Utter the phrase “universal holster” around serious gun people, and you’ll likely get a few disparaging looks. No one will say anything — gun people tend to be polite — but mentally, you’ll be marked as someone who doesn’t know a whole heck of a lot. Universal holsters have a terrible reputation among modern gun owners. But are they all bad? Can a good universal holster exist?
That’s the question we plan to answer today. Before we examine whether a universal holster can be a viable tool, we need to discuss why it is often a terrible idea. Universal holsters have long been seen as a plague on modern firearms.
Holster Priorities
Universal holsters suck because they often fail at basic holster priorities. A holster needs to do a few things right. Some are nonnegotiable and objective, while others are a bit more subjective to the end user. Where universal holsters fail is in the nonnegotiable priorities, which include:
Safety
Does the holster securely retain the gun? Can anything enter the holster and pull the trigger? Or worse, can the holster itself fire the weapon? The soft nylon of many universal holsters can bend, flex, and deform over time and use. This deformation creates the potential for something to enter the trigger guard and fire the weapon when holstering.
Secure Trigger
Is the trigger properly covered? Can any outside forces access or impact it? Nothing should be able to depress or even touch the trigger when the gun is securely holstered. Most universal holsters don’t properly fit firearms, often leaving the trigger partially exposed.
Retention
There are two types of retention: active and passive.
Passive retention should prevent the gun from shifting inside the holster. It shouldn’t be able to move back and forth, up and down, or side to side more than a hair. Universal holsters are almost never molded to prevent firearm movement.
Active retention might not always be necessary, depending on your task. However, if you are carrying a duty holster and require active retention, you do not want what most universal holsters offer, which is often a nylon strap and button.
Safety, a secure trigger, and retention — these are the big three that universal holsters often fail at. They also often fail to offer an adequate grip to the firearm, easy access, a quick draw, or even a proper attachment method to connect you to the holster.
Are All Universal Holsters Bad?
No. Believe it or not, not all universal holsters suck… kind of. In reality, there is no such thing as a “good” universal holster. However, there are multi-fit holsters that don’t suck. A multi-fit holster can likely fit a Glock 17 and an S&W M&P, but a Glock 19 shouldn’t fit in the same holster as a snub nose revolver.
Cheap nylon holsters are called “universal” because, technically, you can probably fit a snubnose revolver in the same holster that holds a Desert Eagle. Still, it’s looser than a politician’s morals at their annual convention.
Multi-fit holsters aren’t technically universal, but they serve a similar role — more or less. Not all multi-fit holsters are good, but they have a better success rate than other options. For example, the GLS Pro-Fit series from Safariland is an excellent example of a capable, well-made multi-fit holster. These holsters can fit over 200 different guns.
Why the GLS Pro-Fit Works
The GLS Pro-Fit series is made from modern polymer, specifically SafariSeven nylon. This isn’t the same soft nylon used in cheap universal holsters. This material doesn’t hold moisture or deform under normal use. These holsters cover the gun properly, including the trigger.
Unlike other multi-fit holsters, the Safariland model uses the trigger guard for retention. This provides active, reliable retention for a wide variety of guns. That’s great, but the better benefit comes from the fact that the holster always protects the trigger. If it can’t protect the trigger, it can’t fit properly.
To ensure each gun properly fits, you have two methods of adjustment. The first involves the trigger guard. A shim can be used to make sure the holster works with guns that have narrower-than-average trigger guards. A smaller Allen head bolt at the bottom of the holster allows you to adjust the fit to ensure the gun sits securely.
The holster also features a low-profile active retention device, GLS (Grip Lock System). The holster locks onto the gun’s trigger guard, and the release is positioned below the grip. When you grab the gun, the lever is naturally defeated, allowing you to draw without thinking about it. It’s active and effective.
The GLS Muli-Fit Option
The GLS Pro-Fit holsters are the closest we get to universal, without the burden and downsides of universal holsters. This Multi-Fit design comes in a few different configurations, including OWB and IWB options. It’s an impressive rig, and if you own multiple guns and only want one holster, this is the way to go.
Ditch the idea that universal holsters are cheap, made-in-China garbage that you find in the bargain bin. Good universal holsters can exist, but you must be exceptionally picky, do your research, and ensure the holster fits properly.
