When shopping for a new gun holster, you've probably seen holsters described as Level 1 or Level 2, and sometimes even Level 3. These levels refer to the retention of your holster or how difficult it is to access your weapon from its holster when you're wearing it. The ability for you to grab your gun quickly hinges very much on the retention level of your holster, as does the ability of someone else to grab your gun. Therefore, it is important to reach a balance that you are comfortable with between being able to draw your gun quickly and having it stay on your hip when you don't have to use it. Here are some tips on picking out a holster with the right gun retention level to suit your needs. 

Levels One and Two

These levels of retention should cover all of the needs of the average civilian gun owner. Level one holsters use friction alone as the method of gun retention and have an open top where the gun can be drawn without having to open additional methods of retention. These types of holsters are typically only used at the range and out hunting rather than for self defense. A level two holster does not have an open top but rather has one method of more rigorous retention than simple friction used in a level one holster. A popular method of retention is the thumb break, which involves a snap closure that must be opened with the thumb as the gun is being drawn. A level two holster combines this or some other method of retention with yet another method, creating two total methods of retention. 

Levels Three and Four

Holsters with retention levels of three and four are typically only used by professionals like bodyguards or the military, as these holsters require somewhat of a puzzle to open since they involve three or four methods of retention. These holsters utilize both friction and a snap, button, or strap closure as well as an additional type of control. Commonly used controls for a level three or four holster include the necessity to rotate or pivot the gun in order to draw it. These types of holsters are extremely secure and can be impossible to open for an assailant, even if the gun owner is unconscious. However, one drawback to these types of holsters is that they require significant training in order to master one to the point of usefulness in a combat situation. 

For more information, contact Northern Security Supply Inc or a similar company.