Dodging Bullets.

[Russ]

Of course, this potential is there at all times. Even a holster made like Lobo and Dick describe, if the owner is involved in a shooting, the lawyers will be studying any holster involved, especially a holster that's not made by a large manufacturer.

Despite the release of liability signed and on file between a customer and manufacturer - the potential of civil suits filed on behalf of party and/or family can and will ruin any business.

[gregintenn]

Thanks for the explanations. I don't care for a thumb break on a CCW holster of any style. Your answers sort of confirmed what I thought, but I was afraid I was missing something else. I'm lucky enough to have never been in the situations Lobo described. I don't envy anyone who has been.

[Mattkcc]

I wouldn't worry about a LEO having a thumb break, most departments will require it. For the officer it's not an extra step because his duty holster is a thumb break in most cases. Due to muscle memory even if you don't put one on the holster his thumb will still be reaching for it. You may have a bigger liability concern not having some type of retention strap on the holster. You would have a hard time convincing a jury that molded leather and a belt were enough to hold a gun in a holster if something goes wrong. The big liability is when the gun is out of the holster either intentionally or unintentionally. Example your customer is fighting a bad guy rolling around on the ground and his gun pops out of the holster. It can happen trust me I know from experience, I had a buddy dancing in a club and his snubbie fell out and got kicked around the dance floor. There are good reasons departments require a retention strap, if a department requires the strap they are assuming the greater part of the liability, they have much deeper pockets, they wouldn't require it if it increased their liability.

[Lobo]

I wouldn't worry about a LEO having a thumb break, most departments will require it. For the officer it's not an extra step because his duty holster is a thumb break in most cases. Due to muscle memory even if you don't put one on the holster his thumb will still be reaching for it. You may have a bigger liability concern not having some type of retention strap on the holster. You would have a hard time convincing a jury that molded leather and a belt were enough to hold a gun in a holster if something goes wrong. The big liability is when the gun is out of the holster either intentionally or unintentionally. Example your customer is fighting a bad guy rolling around on the ground and his gun pops out of the holster. It can happen trust me I know from experience, I had a buddy dancing in a club and his snubbie fell out and got kicked around the dance floor. There are good reasons departments require a retention strap, if a department requires the strap they are assuming the greater part of the liability, they have much deeper pockets, they wouldn't require it if it increased their liability.

I have no problems with thumb-breaks in general. That option is offered on most of my holster designs, and is standard on a couple. My problem is specifically with thumb-breaks on IWB-style holsters, worn between the belt/trousers and body where it can be very difficult or impossible to release the thumb-break when the body is in a number of positions and circumstances.

Quite a few agencies require thumb-break (or "positive mechanical retention") on holsters used by their officers. Officers employed by those agencies, when acting within the scope of employment, are typically covered by workers' compensation, insurance (medical, disability, life), and pension plans (retirement and/or disability). The employing agency is generally liable for acts of employees when performing within the scope of employment (including rules, regulations, laws, etc). However, when said employee is outside the employing jurisdiction, or engaged in outside employment (part-time security jobs, etc), or acting outside the scope of employment (rules, regulations, laws, etc), the employing agency is largely shielded from responsibility or liability.

Others may proceed as they wish when receiving orders for IWB-style holsters with thumb-breaks. As for me, a bad idea remains a bad idea, and avoiding any potential exposure to unnecessary claims just makes good business sense.

Best regards.

[Mattkcc]

Since I want a thumb break on my holster I have the gun ride a little higher then normal. This way I'm not having to try and jam my thumb down into my belt. However, I rarely carry this way. I've learn that the guy who draws first normally wins and you can't walk around with your hand on your gun every time your around a scary person. But I can and do walk with my hand in my pocket,gripping my j-frame in a pocket holster, if I have to walk by a couple of thugs on the streets. I can clear leather a lot faster then a thug trying to pull a gun out of this belt.

Currently I don't even have an IWB every time I make a holster a buddy or one of my students,college, has to have it. I need start charging for the materials, leather cost are killing me.

[gregintenn]

I turned down a job a few days ago to build an IWB with a thumb break. I explained to the gentleman why, but he insisted. I suggested he look at the selection of mass produced holsters. He didn't seem upset, but I don't think he understood either.