No crappy plastic holster belt clips - DCC is a better clip for under $15

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.majorpandemic.comBest Holster Clips: Why Discreet Carry Concepts May Be the Best Upgrade for Your IWB HolsterA great concealed-carry holster can still fail at the worst possible moment if it is attached to your belt with a weak clip.That sounds dramatic until you see someone draw a handgun and watch the entire holster come out with it. It happens during range sessions, defensive training and dry-fire practice. The gun clears the waistband, but the holster remains attached to the firearm because the clip failed to hold onto the belt.The problem is often not the holster itself. It is the cheap plastic belt clip attached to it.Fortunately, replacing a poor holster clip may cost less than $20 and can dramatically improve retention, concealment and everyday comfort.Why Holster Clips MatterThe holster performs two separate retention jobs.First, it must retain the handgun until the shooter deliberately draws it. Second, the holster itself must remain firmly attached to the wearer’s belt or waistband.A holster that holds the handgun securely but pulls free during the draw is still a failed system.Many inexpensive IWB holsters come with a wide, generic polymer clip secured by two screws. These clips are cheap, simple and easy for manufacturers to install. Unfortunately, they are often the weakest part of the holster.Poor holster clips can:* Slide off narrow or slick belts* Flex excessively during the draw* Fail to hook underneath the belt* Catch on clothing or furniture* Break after repeated use* Allow the holster to shift or rotate* Increase printing under clothingA better clip can turn an inexpensive holster into a much more dependable carry system.The Problem With Cheap Plastic Holster ClipsNot every polymer clip is bad. Mission First Tactical, for example, has developed aggressive polymer clips that perform much better than the generic versions found on many entry-level holsters.Polymer also has one legitimate advantage: it is generally easier on clothing and leather belts.However, common plastic clips have several weaknesses.Polymer can be slipperyPlastic naturally tends to slide more easily than properly formed spring steel. When the clip is installed over a narrow, smooth or low-profile belt, it may not have enough bite to resist the upward force of the draw.Plastic clips can breakHolster clips experience repeated flexing every time the holster is installed or removed. They also get hit against chairs, vehicle interiors, counters and other hard surfaces.Over time, polymer clips may crack or snap.Excessive flex reduces retentionSpring steel generally increases resistance as it is flexed farther open. Many polymer clips do not produce the same progressive clamping force.A plastic clip may accommodate a wider range of belt thicknesses, but that flexibility does not always translate into better retention.Large removal tabs catch on everythingMany polymer clips use an oversized outward-facing ramp or lip. This helps the clip slide over the waistband and gives the user a place to lift it during removal.Unfortunately, some manufacturers make that ramp far too large.The result is a protruding catch point that can snag on shirts, furniture, seat belts and other objects.Discreet Carry Concepts Holster ClipsDiscreet Carry Concepts, commonly abbreviated as DCC, produces some of the best spring-steel holster clips currently available.These clips are found on many premium concealed-carry holsters, but they can also be installed on affordable holsters from companies such as We The People, Black Scorpion Gear, CrossBreed and Mission First Tactical.That means you do not necessarily need to spend $100 or more on an entirely new holster.A relatively inexpensive clip upgrade can provide many of the same retention benefits found on considerably more expensive systems.Why DCC Clips Work So WellDCC clips use thin spring steel with substantial downward clamping force. They are also designed with an aggressive lower hook that catches beneath the belt or waistband.Several design details help distinguish them from ordinary clips.Thin profileDCC clips are significantly thinner than many molded polymer clips. The reduced thickness can improve concealment and reduce unnecessary bulk around the waistband.Strong spring tensionThe steel construction provides considerable clamping force once the clip is secured against the holster.This helps the clip remain attached to both traditional gun belts and thinner everyday belts.Aggressive lower hookT