Holster Pancake
Holster Pancake
Explain the difference between a paddle holster and a pancake holster.?
A paddle holster will have an extension that slips down into your pants. The waistband or belt will hold it up.
A pancake holster still requires a belt and has loops for it. It is called a pancake due to the shape. It is still molded for specific handguns, but is more round in shape than conventional holsters. They tend to be comfortable to wear for an extended time because the spread the load and abrasion over a larger area.
See the links below for pictures and more detail.
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Barsony Black Leather Pancake Holster for KIMBER ULTRA CARRY II, SIS ULTRA $29.99 |
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BARSONY 6 POSITION AMBIDEXTROUS PANCAKE HOLSTER FOR Beretta 83 84 85 86 87 $22.99 |
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BARSONY AMBI PANCAKE HOLSTER FOR S&W BODYGUARD 380 KAHR $22.99 |
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Barsony Brown Leather-Python Skin Pancake Holster for Taurus 24/7 PRO COMPACT $49.99 |
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BARSONY BROWN LEATHER PANCAKE HOLSTER for Charter Arms 22 32 38 357 $29.99 |
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Custom leather pancake holster, Beretta mod.21 $39.00 |
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Gould & Goodrich Holster for S&W SIGMA PANCAKE Style $39.95 |
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De Santis Thumb Break Scabbard Holster For Glock 29/30 Pancake Belt Holster $35.00 |
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BARSONY 6 POSITION PANCAKE HOLSTER N.A. ARMS GUARDIAN $22.99 |
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BARSONY 6 POSITION PANCAKE HOLSTER AMT BACK-UP 380 32 $22.99 |
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BARSONY 6 POSITION PANCAKE HOLSTER FOR TAURUS PT22 PT25 $22.99 |
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BARSONY AMBI PANCAKE HOLSTER FOR BERETTA TOMCAT BOBCAT $22.99 |
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BARSONY AMBI PANCAKE HOLSTER RAVEN JENNINGS 25 32 380 $22.99 |
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BARSONY AMBI PANCAKE HOLSTER BRYCO SIGMA 22 25 32 380 $22.99 |
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Barsony Leather Pancake Holster AND Double Magazine Pouch for BERSA 32 380 22 $49.99 |
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ASTRA 357 MAGNUM 3 IN REVOLVER PANCAKE HOLSTER n $29.95 |
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Barsony Black Leather Pancake Holster+Dbl Magazine Pouch KIMBER ULTRA CARRY II $49.99 |
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Ted Blocker Black Leather Pancake Holster / BERETTA 92 92FS 92F 96 M9 $15.00 |
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SAFARI ARMS BLACK WIDOW PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SAVAGE 1907 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SAVAGE MODEL 1915 HAMMERLESS PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SAVAGE MODEL 1917 AUTOMATIC PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG P 220 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG P 225 9MM PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG P 229 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG P 230 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG P 232 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG P 238 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG P 239 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG P 245 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG P 250 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG P 250 SUB COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG PRO SP2022 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SIG PRO SP2340 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 457 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 669 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 469 MINI PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 908 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 2213 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 2214 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 3913 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 3914 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 3953 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 3954 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 4006 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 4013 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 4014 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 4040 PD PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 4053 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 4054 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 4056 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 4513 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 4516 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 4536 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 4556 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 6904 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 6906 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 6926 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 6944 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON MDL 6946 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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S&W MDL CS9 CHIEFS SPECIAL PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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S&W MDL CS40 CHIEFS SPECIAL PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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S&W MDL CS45 CHIEFS SPECIAL PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON SIGMA 9 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON SIGMA 40 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON SW 99 COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON SIGMA 380 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON SW990L COMPACT PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON M&P 9 3.5IN PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON M&P 40 3.5IN PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON M&P 357 SIG 3.5″ PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SMITH & WESSON M&P 45 3.5IN PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SPRINGFIELD P9 COMPACT 9MM PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SPRINGFIELD P9 COMPACT 40 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SPRINGFIELD P9 SUB COMPACT 9MM PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SPRINGFIELD P9 SUB COMPACT 40 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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Barsony Black Leather Pancake Holster+Double Magazine Pouch for SIG P230 232 238 $49.99 |
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Python Skin Leather Pancake Holster KAHR PM9 40 KP9 40 $39.99 |
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LEATHER PANCAKE GUN HOLSTER $10.00 |
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Barsony Brown Leather Pancake Holster +DBL Magazine Pouch KIMBER 1911 .40 .45 $69.99 |
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CUSTOM Leather Pancake Holster S&W SIGMA 9MM 40 45 $36.99 |
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Leather PANCAKE Holster – TAURUS JUDGE 3″ (# 8035 BLK) $59.85 |
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Barsony Brown Leather Pancake Holster + Double Magazine Pouch RUGER SR9 SR40 $69.99 |
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Barsony Brown Leather Pancake Holster + Double Magazine Pouch Colt 1911 Officer $69.99 |
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Barsony Brown Leather Pancake Holster+Dbl Magazine Pouch Walther PP PPK PPKS $69.99 |
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Barsony Black Leather Pancake Holster S&W Bodyguard 380 $29.99 |
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Gould Goodrich B803-G17 Three Slot Pancake Holster Fits Glock 17 22 31 B803-G17 $69.73 |
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Gould Goodrich Three Slot Pancake Holster for Glock 20 21 S&W M&P .45 B803-G20 $69.73 |
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Gould Goodrich Three Slot Pancake Holster Brown 803-G17 Glock 17 22 31 803-G17 $69.73 |
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Gould Goodrich B803-PX4 Three Slot Pancake Holster Fits Beretta PX4 B803-PX4 $69.73 |
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Gould Goodrich B803-229 Three Slot Pancake Holster SIG P225 P228 P229 P229 P245 $69.73 |
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Gould Goodrich B803-239 Three Slot Pancake Holster Fits SIG P239 B803-239 $69.73 |
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Gould Goodrich Three Slot Pancake Holster For Glock 19 23 LH GG-803-G19LH $65.98 |
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Gould Goodrich B803-G19 Three Slot Pancake Holster Fits Glock 19 23 32 B803-G19 $69.73 |
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Gould & Goodrich Three Slot Pancake Holster Brown Model 803-G19 Glock 19 23 32 $69.73 |
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nylon pancake holster RUGER P 85/89 high ride 33a $29.95 |
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Jay-Pee RH Black Basketweave Pancake Holster Large Frame Auto. Pistol $6.38 |
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SPRINGFIELD PANTHER 9 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SPRINGFIELD PANTHER 40 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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SPRINGFIELD PANTHER 45 PANCAKE PISTOL HOLSTER $29.95 |
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BLACKHAWK!® Pancake Holster for 2 – 3 Barrel Small/Medium Double Action Revolvers $27.99 This laminated nylon pancake holster gives you superior performance in a thin, lightweight package. |
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Semi-Auto Pistol Eclipse-Series Pancake Holster M&P 45 Eclipse Holster $69.99 Pancake-style holster made from high-grade injection-molded polymer provides secure comfortable concealed carry excellent belt stability and smooth quick presentation. Positive Lock Trigger Guard™ retains the weapon securely by locking into the triggerguard. A single adjustment screw lets you set the precise amount of retention force. Open top for a quick obstruction-free draw. Semi-flexible polymer won’t dig into your side yet holster won’t collapse when the weapon is removed enabling easy one-handed reholstering. Contoured profile fits snug against the body in the FBI cant and dramatically reduces firearm "printing." Protective channel keeps sight fro Mfg: Blade-Tech SPECS: Injection-molded polymer resin black matte. Fits 1¼" to 1¾" belts. Right hand only. Models available for Glock and Smith & Wesson M&P pistols. M&P 45 fits 4½" barrel. |
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Semi-Auto Pistol Eclipse-Series Pancake Holster Glock 36 Eclipse Holster $69.99 Pancake-style holster made from high-grade injection-molded polymer provides secure comfortable concealed carry excellent belt stability and smooth quick presentation. Positive Lock Trigger Guard™ retains the weapon securely by locking into the triggerguard. A single adjustment screw lets you set the precise amount of retention force. Open top for a quick obstruction-free draw. Semi-flexible polymer won’t dig into your side yet holster won’t collapse when the weapon is removed enabling easy one-handed reholstering. Contoured profile fits snug against the body in the FBI cant and dramatically reduces firearm "printing." Protective channel keeps sight fro Mfg: Blade-Tech SPECS: Injection-molded polymer resin black matte. Fits 1¼" to 1¾" belts. Right hand only. Models available for Glock and Smith & Wesson M&P pistols. M&P 45 fits 4½" barrel. |
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Semi-Auto Pistol Eclipse-Series Pancake Holster Glock 34/35 Eclipse Holster $69.99 Pancake-style holster made from high-grade injection-molded polymer provides secure comfortable concealed carry excellent belt stability and smooth quick presentation. Positive Lock Trigger Guard™ retains the weapon securely by locking into the triggerguard. A single adjustment screw lets you set the precise amount of retention force. Open top for a quick obstruction-free draw. Semi-flexible polymer won’t dig into your side yet holster won’t collapse when the weapon is removed enabling easy one-handed reholstering. Contoured profile fits snug against the body in the FBI cant and dramatically reduces firearm "printing." Protective channel keeps sight fro Mfg: Blade-Tech SPECS: Injection-molded polymer resin black matte. Fits 1¼" to 1¾" belts. Right hand only. Models available for Glock and Smith & Wesson M&P pistols. M&P 45 fits 4½" barrel. |
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Semi-Auto Pistol Eclipse-Series Pancake Holster Glock 17/22/31 Eclipse Holster $69.99 Pancake-style holster made from high-grade injection-molded polymer provides secure comfortable concealed carry excellent belt stability and smooth quick presentation. Positive Lock Trigger Guard™ retains the weapon securely by locking into the triggerguard. A single adjustment screw lets you set the precise amount of retention force. Open top for a quick obstruction-free draw. Semi-flexible polymer won’t dig into your side yet holster won’t collapse when the weapon is removed enabling easy one-handed reholstering. Contoured profile fits snug against the body in the FBI cant and dramatically reduces firearm "printing." Protective channel keeps sight fro Mfg: Blade-Tech SPECS: Injection-molded polymer resin black matte. Fits 1¼" to 1¾" belts. Right hand only. Models available for Glock and Smith & Wesson M&P pistols. M&P 45 fits 4½" barrel. |
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Semi-Auto Pistol Eclipse-Series Pancake Holster Glock 19/23/32 Eclipse Holster $69.99 Pancake-style holster made from high-grade injection-molded polymer provides secure comfortable concealed carry excellent belt stability and smooth quick presentation. Positive Lock Trigger Guard™ retains the weapon securely by locking into the triggerguard. A single adjustment screw lets you set the precise amount of retention force. Open top for a quick obstruction-free draw. Semi-flexible polymer won’t dig into your side yet holster won’t collapse when the weapon is removed enabling easy one-handed reholstering. Contoured profile fits snug against the body in the FBI cant and dramatically reduces firearm "printing." Protective channel keeps sight fro Mfg: Blade-Tech SPECS: Injection-molded polymer resin black matte. Fits 1¼" to 1¾" belts. Right hand only. Models available for Glock and Smith & Wesson M&P pistols. M&P 45 fits 4½" barrel. |
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Killer Pancake $5.2 Killer Pancake |
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Holster $7.12 Holster |
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BLACKHAWK!® CQC™ 3 Slot Leather Pancake Holster $55.99 The choice of armed professionals the world over. This proven design is adaptable, comfortable and contours to your body for excellent concealment. |
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Gould & Goodrich™ Goldline 3 Slot Pancake Holster $40.99 Fits belts up to 1 3/4. |
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Pancake Batter Dispenser $11.99 Pancake Batter Dispenser |
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The Best 50 Pancake Recipes $5.56 The Best 50 Pancake Recipes |
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Pancake Handbook, Second Edition $9.06 Pancake Handbook, Second Edition |
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Pancake Series Filters $5.7 Pancake Series Filters |
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Dragon’s Pancake Party! $14.45 Dragon’s Pancake Party! |
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DURR,STEVE: PANCAKE BREAKFAST $16.37 DURR,STEVE: PANCAKE BREAKFAST |
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TOM & EMILY: PANCAKE MAMMA $19.08 TOM & EMILY: PANCAKE MAMMA |
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101 Things to do With Pancake Mix $6.79 101 Things to do With Pancake Mix |
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101 Things to Do With Pancake Mix $7.45 101 Things to Do With Pancake Mix |
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The Dancing Pancake $6.05 Eleven-year-old Belinda “Bindi” Winkler and her family find their way through tough times with the love and support of the community that grows around their newly opened restaurant, “The Dancing Pancake.” |
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Galco CON226B 4 in. Concealable Belt Holster Right Hand Black $112.44 The Concealable holster is one of Galco’s most recognizable and innovative belt holsters. Its unique twopiece construction is contoured on the body side to the natural curve of the hip keeping all the molding on the front of the holster allowing for significantly more comfortable carry and a narrower profile than an ordinary pancake type holster. Handmolded to fit specific handguns the Concealable features a deeply handmolded exterior for excellent retention properties and superior appearance combat grip accessibility for speed doublestitched seams for durability and covered trigger guard for safety. The Concealable is constructed of premium saddle leather and made to fit belts up to 1 1/2 . Made for both semiautomatic pistols and doubleaction revolvers. |
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Norpro 4-c. Pancake Dispenser $44.95 Norpro Stainless Steel Pancake Dispenser. Easily and accurately dispense pancake batter with Norpro’s stainless steel Pancake Dispenser. Great for making crepes, waffles, biscuits, hush puppies and most other batters, sauces and frostings, even pizza sauce. No waste of batter and no mess. Holds 4 cups of batter. |
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Motorola Holster $53.5 Motorola Holster |
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Honeywell Holster $70.3 Honeywell Holster |
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T-Fal Giant Pancake Griddle $23.99 T-Fal Easy Care TNS 13.25″ Giant Pancake Griddle |
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PANCAKE FAIR: PANCAKE FAIR $8.78 Description not provided. |
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PANCAKE BREAKFAST: PANCAKE BREAKFAST $9.21 American music handcrafted by a nine-member roots machine from Portland Oregon. Most of these songs were made-up on a little farm far away from the big city and tested out by auditioning them for the dog and chickens. Apparently that worked out pretty wel |
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igourmet Vermont Pancake Mixes by Brown Family Farm $5.99 Vermont Pancake Mixes by Brown Family Farm – Buttermilk |
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Leather Pancake Holster, Sig 220/226-Right Hand … |
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Houston Paddle Holster Fits Hi Point 380/9MM Compact Pistols Md: RPHP . … |
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BDG PANCAKE HOLSTER SMALL Tactical heavy-duty Tetron construction. Fused padding. Wear-resistant, scratch-resistant inner linning. Thumb snap. Black…. |
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Professional Snug-In SLR Holster Bag with Adjustable Shoulder Strap + Accessory Kit for Olympus Evolt E1/E3/E-5/E30/E300/E410/E411/E420/E450/E500/E510/E520/E-600/E620 D-SLR Digital Cameras $59.95 Contoured, asymmetrical shape to prvide a snug protective fit for your camera for A side opening with easy-grip access lets you capture the shot in a flash. Other hardworking features include: * Large, U-shaped zipper pulls that are easy to grasp even in wet and cold conditions * Top pocket with space for sunglasses and personal gear* Adjustable divider system to secure grip, plus allow storage o… |
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Professional Snug-In SLR Holster Bag with Adjustable Shoulder Strap + Accessory Kit for Olympus PEN E-P1/E-P2/E-P3/E-PL1/E-PL1s/E-PL2/E-PL3/E-PM1 Micro Four Thirds D-SLR Digital Cameras $59.95 Contoured, asymmetrical shape to prvide a snug protective fit for your camera for A side opening with easy-grip access lets you capture the shot in a flash. Other hardworking features include: * Large, U-shaped zipper pulls that are easy to grasp even in wet and cold conditions * Top pocket with space for sunglasses and personal gear* Adjustable divider system to secure grip, plus allow storage o… |
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Lowepro Compact ILC Courier 70 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera Case (Grey) with Accessory Kit for Sony Alpha NEX-3, NEX-C3 & NEX-5 and Olympus PEN E-P1, E-P2, E-P3, E-PL1, E-PL2, E-PL3 & E-PM1 $34.95 Kit includes:♦ 1) Lowepro Compact ILC Courier 70 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera Case (Grey)♦ 2) Precision Design Flexible Tabletop Mini Tripod♦ 3) Precision Design 5-Piece Camera & Lens Cleaning Kit♦ 4) Digital Camera/Camcorder Universal LCD Monitor Screen Protectors♦ 5) Precision Design Spudz Microfiber Cleaning Cloth (with Clip & Case)The Lowepro Compact Courie… |
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Fobus Evolution Holster – Ruger LCP Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 2nd gen & .32 2nd gen $19.95 Fobus KT2G Elite Paddle Holster For Kel Tec .32 2Ndgeneration Low Profile Design Fast And Easy Reholstering Includes A Protective Sight Channel Specifics: Lightweight At Only 2 Ounces Maintence Free Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty… |
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Fobus Evolution Holster – S&W M&P 9mm, .40, .45 (compact & full size) $22.69 Fobus SWMP S&W M&P Paddle Holster Fobus Holsters Are Uniquely Designed. High Riding And Low Profile These Holsters Provide Unbelievable Retention And Comfort. Rubberized Paddle Insert Provides Extra Stability And Added Comfort… |
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Fobus Standard Holster Glock 17, 19, 22, 23, 31, 32, 34, 35 $20.59 Low profile design. Passive retention around trigger guard allows for rapid presentation while securely locking gun in place…. |
Gun Holsters
One of the most common questions I get as a firearms trainer is “what holster should I get?” I’m going to try to define most of the terms used, and answer any general questions people may have with this article. I’m trying to hit the bulk of the topics here and I’m not going to support or condone any one option I just want to get the basics out there. Understand that this topic is very opinionated and no one can give you the “right answer.” You’ll have to find what works best for you.
Type of holster-
Paddle Holster- this refers to the device that is used to attach the holster to the shooter. A paddle is a rounded attachment that fits onto the back of the holster that is stuffed under a belt or into the pants of the wearer. This means that it can be put on and taken off rather quickly and easily, it can be attached pretty much anywhere along the waistline and they’re generally pretty comfortable.
Belt Holster- this refers to a holster that must be attached directly to a belt in some fashion. Most common is for the wearer to place the holster on the belt between the belt loops on the pants. The best part of these holsters is how secure they are, but the down side is in order to take them off or put them on you have to pull some portion of the belt out of the belt loops and then reattach when you’re done. If you’re going to be wearing a pistil belt separate from your normal clothing though then this is a great option as it allows you to load your pistol belt the way you want, then you can remove or don the belt as needed keeping your entire rig in one piece.
Concealed Holster- This refers to the fact that it’s designed to remove the firearm from sight. There are so many considerations within this category alone that I’ll be posting another article just for this.
Tactical Holster- I believe that this word has become overused in one sense and lost on another. When I think of the word “tactical” I think of something that will increase by options of overcoming obstacles. However, lately it is more commonly used in cunjunction with military style gear. For that reason a tactical holster has become one that is worn usually in conjunction with other equipment such as a vest, gun belt, drop leg rig or something similar used to transport a Pistol that will be combat effective, easily accessible, and very durable. Most of these will not be very concealable and aren’t necessarily the best use for everyday wear of a normal civilian. However, they do make excellent holsters for people that have a profession which mandates that they wear a sidearm. As you’ll read in just a bit this sounds a lot like another description which is why most of these type of holsters are made of Kydex.
Materials-
The two most common types of material used in making pistol holsters are Leather and Kydex. I’ll discuss some more in just a minuet but let me address these two first.
Leather- Probably among the oldest material used for making holsters its still around for very good reason. A good leather holster will do wonders for protecting your pistol. Leather has a nice ability to sweat and breath with the wearer making prolonged wear a much more comfortable experience. They last a good while and are very reliable, but do eventually wear down. Leather requires a little bit of maintenance in and of itself and should not be neglected if you wish to ensure the full use of your holster. I tend to recommend these for people that carry concealed or have a firearm that the shooter really wants to keep protected form normal wear and tear that can happen just while wearing the firearm. A good rule of thumb is when the firearm has almost no friction with the leather (unless the holster is designed specifically for that) during a draw or re-holster then it’s probably time to replace the holster.
Kydex- For durability, toughness, and ease of maintenance this is as good as it gets. Kydex really does a wonderful job securing the pistol within itself and usually has at least one adjustment control that allows you to set how secure the pistol is. This also helps because as time wears on and the holster slowly expands around the firearm you can just re-tighten the mechanism. Kydex can be made into universal holsters that hold many different types of firearms. Competition shooters often request “Injection Molded” holsters that are fitted precisely around the specific pistol and may include a number of attachments. This allows people with additional sights, flashlights, lasers, etc. to be able to get a holster designed for their pistol. I usually recommend this type of holster for people who carry a duty pistol or are a competitive type shooter.
Nylon/fabrics- These can make for some very good holsters in terms of protecting the pistol. Many of them can completely encase the pistol within them. They can also be incredibly comfortable as a concealed carry option. “Pancake” holsters for example will fit rather snugly around the pistol and are very easy to wear since they add very little bulk to the firearm while worn.
The big questions to consider when picking a holster are:
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Could someone else get my weapon out of the holster before I can stop them?
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Could I get my pistol out of the holster quickly and be effective with the first shot with the pistol’s external safety disengaged?
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Is the holster comfortable enough to carry for long periods of time?
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Will the holster provide adequate protection to my firearm if something hit the holster directly, like a fall, or a hit from a foreign object?
After you do decide on a holster for your firearm, remember that the most important thing is to train with it. All the right gear in the world won’t mean a thing if you aren’t using it correctly the time comes to need it.
About the Author
Self-Defense and Weapons Instructor, 10+ years US Army, and business owner
Tucker Makes a Pancake Holster