Retention Holster

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/715,052, filed Nov. 1, 2024, entitled “Retention Holster.” The entire contents of this prior application are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure is directed to retention holsters.

BACKGROUND

Various types of holsters are known for holding a handgun while providing ready access to the gun by the wearer of the holster. Holsters are often designed to prevent unintended discharge and restrict undesired movement of the gun. Persons carrying a gun, such as police officers or other law enforcement personnel, often wear their holster at a location that allows them to easily withdraw the gun for immediate use. Holsters may be attached, for example, to the wearer's waist, such as by a belt.

Many types of retention holsters have been designed to prevent persons other than the holster wearer from withdrawing the gun from the holster. However, while it is important to safeguard against unauthorized removal of the gun, it is also important that the wearer be able to quickly and easily withdraw the gun for use. There is a need for an improved retention holster that better accomplishes the dual objectives of permitting speedy withdrawal of the gun by the wearer while preventing unauthorized removal of the gun by another.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are embodiments of retention holsters for securely holding a gun and for allowing a wearer of the retention holster to remove the gun.

In an example embodiment, a retention holster comprises a gun compartment with an open area configured to receive at least a barrel of the gun, a channel on a body side of the gun compartment, the channel being defined by a front channel wall on a front side of the channel and a rear channel wall on a rear side of the channel, and a retention mechanism comprising a release switch. In an unactuated condition of the retention mechanism, when a gun is in the gun compartment, the retention mechanism blocks withdrawal of the gun from the retention holster. In an actuated condition of the retention mechanism, the retention mechanism allows the gun to be withdrawn from the retention holster by the wearer.

In an example embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises a thumb-actuated release switch accessible in the channel and a spring. The release switch may comprise an actuation part and a retention part, and the release switch may be biased by the spring. In an unactuated condition of this example retention mechanism, the spring biases the retention part of the release switch toward the gun compartment, such that when a gun is in the gun compartment the retention part extends inside a trigger guard area of the gun to block withdrawal of the gun from the retention holster. In an actuated condition of this example retention mechanism, the actuation part is pressed by a thumb of the wearer, whereby the release switch is moved against the force of the spring such that the retention part is moved out of the trigger guard area of the gun thereby allowing the gun to be withdrawn from the retention holster by the wearer.

In an example embodiment, the retention holster comprises a body side wall on the body side of the gun compartment. The rear channel wall may extend inward from a rear body side wall section. In an example embodiment, the front channel wall extends inward from a front body side wall section, and the rear channel wall extends inward from a rear body side wall section. In another example embodiment, the front and rear channel walls extend outwardly from an inner body side wall section. The front and rear channel walls may extend generally perpendicular to one or more body side wall sections.

In an example embodiment, the retention mechanism may further comprise an axle. The release switch may be mounted on the axle such that the release switch is able to pivot around an axis of the axle.

In an example embodiment, in the unactuated condition of the retention mechanism, when a gun is inserted downward into the compartment, a trigger guard of the gun pushes the retention part outward, against the force of the spring, thereby allowing the trigger guard of the gun to advance downward beyond a lock end of the retention part. In this example embodiment, once the trigger guard is pushed downward beyond the retention part, the force of the spring causes the retention part to snap into the trigger guard area of the gun to block withdrawal of the gun from the retention holster.

In an example embodiment, the front channel wall and the rear channel wall are configured to extend vertically above the edge of the gun. In an example embodiment, the channel is contiguous with the open area of the gun compartment such that when a gun is in the retention holster the wearer is able to place their thumb in the channel and against a side of the gun while drawing the gun from the retention holster.

In an example embodiment, the retention holster comprises a body side wall configured to cover a body side of a grip of the gun and a grip wall extending outward from the body side wall. The grip wall may be configured to wrap at least partially around a trigger side of the grip of the gun to at least partially cover the trigger side of the grip of the gun.

In an example embodiment, the retention holster comprises a body side wall configured to cover a body side of a grip of the gun and a rear wall extending outward from a back area of the body side wall. The rear wall may be configured to wrap at least partially around a bottom of the grip of the gun and to cover a magazine well of the gun. The rear wall may be configured to be taller than the width of the grip of the gun so that the rear wall extends above the grip of the gun when the gun is secured in the retention holster.

The retention part of the retention mechanism may comprise a retention arm, and the actuation part of the retention mechanism may comprise an actuation arm. The retention arm and actuation arm may be parts of a single piece.

Many other examples are possible within the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a retention holster in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the retention holster of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the retention holster of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the retention holster of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the release switch of the retention holster of FIG. 1, showing the side that faces toward the gun compartment.

FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of the release switch of the retention holster of FIG. 1, showing the side that faces away from the gun compartment.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show examples of springs that may be used in the retention mechanism of the retention holster of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a retention holster in accordance with the disclosure, generally from the side and back of the retention holster.

FIG. 8 shows another perspective view of the retention holster of FIG. 7, generally from the top of the retention holster.

FIG. 9 shows a partial side view of the retention holster of FIG. 7, from the side that faces the wearer's body.

FIG. 10 shows a partial perspective view of the retention holster of FIG. 7, generally showing the back and the side that faces the wearer's body, with the release switch in an unactuated condition.

FIG. 11 shows a view similar to FIG. 10, with the release switch in an actuated condition.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the retention holster of FIG. 7 with a gun locked in the holster, generally showing the outer side and bottom of the retention holster.

FIG. 13 shows a top view of the retention holster of FIG. 7 with a gun locked in the holster.

FIG. 14 shows an enlarged top view of part of the retention holster of FIG. 7 with a gun locked in the holster.

FIG. 15 shows a top view of the retention holster of FIG. 7, with a gun in place and showing the hand position for release and withdrawal of the gun.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a retention holster in accordance with the disclosure, generally from the side and top of the retention holster.

FIG. 17 shows a side view of the retention holster of FIG. 16, from the side that faces the wearer's body.

FIG. 18 shows a front view of the retention holster of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 shows another view of the retention holster of FIG. 16, generally from the top of the retention holster.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of the retention holster of FIG. 16 with a gun locked in the holster, generally showing the back and bottom of the retention holster.

FIG. 21 shows a close-up view of a retention mechanism for a retention holster in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 22 shows the retention mechanism of FIG. 21 with the release switch in an unactuated condition.

FIG. 23 shows the retention mechanism of FIG. 21 with the release switch in an actuated condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The accompanying drawings and the following description present examples of embodiments within the scope of the disclosure. Persons having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be made to these examples while still practicing the teachings disclosed herein. It is understood that such variations may be made to the examples disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a retention holster 20 in accordance with the disclosure. FIGS. 2-4 show side, front, and top views, respectively, of the retention holster 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the example retention holster 20 has a gun compartment 22, e.g., a pocket, jacket, or the like, with an open area 24 in which the barrel and trigger area (comprising the trigger guard and trigger) of a gun 10 (see, e.g., FIG. 12) may be placed and held when the gun 10 is secured in the holster 20. The holster 20 also has a grip area 26 in which the grip of the gun is positioned when the gun 10 is secured in the holster 20.

The retention holster 20 is designed and configured to be worn in a suitable location on the wearer's body. For example, the holster 20 may be secured to the hip area, for example by attachment to a belt, waistband, or the like. In other embodiments the holster may be designed and configured to be worn in other areas, such as the leg or any other suitable area. The holster 20 may be configured for either side of the body. The illustrated holster 20 is configured to be worn on the right side of the body, but the design can easily be mirrored to be worn on the left side of the body.

The holster 20 and gun compartment 22 have a body side 32 that is closest to the wearer's body when the holster 20 is worn, and an outer side 34 that is away from the wearer's body when the holster 20 is worn. When the holster 20 is worn, the front 36 of the holster 20 faces toward the front of the wearer, and the back 38 of the holster 20 faces toward the back of the wearer.

The example holster 20 has a body side wall 40, which in the illustrated example includes a front body side wall section 40A and a rear body side wall section 40B. When a gun is in the holster, the body side wall 40 covers the body side of the gun's grip.

The example holster 20 includes a thumb-actuated release switch 62 on the body side 32 of the gun compartment 22. Two walls, a front channel wall 52A and a rear channel wall 52B, are on opposite sides of a channel 50. The front and rear channel walls 52A, 52B may be part of the body side wall 40 or may be distinct from the body side wall 40. In the illustrated example, the front channel wall 52A extends inwardly from the front body side wall section 40A, and the rear channel wall 52B extends inwardly from the rear body side wall section 40B. In the illustrated example, the walls 52A, 52B extend generally perpendicular to the body side wall sections 40A, 40B, respectively. The walls 52A, 52B may form the connection between the holster 20 and wearer's belt 2. For example, the walls 52A, 52B may have openings 56A, 56B, respectively, through which the belt 2 may be passed in order to secure the holster 20 to the belt 2. The holster 20 may further comprise body extension walls 54A, 54B that extend from the walls 52A, 52B along the inside of the belt 2.

The space between the front and rear channel walls 52A, 52B forms the channel 50. The channel 50 comprises an open area that is contiguous with the open area 24 of the gun compartment 22. The channel 50 as defined by the walls 52A, 52B is narrow and deep. The release switch 62 is set low in this channel 50.

The release switch 62 is part of a retention mechanism 60 that serves to hold the gun in a retained position when the gun is placed in the holster 20 while allowing the wearer to actuate the release switch 62 to release the gun from the holster 20 when desired. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the release switch 62 comprises a first or actuation part or arm 64 and a second or retention part or arm 66. In the illustrated example, the release switch 62 comprises a single piece of flat material bent into an acute angle, with a long arm as the retention arm 66 and a short arm as the actuation arm 64. Many other embodiments are possible.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retention mechanism 60 also includes an axle 70 and a spring 74. The release switch 62 is mounted on the axle 70 to allow the release switch 62 to pivot around the axis 72 of the axle 70. Depending upon the embodiment, the release switch 62 may be affixed to the axle 70 so that the axle 70 and release switch 62 rotate together, or the release switch 62 may be mounted for rotation around the axle 70 while the axle 70 itself does not rotate. The axle 70 may be oriented parallel to the body side wall 40 of the holster 20 and may be oriented generally horizontal when the holster 20 is worn. In some embodiments the retention mechanism 60 does not include an axle. For example, the release switch 62 or another part of the retention mechanism 60 may have lugs or holes for engagement with corresponding holes or lugs in an adjacent part, such as the walls 52A, 52B, allowing the release switch 62 to pivot with respect to the walls 52A, 52B.

The spring 74 causes the retention part or arm 66 of the switch 62 to be biased toward the gun compartment 22 of the holster 20 (away from the body). As the gun is inserted into the holster 20, the trigger guard of the gun pushes the retention arm 66 outward, against the force of the spring 74. Once fully inserted with the trigger guard past the retention arm 66, the force of the spring 74 causes the switch 62 to snap back into position, with the lock end 68 of the retention arm 66 entering the area of the gun inside the trigger guard. This locks the gun in place with the retention arm 66 of the switch 62 resting above the trigger guard. Any attempt to withdraw the gun without releasing the retention arm 66 will be unsuccessful, as the lock end 68 of the retention arm 66 blocks the trigger guard and thereby the gun from being pulled out of the holster 20.

Various types of springs may be used for biasing the release switch 62. FIG. 6A shows a first example spring 74A, which is an example of a torsion spring. A first end 76A of the spring 74A may be mounted in a slot of the axle 70, in an embodiment in which the axle 70 is fixed and does not rotate. A second end 78A of the spring 74A may be fixed to the actuation arm 64 of the release switch 62. The coils of the spring 74A wrap around the axle 70. Pressing the release switch 62 downward causes the release switch 62 to rotate around the axle 70, which causes the coil of the spring 74A to tighten, as the release switch 62 is moved to its actuated or open condition. Releasing the release switch 62 allows the stored force of the spring 74A to return the release switch 62 to its unactuated or closed condition for locking a gun in the holster 20.

FIG. 6B shows another example spring 74B, which is another example of a torsion spring. The first ends 76B of the spring 74B may be securely affixed to the holster 20, for example at the channel walls 52A, 52B. The axle 70 may be fixed or may rotate. The second end 78B of the spring 74B may be fixed to the actuation arm 64 of the release switch 62. The coils of the spring 74B wrap around the axle 70. Pressing the release switch 62 downward causes the release switch 62 to rotate around the axis 72 of the axle 70, which causes the coils of the spring 74B to tighten, as the release switch 62 is moved to its actuated or open condition. Releasing the release switch 62 allows the stored force of the spring 74B to return the release switch 62 to its unactuated or closed condition for locking a gun in the holster 20. Another example spring that may be used is similar to using half of the spring 74B, split at or around the midpoint of second end 78B, and having a single first end 76B. The first end 76B is secured to the holster 20, while the second end 78B is secured to the actuation arm 64 of the release switch 62, as described above.

FIG. 6C shows another example spring 74C, incorporated as part of toggle spring mechanism 82. The toggle spring mechanism 82 is similar to a spring wing toggle of a toggle bolt fastener mechanism. The toggle spring mechanism 82 has a first wing 84A and a second wing 84B that are connected together in a hinged manner. Lugs 86A fit within holes 86B to allow the wings 84A, 84B to open and close like a hinge around a pivot axis 88. One end of the spring 74C is located along and moves with the first wing 84A, while the other end of the spring 74C is located along and moves with the second wing 84B. In the retention holster 20, one of the wings, e.g., first wing 84A, may be secured to or integral with the actuation arm 64 of the release switch 62, while the other wing, e.g., second wing 84B, may be secured to or integral with a stationary part, e.g., a wall, of the holster 20. Pressing the release switch 62 downward pushes the wing 84A closer to the wing 84B and causes the release switch 62 to rotate around the axis 88. This causes the coil(s) of the spring 74C to tighten, as the release switch 62 is moved to its actuated or open condition. Releasing the release switch 62 allows the stored force of the spring 74C to push the wing 84A away from the wing 84B to return the release switch 62 to its unactuated or closed condition for locking a gun in the holster 20.

In another example, not illustrated, one end of a spring 74 may be mounted to the retention part or arm 66 while another end of the spring 74 is attached to a stationary part of the holster 20. For example, a spring 74 may be attached to the back (body side) of the retention part or arm 66. When the actuation part or arm 64 is pressed, the retention part or arm 66 is pivoted toward the body side against the force of the spring. This stores force in the spring. Release of the actuation part or arm 64 allows the stored force in the spring to pivot the retention part or arm 66 toward the gun compartment 22 for locking a gun in the holster 20.

The walls of the channel 50, i.e., the front channel wall 52A and the rear channel wall 52B, extend vertically above the edge of the weapon. The walls 52A, 52B block access to the release switch 62 from the front and the back of the holster 20. Because of the position of the release switch 62 inside a deep channel 50 on the body side of the holster 20, the release switch 62 may be accessed and actuated only by the wearer of the holster 20.

As mentioned above, the body side wall 40 covers the body side of the gun's grip. A rear wall 42 extends outward from the back area of the body side wall 40 and is configured to wrap at least partially around the bottom of the gun's grip to cover the magazine well of the gun. In the illustrated example, this rear wall 42 is configured to be taller than the width of the gun's grip so that the rear wall 42 extends above the grip of the gun when the gun is secured in the holster 20. The purpose of this rear wall 42 is to obscure the view of the weapon from behind, and to create a disadvantageous angle for anyone coming from behind who would attempt to access the release switch 62 or to form a solid grip on the weapon.

A grip wall 44 extends outward from the body side wall 40 and is configured to wrap at least partially around the trigger side of the weapon's grip, to at least partially cover the trigger side of the grip. In the illustrated example, the grip wall 44 extends outward from the rear section 40B of the body side wall 40. This grip wall 44 may be thin and designed to fit closely to the edge of the weapon. The purpose of this grip wall 44 is, by covering part of the trigger side of the grip, to force the weapon to be drawn with a relaxed grip. Anyone wrapping their fingers fully around the grip of the weapon will also grab the grip wall 44 of the holster 20, preventing the weapon from being drawn.

To remove the weapon from the holster 20, the wearer of the holster inserts their thumb into the channel 50 vertically downward. The wearer's thumb presses the actuation arm 64 of the switch 62. This causes the switch 62 to pivot about the axis 72 of the axle 70 against the bias force of the spring 74. This rotates the retention arm 66 out of the trigger guard area, thereby unlocking the gun and allowing it to be drawn. Within the channel 50, the side of the weapon is fully exposed, allowing the thumb to be placed against the side of the weapon while drawing, leading to an optimal grip.

The shape of the holster 20 is configured to put anyone attempting to draw the weapon who is not wearing the holster 20 at a disadvantageous angle to do so. In addition, the shape of the holster 20 and in particular the grip wall 44 requires a particular relaxed grip to remove the weapon. The crook of the thumb and index finger forms the main grip to remove the weapon. The flat pads of the fingers can be used to assist the grip. This ensures that any hand removing the weapon has a grip firm enough to guarantee the weapon is positively controlled, but that the grip will also be loose enough that the weapon cannot be drawn should that grip be contested. This will allow the person wearing the holster 20 to more easily stop would-be thieves from drawing the weapon.

FIGS. 7-15 show an embodiment of a retention holster similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-4, and the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same parts. FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the retention holster 20, generally from the side and back. FIG. 8 shows another perspective view of the retention holster 20 of FIG. 7, generally from the top. FIG. 9 shows a partial side view of the retention holster 20 of FIG. 7, from the side that faces the wearer's body. FIG. 10 shows a partial perspective view of the retention holster 20 of FIG. 7, with the release switch 62 in an unactuated condition. FIG. 11 shows a view similar to FIG. 10, with the release switch 62 in an actuated condition. FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the retention holster 20 of FIG. 7 with a gun 10 locked in the holster 20, generally showing the outer side and bottom of the retention holster 20. FIG. 13 shows a top view of the retention holster 20 of FIG. 7 with a gun 10 locked in the holster 20. FIG. 14 shows an enlarged top view of part of the retention holster 20 of FIG. 7 with a gun 10 locked in the holster 20. FIG. 15 shows a top view of the retention holster 20 of FIG. 7, with a gun 10 in place and showing the hand position for release and withdrawal of the gun 10.

FIGS. 16-20 shows another embodiment of a retention holster 120 in accordance with the disclosure. The example retention holster 120 has a gun compartment 122 with an open area 124 in which the barrel and trigger area of a gun 10 may be placed and held when the gun 10 is secured in the holster 120. The holster 120 also has a grip area 126 in which the grip of the gun 10 is positioned when the gun 10 is secured in the holster 120. The retention holster 120 is designed and configured to be worn in a suitable location on the wearer's body, similar to the retention holster 20 as described above. The holster 120 and gun compartment 122 have a body side 132, an outer side 134, a front 136, and a back 138.

The example holster 120 includes a thumb-actuated release switch 162 on the body side 132 of the gun compartment 122. The holster 120 has a body side wall 140 that covers most or all of the body side of a gun 10 when the gun 10 is in the holster 120. As can be seen in FIG. 17, the body side wall 140 has an inner body side wall section 140C that covers the retention mechanism 160 and its release switch 162. With this feature, the body side wall 140 protects the body side of the retention mechanism 160 so that the retention mechanism 160 and its release switch 162 do not come into contact with the wearer's body. This can help prevent such contact from unintentionally creating movement of the release switch 162.

Two walls, a front channel wall 152A and a rear channel wall 152B, are on opposite sides of a channel 150. The front and rear channel walls 152A, 152B may be part of the body side wall 140 or may be distinct from the body side wall 140. In the illustrated example, the front channel wall 152A extends outwardly from a front of the inner body side wall section 140C, and the rear channel wall 152B extends outwardly from a back of the inner body side wall section 140C, between the inner body side wall section 140C and the rear body side wall section 140B. In the illustrated example, the walls 152A, 152B extend generally perpendicular to the body side wall sections 140B, 140C.

The holster 120 includes a belt attachment 180. In the illustrated example, the belt attachment 180 is connected to the body side wall 140, for example at the inner body side wall section 140C. The connection may be made in any suitable manner, for example by one or more fasteners, adhesive, welding, or another suitable mechanism. In other examples, the belt attachment 180 may be part of, or may be made integral with, the body side wall 140 or one or more other parts of the retention holster 120. The belt attachment 180 may facilitate the connection of the holster 120 to the wearer's belt 2. For example, the belt attachment 180 may have openings 156A, 156B, respectively, through which the belt 2 may be passed in order to secure the holster 120 to the belt 2. The belt attachment 180 may be curved or contoured to sit well on the wearer's body, for example at the hip.

The space between the walls 152A, 152B forms the channel 150. Similar to the channel 50 of holster 20, the channel 150 comprises an open area that is contiguous with the open area 124 of the gun compartment 122. The channel 150 as defined by the walls 152A, 152B is narrow and deep. The release switch 162 is set low in this channel 150.

Similar to release switch 62, the release switch 162 is part of a retention mechanism 160 that serves to hold the gun in a retained position when the gun is placed in the holster 120 while allowing the wearer to actuate the release switch 162 to release the gun from the holster 120 when desired. The retention mechanism 160 may be similar to the retention mechanism 60 and may use one or more springs such as the springs 74 described above.

FIGS. 21-23 show another example retention mechanism 160 that may be used in a retention holster as described herein. The retention mechanism 160 includes a release switch 162 that comprises a first or actuation part or arm 164 and a second or retention part or arm 166. The retention mechanism 160 also includes a toggle spring mechanism 82 as described above with reference to FIG. 6C. The actuation arm 164 is secured to a first wing 84A of the toggle spring mechanism 82, while the second wing 84B of the toggle spring mechanism 82 is secured to a wall of the holster.

FIG. 22 shows the retention mechanism 160 with the release switch 162 in its unactuated condition. The spring 74C causes the retention part or arm 166 of the switch 162 to be biased toward the gun compartment of the holster (away from the body). When the release switch 162 is in its unactuated or closed condition, with the spring 74C biasing the retention part or arm 166 of the switch 162 toward the gun compartment, the gun may be locked in the holster 120 by simply inserting the gun in the holster, similar to holster 20 as described above. As the gun is inserted into the holster, the trigger guard of the gun pushes the retention arm 166 outward, against the force of the spring 74C. Once fully inserted with the trigger guard past the retention arm 166, the force of the spring 74C causes the switch 162 to snap back into position, with the lock end 168 of the retention arm 166 entering the area of the gun inside the trigger guard. This locks the gun in place with the retention arm 166 of the switch 162 resting above the trigger guard. Any attempt to withdraw the gun without releasing the retention arm 166 will be unsuccessful, as the lock end 168 of the retention arm 166 blocks the trigger guard and thereby the gun from being pulled out of the holster.

FIG. 23 shows the retention mechanism 160 with the release switch 162 in its actuated condition. To remove the weapon from the holster 120, the wearer of the holster inserts their thumb into the channel 150 vertically downward. The wearer's thumb presses the actuation arm 164 of the release switch 162 downward. Pressing the actuation arm 164 of the release switch 162 downward pushes the wings 84A, 84B closer together against the bias force of the spring 74C. This causes the release switch 162 to pivot about the axis 88, while causing the coil(s) of the spring 74C to tighten. In this manner, the release switch 162 is moved to its actuated or open condition. The pressing action rotates the retention arm 166 out of the trigger guard area, thereby unlocking the gun and allowing it to be drawn. Within the channel 150, the side of the weapon is fully exposed, allowing the thumb to be placed against the side of the weapon while drawing, leading to an optimal grip.

Once the wearer has released the gun, releasing the release switch 162 allows the stored force of the spring 74C to push the wings 84A, 84B apart to return the release switch 162 to its unactuated or closed condition. In this condition, returning the gun to the holster 120 locks the gun in the holster 120, as described above.

With reference again to FIGS. 16-20, the walls of the channel 150, i.e., the front channel wall 152A and the rear channel wall 152B, extend vertically above the edge of the gun, providing advantages as described above with respect to channel walls 52A, 52B in terms of blocking unauthorized access to the release switch 162 while allowing the wearer of the holster to access and actuate the release switch 162. Like body side wall 40, the body side wall 140 covers the body side of the gun's grip. Like rear wall 42, a rear wall 142 extends outward from the back area of the body side wall 140 to wrap at least partially around the bottom of the gun's grip, inhibiting any attempt to grip the gun from behind. Like grip wall 44, a grip wall 144 extends outward from the body side wall 40 and is configured to wrap at least partially around the trigger side of the weapon's grip, to at least partially cover the trigger side of the grip. The grip wall 144 ensures that the gun is drawn with a relaxed grip. Anyone wrapping their fingers fully around the grip of the weapon will also grab the grip wall 144 of the holster 120, preventing the weapon from being drawn.

A holster as described herein, such as holster 20 or holster 120, may be made for a particular model of gun or for a plurality of guns. The gun and holster may be sold together or separately.

A holster as described herein and its various components may be made of any suitable materials. For example, various metals and plastics may be used. In an example, a suitable thermoplastic, such as Kydex or another thermoplastic acrylic polyvinyl chloride material, may be used. In one example, the release switch is made from a single piece of flat material shaped into an acute angle to form the actuation arm and the retention arm. In another example, the release switch is a molded piece. Many other examples are possible.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the embodiments encompassed by the disclosure are not limited to the particular example embodiments described above. While example embodiments have been described, a wide range of modification, change, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosure.