All forms of competitive shooting are heavily gear driven. None more so than 3 gun. The modifications and specialised equipment you can use depend on your match and division. Those crazy-looking rifles, ammo carriers and loaded-up belts are part of the appeal, but the rulebook still has a say.
If you are getting started in this competitive shooting you’re going to want the best 3 Gun holster that you can afford and you’re going to want to know how to use it, along with everything else in your 3 Gun competition belt kit.
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Best 3 Gun Holsters at a Glance
| Holster | Retention | Linked pistol fit* | Main appeal | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safariland 5198 | Passive detent and adjustable tension | Glock 19/23; right hand | Simple open-top design with two mounting options | Check price |
| Safariland 7378 7TS ALS | Active ALS lock | S&W M&P 9L; right hand | Thumb-operated retention with paddle and belt loop | Check price |
| Blade-Tech Signature | Adjustable passive retention | Glock 19 family; right hand | Optic-ready design and Tek-Lok attachment | Check price |
| BLACKHAWK SERPA Sportster | Active SERPA lock and adjustable passive tension | Glock 19/23/32; right hand | An economical active-retention option | Check price |
| R&R OWB Kydex | Passive fit and friction | Listed Glock models, Gen 3–4; right hand | A basic moulded OWB design | Check price |
*Fit details refer to the linked versions. Confirm your exact pistol model and generation, handedness, belt width, and clearance for any light or optic before ordering.
Special Considerations for 3 Gun Holsters
Many people shopping for a 3 Gun holster look towards purpose-built designs that can shave precious tenths of seconds off a draw. If you are a serious competitive shooter, a specialised setup may be worth considering.
However, if you are taking up 3 Gun as a hobby, a more conventional holster may make sense. Traditional outside-the-waistband holsters can serve both competition and general range roles, provided the exact holster suits your pistol and meets your match rules.
Holsters can get very expensive very fast. You may be tempted to go all out and buy a name-brand 3 Gun belt kit and go to town! In reality, a beginner setup can be fairly basic. Start with a rigid, securely fastened belt that suits your holster and pouches; our guide to nylon gun belts covers some options.
The important things are correct pistol fit, a covered trigger guard, secure mounting and enough retention for vigorous movement. Passive retention relies on the holster’s fit and tension; active retention adds a locking mechanism. Check your organiser’s requirements before buying. USPSA’s rifle, shotgun and multigun rules are a useful starting point for USPSA matches.
The 5 Best 3 Gun Holsters for Competition Shooting
1. Safariland 5198 Open Top Paddle/Belt Loop Holster
When you shoot 3 guns, you’re likely to have a ton of stuff on your belt. A compact holster leaves room for magazine pouches and the rest of your kit, which is part of the appeal of the Safariland 5198.
This is an open-top design with a trigger-guard detent and adjustable tension providing passive retention. It doesn’t have the separate ALS locking release of the 7378 below. That makes it a straightforward option for shooters who prefer a simpler holster, provided its retention meets their match requirements.
The shell uses thermoformed SafariLaminate construction, and both a paddle and a belt-loop attachment are included. Its low-cut sides and compact shape also make it useful for general OWB carry rather than competition alone.
Pros
Compact, open-top design.
Adjustable tension.
Paddle and belt-loop attachments included.
Cons
No separate active locking mechanism.
Check sight and optic clearance for your exact pistol.
Although designed primarily as a concealed carry holster this injection molded design from Safariland incorporates an active retention system along with a low profile outside the waistband holster to create an excellent option for 3 Gun competitions.
You can use this holster for concealed carry and competition roles, making it a versatile piece of kit. The thumb-operated ALS lock adds active retention, but you still need practice with the release and a correct fit for your pistol.
With the paddle attachment, the best thing about this holster from Safariland is how easy it is to get on and off. Depending on how long your matches are, having the ability to take your holster on and off without disturbing the rest of your belt can be a huge asset.
The 7378’s paddle and belt-loop attachments give you two ways to mount it. The paddle fits belts up to 1.75 inches, while the belt loop accommodates 1.5–1.75-inch belts. That makes it a useful option if you want active retention and a choice of attachment, rather than a dedicated race holster.
Pros
Thumb-operated ALS active retention.
Paddle and belt-loop attachments included.
Cons
Included mounts are limited to belts up to 1.75 inches.
Requires the correct pistol-specific fit.
Blade-Tech has a strong competition following, and the Signature is a good option if you want a straightforward OWB holster without a separate locking release. Its shell is made from high-strength moulded polymer.
Adjustable tension and a trigger-guard detent provide passive retention. The supplied Tek-Lok attachment fits 1.5-2.25-inch belts, and its mounting pattern works with other Blade-Tech attachments. The optic-ready cut is another attraction if your match pistol uses a red dot.
Blade-Tech also offers matching magazine pouches. If it’s important to you to have matching equipment, or equipment that works with attachments you may already own, that’s a good reason to consider the Signature.
Pros
Adjustable retention.
Tek-Lok belt attachment included.
Optic-ready cut.
Cons
No separate active locking mechanism.
Confirm clearance for your particular optic and sights.
Blackhawk is best known for all the holsters that they manufacture for the military and law-enforcement markets. The Sportster gives you the familiar SERPA design in a more affordable outside-the-waistband package, making it worth considering for 3 Gun competitions as well as general range use.
The SERPA holster offered by Blackhawk is one of the most controversial and well-known holsters on the market. Its active locking mechanism is designed to help retain your gun as you run around the course, while an adjustable passive tension screw lets you tailor the fit. That combination is its main attraction if you want more than a basic friction-fit holster.
Safety concerns about finger-operated holster releases shouldn’t be dismissed as online rumours. The simple fact is that it’s not easy to draw a gun under pressure or disengage a retention mechanism while doing it. Proper training and regard for safety on the range remain essential, and you should check that your match or training venue permits this release design before buying.
The Sportster includes a paddle attachment with adjustable cant, so you can alter the carry angle to suit your setup. It shares features with the SERPA CQC, including a low-cut opening, but the Sportster package does not include the CQC’s belt-loop attachment. That is worth factoring in if you prefer a belt-loop mount for your competition rig.
Overall, this is a strong option for the money if you like the SERPA system and want an economical locking holster. If you’ve used a SERPA before and are comfortable with it, the Sportster is well worth a look for your next 3 Gun match. Just make sure you select the correct pistol fit and handedness for your gun.
Pros
An economical active-retention option.
Adjustable passive tension.
Paddle attachment with adjustable cant included.
Cons
Finger-operated release may not suit your preferences or venue.
Belt-loop attachment not included.
If you have a match coming up and have just purchased a new firearm you’d like to use, you may not want to wait for a custom holster. R&R’s ready-made OWB options are worth a look, with delivery depending on the exact listing.
This outside-the-waistband Kydex holster is an example of that simple approach. It has a low-profile shape and belt mounting, with no bulky external locking release. The linked version is right-handed and lists compatible Glock models from Generations 3 and 4.
Many people love this holster for concealed carry because of its low-profile design and simple construction. That lends itself well to working under pressure because there are fewer mechanisms and bulky materials to clear as you draw and re-holster your gun.
It uses passive retention from its moulded fit rather than a separate active lock. That is different from having “no retention.” It’s a basic option worth considering if you want a simple OWB holster, but its fit and retention still need to suit your match.
Pros
- Simple, low-profile OWB design.
- No separate release mechanism to operate.
Cons
- No active locking mechanism.
- The linked version lists Gen 3–4 Glock fits, not Gen 5.
Bottom Line
3 Gun is an extremely fun competition. Something about the marriage of pistol, rifle, and shotguns just seems right. Once you know your gear set up and you head out on the course make sure that your holster doesn’t hold you back. There are a ton of excellent holsters out there, and the right choice comes down to pistol fit, retention and your match rules. Train as hard as you can and make sure that you have the best 3 Gun holster for competition shooting that you can afford.
