Abstract: One embodiment of this invention provides a holster for holding a hand gun. The holster includes a generally U-shaped mounting spring under stiff tension against the exterior inside face of the holster. The mounting spring has a U-shaped fastening portion that fits into a pocket on the inside face of the holster. A fastener extends through the side wall of the holster to secure the fastening portion of the spring to the holster. The holster can be worn without threading a belt through a belt loop on the holster. Instead, the mounting spring firmly but releasably clips the holster to the waistband of the user's trousers, or over the user's belt. The spring can be pulled away from the side of the holster against the bias of the spring to provide a gap for slipping the holster over the waistband or the belt, after which the spring is released, allowing the bias of the spring to clamp the holster firmly in place.

Abstract: A holster includes a safety strap which extends over a firearm carried in the holster. An adjustable snap ring fastener on an inside face of the holster attaches to a fastener on the end of the safety strap for securing the safety strap over the hammer of the firearm. The adjustable snap ring fastener overlies a narrow, elongated opening in the wall of the holster, and an adjustment screw of the inside face of the holster releasably secures the snap ring fastener over the opening. The adjustment screw is fastened to a bushing on the outside face of the holster. The adjustment screw can be loosened to permit sliding movement of the snap ring fastener to a selected position on the holster. A thin metal reinforcing member fastened to the outside face of the holster has a narrow, elongated opening that registers with the elongated opening in the wall of the holster. Sliding movement of the snap ring fastener is guided by the bushing which rides in the elongated opening of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A vest-type shoulder holster for carrying a firearm comprises a vest for being worn on the upper body, and a pocket on an inside portion of the vest overlying a side of the chest region generally under the arm. A holster is carried in the pocket in a concealed manner when a coat is worn over the vest. The pocket extends upwardly and frontward on an angle and faces toward the opposite side of the vest. Cooperating fasteners are located inside the pocket and on the holster for releasably securing the holster in the pocket. A second inside pocket can be provided in a similar location on the opposite side of the vest for carrying accessories.

Abstract: A holster includes a safety strap which extends over a firearm carried in the holster, and a snap ring fastener on the inside surface of the holster for securing the end of the safety strap. A shield having a hardness less than that of the fastener extends around the fastener and projects into the interior of the holster beyond the fastener. The shield prevents the firearm from contacting the fastener when the firearm is removed or replaced in the holster which prevents abrasion of the firearm or its protective finish otherwise caused by repeated contact between the firearm and the unshielded fastener.

Abstract: A holster includes a continuous piece of leather folded along two spaced apart and generally parallel fold lines to form an end wall which is continuous with the inner and outer side walls of the holster. The continuous end wall resists wear and tear from a heavy automatic weapon constantly being pushed down into the holster. The holster also has a belt loop attached to the inner side wall of the holster by nylon stitching extending through a thin, flexible sheet of thread-holding material disposed between the belt loop and the holster side wall. The thread-holding sheet resists the possibility of the belt loop being torn away from the holster. An extension of the inner side wall panel holds a female snap ring fastener for receiving a male snap ring fastener on a strap which loops over the hammer of the firearm. The female snap ring is recessed to prevent interference with a firearm being withdrawn from the holster.