The sport of Fast Draw first emerged on the scene in the mid-1950s. Western movies had gained traction since the start of motion pictures. The first Hollywood holsters from the mid-1950s were mostly the Mexican loop holsters designed to fit through a slot cut into the belt. These were among the first fast draw rigs depicted on the screen. Read on to learn more about fast draw holsters and what makes them so special.

Evolution of Fast Draw Holsters

Gradually, holsters began to be fixed to the belt and metal lining was added. They were fixed in a way to enable forward cants. With the evolution of twist-fanning, the boots began to be fixed to shanks and they grew in size. As the boots continue to grow in size, fast draw holsters began to be called Bucket Boots. From the 1950s to the 1970s many manufacturers became specialists in designing fast draw rigs.

The Design Debate

There is still some debate about what constitutes a fast draw holster. While many consider OWB, IWB, and leg holsters to be the perfect designs for fast draw rigs, others have somewhat different criteria.

Some of these criteria are as follows:

• A fast draw holster must specially be designed to be used for such a purpose. The design must compensate for human error likely to occur when drawing under stress. 
• A holster that enables you to have a near-perfect straight up and down draw action to be shooting-ready, it is not considered by some to be a fast draw holster. 
• Many rigs are designed with additional retention features that are not meant to reduce the draw speed, but will still affect the draw speed.

Ideally, the best fast draw holsters make use of only passive retention and feature OWB or IWB design. A really fast draw rig is usually most suited to those who engage in competitive shooting. They are also meant for those users who prefer a quick draw over the safety provided by higher retention rigs.

Barrel Fit

Barrel fit is also an important factor to consider when buying or designing your fast-draw holster. Certain holsters don’t feature any additional retention features. They are often designed to fit different gun sizes and they are open at the bottom. When the barrel sticks out too far, it can create issues with quick draw action. The front sight is also likely to catch onto the hostler. Besides, you will be forced to draw at a specific angle.

The Perfect Fit

Customization is also an important factor here. If you seek the fastest-possible draw for your gun, it may not be a good strategy to choose a fast-draw holster designed for many gun types. Such a holster may fit your gun perfectly, but the retention may be too tight or too loose. It is best to have your fast-draw rig custom designed for your gun.

So, when it comes to choosing the perfect fast draw rig, it is recommended to have it custom designed for your specific gun. To discuss your preferences and needs, feel free to get in touch with Black Hills Leather at +1 (956) 436-4888 or write to us at rudy@blackhillsleather.com.