Eric Rice is the Operations and Sales Manager for Sticky Holsters. He joins us this week to talk everyday carry, selecting a caliber that’s right for you, being proficient with your weapon, how to pick a comfortable holster, carry positions, and much more.
Eric says that the great thing about Sticky Holsters is their semi-generic fit, so you can get away with multiple guns fitting in one holster. That means handguns of similar sizes can often share a holster and you don’t have to buy individual dedicated holsters for every handgun you have. For instance, Eric says that if you have a GLOCK 43 and want to start carrying a Shield, traditionally you would have to purchase a holster to fit the Shield as the GLOCK 43 holster would be useless. However, with Sticky Holsters, both the GLOCK and the Shield fit in the same holster allowing you to keep the holster instead of buying new.
A big factor in everyday carry is comfort. If your gun is too heavy, binds on your clothing, or is burdensome in general you’ll be less likely to carry regularly. Because Sticky Holsters work off of compression in the waistband, they make all day carry comfortable and convenient. Eric says that a study was conducted talking to people who purchased firearms for personal protection but didn’t end up carrying them. They asked those gun owners what the number one reason was for not carrying and the most common response was that it was too uncomfortable, they couldn’t find a comfortable way to carry. If you bought it and don’t wear it, Eric says, you won’t have it when you need it. Additionally, if it’s uncomfortable and you’re always messing with it, much like an itchy tag, then that behavior can alert everyone around you to the fact that you are carrying. For those reasons, comfort is important and Sticky Holsters is addressing that!
When it comes to everyday carry it’s important that you are trained and proficient with your firearm. Furthermore, if your partner carries as well, Eric stresses the importance of training together and highlights how having two people carrying and operating as a team in a self-defense environment is more advantageous than being on your own. When it comes to choosing a caliber for an everyday carry firearm you really want one that is unique to you and checks all the boxes of the things you want or need from it. However, Eric says that in homes with more than one firearm it’s essential that adults are proficient with each one. Eric says that he and his wife train for different scenarios with all of the weapons in their home. Because he travels a lot she wants to feel comfortable with being able to pick up any gun, shoot it, load it, fix possible malfunctions and get it back up and functional. Shotguns, rifles, handguns – all firearms of every kind – it’s important to know how to use them safely, effectively and efficiently.
When it comes to carrying positions, that’s a decision unique to the carrier. Traditional clip holsters would require you to take the clip and flip it to the other side or use a tool to adjust the clip angle. Other dedicated appendix holsters make it possible to appendix carry, but they aren’t designed for carry in any other position. The benefit of the design of Sticky Holsters is that they don’t utilize clips or loops. So, you can carry them in any position in your waistband as long as there is ample compression. Eric says that he first started carrying in the 4 or 5 o’clock position near his wallet with the idea that if someone demanded his wallet he could reach back and grab his firearm inconspicuously and shoot from the hip. However, with time, Eric says that he transitioned to appendix carry and that’s how he still carries today almost exclusively. For him, appendix carry is ideal because it’s the most concealable, when he’s bending over he doesn’t have to worry about pulling his shirt down to keep his firearm concealed and he can reach his firearm with both hands should one hand be occupied by carrying something like groceries, carrying a kiddo, walking a dog, etc. Furthermore, when carrying strong side, reaching for the firearm could open himself up to a Kimura Lock, and carrying appendix avoids that kind of situation.
Listen in as Eric Rice, Operations and Sales Manager for Sticky Holsters, stops by to talk about their 100% American Made holsters, mag carriers, wallets, cell phone holders and more that you can find and order at www.StickyHolsters.com, or at one of the thousands of dealers across the country that carry Sticky Holsters products. Click here to find a dealer near you!
Make self-defense a priority!
Trav