Triggered Debate

It began as a reaction to something spotted on social media but has been debated over the past few years ad infinitum: What is better for a holster: one that covers the trigger or one that leaves the trigger open, such as the classic Tom Threepersons rig?

So, I posed the question, who doesn’t like holsters with exposed triggers, and why not, and who does like them or not worry about it? I’m guilty for igniting another debate, with proper results. Everyone to their own choice, actually.

But this is actually serious stuff because it involves firearm safety and security, speed and ability, experience and expertise. And not plugging yourself in the butt, thigh or calf.

I’ve carried sidearms in all kinds of holsters, mostly leather, some nylon and none Kydex or other materials. Some are exposed trigger models, especially for my single-action sixguns, others cover the trigger. I’ve used personally-built rigs, holsters by Kramer, DeSantis, Milt Sparks, El Paso Saddlery, Mitch Rosen, Safariland, Bianchi, Cross Breed and others. I’ve never experienced a negligent discharge with any holster, either while drawing or re-holstering, and I’ve been packing handguns of one type or another for more than 50 years. As I explained to my correspondents, my dad and grandpa taught me as a youngster that the best reliable safety is between my ears.

Rule #3: Finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, period.

Joining the discussion was a well-known holster-maker pal, a retired lawman of some prominence and other folks with whom I am familiar, along with quite a few I’m not. Comments ranged from considering the covered trigger crowd to be “w(h)iners,” to a guy who advocated open trigger rigs for single-action revolvers, but covered trigger holsters always for semi-autos and double-action wheelguns.

Safety First

Those who insist triggers should be shielded are certainly well-intentioned, and have largely subscribed to the style primarily in vogue today, which is the covered trigger. One fellow said he always uses a covered-trigger rig when using a striker-fired semi-auto with a polymer frame.

This fellow added an observation: “From what I’ve seen and read it’s still a training issue, if your finger is on the trigger it will fire when you put it in a finger covered holster.”

The retired cop had this to say: “I’ve been carrying two guns daily for 50+ years and the world seems to be full of experts without real world experience!”

By contrast, another guy I’ve known for many years chimed in, “Always covered. It’s lethal force, designed to fire ammunition that you are responsible for, attached to your hip. I don’t even put a short arm into storage without covering the activator.”

Training is a big part of this. One needs to work at this and it may take years. “Keep your finger off the trigger, until you’re ready to shoot!” After enough (thousands, most likely) repetitions of this exercise, it becomes reflexive, nay instinctive, like immediately checking whether a gun just handed to you is loaded, done with the muzzle aimed in a safe direction, typically at the ground.

For decades, I carried revolvers in holsters with exposed triggers. A couple of rigs I built and one I designed which is now generically known as a “tuckable” model all have covered-trigger designs. One of these holsters are IWB models, one for a Colt Diamondback and the other for a Model 19 S&W with a 2 ½-inch barrel.

We’re all familiar with the Yaqui Slide design, the rig preferred by the late Col. Jeff Cooper, and it covers the trigger. I’ve also used a pancake-type holster I personally built for the Model 1911 platform, with an open toe so it accommodates everything from a full-size Government Model to a little Detonics Combat Master. This one also covers the trigger, which isn’t a bad idea because a pistol carried cocked-and-locked requires a bit more care and caution.

Most people are likewise familiar with traditional “sporting” holsters which are cut with an exposed trigger, but the trigger guard is surrounded on three sides by holster leather, and a safety strap comes down over the hammer, blocking it from being cocked accidentally. They’ve been around for generations and some years back I knocked one together for my Diamondback with the intention of using it on the trail, on a cartridge belt.

It is pretty hard to negligently discharge a revolver in such a holster, and don’t take this as a dare. Use such holsters properly and you should enjoy years of service with nary a scratch.

Single-action Holsters

One might separate holsters for single-action revolvers from all other kinds of holsters. Bianchi has built Threepersons-type holsters with a safety strap which goes over the hammer and snaps closed. They are good looking rigs and completely reliable.

But then comes the single-action holsters with a leather hammer thong rather than a snap strap. I’ve built several and so have a lot of other people, and as I mentioned in this space a couple of years ago, the trick to holding a sixgun securely is to twist the leather thong several times before pressing it down on the closed hammer. This setup holds very tight.

In addition to the Threepersons-type holster which rides kind of high on a belt, there is the holster made popular by the late John Wayne in most of his later westerns. This is a great design, as the revolver nestles down in the leather, with the rear of the holster coming up under the trigger guard, but leaving the trigger exposed. I carry either a Ruger Blackhawk or New Vaquero in such a holster during the fall hunting season, and sometimes during summer scouting treks in places where one just might run into a bad-tempered bear, mountain lion or even a hungry wolf. The hammer is secured with the twist thong.

Bear season in my state is opening as you read this, Aug. 1, and I’ve been wary of bruins since my early teens when I was picking huckleberries on a very high ridge with my granddad, who scrambled over to advise me there was a rather large bear about a hundred yards away and it seemed to be kind of grouchy. He didn’t have a gun, so we beat a hasty retreat.

The Verdict

Here’s where I probably don’t make anybody happy.

Covered trigger advocates are certainly entitled to their opinions, but those opinions are not law, and it just might be considered boorish behavior to start preaching personal doctrine to someone else who just might disagree.

Open trigger advocates are entitled to their opinions as well, and they will go about their business whether they think there is a risk or not.

It’s not really up to me to tell someone else how to carry their defensive sidearm, and I expect the same consideration. Indeed, it’s not really anyone’s business, so don’t be a busybody. But do be safe. Choose the way you prefer to carry, and stick with it. The important part is carrying, because nobody can predict when, where or if an emergency will erupt, with you right in the middle of it.

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