of a joke James Yeager once made: “I think you should have to pay a $200 tax stamp to own a Dremel.” He was talking about bubba’d mods to your rifle, but I think it applies to your holster, too.
The Right Holster Mods
The best, safest, and most secure holster mods are going to come from Safariland. They’ve created an entire ecosystem to support their holsters, which allows you to customize your setup.
Mounting Devices: If your rig uses a Safariland 3-hole system, you have a massive catalog of mounting devices. You can change the mounting method easily, going from waist to MOLLE, paddle, or chest rig in seconds.
Ride Height Adjustments: Easily adjust to clear armor or set up for vehicle use. I often encourage users to experiment and find the ride height that fits their mission profile. A cop in a cruiser has different needs than a soldier in an APC.
Added Security: Options like the Hood Guard or ALS Guard make your holster’s retention systems harder for anyone but you to access.
Ultimately, your chosen holster mods should increase the usefulness of your holster without affecting your retention, security, or ability to draw your weapon.
My Favorite Holster Mods
If you’re curious how I run my holsters, I don’t do anything crazy, but I do have a particular setup I tend to prefer. If you look at my holsters, you’ll most commonly see the following.
Quick Locking System (QLS)
I like having one belt on which I can easily swap holsters. If it’s a Glock day instead of a Walther PDP day, thanks to the QLS fork, I can swap between the two on my belt. The Quick Locking System is a simple attachment that makes moving the holster around super easy.
Mid Ride Belt Loop
I’m a mid-ride kind of guy. I use a mid-ride mount that positions the holster and gun below the belt. It clears armor and chest-mounted gear. It feels comfortable and allows for a quick draw.
Thigh Strap
Since my holster’s hanging low, I want to keep it from flopping and remain secure. A thigh strap does just that. It’s comfortable but keeps the holster tight and well-supported.
Safariland Tourniquet Pouch
The tourniquet pouch is an excellent tool. I think I’ve already mentioned it, but a tourniquet is as important as my gun. If I have a tourniquet strapped to my holster, it’s in the same quick-access area as my gun. It’s one of my favorite holster mods.
ARO Wrap
The Wrap from ARO is a polypropylene wrap that wraps around your holster and provides four MOLLE ladders for attaching accessories. I use mine to mount a spare pistol mag and a shot timer. This gives me a grab-and-go training rig.
The World of Holster Mods
Holster mods can be great or terrible. The golden rule is simple: never compromise the safety or core design of your holster. Stick with mods that expand its capabilities while preserving what makes it work in the first place.
