Like many schools, Blanchard Elementary School in McClain County, Texas has deputies that serve as school resource officers.
Last year, a McClain County Deputy was at the school seated on a wooden bench and was handing out stickers to several students.
At one point, the deputy stopped to help a child zip up their jacket…
That’s when the deputy’s holstered firearm went off.
There was a child on the deputy’s gun side.
So, he immediately started checking the child and other nearby students for injuries.
The kid standing on the deputy’s gun side told him that he had made his gun fire.
The gun that fired from the holster was a Sig Sauer in a Safariland holster.
The deputy kept the gun holstered during the entire incident.
He didn’t remove it until detectives arrived at the school.
Upon inspection, detectives could see that the pistol’s slide was still locked in place. The spent shell casing was still chambered.
Thin indicated that the pistol was seated and secure at the time of the discharge and detectives manually ejected the spent shell casing.
Next, investigators inspected the holster.
They found there was a big gap between the trigger guard of the pistol and the trigger guard of the holster.
This meant that the finger of a child could easily fit in the space.
So, the gun could be fired even while it was secured with the holster’s retention in place.
Detectives investigating the accident were able to successfully recreate the event with an unloaded pistol.
Using an adult finger, the detectives were able to pull the trigger through the gap between the pistol trigger guard and the holster trigger guard.
So, the firearm was secured in a double retention holster, but it was still able to be fired.
Thankfully, no injuries occurred from this accidental discharge, but it exposed a design flaw with the holster.
These days, there are many different holster options.
One type that has become popular is the multi-position holster.
Multi-position holsters provide multiple carry configurations and can replace a box full of holsters that we all have.
To be clear, these are not universal holsters that work with multiple guns.
Instead, it’s a holster designed for a specific firearm that can be configured for different positions.
For example, a multi-position holster could be designed for both inside-the-waistband and outside-the-waistband use.
How a multi-position holster works:
A multi-position holster can convert between at least two different carry positions without needing a different holster shell or parts.
The holster is designed to maintain trigger protection regardless of its set up for.
In addition, multi-position holsters work without tools or attachments.
So, you don’t have to take the holster apart or buy new parts for it to work in a different configuration.
Advantages of a multi-position holster:
The main reason to consider a multi-position holster is versatility.
If you are still trying to figure out your preferred carry method a multi-position holster offers options.
Another benefit of these holsters is that many of them are more adjustable than standard holsters.
Some holsters have multiple retention points, ambidextrous designs, and compatibility with accessories.
Lastly, if you carry different holsters based on your activity, a multi-position holster can make sense.
If you go from work to the gym, you could change the position of the holster to work with the clothes you are wearing.
Drawbacks to multi-position holsters:
The biggest drawback to a multi-position holster is that it’s not specifically designed for a single position.
For instance, a holster engineered for appendix carry will have specific cant, height, and profile and work best for the exact carry position.
However, since multi-position holsters are designed for many purposes, they don’t have as exacting specifications for positions.
Another concern is that many multi-position holsters are bulky.
They have more hardware than a standard holster so they can be heavier.
Finally, retention of the pistol can be different depending on the specific position it’s being carried in.
A holster that provides ideal retention for inside-the-waistband might not provide the same retention in an outside-the-waistband setup.
There could be an inconsistency in the retention depending on the position of the holster.
If you are looking for a multi-position holster, consider either the Alien ShapeShift or the BladeTech Total Eclipse.
Make sure to test it thoroughly when you get it and ensure it feels safe and secure in all the different positions.
Check the cant and ride height and confirm that it works for you and your pistol stays secure in all the different carry positions you may use.
A good holster is a vital piece of gear, so don’t scrimp on it.
