Tips for Safely Drawing a Gun from a Concealed Carry Holster

Being able to properly draw your handgun from a concealed holster is one of the most important components of self-defense, and knowing how to draw correctly is critical when you’re in a situation where you need to defend your life or someone else’s. A large portion of negligent discharges happen when people are drawing or reholstering their handguns, so it’s essential to know how to safely perform each step involved in drawing your handgun from your concealed holster.

Whether you’re drawing your gun from a holster that’s inside or outside your waistband, the steps involved are essentially the same. The ultimate goal is to draw your gun smoothly and quickly by performing each individual step of the drawing process correctly and efficiently. Learning how to draw safely takes time and practice. You should start slowly, focusing on the correct technique for each separate step, then gradually increase your speed. The firearms safety education professionals from Gun Safety Training Pros, your premier choice for firearms training online, offer these tips to keep in mind when it comes to drawing from a concealed holster.

Clearing Your Garment

With concealed carry, you’ll either be drawing when you’re wearing an open garment, such as an unzipped or unbuttoned shirt or jacket, or a closed garment, such as a sweatshirt, pullover sweater, buttoned shirt, or zipped jacket. Both types require you to clear your garment to access your gun quickly and easily.

Open Garments

To clear an open garment, two particular techniques can be helpful. The first involves placing the fingers of your shooting hand on the center of your chest area and dragging them backward toward your holster. Make sure your fingers remain in contact with your torso, and keep your palm facing inward. With your fingers and/or thumb, move your shirt or other type of garment toward your back. Then quickly grab and grip your handgun.

Another clearing technique you could use with an open garment involves using the four fingers of your shooting hand to form a hook and grabbing your garment at a place that’s roughly even with the grip of your gun. This causes your elbow to be bent rearward, which makes it easier to clear your garment. When your hand is even with your gun, grab it and secure a firm grip.

Closed Garments

Clearing closed garments usually involves using two hands. First, use your support hand to reach across your body, grip the bottom hem of your garment, and pull it straight up and very high. Use a firm, hook-like grip to grab your garment as close to the holster as possible and move it out of the way. To avoid dragging or catching your garment while you draw, keep holding your garment up high until you’ve completely removed your handgun from the holster. Then let go of your closed shirt or garment and grip your gun. 

Drawing from Your Holster

After you’ve cleared your garment, follow these steps to safely draw your handgun from its holster: 

  • Grip your gun firmly and correctly – place the web of your shooting hand (the area between the thumb and index finger) underneath the beavertail and very high on the backstrap, and keep your trigger finger straight along the side of holster, your three lower fingers together, and your thumb pointed straight up 
  • Lift your handgun straight up from your holster, holding your elbow high, close to your body, and pointed toward the rear 
  • Rotate your handgun to the front and upward by moving your elbow down toward your waist 

Once you’ve safely drawn your handgun from the holster, make sure to follow all the steps necessary to safely handle and shoot your weapon.

If you’re a gun owner, safety should be your top priority, and a holster can help you carry your weapon safely. If you’d like to learn more about gun safety, call on the experts at Gun Safety Training Pros. We’re committed to providing the finest firearms training available. If you’re looking for a high-quality gun class online, we have everything you need. Contact us today at [email protected].

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