Holster Position What Really Affects Performance

Does holster position — on the thigh or the hip — actually affect draw speed, accuracy, and overall performance?

This question has long intrigued soldiers, law enforcement officers, and licensed civilian carriers who want to optimize their response time under pressure. While intuition might suggest that one position offers an advantage, real-world research paints a more nuanced picture.

What Did the Study Include?

A 2013 study conducted at Curtin University in Australia, published in Human Factors, sought to find evidence-based answers.
The study, titled “Response time, pistol fire position variability, and pistol draw success rates for hip and thigh holsters,” examined how holster placement impacts shooting performance and consistency.

A total of 27 police officers — representing different levels of experience, both male and female — participated in the experiment. Each was asked to perform multiple draws and shots using a training pistol from both hip-mounted and thigh-mounted holsters.

Researchers measured draw times using a 3D motion analysis system, tracking precise body movement and hand trajectory. To qualify as “successful,” participants had to hit the target accurately three times in a row from each holster position. This ensured that the results reflected real-world consistency rather than random success.

Results: Familiarity, Not Position, Is What Matters

The findings were unexpected. There were no statistically significant differences in draw speed, accuracy variability, or overall success rates between the hip and thigh positions.
Whether the holster was attached to the belt line or strapped to the leg, the measurable performance remained nearly identical.

However, one variable did have a major impact — familiarity. When participants used a holster position they were accustomed to from regular duty or training, they performed better across all metrics: faster draws, tighter shot groups, and safer reholstering.

In contrast, when they switched to a less familiar position, performance dropped noticeably. The takeaway: muscle memory and training consistency outweigh equipment placement.

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Practical Implications

For everyday carriers, the study reinforces an important truth: holster position matters less than consistent training.

If you’ve developed habits and confidence around a particular position — whether appendix, hip, or thigh — it’s best to maintain it. Your body’s repetition builds instinctive motion, and in critical situations, that instinct is what saves time and ensures safety.

If you do decide to switch carry positions, don’t expect instant results. Allow time for targeted dry-fire practice and repetition drills until the new position feels as natural as your previous setup.

Pair that training with a well-fitted holster — for instance, a molded Kydex holster for the Glock 43X — to ensure consistent retention, safe trigger coverage, and smooth reholstering during daily use.

So What Should You Choose?

Ultimately, your decision should balance personal comfort, body shape, clothing style, and intended activity. A police officer running tactical drills will have different needs than a civilian carrying discreetly during daily life.

Equally important is the quality of your holster. Cheap or universal holsters often move, collapse, or fail under stress. A precision-molded, brand-specific holster provides better stability, faster presentation, and reliable retention for years of use.

Conclusion — Familiarity Beats Position

The real key to improved shooting performance isn’t where you carry — it’s how well you know your holster and how consistently you train with it. Familiarity builds confidence, and confidence builds precision. A consistent draw, achieved through regular dry-fire practice and repetition drills, allows your response to become automatic and instinctive, even under stress.

Muscle memory, repetition, and trust in your equipment create the foundation for both accuracy and safety. Whether you carry daily or only during specific duties, the goal is the same: a smooth, predictable motion that you can rely on when seconds matter.

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