Holsters

A good holster is much more than just a way of carrying your sidearm. During a skirmish or milsim event, you want your pistol to stay securely in place, but also to be immediately accessible when you need to switch from your primary replica to your sidearm. The right airsoft holster therefore not only enhances comfort, but also contributes to speed, safety and an efficient way of playing.

Go straight to the relevant information:
• Why is a good holster important?
• Universal or replica-specific?
• Take into account any accessories on your sidearm
• Universal holsters
• Replica-specific plastic holsters
• Speeddraw holsters
• Paddle holsters
• MOLLE holsters
• Drop-leg holsters
• Left-handed or right-handed?
• Which holster suits your playing style?
• CTM Tactical – Designed for speed
• Professional use
• What should you look out for when buying a holster?
• Frequently asked questions about holsters

Within this category, you’ll find an extensive range of holsters from 101Inc., Amomax, CTM Tactical, IMI Defence, Invader Gear and Warrior Assault Systems. The range includes universal holsters, replica-specific plastic holsters, paddle holsters, MOLLE holsters, drop-leg holsters and various speed-draw holsters for players seeking maximum speed and reliable retention.

Whether you’re looking for your first pistol holster for recreational use or a professional tactical holster for a fully kitted-out loadout, you’ll find a solution in this category that suits your replica and playing style.

Why is a good holster important?

The right holster not only determines how quickly you can draw your sidearm, but also how much freedom of movement you retain during a skirmish.

The right holster not only makes it easier to draw your pistol, but also prevents the replica from falling out of the holster accidentally whilst running, crouching or climbing.

Universal or replica-specific?

One of the first decisions you’ll make is whether to choose a universal holster or a replica-specific holster.

The most important factor when choosing a holster is often not the fastening, but the fit. Do you use several different replicas or just one specific sidearm? A replica-specific holster, on the other hand, is tailored precisely to one particular pistol model. This ensures that the holster fits the contours of the replica perfectly, resulting in a much more precise fit.

Many experienced players ultimately opt for a replica-specific holster because it offers:

• Improved retention.
• A consistent draw.
• Less movement of the replica in the holster.
• Greater confidence during intensive use.

For novice players, a universal holster is often a logical first choice. As you play more often and eventually settle on a single sidearm, many players switch to a replica-specific model because of its greater stability and ease of use.

Bear in mind any accessories on your sidearm

More and more airsoft players are fitting their pistols with accessories such as a Weapon Light, laser or Red Dot Sight. This offers various advantages whilst playing, but also affects the choice of holster.

Many replica-specific holsters are designed for a standard configuration. As soon as a pistol is fitted with a flashlight or laser under the barrel, the shape of the replica changes. As a result, it often no longer fits properly in a standard holster, or the retention system no longer works as intended.

A mounted red dot sight may also cause restrictions with some holsters, depending on the holster’s design.

Fortunately, more and more manufacturers are bringing Light-Bearing and Optic Ready Holsters onto the market. The range is growing steadily, but – certainly within the airsoft world – it is still more limited than that of standard holsters. You should therefore always check the product specifications carefully to ensure that your replica, including any fitted accessories, is compatible with your chosen holster.

Universal holsters

A universal airsoft holster has been designed for players who value flexibility. Thanks to their adjustable design, these holsters are suitable for various pistol models and are an excellent choice if you use multiple sidearms or plan to switch replicas in the future.

The range includes both universal belt holsters and universal drop-leg holsters made from durable fabric. Adjustable straps allow the fit to be tailored to the dimensions of the replica, meaning a wide variety of models can be carried safely.

The advantages of a universal holster are:

• Suitable for several gun models.
• Easy to adjust.
• Ideal for beginners.
• Often attractively priced.
• Suitable for various loadouts.

A universal holster offers a great deal of versatility, but generally compromises slightly on retention and speed compared to a replica-specific plastic holster.

Replica-specific plastic holsters

If you use a single, fixed sidearm, a replica-specific tactical holster is often the best choice. These holsters are moulded precisely to the shape of the relevant pistol model, ensuring that the replica is securely locked in place whilst still allowing for a quick draw.

In many plastic holsters, retention is achieved by means of a mechanical locking system around the trigger guard. This ensures that the pistol remains securely in place whilst running, crawling or climbing, whilst it can be drawn immediately with a single controlled movement.

For players who train regularly or take part in skirmishes, this offers a significant advantage. Every draw feels the same, which improves speed and consistency.

Speed Draw Holsters

For players looking to achieve maximum speed, Speed Draw Holsters are an excellent choice. These plastic holsters are designed to enable a quick, smooth draw without compromising the safety of the replica.

CTM Tactical’s models, in particular, have been designed with speed and ease of use in mind. Thanks to their precise fit and reliable retention, the replica remains securely in place until you deliberately draw it.

Speed Draw Holsters are popular with:

• CQB players.
• Speedsoft.
• Training sessions.
• Dynamic shooting exercises.
• Experienced airsoft players who make extensive use of their sidearms.

Incidentally, a quick draw doesn’t just start with the holster, but also with a consistent set-up of your equipment. Regular training with the same set-up ensures that you can find the pistol automatically when every second counts.

Paddle Holsters

A paddle holster is one of the most popular holsters in airsoft. The wide paddle is simply slipped behind the waistband, meaning a battle belt is not necessary.

This makes this type of holster ideal for players who want to equip their gear quickly or switch regularly between different loadouts.

Many plastic paddle holsters also have a major advantage: you can often keep the holster itself when you upgrade your kit.

With the right adapter, the same holster can be attached to:

• A MOLLE platform on a battle belt.
• A MOLLE platform on a plate carrier.
• A Leg Panel for a Drop Leg configuration.

As a result, you often don’t need to buy a completely new holster when you change your loadout. You simply replace the attachment system, whilst continuing to use the same trusted holster.

It is precisely this modular design that makes systems from brands such as Amomax and IMI Defence particularly popular. You make a one-off investment in a high-quality holster and can easily adjust the mounting when your kit or playing style changes.

MOLLE Holsters

For players using a Battle Belt, Plate Carrier or other MOLLE platform, a MOLLE holster is often the most logical choice. Instead of wearing a holster on your belt, it is securely attached to the MOLLE/PALS webbing on your kit.

The main advantage of this is that you can tailor the position of the holster entirely to your loadout. This prevents magazine pouches, dump pouches or other equipment from hindering the draw.

A MOLLE holster is particularly useful for:

• Milsim players.
• Woodland-loadouts.
• Battle Belt configurations.
• Plate carrier configurations.
• Players who use a set of kit.

Because the holster stays firmly in place, you maintain a consistent draw and it shifts less during vigorous movements.

Drop Leg Holsters

A Drop Leg Holster is worn on the thigh using a Leg Panel. This configuration is a popular choice when the waist area is largely occupied by a plate carrier or a fully equipped battle belt.

As the holster hangs slightly lower, the sidearm is easier to reach without magazine pouches or other equipment getting in the way.

A Drop Leg Holster is particularly suitable for:

• Extensive military loadouts.
• Grote plate carriers.
• Milsim events.
• Users who carry a lot of equipment around their waist.

It is important, however, that a drop-leg holster is adjusted correctly. A holster that sits too low on the leg may move more than is desirable whilst running or kneeling. That is why many experienced players choose to wear the holster as high up on the thigh as possible. This allows you to benefit from easy access without unnecessarily compromising on stability or comfort.

Left-handed or right-handed?

When purchasing a pistol holster, it is important to choose the correct version straight away. Holsters are available in left-handed and right-handed versions and, in most cases, cannot be converted for use by the opposite hand.

A right-handed holster is normally worn on the right-hand side of the kit and is designed for drawing with the right hand. Left-handed players naturally opt for the mirror-image version.

You should therefore always check carefully which version you are ordering, to ensure that the holster is suited to your dominant hand and the way you have organised your loadout.

Which holster suits your playing style?

The best choice depends on your playing style and the make-up of your kit.

So there isn’t just one holster that’s the best choice for every player. By giving careful thought to your replica, kit and playing style beforehand, you can avoid making a bad purchase and choose a holster that will continue to work well for years to come.

CTM Tactical – Designed for speed

CTM Tactical’s holsters have been designed for players who prioritise speed and precision. Thanks to their precise fit and quick-release mechanism, these Speed Draw Holsters are particularly popular in CQB and Speedsoft, where every fraction of a second counts.

When combined with a well-adjusted battle belt or MOLLE configuration, this creates a highly efficient setup in which the sidearm is always in the same position. This not only ensures a faster draw, but also boosts confidence during intense moments of play.

For players who use their sidearm regularly and practise draws and transitions extensively, a CTM Tactical holster is an excellent choice.

Professional use

Holsters are used worldwide by the military, police forces, security professionals and sport shooters. Not only to carry a sidearm safely, but above all to ensure it can be accessed quickly and in a controlled manner when the situation demands it.

In airsoft, too, you see that as players gain more experience, they become increasingly discerning about their choice of holster. A well-fitting tactical holster prevents unnecessary movement of the replica, ensures a consistent draw and contributes to a more efficient style of play.

The right holster is therefore not just an accessory, but an important part of a well-put-together loadout.

What should you look out for when buying a holster?

Not every airsoft holster is automatically suitable for every player or every replica. By thinking carefully about your kit in advance, you can avoid making the wrong purchase.

Please note, amongst other things:

• Universal or replica-specific holster.
• Left-handed or right-handed version.
• Compatibility with a weapon light, laser or red dot sight.
• Paddle, MOLLE or Drop Leg attachment.
• The preferred retention system.
• Option to expand the holster at a later date using adaptors.
• The way you’ve configured your battle belt or plate carrier.
• Playing style: CQB, woodland or milsim.

By bearing these points in mind from the outset, you’ll choose a holster that not only works well today, but will also continue to fit as your loadout expands.

Common mistakes

A high-quality holster will last for years, provided you make the right choice straight away. Yet we regularly see the same mistakes being made.

Common mistakes include:

• Buying a replica-specific holster without checking whether accessories such as a weapon light or red dot sight are supported.
• You would expect a universal holster to offer the same retention as a replica-specific plastic model.
• Ordering the wrong version (left-handed or right-handed).
• Choosing a paddle holster when your loadout is built entirely around a battle belt with MOLLE.
• Failure to take future equipment upgrades into account.
• Choosing a holster based solely on its appearance rather than on its functionality and compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions about Holsters

What is the difference between a universal holster and a replica-specific holster?
A universal holster is suitable for multiple pistol models and offers a great deal of flexibility. A replica-specific holster is designed for a single specific model and generally offers a better fit, higher retention and a more consistent draw.

Will any pistol fitted with a weapon light or red dot sight fit into a standard holster?
No. Many replica-specific holsters are designed for a standard configuration. You should therefore always check whether the holster is suitable for a weapon light, laser or red dot sight if your sidearm is fitted with one.

What is a Speed Draw Holster?
A Speed Draw Holster is designed to enable a quick and smooth draw without compromising retention. This type of holster is popular amongst CQB, Speedsoft and competitive players.

Can I convert a Paddle Holster to a MOLLE or Drop Leg system at a later date?
This is possible with many plastic holsters from brands such as Amomax and IMI Defence. With the right adapter or a Leg Panel, you can use the same holster on different carrying platforms without having to buy a new one.

Are holsters available for left-handed players?
Yes. Many models are available in both left-handed and right-handed versions. Always check which version you need before purchasing, as most holsters cannot be converted.

Which holster is best suited to beginners?
That depends on your situation. If you use several different pistols, a universal holster is often a sensible choice. If you have one fixed sidearm and play regularly, a replica-specific plastic holster usually offers the best combination of retention, ease of use and speed.

With a high-quality Holster, Airsoft Holster or Tactical Holster, you can carry your sidearm safely, comfortably and always within easy reach. Discover the range from 101Inc., Amomax, CTM Tactical, IMI Defence, Invader Gear and Warrior Assault Systems and choose the holster that perfectly suits your replica, kit and playing style.